Quebec Workers Strike Against Loblaw Chain

QUEBEC CITY — Nearly 800 union workers at 13 Maxi stores in Quebec went on strike Wednesday, citing a lack of progress in contract negotiations with Maxi’s parent company, Loblaw.

The strike, called by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 503 here, affects seven stores in the greater Quebec City area, three in the Mauricie region, one in Montmagny, one in Rimouski and one in Sept-Iles, a union spokesman said.

Some of the striking workers have had a freeze on their salary since the signing of their last collective agreement 6-8 years ago, depending on the location. Negotiations over a new contract have continued for more two years without a resolution, the spokesman said.

Members at these 13 Maxi stores are seeking the same contract as the one recently obtained by workers at the Maxi store in Baie-Comeau, Quebec, but management has refused to consider the same working conditions, the union said.

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