SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, Oct. 29, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- More than 900 workers at Saskatoon Co-op could be out on strike as early as 12:01 a.m. on November 1, 2018. The employees are members of UFCW Canada Local 1400, which represents the workers at grocery stores, gas stations, Agro centres, home centres, and liquor stores across the region. The union served notice on the Co-op and the Minister’s office on Monday.
The main issue for the workers is the employer’s refusal to bargain the outstanding issues, including the Saskatoon Co-op’s demand to introduce a second-tier wage grid, which would see the Co-op lowering the wages of new employees.
The sole reason given by the CEO of the Saskatoon Co-op for the introduction of the second tier is “long term sustainability” of the Co-op. This rationale does not make sense to the employees’ bargaining committee, as this sustainability shouldn’t be achieved by lowering the quality of life of new employees.
The Saskatoon Co-operative Association boasts of its economic prowess, and that its ranked 21st on the Top 100 Companies in Saskatchewan list, but somehow says it needs to roll back wages now.
The employees are asking for the community to come together and support them in their fight to maintain fairness and to sustain the quality of life of new employees.
Please shop elsewhere during the job action and let’s bring our Co-op back to a company that we, as owners, can once again be proud of.
CONTACT:
Rod Gillies, Director of Negotiations
UFCW Canada Local 1400
306-281-9896