What is happening with Canadian grocery stores?
Frontline grocery workers at 27 Metro stores in the GTA will begin strike action on Saturday, July 29, at 12:01 a.m., with picket lines forming at each store at 8:00 a.m.
The strike action comes after Unifor Local 414 members voted to reject a tentative collective agreement.
It’s no secret that grocery stores are fundamentally changing. There are less staff, more self-checkouts, and CEOs are making more than ever. Yet, grocery stores are looking for more ways to increase profits and cut costs—often at the expense of workers.
Most grocery store workers make close to minimum wage, even those who’ve been working at the same store for years. Some grocery workers must rely on food banks or continue working well into retirement to get by—it’s heartbreaking, especially after just being called heroes during the pandemic.
Grocery workers deserve good paying jobs.
It’s that simple.
And grocery CEOs are failing consumers and their own workers.
When grocery workers can’t afford groceries, don’t enough hours, can’t take a sick day, or access health and dental benefits, that’s bad for everyone. When grocery workers get paid fairly, can afford to eat, can support their families, and access a good job that respects them, that’s good for our communities.
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice issued an order on August 29, 2023. It is an injunction order about picketing at Metro’s distribution centres and corporate offices. The order is posted at those locations. It should be read carefully by picketers at those locations. If you are a picketer at those locations you should comply with the order.
Find a Picket Line
Join frontline grocery workers on a picket line near you.
Unifor Local 414 members are taking a stand against corporate greed amidst an affordability crisis. It’s time for them to get their fair share of Metro’s enormous profits. It’s time for good jobs for grocery workers.
Metro stores impacted by the strike will include those in Toronto, Brantford, Orangeville, Milton, Oakville, Brampton, North York, Islington, Willowdale, Mississauga, Etobicoke, Newmarket, and Scarborough.
Brampton
- 180 Sandalwood Pky, Brampton, Ont L6Z 1Y4
Brantord
- 371 St. Paul Ave, Brantford, Ont N3L 5P9
Etobicoke
- 1500 Royal York Rd N, Etobicoke, Ont M9P 3B6
Islington
- 201 Lloyd Manor, Islington, Ont M9B 6H6
Milton
- 1050 Kennedy Circle, Milton, Ont L9T 0J9
Mississauga
- 2225 Erin Mills Pky, Mississauga, Ont L5K IT8
- 6677 Meadowvale Cir, Mississauga, Ont LSN 2R5
Newmarket
- 1111 Davis Dr, Newmarket, Ont L3Y 2R9
- 16640 Yonge St # 11, Newmarket, Ont L3Y 4V8
North York
- 3090 Bathurst St, North York, Ont M6A 2A5
Scarborough
- 40 Eglinton Sq, Scarborough, Ont MIL 2KI
- 2900 Warden Ave, Scarborough, Ont MIW 2588
- 3221 Eglinton Ave E, Scarborough, Ont M1J 2H7
Toronto
- 16 William Kitchen Blvd, Toronto, Ont MIP 5B7
- 3003 Danforth Ave, Toronto, Ont M4C IM9
- 2155 St. Clair Ave W, Toronto, Ont M6N 1K5
- 100 Lynn Williams St, Toronto, Ont M6K 3N6
- 425 Bloor St W, Toronto, Ont M5S 1X6
- 1411 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ont M6L 1A4
- 2300 Yonge St, Toronto, Ont M4P 1E4
- 656 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, Ont M4P [P]
- 89 Gould St, Toronto, Ont M5B 2R1
- 1050 Don Mills Rd, Toronto, Ont M3C IW6
Oakville
- 1521 Rebecca St, Oakville, Ont L6L 1Z8
Orangeville
- 150 First St, Orangeville, Ont LOW 3T7
Willowdale
- 20 Church Ave, Willowdale, Ont M2N 0B7
- 291 York Mills Rd, Willowdale, Ont M2L 1L3