Court refuses Weston Foods emergency injunction against Weston bakery picket

November 07, 2020 ST. JOHN’S–The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador has again refused to grant Weston Foods Canada Ltd. an emergency injunction against a secondary picket by striking Dominion workers at the company’s bakery in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland. “Weston Foods has repeatedly tried to use the courts to stop this peaceful secondary picket and has once again been denied,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “Which begs the question - why is the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary intent on enforcing an injunction that doesn’t exist?” On November 6, 2020, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) broke up the picket at the Weston bakery for the second time, threatening striking workers with arrest. The RNC action took place the day after Unifor filed a civil action against the force for violating the rights of workers at the same picket location on October 27, 2020. In the Statement of Claim the union seeks damages and a declaration that Charter rights were breached. The company’s requests for an emergency injunction against picketing at the bakery location was refused by the court on November 3 and again on November 6. The bakery is owned by George Weston Ltd., which also operates Dominion’s parent company Loblaw Companies Limited. On October 26, Loblaw Companies Limited was denied a blanket injunction to prevent the workers from picketing at approximately 50 locations owned by or connected to the company. “The police have doubled down on being the personal security for Loblaw Co.,” said Dias. “If the court sees no legal reason to issue an emergency injunction to stop picketing then why is the RNC threatening to charge workers picketing in a driveway with Highway Traffic Act and Criminal Code of Canada charges?” asked Dias. Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector and represents 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future. For media inquiries or to arrange a Skype, Zoom or Facetime interview please contact Unifor Communications Representative Kathleen O’Keefe at @email or 416-896-3303 (cell).