Retail

In a monumental display of solidarity, frontline grocery workers at Metro have embarked on contract negotiations this week, fortified by a historic strike vote and widespread public support.

Public support amplifies for grocery workers

Toronto, ON—Metro grocery workers unite in demand for fair pay, access to benefits, and stable work hours in a historic strike vote ahead of their first contract negotiations since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic.

TORONTO-More than 11,000 Unifor grocery store members are preparing to take on Canada’s Big Three grocery giants, Loblaw, Metro and Sobeys, in upcoming contract negotiations. The front-line supermarket workers are seeking pay increases, benefit improvements and more full-time jobs as bargaining begins next month.

Thanks to swift Unifor mobilization and outreach to city councillors, the City of Toronto City Council has voted to study the impacts of expanding holiday shopping exemptions.

A motion to amend the Toronto Municipal Code that would expand the number of designated retail businesses operating with “tourist area exemption” status, allowing retailers to open on statutory holidays. This change would cause retail workers to lose their statutory holidays.

Dear Councillor,

Re: Proposed Amendment to Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 510-5

We are writing to you on an urgent matter.

It has come to our attention that the City’s Economic and Community Development Committee has recommended amendments to the Toronto Municipal Code, expanding the number of designated retail businesses operating with ‘tourist area exemption’ status. The stated objective is to expand the number of retailers allowed to open for business on statutory holidays.

TORONTO-It would take the average Canadian supermarket worker 340 years to earn Loblaw CEO Galen Weston’s 2022 total compensation of $11.79 million, says Unifor.

VANCOUVER—Wage increases and shift premiums are highlights of a new collective agreement ratified September 14 by Unifor members at Purdy’s Chocolatier.

“This contract makes important gains for workers struggling to cope with the rising cost of living in Metro Vancouver,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director.

VANCOUVER—Members of Unifor Local 2000 working at Purdy’s Chocolatier could be on strike at midnight if the employer refuses to make a fair wage offer during negotiations today.

“Unifor members have helped make Purdy’s a household name in British Columbia,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “Workers at Purdy’s deserve a fair contract that protects their wages from inflation during uncertain economic times.”

VANCOUVER—Unifor Local 2000’s bargaining committee has secured a tentative agreement with Purdy’s Chocolatier during negotiations that went down to the deadline set by the union.

“I’m proud of the solidarity and the work done by Local 2000 members to reach a tentative deal that advances their goals,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director.