Striking Dominion workers threatened with arrest at peaceful picket

October 27, 2020 ST. JOHN’S–Striking Dominion workers are being threatened with arrest by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) while conducting a peaceful picket at the Weston's Bakery in Mount Pearl, NF. “It’s outrageous that the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is intimidating peaceful picketers with police doing the bidding of Loblaw Companies Limited,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “The only place this will be resolved is at the bargaining table.” The workers started the legal picket at the bakery, owned by George Weston Ltd., which also operates Dominion’s parent company Loblaw Companies Limited, on Monday October 26. On the evening of October 27, the RNC threatened to arrest the workers under the Highway Traffic Act and the Criminal Code of Canada. “The police have no business intervening here. This is a matter between the workers and Loblaw Companies Limited,” said Unifor 597 President Carolyn Wrice. “One can only wonder if this police action was prompted at the behest of the company.” The workers have been on strike at 11 Dominion stores across Newfoundland since August 22, 2020. 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).