Loblaw Workers Vote to Strike
TORONTO -- Associates at Loblaw Cos., Ltd. here have voted to strike against Canada's largest supermarket operator in support of negotiators in ongoing contract talks that started up again last week.
47,000 union workers at more than 200 Ontario Loblaws, Zehrs, and Real Canadian Superstores stores voted more than 95 percent for going on strike, Wayne Hanley, Canadian national director of the United Food and Commercial Workers, wrote in an e-mailed statement. "These negotiations have been difficult and complicated, and they continue," said Hanley.
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The workers would legally be able to strike on Oct. 6, but a strike deadline hasn't been set yet, said Hanley.
According to a report by Bloomberg news service, Loblaw wants to lower costs so that it can slash prices, as Wal-Mart Stores gears up to open supercenters that will carry fresh produce.
47,000 union workers at more than 200 Ontario Loblaws, Zehrs, and Real Canadian Superstores stores voted more than 95 percent for going on strike, Wayne Hanley, Canadian national director of the United Food and Commercial Workers, wrote in an e-mailed statement. "These negotiations have been difficult and complicated, and they continue," said Hanley.
(Story continues below.)
The workers would legally be able to strike on Oct. 6, but a strike deadline hasn't been set yet, said Hanley.
According to a report by Bloomberg news service, Loblaw wants to lower costs so that it can slash prices, as Wal-Mart Stores gears up to open supercenters that will carry fresh produce.