Fresh produce, dirty scabbing: The Loblaws model

Posted on July 6, 2015 in New Brunswick, Ontario, scabs, UFCW
Loblaws is pressuring its New Brunswick workers to scab in Ontario



The following is a message from Patrick Colford, New Brunswick Federation of Labour president. Colford reports that Loblaws is pressuring its non-union Atlantic Superstores employees in New Brunswick to scab on striking Loblaws workers in Ontario. It is reported that Loblaws is threatening retaliation if the request is refused. Unionized workers with UFCW are on strike at nine stores in Ontario, spanning Windsor, Chatham and Sarnia. An additional 60 Loblaws-owned stores in Ontario are voting on a contract until July 8 with a strike deadline of July 11. Rankandfile.ca editors

The New Brunswick Federation of Labour office has been contacted by employees working at Atlantic Superstores in New Brunswick. These workers are being asked to travel to work at other Loblaws-owned stores in Ontario where workers are currently on strike. If the workers refuse, we have been told that the company is threatening retaliation, including possibly reducing their work hours. Says Patrick Colford, NBFL President.

UFCW picket line at a Windsor Zehrs, a Loblaws-owned store.
UFCW picket line at a Windsor Zehrs, a Loblaws-owned store (source: Windsor Star)
1,600 workers unionized with United and Commercial Food Workers (UFCW) local 175 & 633, working at nine Loblaws-owned stores in southeastern Ontario have been on strike since July 2nd. Another 12,000 workers, unionized with UFCW 1000A who work at an additional 60 Loblaws-owned stores in Ontario, are in a strike position since July 5th [strike deadline is now delayed until July 11th RF.ca].

A labour union could protect New Brunswick workers from the tactics being used by Atlantic Superstore to pressure their workers to cross Ontario picket lines to work, concludes President Colford. If Atlantic Superstore workers in New Brunswick want to learn more about how to protect themselves, they can contact our office.

The New Brunswick Federation of Labour office can be reached at (506) 857-2125.

Patrick Colford, NBFL President
(506) 857-9153 / (506) 381-8969 (cell)

The New Brunswick Federation of Labour is the central voice of organized labour in the province. We represent over 40,000 workers from every sector of the economy and from every community in the province.