Workers at some Loblaws stores reject deal; union local ‘ramps up’ strike prep

TORONTO – A union local representing some workers at some Loblaws stores in Ontario says it is “ramping up strike preparations” after its members rejected a tentative contract.

Local 1000A of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Canada said in a release Sunday that its members at Loblaws Great Food and Superstore had rejected the agreement during votes held around Ontario from June 14 to 20 and said it would train picket captains this week.

The union local represents about 12,000 workers in produce, bakery and meat departments as well as bookkeepers and accountants.

UFCW Local 1000A’s website says the tentative agreement dated June 2 applies to members at Loblaws, Real Canadian Super Stores and Great Canadian Food Stores, three of the many banners within the Loblaw group of companies.

Local 1000A didn’t provide a vote tally and said final percentages would be provided early this week “but the fact the tentative agreement was rejected won’t change. Your union is ramping up strike preparations.”

Loblaw declined to comment.

Note to readers: This story clarifies a point. An earlier version only said “the union representing workers at Loblaws” rejected a tentative agreement but did not specify that it was a union local in Ontario that rejected the agreement with Loblaws.