Grocery store workers in N.L. on strike over low wages, end of pandemic pay

UPDATE: 9:35 a.m.

Workers at 11 Dominion grocery stores across Newfoundland hit the picket lines Sunday to demand higher wages, full-time positions and access to benefits, a local union leader said.

Unifor Local 597 President Carolyn Wrice said the union, which represents more than 1,400 workers, has rejected the latest contract offer from Dominion's parent company, Loblaw Companies Ltd.

"They made their voices loud and clear.... They voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action," Wrice said in an interview Sunday.

In a statement Saturday evening, Unifor national president Jerry Dias said members did not make the decision lightly.

"They would much rather be serving their communities, but as front-line workers they felt they could not accept the contract put forth by the company," Dias said.

Dias said that last month, Dominion took back a $2 per hour pay increase that was offered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the company's latest proposal offered to restore only half of that increase over the life of a three-year contract.

"There were gains in some areas but in the end the monetary offer fell short," Dias said.

In a statement Sunday, Loblaw spokeswoman Catherine Thomas said that after months of discussions, the two sides reached a tentative agreement in July.

"We are disappointed that this agreement was not accepted by our colleagues," Thomas said.

Wrice said the workers make anywhere between minimum wage, which is $11.65 an hour in Newfoundland and Labrador, to just over $20 an hour.

"I have single moms and dads that are trying to raise families, pay bills. I have people that rely on food banks to feed their families and feed themselves," she said.

"We are going to stay here as long as it takes to get a deal."

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ORIGINAL: 8:11 a.m.

Workers at Dominion grocery stores across Newfoundland are on strike today.

Unifor Local 597, which represents the workers, says they've voted to reject the latest contract offer from Dominion's parent company, Loblaw Companies Ltd.

The union says workers launched their strike action to demand higher wages at 10:01 p.m. Saturday.

In a statement Saturday evening, Unifor national president Jerry Dias says members did not make the decision lightly.

Dias says that last month, Dominion took back a $2 per hour pay increase that was offered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He says the company offered to restore only half of that increase over the life of a proposed three-year contract.

"There were gains in some areas but in the end the monetary offer fell short," Dias said, adding that Dominion workers would rather be working.

"They would much rather be serving their communities but as front-line workers they felt they could not accept the contract put forth by the company."

Loblaw did not immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday morning.