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********Update: May 6 2022
The Memorandum of Settlement has been rejected by 78 percent, which clearly sends the message that the Company’s final offer was not good enough.
While we have reached out to the Company’s Retail and Distribution Centre’s negotiations committee with the vote results, we have not received any indication on whether they intend to come back to the table.
You have reached this news release as preparations have been made to conduct strike votes in the province.
It is a fact that more than 95% of contracts are reached without ever resorting to a strike. Yet, from time to time unfortunately, strikes are necessary to achieve the bargaining goals we have set. In the event of a strike or lockout, we must stick together and help one another. The union will do all it can to provide full support during a dispute.
There is a specific process and rules for a legal strike to take place. Under the law, the union must conduct a strike vote. A strike can only happen when it has been approved by the members of the bargaining unit. The majority vote of members who participate in that vote will determine the results for the entire membership. It is imperative that you attend to have your vote count and your voice heard.
A successful strike vote does not always lead to a strike. Strikes and strike votes are a last resort means of showing workers’ resolve at the bargaining table.
A strong strike mandate will show the Company that the membership is serious and the stronger the mandate that you have, the less likely a dispute will occur.
Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions. Additional information may be added as more questions may come in that will need to be answered:
Why is a strong strike mandate important?
Voting YES on a strike vote signals to Loblaw that we are strong and united. A strong YES vote will put pressure on the Company to get back to the bargaining table and to negotiate a fair deal. The stronger the strike mandate, the less likely a dispute will occur. A strong strike mandate puts the Union in the best possible position to secure a good deal without needing to call a strike.
What is a “strike mandate”?
A strike mandate means the members authorize a strike if the employer refuses to agree to a fair collective agreement. To secure a strike mandate, the UFCW Constitution requires a two-thirds majority vote of members voting YES on a strike vote.
Will we be able to vote again on another Memorandum of Settlement after the strike vote?
There is no guarantee that the Company will re-offer the same memorandum to vote on. Therefore, it is important for you to vote and show the Company that we are serious about our demands and bring them back to the table.
I didn’t vote, what happens to me?
If you do not vote, your vote is not counted.
What happened to the rejected Memorandum of Settlement?
Since the offer has been rejected. The terms of the offer do not have to be maintained.
If we vote NO to strike, can we still accept the last offer?
No, the offer has been rejected and the Company is not obligated to re-offer the same terms of settlement. If you vote NO, there is no incentive for the Company to do anything.
What is a strike?
A strike is when employees stop working to pressure the Company to agree to their demands in collective bargaining.
When would a strike be held?
With a strong strike mandate, there is pressure for the Company to return to the table. If your employer does not return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair deal, your Union will give 72-hour notice of strike. Before this happens, you will be advised of the progress and the Union’s intent to issue notice.
Who is eligible for picket pay?
Members who are actively employed and working for the Employer prior to the strike/lockout.
How much is strike pay?
Strike pay is known as picket pay. To be eligible for picket pay, you must picket on the strike line. Picket pay is not a wage, so it is not taxable.
Full-time employees will receive picket pay of up to $400/week, subject to picketing hours.
Part time employees will receive picket pay of up to $325/week, subject to picketing hours.
Additional information on being prepared for a strike or lock out is available here.
Members are encouraged to contact their union representive if they have any questions.
Voting times and locations are as follows and will be posted on your bulletin boards at work:
DATE | CITY and TIME | VOTING LOCATION |
May 14 | Surrey 8am-12pm and 2pm-8pm | Sheraton Guildford 15269 104th Avenue, Surrey |
May 15 | Port Coquitlam 8am-12pm and 2pm-8pm | PoCo Inn & Suites 1545 Lougheed Hwy, Port Coquitlam |
Vernon 8am-12pm and 2pm-8pm | Prestige Hotel Vernon 4411 32 Street, Vernon | |
Chilliwack 8am-12pm and 2pm-8pm | Hampton Inn 8050 Lickman Rd, Chilliwack | |
Prince George 8am-12pm and 2pm-8pm | Prestige Treasure Cove Resort 2005 Highway 97 South, Prince George | |
Victoria 8am-12pm and 2pm-8pm | Holiday Inn 318 Wale Road, Colwood | |
Courtenay 8am-12pm and 2pm-8pm | Florence Filberg Centre 411 Anderton Avenue, Courtenay | |
May 16 | Cranbrook 8am-12pm and 2pm-8pm | Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort 209 Van Horne St South, Cranbrook |
Duncan * VOTING STARTS @ 8:30am 8:30am-12pm and 2pm-8pm | Ramada Duncan 140 TransCanada Hwy, Duncan | |
Campbell River 8am-12pm and 2pm-8pm | Comfort Inn & Suites 1351 Shoppers Row, Campbell River | |
Kelowna 8am-12pm and 2pm-8pm | Coast Capri 1171 Harvey Ave, Kelowna | |
North Vancouver 8am-12pm and 2pm-8pm | Holiday Inn 700 Old Lillooet Road, North Van | |
Pitt Meadows – DC 1932 10am-3pm | Hollywood 3 Cinemas 19190 Lougheed Hwy, Pitt Meadows | |
Vancouver – DC 1935 8am-11am and 3pm-7pm | South Hall Event Centre 8273 Ross Street, Vancouver | |
May 17 | Penticton 8am-12pm and 2pm-8pm | Penticton Lakeside Resort 21 Lakeshore Dr W, Penticton |
Abbotsford 8am-12pm and 2pm-8pm | Best Western Plus Regency Inn 32110 Marshall Road, Abbotsford | |
Kamloops 8am-12pm and 2pm-8pm | Ramada by Wyndham 555 West Columbia St, Kamloops | |
Nanaimo 8am-12pm and 2pm-8pm | Grand Hotel 4898 Rutherford Rd, Nanaimo | |
Burnaby 8am-12pm and 2pm-8pm | Delta Hotel Burnaby Conference Centre 4331 Dominion Street, Burnaby | |
South Surrey – DC 1957 8am-11am and 1pm-3pm and 5pm-9pm | Coast Langley City Hotel & Convention Centre 20393 Fraser Hwy, Langley |
********* Update: April 28 2022
VOTE RESULTS
The Memorandum of Settlement has been rejected by 78%
April 20 2022
The explanation of the newly announced tentative agreement will be available via telephone town hall meetings this week. As mentioned in the previous announcement, there is a significant concern that we are entering into a sixth Covid wave, so to minimize exposure, only the voting process will be in-person.
In order for our Superstore and Distribution Centres members to learn what the proposed offer entails, a variety of dates and times have been booked for you. During these telephone town hall meetings, we’ll go over the Memorandum of Settlement and give you the opportunity to ask questions so that you can make an informed decision when it’s time to vote.
The following telephone town hall meetings are available for members:
Retail Superstore Members
-Thursday, April 21 @ 7:30am** (members must call in to participate in this meeting, see note below) or
-Thursday, April 21 @ 2:30pm or
-Friday, April 22
-Friday, April 22 @ 7:00pm
**Due to CRTC regulations, we are not able to call you early in the morning on April 21; instead, members are asked to call in for the 7:30am meeting by dialing: 1-877-229-8493, and enter ID code: 116389 when prompted.
If for some reason you missed our call for any of the other three available meetings, you can join in by dialing the same phone number as above.
Please note that the explanation meetings and ID code listed above will only cover the retail group (Superstore).
Explanation meetings for members working at the Distribution Centres are as follows and have a different ID code.
Distribution Centre Members
-Thursday, April 21 @ 6:30pm or
-Friday, April 22 @ 2:00pm or
-Saturday, April 23 @ 10:30am
Again, all you have to do to participate in one of these meetings is answer the phone when we call you. You can also expect a reminder call the day before. All three telephone town hall meetings will cover the same information so you only need to participate in the call that is most convenient for you. If for some reason you missed our call for any of the other three available meetings, you can join in by dialing 1-877-229-8493 and enter ID code: 121352
After you have heard the explanation of the tentative agreement and had your questions answered, please make time to have your say and vote on the renewal of your collective agreement.
The following voting stations are available for all Superstore members and will be open from 8am-8pm (closed 12-1pm) :
**Members are reminded that you must show photo ID in order to collect a ballot**
DATE | CITY | VOTING LOCATION |
Sunday April 24 | Port Coquitlam | Poco Inn & Suites 1545 Lougheed Hwy, Port Coquitlam |
Vernon | Prestige Hotel 4411 32 Street, Vernon | |
Chilliwack | Hampton Inn 8050 Lickman Rd, Chilliwack | |
Prince George | Prestige Treasure Cove Resort 2005 Highway 97 South, Prince George | |
Victoria | Holiday Inn 318 Wale Road, Colwood | |
Courtenay | Florence Filberg Centre 411 Anderton Avenue, Courtenay | |
Monday April 25 | Cranbrook | Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort 209 Van Horne St South, Cranbrook |
Duncan | Ramada Duncan 140 TransCanada Hwy, Duncan | |
Campbell River | Comfort Inn & Suites 1351 Shoppers Row, Campbell River | |
Surrey | Sheraton Guildford 15269 104th Avenue, Surrey | |
Kelowna | Fairfield Inn 1655 Powick Rd, Kelowna | |
North Vancouver | Holiday Inn 700 Old Lillooet Road, North Van | |
Tuesday April 26 | Penticton | Penticton Lakeside Resort 21 Lakeshore Dr W, Penticton |
Abbotsford | Best Western Plus Regency Inn 32110 Marshall Road, Abbotsford | |
Kamloops | Ramada by Wyndham 555 West Columbia St, Kamloops | |
Nanaimo | Grand Hotel 4898 Rutherford Rd, Nanaimo | |
Burnaby | Delta Hotel Burnaby Conference Centre 4331 Dominion Street, Burnaby |
The following voting stations are available for all Distribution Centre members:
**Members are reminded that you must show photo ID in order to collect a ballot**
DATE | CITY | MEETING LOCATION |
Sunday April 24 | Port Coquitlam | Poco Inn & Suites 1545 Lougheed Hwv, Port Coquitlam |
Tuesday April 26 | Vancouver | South Hall Event Centre 8273 Ross Street, Vancouver |
Wednesday April 27 or 6pm-9pm | Langley | Semiahmoo Fish & Game Club 1284 184th Street, Surrey |
Please make every effort to participate in one of the telephone town hall ratification meetings and to vote at the location closest to you.
