So far, still no strike.
Loblaw Co. workers, including those right here in Listowel, are still on the job after negotiations between their union and the company resumed July 19.
Talks had previously broken off after several months of unsuccessful negotiations, at which point members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union voted 97 per cent in favour of a strike.
The union represents nearly 30,000 employees at stores under names such as Loblaws, Zehrs, Real Canadian Superstores and Fortinos.
Workers claim they are frustrated by company proposals that would cut wages by up to 25 per cent, increase wait times for benefits eligibility and reduce full-time jobs.
The company has stated Loblaw is facing an uncertain economy and significant challenges from competitors like Sobeys Inc.
A spokesperson from the union stated employees want to see improvements to their wages and benefits.
Loblaw plans to spend $1 billion this year on renovations, efficiencies and infrastructure and technology upgrades.
Talks between the union and company began in April.
Management at the Listowel Zehrs store wasn’t permitted to comment on the situation.
Loblaw, which employs nearly 3,000 in this region, has stated it’s up against increasingly non-unionized competition. Many of its contracts pay staff 10 per cent more than other grocery companies, and the company said it can’t keep up with that rate of pay.
In the face of an increasingly competitive market, Loblaw said it has no choice but to change the way it does business.
“This is a watershed period in our industry. It’s time for a change,” said Loblaw president Allan Leighton.
Loblaw’s latest earnings show that while sales are up slightly, reduced prices decreased profits.
The company plans to open new pharmacies, stand-alone Joe Fresh clothing stores and expand its No Frills chain in order to boost profits. The company maintains it needs operational flexibility to run the stores efficiently in light of its competition and the economy.
There are concerns in larger areas like Waterloo that a strike would hamper food bank donations. The Waterloo Region Food Bank gets about 2,000 pounds of food weekly, and the Loblaw chain makes up about 65 per cent of that.
- With files from The Record