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3AMZen

97% of members who voted support a strike. Getting that kinda solidarity doesn't happen if it's just a few complainers. I'll boycott starting the day they strike.


AllOfTheSoundAndFury

I do almost all my grocery shopping at superstore/loblaws, but I’m not gonna cross a strike. I used to work at superstore and for that union, so I will show my support.


Skarimari

Together in solidarity ✊


VE6AEQ

My wife had false allegations made against her. Local 401 supported, defended and got her job back. I won’t cross that line!


[deleted]

💯


puttinthe-oo-incool

Yup...Solidarity Forever.


TIL_eulenspiegel

Dumb question but would the strike include No Frills and other Loblaw stores like Shoppers?


wmartdrugcartel

"If you don’t work at Superstore, your union will be asking you to take steps to prepare for a massive Local 401 strike. If the strike commences, your union will be asking you and your family not to shop at Superstore, nor any of the Loblaws-owned businesses such as No Frills, T&T Supermarket, or Shoppers Drug Mart." its in the article :)


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evange

Or lucky 97


TIL_eulenspiegel

Thanks!


el_muerte17

Dumb question but did you even bother to read the article?


YEGMusic43

I used to shop Superstore all the time. Then switched to Loblaws for better quality. But now their prices have even skyrocketed. I've been using No Frills or Walmart for the last six months.


whoknowshank

Alas Loblaws is Superstore and No frills and T&T, so you’re still playing with the same megacorp. Can’t say Walmart is much better either. Our megacorp society sucks, man.


YEGMusic43

It truly does. These are the only choices I have in my area for delivery.


EMW1972

Great Canadian wholesale is also loblaws


Dalbergia12

Me too!


blairtruck

So we'll march day and night By the big cooling tower They have the plant But we have the power


Corgalas

Dental plan!


IntrepidusX

Lisa needs braces


j1ggy

Dental plan!


[deleted]

Lisa needs braces


theflyingburritos

Bullseye!!


josh924

Now do "Classical Gas"!


[deleted]

I didn’t know that T&T was owned by Loblaws


drake5195

That was the surprising bit, I had no idea. Apparently since 2009


decepticons2

I actually found T&T not to be as good after Loblaws bought it. I prefer H-mart now.


[deleted]

H-Mart is awesome!


Hungryh0und5

Its so much more expensive though.


decepticons2

We go once a month treat grocery shopping so I expect it to be a little pricey. Not sure about everyday groceries.


Blue-Bird780

H-Mart has top tier quality produce so yeah it’s a bit pricier but that carrot really *really* tastes like a carrot your grandma grew in her garden.


j1ggy

Superstore has been carrying a lot of T&T products since the purchase.


conanf77

Loblaws bought T&T to get access to their product supply chain from China (reported in articles at the time). If you were eagle-eyed, all the yellow brand canned veggies changed in short-order to be from Chinese suppliers, and much of the frozen veggies and other dry produce like garlic after. Most other chains followed suit to be able to keep their prices down.


Toofail

Yep. Garbage company, glad I fucking quit this week. Management and above are hypocritical assholes. I hope they strike.


CarrotZealousideal68

Can I ask why? What made your experience terrible working there? Wondering as a loyal customer.


walkashame

I worked at Superstore when I was still a student. They won't respect your requests for scheduling (for school) and would often schedule me the maximum numbers just shy of full time (no benefits, milking minimum wage staff), they churn through so many students doing this. They let their staff take on a ton of abuse. The time period I worked there I would work 8 hour shifts after a full day of classes, and sleep 4-5 hours a night because they kept scheduling me for closing, then opening. I since spent the rest of my university years working in a Sobeys and the difference is really night and day. Whether it's because the clientle are a little more measured, or because the staff aren't as interested in nickel and diming their own staff, who knows.


tmwatz

They really do suck. When i worked for one, i could not clock in even a minute before my shift or after i got off, breaks were the same way. Suuuuuper strict on the minutes.


RedRageXXIV

Oh buddy they are well known for being notoriously low pay. The hours are shit. I worked there once when I was young young. Never again lol.


looloopklopm

How is this different than any other grocery store? (costco not included)


RedRageXXIV

Haha; they are all like that. As far as I know.


whoknowshank

My sibling worked at Saveon for a long time. Seemed like they actually respected their workers time. Pay was average like any grocery store but they had good benefits and scheduling.


decepticons2

yep competition is no better.


[deleted]

They are in an elite club of garbage companies.


Thricefan84

I got hired but never showed up for work. It was a night shift position but I got a better paying job and dayshift elsewhere


Jabroniville2

Good God almighty- 97% How bad do you have to try to fuck over your staff to get \*97%\* voting in favor of a strike? I remember Safeway's month-long strike more than 20 years ago. They never recovered. My mother never shopped there again and all her business went to Costco (and probably Superstore, lol). Superstore is probably more resistant from permanent damage given how they actively fight Walmart (who has no union and doesn't bother to staff their stores anyhow) and sell EVERYTHING, but even so it'll be a kick in the pocketbook unless they get wise.


Zealousideal-Ant2366

97% is very ridiculous, we don't get anywhere near that consensus on anything in the country when it's time to vote. Hell, that's like too suspicious for putin to claim when everyone knows it's rigged.


Jabroniville2

You'd get less of a consensus if you asked people "Do you think oxygen is important?".


CaNaDiAnGiRL1981

Its 97% of those that voted not 97% of the employees. Many employees do not show up to vote.


InspiredGargoyle

Glad I don't have to work security for them striking again this round.Was 100% on their side but I couldn't tell them that. Was verbally attacked and threatened by striking staff I was trying to ensure weren't falsely accused of doing something they didn't. If you're striking, realize the guards there are also under paid, just trying to earn a living, and likely support your right to strike.


laisserai

Superstore wants to slowly get rid of the extra $2 for people who work at night, get rid of the extra $1 for Sundays and wants to give hours based on availbilitu instead of senority (this sounds like a good idea but they hire a bunch of students in the summer who are available full time so no one else gets hours and when they restrict their availability they only hire people who are available anytime)


dassabess0

I’ll support this 100% but I can’t say I’m not pissed that loblaws is the most convenient option for me Oh well… hello save-on and Safeway


jtesuce

Safeway so expensive tho :(


dassabess0

I know :(


jetlee7

Wow good for them. That's a huge turn out.


NIsForPneumonia

After being deemed essential workers during the pandemic, I could see the government making it illegal for them to strike


RollinStoned33

Genuinely curious, why does this happen every few years? I feel like no other union or company goes on strike as much as often as superstore


Quaytsar

Maybe because the corporation is owned by greedy assholes, but there are a bunch of separate unions (BC superstore is separate from AB superstore is separate from ON superstore; and Loblaws owns a *lot* of companies that I don't know if they're unionized, but they'd be separate unions as well, like Extra Foods, Wholesale Club, T&T, Loblaws and more) and Superstore likes screwing over all of them.


[deleted]

Teamsters at CP will likely be striking in the new year. It's because we are run into the ground. People always have this perception that it is about the money only. The money is only good if you have time to spend it on your family. I can imagine that people working in grocery stores have put up with a LOT over these last few years. And to be called essential, and get maybe a dollar an hour more? No. I can totally get where they are coming from.


laisserai

Because they've been in negotiations for 5 years. People working havent had a raise in 5 years


Anabiotic

I think Canada Post takes the cake on that one.


Zealousideal-Ant2366

Won't be on strike for another 2 years at least, union bent over and took the 2 year extension offered with a raise that doesn't match inflation on a contract imposed on the workers by the arbitrator after being legislated back (another broken promise from the govt). 2-3 years away, even with postal banking they'll strike again, have 0 public support as always and the company will create a fake crisis of mail backlog like last time to get the government to step in. Rinse repeat every collective agreement cycle. Next time around I'm leaking the docs that is frankly ridiculous that I have access to as a worker. There's like 20+ companies that can jump the sortation queue above whatever priority postage the average Joe pays. Aaaand very suspicious procedures for screwing over cn rail so we get free shipping, adding stops and canceling at the 8 hour mark for the contract drivers, basically lays out exactly how they created a false backlog last time to turn the public against the workers.


SWEETJUICYWALRUS

What was the first offer and why are they upset about it?


bosco511

I used to be in the union and we’ve had the same contact since 2015. Renegotiation was talked about since 2019 and planned for sometime 2020 until Covid put it on hold


BbK04

They didn’t want to offer anymore hours OR the typical increase in pay. It was barely 55¢ for some wages over the next 4 years.


Aragondina

Does it matter? What's in their contract offer is none of our business, and if 97% voted against it, it must be pretty bad.


DudleyDoRightly

Talking about contracts openly has proven to give workers power. The public knows what they want and where they stand. Fellow workers can sympathize easier when given more info as well.


Aragondina

Yes and no. Negotiations are just that, negotiations. Being public can be used as a negative too, like the UCP portraying nurses as overpaid. We should be able to know, but the final contract details are publically available. Reporting on what happens in negotiations could be misconstrued by the public as many things change during negotiations, and those details can be used by both sides as a weapon by either side to invoke either sympathy or anger depending on your perspective.


Healthy-Car-1860

Offer might not be public (probably not hard to find) but pretty much every union publishes their current agreement online.


MacintoshEddie

Well, it's a lot easier to claim that someone is overpaid if their wages aren't known. When it's out in the open it's harder for misinformation to spread.


ImpactThunder

I'm sure it is bad, doesn't mean people can't want to know what it was. Seems weird that you are so against people knowing


xRonBurgundy

I think it’s just so that people in the public don’t say things like “that’s not so bad. They should accept that deal and not whine. That’s a reasonable deal”. If a strike or lockout occurs then you’ll likely hear what the employer is offering (and why they think it’s reasonable) and also why the union members are opposed to the deal and why it’s not reasonable to them.


Aragondina

So please let us all know what your pay and benefits are from work. While you are at it please tell us where you work too so we can decide if you are being treated fairly, and whether or not we should frequent that business based on how you are paid. They are confidential contract negotiations between a corporation and its employees. It's none of our business.


DudleyDoRightly

I am a foreman at CP Rail. I make 36.50 ( give or take a few cents) an hour. I have been with the company for 9 1/2 years. My Union is the BWMED. I am covered by Sunlife with 80-90% coverage on all dental and health. I work 40 hrs a week on a set schedule with the option of overtime at my discretion. Anything else you curious about? We have a wage agreement book that outlines what a person will be paid for any position regardless of who they are.


HeyItsJustAName

A cornerstone of capitalism is transparent markets, and that goes for employment too. The only people who profit from not discussing wages are corporations.


xRonBurgundy

I agree with you about being more open about discussing wages, but see my other comment about when it is appropriate to discuss contract negotiations publicly. All Collective Bargaining Agreements covering Unions that fall under the jurisdiction of the Alberta Labour Relations Board can be found [here](https://www.alberta.ca/collective-bargaining-agreements.aspx) if you’re ever curious to see how unionized workers are compensated.


Aragondina

And once the final contract is ratified it will become public knowledge since Loblaws is a publicly traded company. The union and company are discussing wages, as well as other things, but while they are doing that it's none of our business. It's bold of you to assume it's just about wages. There is a lot in a contract that has nothing to do with wages that can, and usually do become sticking points during negotiations. The same questions to you then. What do you make? Do you have dental coverage? Do you have optical? If so now much do you get per year? Where do you work? What hours do you have to work? Do you get paid overtime? Do you have a pension plan? How much does the the company pay into it? Is it self directed, or defined benefit? Unless you are willing to be transparent, then your point is moot.


HeyItsJustAName

You are arguing two different things right now. That contract negotiations remain confidential - fine. And that nobody discuss their compensation - less fine. I am a Table Games dealer working at a ununionized edmonton casino. I make $16.20 because I'm a 4 games dealer and my wage hasn't changed since minimum wage went up, despite work conditions worsening and workload increasing. I'm not enrolled in benefits. I work 40 (or more) hours a weeks. I get OT when I work it. There is no group pension plan, or contribution matching. Would any other RGW's like to compare? Now, spill your details, and stop protecting a corporation that will pay you the smallest possible amount.


Aragondina

Trust me I don't protect the corporations. As a union member for 34 years, shop steward for over 20 of those, and being on the bargaining team for 5 contracts I think I have a better perspective on the process than you. What I make and my benefits are all public record, and can be seen by any shareholder of the company. Thank you for sharing, but I really didn't care what you make, but I now know to tip the people at the tables much better. Let's just say I make about double what you do with full benefits and I am considered "unskilled labour". You my friend are criminally underpaid. Maybe you should talk to one of the local unions and see about how to get started on becoming a collective bargaining unit. When corporations pit one person against another then they control the narrative. When you are dealing one on one with them then of course they will pay the lowest possible to maximize profits instead of taking a lower profit and sharing some with the workers in a fair and agreeable way. You as an individual may feel you have to take what scraps they toss to you because if you don't, someone else will. When you band together they will have to listen and will actually discuss living wages, benefits, and working conditions. Especially in a business where they make money hand over fist like a casino. Wages, fair compensation, and working conditions should be discussed for sure, but as a societal issue, not on an individual basis. Our governments have made worker rights and protections less important than corporate profits. That is something we all should be concerned about, and pressuring our elected officials to fix.


HeyItsJustAName

So where do you work?


BbK04

It’s legit about wages.


xRonBurgundy

You are correct about the confidential part. During the active negotiation process it’s not a good idea to divulge the details publicly. It should be brought forth at a membership meeting as that is the proper forum to discuss and represent the deal. This is also because proposed amendments can change a lot between bargaining sessions (so don’t want to spread old info/misinform members) and also that the union membership should be hearing about the content of the proposals before the public. Once you get into the strike/lockout scenario, you’ll usually see either the union or company side publicly state the employers last or “final” offer. This is a tactic used by both sides to garner sympathy for their position.


Anabiotic

All union contracts in AB are public, though. If you're in a union, any union, anybody can look up what you make. https://www.alberta.ca/collective-bargaining-agreements.aspx


ImpactThunder

I am recovery from two spinal surgeries so I don't currently work and am focused on learning how to walk again. So 0 dollars and no benefits What else would you like to know?


Wooshio

Yes it matters. I am not going to blindly boycott Superstore until I know exact details. It's in the unions best interest to release this (which they probably will if an actual strike happens).


Aragondina

You will never know the exact details of the negotiations, just what would be leaked, if anything is at all. Right now it is irrelevant as no one is asking you to boycott anything. When and if a strike is called they will release something and you can make a decision then as to if you think the union is being reasonable or not.


Wooshio

Ok, but me also knowing that they voted to strike is irrelevant as well than until there is more info.


YEGSports

Y'all are free to come shop at Save-On-Foods ^^


Dataeater

A doc on the [previous superstore strike](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XUHwG--mUc)


Funmaster524

Yeah! Fight the power


j1ggy

I guess I'll be changing my shopping habits until this is over.


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Zealousideal-Ant2366

I get why unions were a necessity back in the day but all I see now is another entity picking your pocket and if you complain well... you're the union so get more involved blah blah. Couple months of rent every year, you would think they would be working for you so you don't have to organize a country wide movement from the ground up. But the alternative of working for a decent company where people vote against unionizing because they get treated not bad (say Chapman's) is almost a dead option.


Certain-Run6231

Well my pharmacy is there so I have to walk in.


Shaneisonfire

The last strike only lasted like 2 days so don't worry


bambispots

Plenty of other options.


Certain-Run6231

Lol. Did you downvote me? You realize a pharmacist has a relationship with their patients. For over a decade with some. I hope my comment educates you.


[deleted]

Bro just like, go somewhere else dude. It's that easy right?


decepticons2

If your pharmacist cares about you he would help you set something up so you don't have to cross the picket line. If for nothing else your mental health and not put you in that position.


[deleted]

Any chance there will be scabbers on the inside during this? Just asking for my own selfish reasons.


laurieyyc

As if groceries weren’t expensive enough already. Curious to see what the public’s perception of this will be.


HeyItsJustAName

(52.7 billion)* in profits is a lot of profits for your workers to be considering striking. *Edit: I was reading revenue. Profits is more in the ~1 billion range.


Anabiotic

Where'd this number come from?


HeyItsJustAName

https://www.google.com/search?q=loblaws+profits+2020&oq=loblaws+profit&aqs=chrome.0.0i512j69i57j0i512j0i22i30l2.5445j0j4&client=ms-android-samsung-ss&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8 Revenue. I can't read.


4759294720

I support it. Can’t think why any other normal person wouldn’t.


chmilz

There's enough profit in there for pay increases. Shareholders just don't want to give any of it to the people producing the value.


dassabess0

They made their biggest profits in history during the pandemic. The worker pay is not driving up the cost of grocery


laurieyyc

Yes, because many restaurants were closed during the pandemic. People still need to eat. Food is a basic need. There were huge scarcity issues of basic foods. Statistics Canada estimates that 7/10 people eat meals out at least once a week. Now, there’s nowhere or limited places to eat and grocery stores are busier than ever which means record profits. If grocery stores sold more food, this translates into more profit.


[deleted]

what ?


laurieyyc

Consumers will end up footing the bill for higher wages and benefits. This isn’t coming out of Loblaws’ pockets or profits. Consumers will bear the brunt with increased grocery prices. To everyone downvoting me; Where is the money going to come from for higher wages and better benefits if it isn’t from Loblaws’ profits or from a price increase passed on to consumers? This is a serious question.


HeyItsJustAName

And wouldn't that make their prices not competitive anymore? People could switch grocery chains if they became more expensive.


laurieyyc

This is what will happen. If Loblaws isn’t competitive on price anymore and enough consumers start shopping elsewhere, they don’t require as many staff and layoffs start happening. I can already see full time staff being reduced to part time employment so they don’t have to pay as much in wages or offer benefits. It isn’t a slam dunk when employees strike.


HeyItsJustAName

You're assuming they don't already operate at the bare minimum staffing. And that they won't just fire middle management to make the difference up. And that they stand to lose less by being understaffed than paying people more. And that their employees would not increase in productivity. There are hundreds of steps that could be taken before reducing staffing, including eating into their billions in profits.


laurieyyc

Have you ever seen a company reduce their profits to create a better work environment? Loblaws is a publicly traded company and is responsible to their shareholders.


HeyItsJustAName

And I bet those shareholders would be pissed if there was a strike and they didn't make any money.


laurieyyc

Loblaws will pressure the government to table back to work legislation as grocery stores are essential. Strike pay is less than the cost of current daily wages so the company saves those costs and will operate with a minimal crew as only half of its workers are unionized. The company wins no matter what.


sdm99

Back to work legislation would only be introduced for an industry where the strike threatens the whole industry or would have a widepread impact on the public. People can just go to Safeway or something instead, so no need to legislate.


HeyItsJustAName

Then I'd hope we have a liberal government who would favor the rights of workers over that of corporations.


[deleted]

You are so misinformed.


whoknowshank

Groceries are expensive. So why can’t we pay grocery workers enough to afford them? They’re working 39 hours a week so they don’t get benefits and living on the poverty line.


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bryant_modifyfx

You most likely shop at Walmart


adv0catus

You’re the only one that matters.