The union for employees at Zehrs Great Foods and Real Canadian Superstores in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent has set a strike deadline for Thursday.

The United Food & Commercial Workers Locals 175 and 633 has set a deadline of July 2 at 12:01 a.m.

Members in the nine affected stores rejected a proposed memorandum of settlement at meetings held in mid-June.

The strike will affect 1,600 workers.

“We are asking the people in these communities to not shop at the affected stores,” said Shawn Haggerty, UFCW Local 175 president. “These workers are counting on their friends and neighbours for support. Please do not cross their picket lines.”

The strike will affect 1,600 workers.

The affected stores where Union members will be picketing are:

RCSS Chatham

RCSS Leamington

RCSS Sarnia

RCSS Walker Road, Windsor

RCSS Dougall Ave, Windsor

Zehrs Great Foods, Kingsville

Zehrs Great Foods Malden Road, Windsor

Zehrs Great Foods Parkway Mall, Windsor

Zehrs Great Foods Manning Road, St Clair Beach