Unionized Metro workers have voted in favour to converting to a different collective agreement, with hopes of saving two of the Windsor-area stores.
Earlier in May, Metro informed union representatives at United Food & Commercial Workers Locals 175 and 633 that, to remain competitive in the Windsor area, they had developed a new business plan for the four stores in the city.
The outline for their plan included the potential for up to two store closures.
Recognizing the hardship that closures would place on the almost 400 Members at the affected stores,
the union negotiated with the employer to seek an alternative solution within the provisions of the collective agreement.
Unionized Metro workers have voted in favour to converting to a different collective agreement, with hopes of saving two of the Windsor-area stores.
Earlier in May, Metro informed union representatives at United Food & Commercial Workers Locals 175 and 633 that, to remain competitive in the Windsor area, they had developed a new business plan for the four stores in the city.
The outline for their plan included the potential for up to two store closures.
Recognizing the hardship that closures would place on the almost 400 Members at the affected stores,
the union negotiated with the employer to seek an alternative solution within the provisions of the collective agreement.
The result of this negotiation was the option for the Members to vote on whether to allow all stores in Windsor to convert to a different collective agreement. This option includes monetary packages for affected Members to help offset the reduced wage rates under the different agreement.
This option was presented to the Union membership at a meeting on Sunday, including full disclosure of what the conversions entail.
Members voiced their concerns and discussed how the changes would affect them under the different agreement prior to the vote.
The membership of the affected stores voted in favour of converting all four stores.
"The Union fully supports the membership's decision on this difficult issue and will continue to work in their best interests moving forward," said UFCW Local 175 President Shawn Haggerty in a news release. "I'd also ask that when grocery shopping, the community consider the value of continuing to support unionized workers at one of the few remaining Canadian retailers."
UFCW Locals 175 and 633 represents approximately 16,000 Union members at Metro, Food Basics, and Barn banners in the province, and a total of 70,000 members across Ontario in a variety of sectors.
The result of this negotiation was the option for the Members to vote on whether to allow all stores in Windsor to convert to a different collective agreement. This option includes monetary packages for affected Members to help offset the reduced wage rates under the different agreement.
This option was presented to the Union membership at a meeting on Sunday, including full disclosure of what the conversions entail.
Members voiced their concerns and discussed how the changes would affect them under the different agreement prior to the vote.
The membership of the affected stores voted in favour of converting all four stores.
"The Union fully supports the membership's decision on this difficult issue and will continue to work in their best interests moving forward," said UFCW Local 175 President Shawn Haggerty in a news release. "I'd also ask that when grocery shopping, the community consider the value of continuing to support unionized workers at one of the few remaining Canadian retailers."
UFCW Locals 175 and 633 represents approximately 16,000 Union members at Metro, Food Basics, and Barn banners in the province, and a total of 70,000 members across Ontario in a variety of sectors.
