(Toronto) Workers at 27 Metro grocery stores in the Greater Toronto Area reached an agreement with the retailer just after midnight when they were about to go on strike.
In a statement, Unifor National President Lana Payne said it was a “significant agreement” that underscores Unifor’s “deep commitment” to grocery workers in the grocery sector. retail and its efforts to advance their labor rights.
According to her, the agreement will lay the groundwork for grocery workers across the country as workers, union and non-union, make clear their urgent need to improve their working conditions in this time of “chronic crisis.” of affordability.
For its part, Metro argued that the agreement was “fair and reasonable” for its employees and customers, and noted that it was unanimously recommended by the union’s bargaining committee.
Details of the tentative agreement will not be released until it is presented to members for a ratification vote which will take place July 23-28.
The workers, represented by Unifor, entered negotiations in June with a 100% strike mandate. A strike reportedly affected some 3,700 workers in the Greater Toronto Area.
The union said its priorities for Metro workers are improving wages and access to benefits, as well as improving working conditions and stable working hours.
Unifor says it is preparing to negotiate more than a dozen labor agreements with major grocers over the next two years.
Company in this story: (TSX: MRU)