Striking grocery workers have begun secondary picket lines at two Metro distribution warehouses in Toronto, in the fourth week of ongoing job action by 3,700 Unifor members.

“Frontline grocery workers are tired of being ignored and underpaid by Metro during an affordability crisis,” says Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Metro can expect secondary picket lines at more of their properties until they come back to the table with a serious wage offer for these brave workers who are forgoing their paycheques to take a stand against corporate greed. Workers are rightfully demanding more from one of Canada’s richest grocers—whose historic profits aren’t being fairly shared with the workforce responsible for their success.”

The union recently rejected Metro’s offer to come back to the table with the assistance of a Ministry-appointed conciliation officer. The Unifor Local 414 Metro bargaining committee, comprised of frontline Metro workers, unanimously voted against going back to the table until Metro returns with an improved offer.

“This dispute is about giving workers a raise so they can afford food, rent, and to support their families,” says Gord Currie, Unifor Local 414 President. “Frontline grocery workers have already told us loud and clear that Metro’s offer simply wasn’t good enough.”

Unifor also represents workers at Metro’s distributions centres, who went on a week-long strike in early April 2022, where the new secondary picket lines have formed.

“Metro can try to shortchange workers, but our members are fighting back with the full force of their union, our national labour movement, and community allies by their side,” says Payne.

Unifor represents more than 3,700 frontline Metro grocery workers at 27 GTA stores who have been on strike since Saturday, July 29.

MONTREAL- Unifor is encouraged by Ford’s commitment to invest in a battery cathode plant in Bécancour, Quebec, alongside Korean companies EcoProBM and SK On.

As the union representing 37,000 auto workers across the country, including Ford workers, Unifor welcomes this further commitment to re-invigorate Quebec’s auto industry and anchor the electric vehicle transition in Canada.

“Ford’s investment announcement in Bécancour is an important step towards the reestablishment of a stronger and more sustainable automotive industry in Quebec and Canada,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Every job along the automotive supply chain has the opportunity to translate significant economic benefit not only to workers and their families, but also to its surrounding region, and our country.”

The facility, to be built by the consortium EcoPro CAM Canada is due to open in 2026 and is set to bring 300 new jobs to the region. This investment joins a series of battery projects already announced or under construction, including a GM facility in the region.

“Quebec has a significant history in automobile construction, both in assembly and parts manufacturing, which is somewhat forgotten today. The cumulative announcements made in the Bécancour region herald a true renaissance of this economic sector in Quebec,” said Daniel Cloutier, Unifor Quebec Director.

On August 10, 2023, Unifor officially opened contract negotiations with Ford, General Motors and Stellantis on behalf of union members at the Detroit Three.

The union remains committed to ensuring that every automotive job in Canada should be a good, union job.

The union’s automotive policy, Navigating the Road Ahead, includes 29 strategic recommendations to build a strong auto sector, and create good, union jobs.