TORONTO— A tentative agreement has been reached between Unifor and Metro, following a month-long strike action by 3,700 frontline grocery store workers.
“Our union was able to negotiate this new tentative agreement due to the unwavering commitment of our Metro grocery members who were united in their goal to improve their wages and working conditions,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “I commend the workers and the bargaining committee for their solidarity and also the customers who supported them during this difficult time.”
Unifor Local 414 members at 27 Metro stores across the GTA have been on strike since July 29, 2023. Details of the tentative agreement will not be released prior to being presented to members at ratification votes, which will take place in the coming days.
"This tentative agreement acknowledges the economic struggle that many of our members face,” said Gord Currie, Unifor Local 414 President. “I am very proud of these members and their determination.”
Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector and represents 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad and strives to create progressive change for a better future.
I wonder if it manages to keep pace with the inflationary losses for the past 2 years and expected losses in the coming year. If they aren’t averaging close to 5% per year for that 3 year period, they’re going backwards.
They actually managed to pull it off! They got roughly 20% over the life of the agreement, a $4.50 increase for their highest earning employees (full time and senior part time workers, who make $20 per hour currently) and 3.20 for their lowest earning employees (who make about minimum wage). And the best part about it is that nearly half of that increase is in the first year, front loaded. An actually decent deal! More details below.
Great news. Union strong, baby!
I hope that Metro workers get what they have been asking for because they deserve better.
