Workers at 17 Ontario No Frills stores set Monday strike deadline

A strike deadline has been set for Monday at 12:01 a.m. by the union representing over 1,200 workers at 17 No Frills locations in Ontario.

Unifor says that while negotiations remain ongoing, workers are prepared to hit the picket line should their demands not be met. The exact locations where strike action may be taken have not been specified by the union at this time.

No Frills is the discount grocery chain owned by Loblaw Cos. Ltd.

National president of Unifor Lana Payne says that Loblaw must be ready to raise wages and improve working conditions to reach a deal.

More than 1,200 Unifor members at Loblaw-owned No Frills stores could be on strike effective 12:01 a.m. on Monday, November 20 if the highly profitable corporation refuses to address workers’ demands for decent pay and work amidst a Canadian affordability crisis.

Read more:… pic.twitter.com/mesyipjZTk

— Unifor (@UniforTheUnion) November 16, 2023

Toronto area Metro workers represented by Unifor remained on strike for five weeks this past summer before an agreement was reached.

No Frills workers are seeking similar demands, including wage improvements and a commitment to increase the number of full-time positions within stores.

“You know it’s bad when workers at Canada’s largest grocery store chain are struggling to afford their own food, even at discount stores like No Frills. It’s ultimately up to Loblaw to avert a strike and do the right thing to support its workers and customers.” says Gord Currie, Unifor Local 414 President.

On Wednesday, grocery giant Loblaw reported a third quarter profit of $621 million, a nearly 12 per cent rise in profits.

READ MORE: Unifor to begin negotiations for workers at Loblaw-owned stores in Ontario