Sask Area Council Supports Strikers

The CEP Saskatchewan Area Council is throwing its moral and financial support behind a group of grocery store workers on strike for fair pay in Regina.

Members of Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Union (RWDSU) Local 454 havebeen on strike since September 11, 2005 at the Sobeys’ South Albert Street store. Sobeys is refusing to provide competitive rates of pay to its employees. After over 200 days on the picket line through a Saskatchewan winter the workers admit to being encouraged by the signs of spring. They remain resolute in their determination to win afirst agreement.

The Saskatchewan Area Council, in a gesture of support for these workers voted to donate $1000.00 to help them make ends meet. Area Council President Phil Polsom was on the line March 30th to show support and present the support cheque to RWDSU Rep Chris Banting. Polsom told the workers that “CEP will continue to support these workers in any way we can” and encouraged them to hold out for what they deserve.

The franchise owners of South Albert Street Sobeys have been found guilty of unfair labour practices by the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board but they carry on undeterred. The Company has been promoting or encouraging decertification every year since it was first organized in 1999.

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) Executive Council endorsed a boycott of Sobeys stores in Regina and Saskatoon on December 15th in an effort to encourage Sobeys to negotiate a fair settlement with its workers.

Sobeys is the second largest retail food company in Canada with a major presence in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. Its parent company is Empire Co. Ltd. is a large diversified Canadian corporation.