March 30, 2005

Quebec union asks for halt to closure of Wal-Mart store

MONTREAL

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union filed an application last week asking the Quebec Labour Relations Commission to delay the closing of the Wal-Mart store in Jonquiere.

Workers at the store had been trying to negotiate their first contract. The U.S. retail giant, citing financial trouble, announced in February it would close the store in May.

However, Yvon Bellemare, president of the UFCW’s local 501, said the union believes the closure was to stop employees from unionizing. “We feel that this closing really amounts to dismissing people for engaging in union activity.’’

The union is asking the board to delay the closure pending rulings on employee dismissals and the content of a collective agreement.

The Canadian Press

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