Food Basics members vote 99.5% in favour of strike action

At meetings held in 41 locations on November 12, 2023, bargainig unit Members at Food Basics stores gave their Union Negotiating Committee overwhelming support with 99.5% voting for a strike mandate.

What led to the strike vote?

• The Food Basics Collective Agreement, which expired on August 19, 2023, covers approximately 7,350 bargaining unit members at 114 stores in Ontario.

• In January 2023, bargaining proposals and nominations took place for the Union Negotiating Committee, and election for the Committee followed in March 2023.

• The elected Union Negotiating Committee met July 24 – 25, 2023 to review proposals and prepare a final document to take to the first round of bargaining with the employer from August 15 – 17, 2023.

• Further bargaining dates were set for October 18 – 19, and November 1 – 3, 2023. On November 2, 2023, the Union requested conciliation services from the Ministry of Labour to assist in reaching a fair deal.

• At the end of the day on November 3, 2023, the Union Negotiating Committee broke off negotiations due to the employer’s proposals to seek concessions in the contract and inexcusable wage offers.

For updates, Members should check their Union bulletin board regularly and contact their Union Representative with any concerns or questions.

What is a Strike Vote?

A strong strike vote mandate means that your Union Negotiating Committee can return to bargaining with a clear and strong message for the employer: that the members in the bargaining unit are ready to take strike action if a fair agreement cannot be reached. A strike vote does not mean that a strike will absolutely happen, but members should prepare for that possibility.

What is a Strike?

A strike is the withholding of labour by workers to place economic pressure on your employer with the aim of encouraging an agreement in bargaining. Strikes happen when an acceptable contract cannot be reached between the union and the employer.