United Steelworkers in Kamloops ratify new contract with Hudson’s Bay following 165-day strike
2024年5月24日 - 2:45AM
After a hard-fought 165-day strike, members of the United
Steelworkers union (USW) Local 1-417 have achieved a significant
victory by ratifying a new collective agreement with Hudson’s Bay
in Kamloops, B.C. USW members walked off the job on Dec. 10, 2023,
after reaching an impasse with the department store.
This achievement follows a relentless campaign for fairness,
resulting in improvements to contract language, protections for
union positions, wage hikes and lump-sum payments. Additionally,
Hudson’s Bay has pledged substantial financial assistance for
members choosing not to return to the store following the
strike.
“This milestone was made possible by the unwavering solidarity
of striking USW 1-417 members and the steadfast leadership of key
individuals,” said Marty Gibbons, USW Local 1-417 President. “It
has been a privilege to stand alongside these courageous members in
their fight to better their working lives.”
In April, the USW escalated efforts to end the strike by
launching a nationwide campaign targeting customers during Bay
Days. With public support growing, a request to appoint a special
mediator was made to B.C.’s Minister of Labour, Harry Bains. David
Schaub, the provincially appointed mediator, was assigned to work
with the two parties for 14 days commencing May 3.
“We thank special mediator David Schaub for his assistance in
achieving a resolution in a timely manner,” said Scott Lunny, USW
Director for Western Canada. “We are deeply proud and thankful of
the support shown by the residents of Kamloops, and we look forward
to welcoming you back to the store in the coming days.”
Since the strike began, Hudson’s Bay workers stood firmly behind
their bargaining committee’s commitment to achieve better wages and
improved working conditions.
“As with any collective agreement, compromises were made, with
neither the USW nor Hudson’s Bay achieving their desired outcomes,”
said Jordan Lawrence, USW Local 1-417 Financial Secretary.
“However, we have secured an agreement that allows our members to
return to work with dignity, knowing that our struggle has paved
the way for a better workplace – now and in the future.”
“We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Kamloops and
District Labour Council for their support throughout our labour
dispute as well as the solidarity demonstrated by Steelworkers
across Canada. From Quebec to Vancouver, Steelworkers stepped up to
generously volunteer their time to distribute pamphlets at numerous
Hudson Bay locations to help raise attention to our strike and to
put pressure on the company to reach a fair deal,” said
Lawrence.
The Hudson’s Bay in Kamloops has been unionized since 1993.
The USW represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic
sector across Canada and is the largest private-sector Union in
North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States
and the Caribbean.
Each year, thousands of workers choose to join the USW because
of our strong track record in creating healthier, safer and more
respectful workplaces and negotiating better working conditions and
fairer compensation – including good wages, benefits and
pensions.
For more information, contact:Marty Gibbons, USW Local 1-417
President, 250-319-2844, gibbonsusw@telus.netJordan Lawrence, USW
Local 1-417 Financial Secretary, 250-318-7668,
lawrenceusw@telus.net Brett Barden, USW Communications,
604-445-6956, bbarden@usw.ca