In a vote that was conducted over three days starting Sunday, workers from nine Superstore locations in the greater Edmonton region rejected the company's latest contract offer and set the wheels in motion for a possible strike.

The results of the vote were officially communicated to Alberta's Labour Relations Board this morning. A strike can now commence with 72-hours notice.

"This is the first strike vote in the history of Superstore's operation in Alberta," says Tom Hesse, spokesperson for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 401, the union representing employees at the store.

"It's an indication of just how frustrated these workers feel. They feel like they've been treated without respect for too long. And now they're saying: enough is enough."

After the votes were counted, even negotiators for the company described the results as "solid" and a "substantial majority."

Hesse says the vote is particularly significant because the vast majority of employees are young, part-timers. Despite attempts by the employer to influence and pressure these workers, Hesse says they stood their ground and voted their conscience.

After the votes were counted late yesterday afternoon the union and the company reconvened bargaining. Negotiators met into the night and bargaining is scheduled to continue throughout the day today.