After approving and supervising an Edmonton area only strike vote, the Alberta Labour Relations Board has apparently reversed itself, saying that Edmonton and Calgary should have voted together! The result is that the Edmonton area only strike vote has been nullified, and the Union must now consider moving to conduct a broad-based strike vote. In fact, the Union will now consider taking steps towards a province wide strike. There will be no strike in the Edmonton area next week.

Confused? So are we; but the law has spoken, at least for now. Union lawyers are filing an appeal. Superstore gets to avoid hundreds of angry registered picketers in front of each Edmonton store…for now.

The Good News? Superstore has been found guilty of interfering with Union representational rights by promising protection to scabs. The Labour Relations Board, in its 32-page decision, writes as follows:

"This board and the labour legislation it acts under, recognizes the right of a trade union to discipline its members so as long as it does so fairly and in compliance with the legislation."

Bargaining

The Canadian Director of the UFCW has convened a special bargaining session this week with your local Union; its negotiating committee; a senior Loblaws official from Toronto; and David Jeffs, the new president of Westfair Foods. Will it result in a new, fair Union contract? We will know soon.

What Will Happen?

Labour Relations in Alberta appears to be becoming more and more unpredictable. In applying for a strike vote in the Edmonton area, we acted on the best legal advice available, the strong demands of the membership, and sensible tactical considerations. Like Alberta teachers, Superstore employee's rights appear to have been repressed.

But our resolve will not be shaken. We will continue with a broad based, unrelenting campaign to bring respect to Alberta Superstore employees.

Stand by for more developments.

Sincerely yours,

Douglas O'Halloran
President of UFCW Local 401