Labour board rules against Wal-Mart

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2008/11/12/wal-mart-union.html

Attempts to unionize Sask. stores shouldn't be deterred by Quebec closure: UFCW
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 | 11:09 AM E

A union is claiming victory against Wal-Mart after a labour board decided it could not rule out the possibility that the closure of a unionized store in Quebec might scare workers in Saskatchewan.

The United Food and Commercial Workers is trying to unionize the retail chain's stores in Weyburn, Moose Jaw and North Battleford.


The store in North Battleford is among those the United Food and Commercial Workers would like to see unionized. (CBC)


It alleges Wal-Mart Canada's closure of a unionized store in Jonquiere, Que., in 2005 was an unfair labour practice intended, in part, to intimidate workers who want to organize in Saskatchewan.

The company sought to have the union's unfair labour practice application dismissed at a preliminary stage, saying the Saskatchewan agency was acting outside its jurisdiction.

Wal-Mart also argued it wasn't its fault if newspapers ran editorials about the Jonquiere closure.

However, in an Oct. 24 decision, the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board disagreed with those arguments, dismissing Wal-Mart's preliminary application.

"The fact that the actions of Wal-Mart upon which the allegations are based were committed outside the geographic confines of Saskatchewan does not mean that they cannot constitute violation of the restriction on intimidation of its employees in this province," the ruling said.

FULL story at link.