(The AFL-CIO issued the following on February 10.)
“The decision by Wal-Mart to close their Jonquiere, Canada store instead of recognizing the basic rights of its employees shows, once again, the company’s stark hostility to worker protections. That Wal-Mart would rather shut its doors, putting nearly 200 people out of work, than allow its employees to operate under conditions of respect and dignity, speaks volumes. That Wal-Mart would choose to close the store rather than face a fair and impartial resolution from the Quebec Labor Relations Board is tragic.
“The Canadian workers were operating in good faith to reach a reasonable agreement with the company. It was Wal-Mart who wouldn’t support the process. In the United States, Wal-Mart has a track record of forcing employees to work, unpaid, off the clock, because the company understaffs its stores. Additionally, a worker is currently considered ‘full-time’ after having worked only 34 hours per week. Adding a few extra employees and requiring more hours worked to be considered a full-time employee would go a long way towards ensuring improved conditions for Wal-Mart employees and for consumers.
“Unfortunately, workers in Canada are finding out the hard way what many Wal-Mart workers in the United States already know: that Wal-Mart won’t negotiate to provide a basic, fair employment package for its workers.
“I sincerely hope that Wal-Mart will do right by its employees and that the company and its employees can come to a fair resolution for all, rather than forcing hard-working employees to the unemployment line. We stand with the UFCW Canada and the Jonquiere workers in this fight. When the world’s largest employer holds down standards for its employees by refusing to honor their basic rights, it depresses standards for workers everywhere.”