(Bloomberg News circulated the following story on November 2.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wal-Mart Stores workers at seven tire centers in British Columbia in Canada applied Monday to join the United Food and Commercial Workers union, expanding efforts by Canadian unions to make inroads at the world’s largest retailer.
The union said it’s targeting Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart because it’s concerned the company’s expansion in Canada will put pressure on local rivals to lower wages. The retailer operates 234 Wal-Mart and six Sam’s Club stores across the country.
In Quebec, a union local at a store in Jonquiere was granted certification in August, and both parties are to meet for talks later this month to negotiate an initial labor agreement.
Workers at a two other Wal-Mart stores in Quebec have filed applications to form a union.
UFCW Local 1518 made the application to the British Columbia Labor Relations Board after a majority of the employees at each of the seven Tire & Lube Express departments signed membership cards with the union, the union said.
The union didn’t say how many workers would be affected by the petition. Tom Cameron-Fawkes, a spokesman for the UFCW, wasn’t immediately available to comment.