The prospect of more than 1,200 employees at No Frills walking off the job on Monday was met with varying reactions from several shoppers at a Stittsville location of the discount supermarket.
The employees, members of the Unifor union, are seeking better salaries and working conditions at a time when food prices have increased nationwide.
Two shoppers said they support the workers, but expressed concerns about going elsewhere to buy groceries and pay for food during the holiday season. A third said her main concern is how a strike would affect her ability to buy affordable food.
“I can understand why Unifor workers want to go on strike. They’re obviously suffering,” said Phillip Walsh.
Walsh, a member of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, said he understands the necessity of a strike in order to directly improve the working conditions of the workers. “It’s an awful situation. Obviously I support the union,” he said.
Curtis Wright, a No Frills regular, also said he supports the workers.
“I think this is what they have to do,” said Wright. “The workers should be able to demand and bargain for what they want.”
Wright said that he hadn’t heard about the possibility of the strike, but said he thinks that if the strike were to happen it will “alleviate the stress felt by the workers during the holidays.”
Shopper Rosie Genio said that if No Frills workers went on strike, she would feel an added pressure to provide affordable food during the holidays.
“I price match,” Genio said. “So I’m just trying to get what I can while I can.”
Further, she said she would have to go somewhere else if the workers went on strike and that many people will have to find somewhere else to buy affordable groceries.
Food insecurity is on the minds of many as the holiday season approaches.
Statistics Canada reported this week that the proportion of families who were food insecure increased to 18 per cent in 2022 from 16 per cent in 2021. Food insecurity is determined by a variety of factors, such as the stability of income, assets and debt, access to family and social supports and the cost of living, according to the report.
Unifor said in a press release that the union would strike if demands were not met by Loblaw Companies, the parent company to No Frills.
“People simply don’t believe Loblaw can’t do better by its workers,” said Lana Payne, Unifor national president. “Unless the corporation comes to the table with a serious offer, this will certainly result in our members being forced to take strike action. What choice do these workers have?”
Unifor is seeking increased wages, improved working conditions and more full-time jobs. They will strike on Nov. 20 if the bargaining is not successful.
The Loblaw public relations department did not respond to a request for comment.
