IKEA store employees in Montreal staged their first strike on Saturday, causing longer wait times for customers wanting to make purchases there.
Without a contract since December 31, nearly 500 employees of the popular furniture store voted Friday evening, by a large majority (97%) to provide themselves with a 10-day strike bank.
Samsara Renville / VAT News
During the first day of their strike, Saturday, several employees went to the site to form a picket line.
“All guild members respect [le mandat de grève] which was voted on,” confirmed Laurent Sommes, spokesperson for the National Trade Union Confederation (CSN).
The latter explained that the number of people in the picket queues is still difficult to estimate, because it can change according to the usual changes of employees.
Samsara Renville/TVA News
IKEA customers may have to wait since there are no service staff. “If a customer is served by someone inside, it is a manager,” Mr. Sommes said.
As the Swedish multinational tries to use more and more subcontractors, the union is struggling to keep its members’ jobs.
The issue of wages is also an important part of the negotiations taking place since March.
Union members demand a wage hike.
Currently, a new employee earns $15.60 an hour, while union members demand a rate of at least $16.90 an hour.
– With information from Julie Coté, QMI
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