Metro Inc. broke Quebec labour rules by using strikebreakers during a warehouse strike in Montreal, according to inspectors from the Quebec Ministry of Labour.
The inspectors visited Metro facilities on April 3, shortly after workers began a general strike at two distribution centres. They concluded that the company brought in replacement workers to continue operations, which is restricted under the Labour Code.
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A strikebreaker is someone hired or assigned to do the jobs of employees who are on strike. Companies sometimes use them to keep business running during labour disputes, but their use is limited by law in Quebec.
The report also says Metro went beyond what is legally allowed by using replacement workers to move non-perishable goods during the strike.
In a statement to CityNews Metro said:
The measures put in place to continue to meet the needs of customers throughout Quebec in a responsible manner that fully complies with the applicable legal framework. METRO respects the Labour Code at all times and does not use replacement workers. METRO is a largely unionized responsible employer. Across the company, 91 per cent of our employees are members of a union and 268 collective agreements are in force. We know our rights and obligations and we respect them.
Since the beginning of the conflict, METRO has been determined to reach a viable and reasonable agreement quickly. Unfortunately, and despite its public statements to the contrary, the union refuses to prioritize its demands at the table and maintains unreasonable wage demands, which unduly slows down the process. METRO is a Quebec-based company, headquartered in Quebec, which operates in a context of intense competition with major Canadian and international players. It already offers good working conditions that compare favourably with those of the competition, in addition to offering long-term quality jobs here in Quebec.”
Union leaders from the Confédération des syndicats nationaux criticized the company, saying it should focus on negotiating with workers instead of bypassing labour rules.
