Co-op Updates Public on Negotiations
Moose Jaw Co-op and it's Union, UFCW Local 1400, returned to the bargaining table last week.
"The company made a final offer to the membership, unfortunately an agreement was not reached" read a news release published Gerry Onyskevitch, Moose Jaw Co-operative Association's General Manager.
“We want to let our customers know that we’re keeping our doors open to serve you, and we appreciate your patience as we work toward an agreement that balances the needs of all employees with the long-term viability of your Co-op,”
“For more than 70 years, we’ve been a part of the Moose Jaw community," Onyskevitch added. "To make sure we can serve you for many more years, we need a deal that’s both fair for our employees and allows us to be competitive in the long-term.”
He also added that while Moose Jaw Co-op respects its employees right to collective bargaining and walking the picket line, he also continues to support employees who wish to continue to work.
Onyskevitch also responded to comments made about Moose Jaw Co-op that questioned the equitable treatment of its employees, including accusations of wage discrimination against female employees.
“We are an inclusive workplace and treat all our employees with respect,” said Onyskevitch. “On average, women at Moose Jaw Co-op earn more than their male colleagues, which makes the accusations on discriminatory pay against women unfounded.”
The downtown grocery store, three gas stations and an Agri-Mart card lock are all effected by the current strike.
Moose Jaw Co-op detailed the events of the bargaining and highlighted some of the history between company and union
"In 2014, Moose Jaw Co-op’s wages scale were significantly above market and our union employees voted to implement an adjusted wage scale that would apply to newly hired employees selected and negotiated classifications. Even with the adjusted wage schedule for certain classifications, Moose Jaw Co-op’s wages remain as good as or better than our retail competitors.
Second-tier wage scales are common in the retail industry. Two of Moose Jaw Co-op’s major competitors, which are also represented by UFCW Local 1400, have had similar structures in their collective agreements since as early as 1995.
The outstanding issue is an attempt by UFCW Local 1400 to significantly amend a second tier that was agreed to by employees in the previous collective agreement.
Current bargaining situation Moose Jaw Co-op’s wages from the previous collective agreement are already considerably higher than those of our competitors. For example, all new clerks hired by Moose Jaw Co-op under the existing second tier in the previous agreement can eventually earn up to $18.94 an hour, more than 20% higher than if they were hired into a similar position with either local unionized competitors also represented by UFCW Local 1400.
Moose Jaw Co-op has proposed to increase wages in the previous agreement by 2% per year for four years.
Our comprehensive Total Rewards package, including wages, benefits, pension and more, is among the best in Moose Jaw’s retail industry and is offered to all eligible employees."
UFCW Local 1400 has been contacted for their version of the events.