Union 'appalled' at Manitoba grocery stores for not recognizing National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The union representing some of Manitoba grocery store workers says it is “appalled” by Loblaw and Sobeys decisions to not recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday for their 6,000 Manitoba employees.
“Because this holiday was not proclaimed by the provincial government, many workers in Manitoba will not get the day off,” said Jeff Traeger, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 832, on Thursday.
“It will not be treated like a stat holiday…apparently Loblaw and Sobeys are more interested in making money than they are interested in doing the right thing.”
The new holiday, set to take place on Sept. 30, is intended to give people the opportunity to recognize the history and trauma caused by residential schools.
Because the province has not proclaimed the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday, private companies are not obligated to give their employees the day off or provide extra pay for those working on the holiday.
Traeger said it’s not just about another statutory holiday, but giving people an opportunity to observe a day that is, “meant to bring the truth forward and begin the process of reconciliation,”
“In our view, these employers that we’ve talked about, Sobeys and Loblaw, have made a conscious decision not to be a part of that history,” he said.
“And a conscious decision to put their need to make the almighty buck above the need to be good community partners and show through action that they believe in a concept like reconciliation.”
Earlier in the month, the Province of Manitoba said it would observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, closing schools and non-essential government services for the day.
Traeger noted that this poses childcare issues for some grocery store workers who will have to work, while their kids have the day off.
“It’s just a little piece that gets missed by people is that childcare is a big issue,” he said.
The union added that other private businesses, such as Red River Co-op, are granting their employees the stat holiday.
In a statement, a spokesperson from Loblaw said that provincially regulated businesses are not expected to close on federally regulated holidays.
“That said, the purpose of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is to recognize and reflect on the continued impacts of residential schools and honour Indigenous survivors, their families and communities and we have taken a number of steps to support our colleagues to do this on September 30 and every day,” the statement said.
A spokesperson from Sobeys said the company always operates within the law, and if the province mandates a stat holiday, it will support it.
The statement noted that on a national level, Sobeys is recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by encouraging team members to wear orange shirts on Sept. 30 in order to raise awareness about “the importance of acknowledging the terrible tragedies within the residential school systems across Canada.”
The spokesperson added that Sobeys is expanding its community relationships and support of Indigenous communities through employment, training, education and awareness.
“We are also working on expanding Indigenous product procurement through the Progress Aboriginal Relations certification program in partnership with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business,” the statement said.
- With files from CTV’s Katherine Dow and Jon Hendricks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Case against ex-Mountie charged with helping China can go ahead in Quebec, judge says
A Quebec court judge has ruled that the case against a former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference can go ahead in the province.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, will plead guilty in betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly US$17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.