Saskatoon Co-op workers may hit picket lines Thursday

More than 900 unionized Saskatoon Co-op workers could be on strike by Thursday morning.

This weekend, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1400 said the majority of staff rejected Saskatoon Co-op's contract offer.

It could be the first strike since 1983 at Saskatoon Co-op stores.

Both sides expect to see picket lines at Co-op gas bars, groceries, hardware stores, agro centres and liquor stores in Saskatoon,Warman,Martensville, Watrous and Colonsay.

Lowerpay for new workers unfair:union

UFCW negotiator RodGilliessaid under Co-op's current offer, some new hires would be making up to $4.60 less per hour than existing counterparts doing the same work.

"Shop elsewhere," he said. "We're standing up for aprinciple of wage parity, not for what we consider inequitable."

More than three-quarters of job classifications would be affected by the two-tier wage grid, Gillies said.

On average,Co-op's offer would see new employees paid $2.64/hour less than existing employees doing the same jobs.

Saskatoon Co-op CEO cites need to match competitors' wages

Calling the strike vote 'disappointing', Saskatoon Co-op's chief executive officer Grant Wicks said the retail co-operative would still keep most of its stores open.

He said after a year of negotiatingthe union walked away from his"best and final offer".

"This is about ensuring the long term viability of our co-operative," Wicks said.

"The wages that we pay in our marketplace need to be competitive with those our competitors pay for new hires."

Wicks said in many casesmajor competitors already paynew hires 30 per centless than what Saskatoon Co-op pays.

"We've had a very longstanding positive relationship with local 1400 and of course anytime there's a labour disruption or the potential for one, it's distressing," he added.

Negotiations to resume Friday

A return to the bargaining table is set for Friday, Nov 2.

"We'd be quite prepared to set aside time almost on a moment's notice if we felt we could bring a positive resolution to this," Wicks said.

Earlier this month, workers at Moose Jaw's Co-op stores went on strike, citing a similar wage offer that disproportionately targets female employees. Those workers are also represented by UFCWLocal 1400.

"Hopefully we'll see a speedy and positive resolution," Wickssaid.

The Co-op grocery and gas bar at Circle Drive and8thStreet will not be affected by the strike. Employees at the former Safeway location are represented by the Retail Wholesale Department Store Union.