All but seven of 534 workers at a Loblaws distribution centre in Calgary were served with layoff forms effective this week amid ongoing contract negotiations. ."These members are dedicated to helping Loblaw move product to its many stores across Western Canada,” said Teamsters Local Union 987 business agent John Taylor in a Monday press release. .“As they negotiate for higher wages and a better quality of life, they are facing unnecessary layoffs, all while Loblaw profits continue to soar.".The release said the dispute involves Teamsters Local Union 987 workers, who are asking for a better quality of life and wage increases in their collective agreement. It said a portion of the workers are struggling with earning less than Calgary’s living wage of $22.40 and are facing layoffs ahead of the holiday season. .Teamsters 987 members rejected Loblaws’s offer twice. The first time was November 3, and the second one was on November 15. .Its current agreement expired in June. The release said Teamsters 987 informed Loblaws it's prepared to return to the bargaining table to avoid further layoffs and a potential dispute..Taylor said its members are “feeling the pain of record inflation, especially at the grocery store, and have voiced their concerns.”.“We will always stand up for our members," he said. .These layoffs come after the Liberals and NDP said in January they wanted to haul grocery store executives in for questioning over alleged wage fixing. .READ MORE: MPs want to grill grocery store execs on wage fixing.MPs and the commissioner of competition proposed to outlaw collusion between employers on worker pay..“Have them come back and explain their issues over pandemic pay,” said NDP MP Brian Masse.
