Montreal Ikea workers launch strike against Swedish retailer’s major store
Global News
Ikea offered its members a five per cent wage increase over the next four years. The union rejected it because that won't even cover inflation during the contract period.
A union representing close to 400 workers at Ikea’s Montreal store walked off the job early Saturday, saying the Swedish company’s proposed wage deal offered no protection from inflation.
The CSN union said in a statement that Ikea has offered its members a five per cent wage increase over the next four years, but members rejected it because that won’t even cover inflation during the contract period.
Union members set up pickets outside the store Saturday morning, saying they want a better offer and catch-up wages comparable to workers at other Ikea stores they did not name.
The Montreal strike coincides with Ikea’s big annual sales event, called the Hej Days sale.
“IKEA’s finances are healthy. The company makes hundreds of millions of dollars in sales each year, largely thanks to our work, and it is unable to offer us inflation protection to maintain our purchasing power,” Nicole Aguilera, the union’s general vice-president, said in the statement.
The unionized Ikea workers currently earn between $18.50 and $25.42 an hour. A CSN spokesperson declined to disclose what the union has requested in terms of pay increases.
The workers at the Ikea Montreal store, located on Cavendish near Autoroute 40, have been without a contract since January. The strike aims to highlight their determination to get a better deal.
“With all the profits the company makes, it’s the least it can do to pay its employees a competitive salary. There are employees who have chosen to pursue a career at IKEA because they love the company. They love their work; it’s the least they can do to ensure they have a decent living,” said Serge Monette, president of the Fédération du commerce–CSN.
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