USW members stand outside of the Hudson's Bay location at the Metropolis at Metrotown shopping centre in Burnaby. (Image Credit: United Steelworkers)

By James Peters

Labour Strife

Steelworkers launch national campaign in support of striking Kamloops Hudson’s Bay employees

Apr 26, 2024 | 1:57 PM

KAMLOOPS — More than four months after their strike began, workers at the Aberdeen Mall Hudson’s Bay store are stepping up pressure on the company.

In a news release issued Friday (Apr. 26), United Steelworkers says it has launched a campaign that will target customers across Canada checking out the well-known Bay Days sale.

USW members will set up outside of Hudson’s Bay locations across Canada, handing out literature outlining the union’s perspective of the labour dispute.

USW Local 1-417 Financial Secretary Jordan Lawrence says the two sides remain far apart on wages despite six months of negotiations and mediation.

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“We understand that our decision to strike may inconvenience some customers, but we believe it is necessary to draw attention to the unfair treatment from Hudson’s Bay,” said Lawrence. “We urge consumers to support us in our fight for a fair deal and to join us in holding Hudson’s Bay accountable. To the residents of Kamloops – please respect our picket line by not shopping online during Bay Days.”

A request has also been forwarded to B.C. Labour Minister Harry Bains to appoint a special mediator in the dispute.

USW says the Kamloops Hudson’s Bay location has been unionized since 1993. The current strike began on December 10, 2023. Before this one, the only labour dispute between the two sides took place for nine months before the first collective agreement was reached.