Friday, May 14, 2021
As customers without masks increase in retail environments and our province’s new COVID-19 case counts hit a record high, employers have the duty to provide a safe workplace for their workers and other customers. UFCW 832 wants retail employers to step up and make safety a priority for their workers, our members.
“There’s hard and fast rules around no shoes and no shirts but when people walk in without a mask, they’re free to shop and add risk to our members work day,” say Jeff Traeger, UFCW Local 832 president. “It’s time for retail employers to step up and create strict rules around mask use.”
Workers in retail have few options when dealing with customers who refuse to wear a mask, and management is inconsistent with the support of the front line workers in their stores. In a letter sent yesterday to Loblaw, Sobeys West and Red River Coop, UFCW 832 has demanded that the stores institute a ‘no mask, no service’ policy, and support their staff when they have to deal with an unmasked customer.
UFCW Local 832 represents over 2,000 members in the security sector and over 8,000 members in retail grocery at Superstore, Extra Foods, No Frills, Safeway, FreshCo, Sobeys and Red River Coop.
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View the the letter to employers.
President Jeff Traeger will be available after 9:00 am today for interviews.
To arrange for an interview, please contact:
Chris Noto
UFCW Local 832
Communications Coordinator
Cell: 204-981-2616
chris.noto@ufcw832.com