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“It’s a yes.” At 8:10 p.m., after 450 days, the Sobey’s strike was over. The result of the ratifying vote was announced with little fanfare to workers assembled in the basement of the RWDSU union hall. “You gotta go in (to Sobey’s) with a smile on your face and look ‘em in the eye. We’ve won this fight and we’re happy with that,” said Susan Butson, Chief Steward.

ActUp was there for the last minutes of the last shift on the picket line.

Photo by Don Jedlic-Oktober Revolution

“I’m sad and I’m glad. It’s hard to explain,” Butson said, looking around the rapidly emptying hall. “It’s over, finally. It’s the best agreement we’re going to get for our members.”

After the vote. Photo by T. Elliott. Below:  Last day on the bus. Photo by D. Jedlic 

The deal won by the workers includes pay increases averaging 25 per cent over three years, plus a signing bonus of 50 cents per hour for all wages earned from Jan. 1, 2005 until the strike began. The settlement will amount to up to four dollars an hour extra for some workers.

The increase marks a significant victory to build on, Butson said. “We were so far below and now we’re on the playing field. That’s where we needed to be, and now we’re there.”

The workers also won an eight- week unpaid compassionate leave to mesh with EI to care for family members with critical illnesses, and the use of three sick days per year for family illnesses. In addition, the company and the union agreed to set up a joint committee to review all benefit plans.

“Why they finally capitulated, I don’t know,” said Butson. She credited the appointment of a special mediator as the breaking point in the negotiations.

RWDSU staff rep Brian Haughey agreed the mediator’s intervention was critical. “The government was reluctant to appoint a mediator, but through pressure from the union, and pressure from the labour movement, they came through. Without that, we wouldn’t be here with a settlement.”

But the workers were the main key to success. They didn’t want to spend a second Christmas on the line, but were prepared to do so if needed, said Butson.

“I have a lot of young workers here, and I’m proud of them, “ she said.

“They were very determined and dedicated to getting a fair settlement,” said Haughy.

The workers will walk through the doors of Sobey’s on Wednesday, after gathering on the picket line for the last time at 4:00 p.m. The company had wanted them to report individually, but the union members decided to enter the building together, said Butson.

Both Butson and Haughey thanked the public and union members for their support throughout the long strike.

“People were fantastic. There were continuous donations and people stopping by the picket line. Whenever there was a union meeting in town, people made a point of taking time out to come to the line,” said Haughey.

“It helped workers pay the bills and put food on the table. It made the days seem shorter and allowed us to accomplish the settlement we achieved.”

“We appreciated every honk,” said Butson. “It’s been a long haul.”

After granting advance interviews and details of the settlement to Actupinsask.org, the union will hold a press conference to tell the rest of the media tomorrow morning.

Picket line count-down.

Photo by D. Jedlic.

Comments

20 not a majority Written by Citizen Wilson on 2006-12-05 09:56:08 I would hope the other employees (majority) who crossed the line or went back to work realize they can exercise rights too.    See: http://www.labourwatch.com/faqs/employee/sk/how-do-i-decertify-a-union.php    http://www.labourwatch.com/forms/decert-en-nc-sk.pdf

Congratulations Written by pelliott on 2006-12-05 10:35:49 Good work, RWDSU members and the labour movement. Congratulations on holding the line against all odds, and teaching an employer the meaning of a collective agreement.

This proves Neo-Cons right Written by hugo chavez on 2006-12-05 18:08:45 You can pull yourself up by your boot straps, when you form a union and stick to it.  This is a major victory but it's just a battle. The war still remains.

BOOM DONE!!! Written by reginasvoice on 2006-12-05 20:52:49 Poor citizen wilson what bylaw will keep you on your crusade now? Maybe you should be reporting to city hall about every graffiti tag in order for it to be removed. You dont know the half of what went on with this strike and let me tell you it sure wasnt a majority that crossed the line to go and work. Theres alot more then the 20 people you see in that picture who voted. Dont get it twisted. Congrats to my friends on winning this battle.

Congratulations!!! Written by Larry Hubich on 2006-12-05 23:01:07 Sisters and Brothers    Your Solidarity, resolve, and commitment to equality, fairness and social and economic justice is something to be very proud of.    You have accomplished what many tried so hard to deny you.    In Solidarity,  Larry Hubich

HS Jay Written by Citizen Wilson on 2006-12-06 01:35:20 there is plenty more to keep me occupied. Illegal picket signs are just one less issue on my list.

Written by Aina on 2006-12-06 08:55:31 Congratulations to the RW members and their staff rep for satying strong and getting a good result

Written by oswald on 2006-12-06 11:53:16 Congrats, y'all, on your hard-fought victory!

Congratulations!!! Written by prairie hobo on 2006-12-06 14:14:48 Congratulations! Having never shopped at Albert St. Sobeys, I will now be encouraging everyone I know to support this settlement victory with their grocery $$.

never shopped? Written by Citizen Wilson on 2006-12-06 20:14:11 So, now you'll shop Sobey's. Who just lost your grocery dollar? Superstore (unionized), Safeway (unionized), Co-op (so much for the whole co-op movement)? Big win - take from the right hand to give to the left. Socialist progress....Puh-lease!

Zero Sum Equation? Written by prairie hobo on 2006-12-07 12:47:34 I find it unfortunate that Citizen Wilson appears unfamiliar with rudimentary economics and its focus on connecting an individual's decisions with the collective good of our larger community.    As people in a regulated free market economy, our purchasing dollars act as an expression of what we value. Furthermore, these purchasing dollars serve to support what we value.    I highly value what the workers of Albert St. Sobey's have accomplished. Not only have they won a hard fought strike for their workplace, their collective voice has served to improve conditions for workers throughout Regina's grocery sector.    My expenditures within the grocery sector are not a zero sum equation. I can choose to spend additional dollars at the Albert St. Sobey's in addition to dollars I will continue to spend at other locations. As earlier stated, these purchasing decisions represent one way in which I can support people and enterprises that I value.    In addition, I suggest that Citizen Wilson consider what we have accomplished by working together. Our economy and community are based on a spirit of cooperation, competition and hard work that collectively result in something much larger than the sum of the parts.    It is my hope that Citizen Wilson has a more concrete comment to share. Sighing does little to help anyone.

not without Written by Citizen Wilson on 2006-12-09 10:48:49 I doubt you ARE spending more, you only THINK you are, and I strngly doubt you will spend more by choice. Your grocery dollar is a finite amount, and in simple math, you have only split ONE pie by an additional slice...the pie itself has not grown larger. There is now less dollars spread over more unions...sounds like progress to me. Of course, you can choose to spend more...but will you? Not very likely. Human nature being what it is, I doubt you will spend more unless you really want it, or justify it in some other way. Consumer shopping habits is almost a science unto itself. See: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061205.wstwomen1205/EmailBNStory/SpecialEvents2/home    For every action, there is an opposite reaction. While employees receive a little more jingle in their pockets, it comes at the expense of another. In the end, additional costs of labor will most likely be passed onto the consumer in the form of higher prices. You are now free to same more money for less food, or consume less food for the same money, or consume same amount of food and spend more money.    But since you choose to spend you money where your values are, would you care to join Citizen Wilson and Chad Moat's movement to help Mr. Loucks keep his house?    See: http://iheartregina.com/ and http://citizensfederation.blogspot.com/2006/12/city-of-regina-and-pay-day-loans.html    I've made a contribution (even if some consider it out of character) and I'd like to encourage others to kick in to help Mr. Loucks keep his house. Sorry to hijack a thread, but it's for a moral cause. Can YOU help?

Walk the walk Written by hugo chavez on 2006-12-09 13:16:43 Wilson,  Walk the walk,mate. Your miserly donation isn't worth the hype you are giving it. Instead of chastizing others, actually do something or you can keep hiding . Then your just like the rest of us and duplicity has caughten up to CW.

Done more than you Written by Citizen Wilson on 2006-12-09 22:00:55 Chavez, until you pay something other than lip service, my ears are closed to you. Chad and I are out raising money, you throw stones. We have already DONE more than you have, we are working to save a home, and raising some cash...you just whine.

Liar, Liar pants on Fire Written by hugo chavez on 2006-12-09 23:53:48 I know Mr Moats personally, I know you have done nothing but post a few articles and try to set up Chad during the election with a whole $20 for Loucks. You are more concerned about your identity and reputation then anything.  Now that's lip service.

struggle with identity Written by citizen wilson on 2006-12-10 11:04:39 Chavez, you seem more concerened with finding out who we are than DOING anything to help Mr Loucks. By my count, I'm 20 bucks ahead in contributions to saving Mr. Loucks house than you, and perhaps a few posts that spur folks to action (like Chad) ahead than you.     I'd ask you to Pass the hat around the office and gather some coins, ask your friends (if you have any) to kick in a Latte Frappachino worth to help one person less fortunate than us and is in DIRE NEED of quick assitance. I think Chad might see the real face of the socialist movement if no-one BUT Citizen Wilson is prepared to kick in a personal donation. Gee Chavez, you can whine and complain, but can't even match my (in your view, pathetic donation). How small. Respectfully, I ask you to put up some cash, or shut up.

You are so full of yourself Written by hugo chavez on 2006-12-10 13:52:48 Not only do you show signs of multiple personality disorder but you place yourself on a pedestel. Hugo has personally helped Chad with advice and worked hours on Loucks behalf and when Chad has a real fund set up, not mail it to city hall, I will be there with a $100 cheque.  It's time to get off your high horse and actually get something done.

mission accomplished Written by citizen wilson on 2006-12-10 15:15:09 Something wrong with direct action (send into City Hall)?    You wanna debate whose acts of charity are better? Don't really care to as long Mr. Loucks gets to keep his house.     BTW, looks like something did get done....you came up with a pledge of some cash....thanks for helping....next....!

Cop out/ CW's Duplicity Written by hugo chavez on 2006-12-10 20:03:54 Yeah, it's a cop out. I can say send money to Cancer Society and give them $20 but have I really accomplished anything. If instead, I go out and canvass for them or start a fundraiser. Then I am actually contributing. My contribution has everything to do with Chad's push for equality at city hall and nothing with your gibberish.  CW, you need to realize that your actions are the same as those you criticize. You are caught up in your own duplicity and too blind to notice. Either put up or shut up.  Neocons are all the same, they don't want to pay taxes and boast of charity, yet rarely get involved in charity except for few dollars, here and there.

Corner on Virtue Written by citizen wilson on 2006-12-10 22:15:36 Hey Chavez, a pledge is only a promise to pay, and its a far cry from actually sending money. You only promise to pay 100 bucks, while we acted with a cash donation. You promise to pay when Chad has a fund set up, good on ya...it takes ten minutes to set up a bank account, what's the hold up? Oh, wait, perhaps he's waiting on your advice how to set one up. Time is of the essence!     Sending directly to City Hall stops the clock on the penalties! Time is of the essence!    In Mr. Loucks case, changing the system can't happen fast enough to save his house. The only action that would work is direct action, and paying the bill. While you and your kind prefer to chat about it, others jumped to action and reached into our pockets. Time is of the essence!    Unlike you, we lay claim to no moral superiority. We don't have a burning need to compare charitable acts, morality, or phallic length. You think that you have the corner on virtue and only your actions are the only one that count? You are no better or worse than me, we are all but a ripple on the sea.

Is it we or me ? Written by hugo chavez on 2006-12-10 22:33:50 Or MPD ?

Take it outside Written by pelliott on 2006-12-11 20:34:44 Chavez, Citizen, if you're going to converse/flame each other about things unrelated to the posted story, I invite you to make use of the forum area instead.  - Administrator

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