Unifor Legal Team sends letter to Sobeys
Unifor Legal Team responds to Sobeys' intimidation and misinformation
On April 30, Unifor lawyer Laura Sullivan sent a letter to Sobeys Senior HR Director Renaud Lapierre to caution the Employer against continuing to speak on behalf of, or disparage the union to workers during the bargaining process and to remind them of the protocols laid out in the Nova Scotia Trade Union Act.
The letter reads:
April 30, 2024
Dear Mr. Lapierre,
Re: Sobeys and Unifor Local 1971
I am counsel to Unifor National and its Local 1971 (the “Union”).
As you are no doubt aware, the Union and Sobeys (the “Employer”) are currently engaged in bargaining a renewal collective agreement.
It has come to the Union’s attention that the Employer has posted notices in the workplace detailing proposals the Employer made to the Union during bargaining, and containing derogatory language intended to undermine the Union in the eyes of the membership.
The Union considers these a failure to recognize the Union as certified bargaining agent, and an attempt to bypass the Union as such and instead bargain directly with the membership contrary to the Nova Scotia Trade Union Act (the “Act”).1 - (RSNS 1989, c 475.)
Further, it has come to the Union’s attention that persons connected with management have made disparaging remarks about the Union and the bargaining process to members of the Union outside the workplace.
The Union considers these remarks to be further attempts to undermine and discredit the Union to the membership, and an interference with the administration of the Union contrary to the Act.
Further attempts to bypass the Union as bargaining agent or undermine the Union to the membership may result in the Union filing an unfair labour practices Application against the Employer before the Nova Scotia Minister of Labour.
Yours truly,
Laura Sullivan
Lawyer, Unifor Legal Department
cc: Tim Mitchell, Unifor, Assistant to the National Officers
Sharon Walsh, Unifor, Director of Retail
Tom McNamara, Unifor National Representative