Jonquière Wal-Mart workers get their day in court
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Global Quebec Evening News 21 January 2009 |
At an earlier Quebec Labour Commission hearing, Wal-Mart denied it shut the Jonquière store because of union activity — saying it shut the store because it was losing money. The Supreme Court heard the same defense from Wal-Mart: that a business has the right to close a store because of “good and sufficient” reasons.
“This isn’t whether Wal-Mart has the right to close a store," said UFCW Canada National President Wayne Hanley. “It’s about Wal-Mart shutting down the Charter rights of 200 Canadian workers.”
“As Canadians, what’s more important to us? The business rights of some multinational corporation or the human rights of Canadian workers and their families here at home?”
The case was brought forward by five appellants who had all worked at the Jonquiere store.
The outcome could also affect 79 other Jonquière Wal-Mart workers who had also filed as complainants. The decision by the Supreme Court is expected before September.
Links:Workers assail Wal-Mart closingat Canada top courtReuters 21Jan09in Wal-Mart store closure dispute CBC.ca 21Jan09
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