Union says the company is intimidating workers province-wide who want to join union
The Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) in Quebec is filing a lawsuit against chain convenience store Couche-Tard after the company closed one of its stores that was awaiting certification with the union.
In the claim filed to Quebec’s Labour Relations Commission yesterday, CSN alleges that the company closed the store to intimidate workers who wanted to form a union. Eleven employees were laid off when the company closed the store in early April.
In the lawsuit, CSN is asking that each employee receive one year's salary plus one month's salary per year of service as compensation. The union is also asking for $35,000 to be paid to each employee for moral damages, and $ 50,000 for exemplary damages.
The CSN claims that by firing these employees, the Commission should condemn the company because it has violated the Quebec’s Labour Code and Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The first Couche-Tard store joined the union in early February 2011. To date, four stores belonging to the chain have joined the CSN. The union won’t indicate how many outlets have expressed interest in organizing.
