182 employees involved in class action suit over closure of Jonquiere store
Montreal - (16 May 2006) - The Quebec Court of Appeal has rejected an effort by unionized employees at the closed Wal-Mart store in Jonquiere, Que., to launch a class-action lawsuit against the retail giant. The case is now being reviewed with a view to appealing to the Supreme Court of Canada.
The ruling upholds last November's decision by the Quebec Superior Court, which ruled it was a matter best decided by the province's labour relations board. The merits of the effort to win authorization for the suit were not heard by the higher court when the three-judge panel met March 30.
A total of 182 employees, stranded by Wal-Mart when it shut down the Jonquiere store to escape dealing with a union, are seeking compensation for damages. It was the first Wal-Mart outlet in North America to organize a successful union drive.
Lawyer Gilles Gareau said he will review the ruling before deciding whether to seek leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) has signed a formal protocol with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW Canada) to support its drive to organize Wal-Mart workers across Canada. NUPGE
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