Saskatchewan court issues stinging rebuke to Wal-Mart

Arkansas giant presented 'absolutely no evidence' labour board was biased

Saskatoon (28 July 2006) - Wal-Mart has been roundly chastised by a Saskatchewan court for attempting to stop the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board from hearing cases related to union organizing efforts at company stores.

Justice Frank Gerein of the Court of Queen's Bench concluded that the Arkansas-based retail giant provided no evidence to support its allegations that the board was biased and that efforts had been made to interfere with its operations.

"It is alleged that there was interference with the board and that it was required to read publications which were highly disparaging of Wal-Mart. Yet there is absolutely no evidence before this court to prove the allegations," Gerein wrote.

"Without such evidence it is impossible to conclude that bias exists within the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board or that there is justification for a reasonable apprehension of bias," he added.

"To conclude otherwise, this court would be acting on pure conjecture or fantasy. That is not good enough."

In throwing out the application and awarding costs to the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW Canada), the judge added some especially stinging language.

"I am mindful of the old adage that 'pleadings are nothing more than legalized lies'," Gerein wrote in one scathing passage. " ... the application of Wal-Mart Canada Corp. is dismissed."

The case was filed on behalf of Wal-Mart in the name of Terry Stanley, manager of its store in Moose Jaw. NUPGE

More information:
• Wal-Mart Canada Corp. vs. the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board