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“I strongly condemn this kind of backward bargaining, as well as the unacceptably aggressive and offensive behaviour of the store manager,” said Alke Boessiger, Head of UNI Commerce in a letter to IKEA headquarters. She went on to say it was a strong case of unfair labour practices which must be corrected immediately and that the spirit of social dialogue promoted by IKEA in its global principles and values was seriously being violated in this instance in Canada.



UNI Global Union demands IKEA end the lock-out, return to the bargaining table and ensure that all threats and intimidation cease immediately.



The dispute began in January, when IKEA store manager tried to enforce changes that meant considerably lowering existing conditions. The IKEA workers rejected the company offer in three separate votes by large margins, the last one with an 84 per cent majority. On May 13^th, the store manager decided to lock-out employees and re-open doors to them, on certain conditions.



Workers were informed in a letter from IKEA store manager Janet McGowan that if they didn’t return to work by Monday 3 June, their terms of employment would be reduced and there would be further reducing of terms for those who did not return by Saturday 8 June. Another reduction would take place on June 13.



Anita Dawson, Business representative with Teamsters Local 213 and a former IKEA employee said, “It is totally offensive behaviour for an employer. We’ve never seen anything like this. Our members want to return to work under the terms of our previous agreement, with a few modifications.”



“IKEA is offering a reduced contract including a tiered wage system which will see some existing employees getting reduced wages and benefits. The company is also trying to force concessions in hours of work, allowances, benefits and work classifications on its workers, and that’s simply not on,” said Dawson.



“Our locked-out members want to return to work, but they want to be fairly compensated for their work and treated with respect and dignity in the workplace,” said Dawson.



“The company’s bullying tactics, which have included multiple phone calls to workers homes and threats to their wages and working conditions, represent outrageous behaviour by an employer which is determined to underpay its employees and force its will on the union.”



The union and its members want to reach a fair and reasonable collective agreement through negotiations at the bargaining table, not through bullying tactics. She said no negotiating sessions have occurred since IKEA imposed the lock-out on May 13. The store has been operating on reduced hours since the lock-out began.



UNI stands in solidarity with its affiliate, the Teamsters who are fighting for the rights of these workers.