Wally-World in Canadian dock for union busting

The Canadian Supreme Court will hear two cases of alleged union busting by former employees from a Wal-Mart store in Jonquiere, Que.

Wally-Worrld allegedly violated the Quebec Labour Code and the right to freedom of association when it closed the store in April 2005 rather than sign a union contract with employees, the cases claim.

But, the Quebec Court of Appeal sided with Wal-Mart, rejecting the case of employee Johanne Desbiens. The story adds that another case was rejected by Quebec courts similar case filed by another former Wal-Mart employee, Gaétan Plourde, was rejected by the province's courts.

Is it a “victory” getting the Canadian high court to hear the case? The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW Canada), which represented the workers, says yes.

“When the Supreme Court accepts to hear you, it’s because the case is of national interest,” said Louis Bolduc, executive assistant to the UFCW’s national president.

Well, hold on there.

Just because it’s in the national interest doesn’t mean the judges will see the national interest as magically coinciding with your union’s, Mr. Bolduc.

The story goes on to note that the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) has signed a protocol with the UFCW to support and cooperate its campaign to organize workers at Wal-Mart stores across Canada. (Image above from NUDGE.)

Better luck than what the AFL-CIO has, or has not, done here.