Expert praises ‘innovative’ Saskatoon Co-op labour deal

Saskatoon Co-op stores, gas bars and liquor stores will soon be operating with full staff after a strike that saw workers off the job since November.

Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1400 voted 54 per cent in favour of Saskatoon Co-op’s latest offer on Tuesday, ending their strike.

The agreement includes annual wage increases of two per cent over its seven-year term.

It also has a two-tier wage system for new employees, something which the union had fought against during negotiations.

Dionne Pohler is a fellow at the University of Saskatchewan Centre for the Study of Co-ops.

She told 650 CKOM the two-tier system in the agreement is very unique.

“If the Co-op actually demonstrates financial success over the next several years they can use that to reduce the gap between the two (new hires and employees on the old structure),” Pohler said.

According to Pohler, that system is very different from others the same union has negotiated or agreed to in the past.

For Pohler, another positive aspect of the agreement is the amount of compromise it contains.

“Both parties can legitimately say that they’ve won something,” she said. “I think that’s critical for them moving forward.”

Pohler said she believes the biggest challenge will be the transition back to work for people who were on strike and their managers, but said compromises on both sides should even the playing field.

Workers are expected to be back on the job by Easter Sunday.