Union Caught Off Guard By Nelson Extra Foods Closure

February 16, 2012

The union which represents the 40 employees at Extra Foods in Nelson says they didn't find out about the store closure from the employer.

Dan Goodman the Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers local 247 says everyone was caught off guard by the news that Kootenay Co-op had bought the building on Vernon Street. He says the first they heard of it was via an online posting from the Co-op.

He says employees were aware of ongoing talks between owners Loblaws and the landlord about the lease. Loblaws decided not to renew that lease after being at the location since 1997.

Goodman says he was intending to come to Nelson next week for bargaining talks on a new collective agreement but those talks will now centre around what options are available for employees.

It's not clear what, if any jobs may be on offer at Nelson's Canadian Wholesale Club, which is also owned by Loblaws.