Dozens gather in Halifax in support of striking Pete's Frootique workers - Action News
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Nova Scotia

Dozens gather in Halifax in support of striking Pete's Frootique workers

An enthusiastic crowd gathered on Dresden Row in downtown Halifax Sunday afternoon for a solidarity rally in support of striking Pete's Frootique workers.

Company has announced it is closing Dresden Row store 'until further notice'

A rally in front of a supermarket.
Workers at Pete's Frootique in downtown Halifax went on strike on Saturday. (Vernon Ramesar/CBC)

Dozens gathered on Dresden Row in downtown Halifax on Sunday afternoon in solidarity with striking Pete's Frootique workers.

The strike began Saturday.

The workers at the Dresden Row location voted to join the Service Employees International Union in 2022. The union says it has been unable to negotiate a contract with Sobeys, which owns Pete's Frootique.

Pete's Frootique announced on social media Saturday that its downtown store is closing indefinitely.

The workers are seeking better pay. Union representatives at the rally told those gathered that most workers are now working for minimum wage and that the last offer made to them by the company called for a wage increase of five cents per hour.

Terry Armour, who works in the market's produce department, said the show of solidarity is important and would show Sobeys that workers are serious about their demands.

A man with red hair in a safety vest speaks to the camera.
Terry Armour works in the market's produce department. (Vernon Ramesar/CBC)
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Armour said he wasn't surprised when the company announced it was closing the Dresden Row locationindefinitely.

"I don't think they have much choice," he said. "They can't run the place without us and we're standing out here demanding a better wage."

He said had the union accepted the last offer from Sobeysit would have meant an increase of $4.55in his cheque based on his 91-hour pay period.

Serena Gagne, the picket captain for the striking workers, is a front-end supervisor at the store and has worked there for four years.

A woman wearing a safety vest and a SIEU toque smiles at the camera
Serena Gagne has worked at Pete's Frootique for four years. (Vernon Ramesar/CBC)

She said she was excited and happy about the number of people who attended the rally. Gagne said it was heartwarmingto see the community come out in support.

"We have lots of employees who, including myself, only make $15an hour and we all know that right now in Halifax alivablewage is $26.50," she said.

"That's just not acceptable for Pete's and Sobeys, who have offered us a five-cent raise. I believe that we're all here fighting to get a better raise than that."

A man in a black hoodie and a black toque speaks to the camera
Wynn Meaney used to work at the market and came to the rally to support his former colleagues. (Vernon Ramesar/CBC)

Wynn Meaney, a former worker at the store, saidhe came out to support his former colleagues because he didn't want them "to have to struggle anymore."

He said he left because of low wages and a lack of support from upper management at the store.

He said he believes the union will achieve its goals and thinks it will likely be achieved because of pressure from the public and not because of any goodwill from the company.

In a statement emailedto CBC News late Sunday evening, aspokesperson for Sobeyssaid the company is disappointed in the decision to strike. The company said itworked hardto reach an agreement it considers"fair and competitive."

"We are hopeful this will be resolved as quickly as possible and are ready and willing to get back to the table with the union as soon as the SEIU Local 2 leadership is ready," the email said.

The Pete's Frootique location in Bedford remains open.