According to the Winnepeg Sun, Wal-Mart employees in Thompson., Ontario went to the ballot box again this week to decide whether to become a unionized Wal-Mart. About 140 workers were eligible to cast their votes to join the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 832. Last August, the local’s first attempt at certification failed — with workers voting 61-54 against unionization. UFCW president Robert Zeigler said at the time he was surprised and disappointed by the workers’ change of heart since many had initially indicated a desire to join the union. Results of the voting won’t be known for two to six weeks. UFCW locals across the country have been trying to unionize a Wal-Mart store. A unionization vote in Jonquiere, Quebec narrowly failed 74-65 last April, according to the newspaper. The battle to unionize Canadian Wal-Mart is also underway in North Battleford and Weyburn in Saskatchewan. When meatcutters in a Texas Wal-Mart voted to unionize, the retailer announced shortly thereafter that it would no longer cut meat in the store, and use “pre-packaged” meat instead, as a way to circumvent the unionization vote.
For more background on efforts to organize Wal-Mart workers, search this database by the word “union.”