Zehrs has no plans re-open under new name in Waterloo Region: union
Posted Oct 5, 2015 08:46:18 AM.
Last Updated Oct 5, 2015 08:50:18 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
After several Zehrs Markets in the province were closed and re-opened as a different name under the Loblaws brand, the company says they are not closing any stores in Waterloo Region.
However, 570 News has learned they are changing the way they negotiate with its employees.
Zehrs employees are members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and stores in Waterloo Region are among the remaining 20 left in the province who have yet to switch over to the new collective agreements.
Jim MacLean is UFCW Director of Regions 5 and 7 and says there will be no job losses, layoffs or reapplying for jobs but workers have been given two choices.
Full-time staff can take a lump sum of up to $75,000 and work for a lower wage and lose things like bonuses and vacation time, part-time staff would see around $10,000.
MacLean says or they can choose to keep their current employment situation the same. He says members have to balance out how much the payout is versus what they will be losing.
Zehrs has a history in Waterloo Region as the very first store was opened in Kitchener.
Lester Zehr tells 570 News it all started with a piece of property his father owned at the corner of Highland and West Avenue.
