Workers in the ongoing labour dispute at Richmond's Ikea location got a high-level boost last weekend when NDP leader Adrian Dix and B.C. Federation of Labour president Jim Sinclair joined about 200 others at a rally Saturday outside the store. The B.C. Federation of Labour issued a statement over the weekend asking British Columbians not to shop at Ikea stores until the dispute, which started two and a half months ago, is settled. Richmond is one of only two unionized Ikea stores in the country - the other one is in Quebec. "Despite the Richmond location being highly profitable, management is seeking to impose significant wage cuts on the majority of its workforce. Five years ago, the Teamsters fought the tiered wage structure and won," the statement said. While Ikea's indoor showroom was tidied for Sunday's crowds and cashiers were hustling shoppers through as usual, outside, each car driving into the half-filled parking lot was made aware of the ongoing strife between the Swedish home furnishings retailer and its union, Teamsters Local 213. A half-dozen picketers on rotating 24-hour shifts stopped traffic to hand out information pamphlets about what the union calls a 70-day lockout and the company calls a strike. Members wore signs saying "people before profit" and cheered when a passing vehicle honked in solidarity. Three hired guards in orange vests watched and other Ikea-hired representatives videotaped the morning's interactions from behind a security fence. One shop steward, who sold living room storage furniture for 13 years, said it's part of the company's "intimidation and bullying tactics," an accusation Ikea denies. More than 300 employees are on strike, said Teamster Derek Drake and 27 union members have crossed the picket line to work inside. The union has expelled those workers, increasing tensions as the sides attempt to negotiate. "We are of course concerned about this development as this action essentially means the union is asking us to terminate our co-workers for exercising their legal right to work," said Ikea spokeswoman Madeleine Lowenborg-Frick, who said she is hopeful mediation, which began July 13 and resumed yesterday, will bring a solution. "We've come to the union because we're at an impasse. We're open to discussions and finding creative solutions for us all to get back to business," she said. As for the surveillance, "this is a very polarizing situation. Emotions are running high and the security is there for everybody's safety. It's absolutely not an intimidation tactic," Lowenborg-Frick said. On May 9, the Teamsters served Ikea with a 72-hour strike notice approved by 86 per cent of its membership. The company responded with a one-hour lockout May 13, which the union says is ongoing. "The main issue is the two-tier wage system. And contracting out workers, and the fact they're making it harder for people to make enough hours to get benefits," Drake said. Under the old contract, a worker with a family would have to work 20 hours per week to receive benefits. That's being raised to 24 hours under the new proposal, Drake said. Single workers need to work 15 hours per week, but are not getting enough shifts, the union is arguing. Employees who collect the shopping carts and food services workers make around $10.75 per hour. Supervisors can make around $24 per hour. Under the proposed collective agreement, similar wages would apply but a new two-tier structure could mean workers doing similar jobs would be paid differently. The two-tier wage system as well as the expulsion of employees from the union for crossing the picket line will be addressed through the mediator. The dispute has closed Smaland, the children's play area, and Ikea's huge, 600-seat restaurant, which serves up popular Swedish meatballs. It has also led to reduced store hours. Ikea maintains the union is not locked out, and is encouraging employees to return to work. Supervisor and shop steward Jody Adams, who has worked at Ikea for 14 years, said the "take it or leave it" contract amounts to a lockout. For more stories, go to www.vancouversun.com.
