Unionized staff at Richmonds Ikea store remained on the picket line this week.
The 350 workers belonging to Teamsters Local 213 who hit the bricks Monday are steadfast in their refusal to make concessions they say their employer wants in exchange for any wage increase.
According to union spokesperson Anita Dawson, the company is also asking for changes to benefit eligibility that would require employees to average 24 hours of work per week over a year to qualify.
With a large number of our members working part time hours that is a difficult thing to achieve.
Dawson said of the 350 unionized employees on strike, just 70 are classified as full time workers.
What the union is hoping for is a modest wage increase. Currently, workers are paid in a range starting at minimum wage up to $21 an hour.
During the job action the Richmond Ikea store one of only two unionized ones in Canada, the other is in Montreal remains open for business on reduced hours.
A call to the Richmond stores main customer service line indicated the location is open Monday to Friday from noon to 8 p.m., and on weekends from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In addition, the returns and exchange desk, in-store restaurant and childcare service are closed.
