Quebec unionized Wal-Mart workers win Supreme Court victory [View all]

[n2doc]

The Supreme Court of Canada has sided with the union representing former Wal-Mart employees who claimed the company violated Quebec labour law when it abruptly closed its store in Jonquière, Que., not long after the workers voted to unionize.

In a 5-2 decision delivered Friday morning, the court ruled that the 190 employees who were terminated when the store was closed are entitled to compensation.

Bernard Philion​, one of the lawyers who represented the United Food and Commercial Workers Union in the nearly decade-long battle, said the decision sends a message.

"No matter how big the employer is, the Quebec legislation protects workers and their rights," he said.

The Wal-Mart employees in Jonquière became the first in North America to be unionized when they joined the union in 2004.

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http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-unionized-wal-mart-workers-win-supreme-court-victory-1.2689646