An anonymous director reports

LOBLAW TO RECOMMENCE NEGOTIATIONS WITH UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION, LOCALS UFCW 175 & 633 AND 1000A, REGARDING UNRESOLVED ONTARIO LABOUR CONTRACTS

Loblaw Companies Ltd. and UFCW locals 175, 633 and 1000A have agreed to recommence negotiations relating to labour contracts covering 69 select stores in Ontario, including some Zehrs Great Food, Loblaws Great Food and Real Canadian Superstore locations.

Negotiations, which come at the request of a provincially appointed mediator, commence this afternoon.

Strikes began in nine stores represented by UFCW 175 and 633 in Windsor, Leamington, Chatham, Kingsville and Sarnia this morning. The company has continued to operate all nine stores.

Strikes are scheduled to begin in 60 other stores represented by UFCW 1000A on Sunday, in markets from Ottawa to London. The company will continue to operate many of those stores in the event of a strike.

The mediator has requested that neither party offer public statements regarding the negotiations.