The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, Aug. 17, edition that Metro says Unifor has refused its request to meet with the bargaining committee. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe reports that Unifor says it is waiting for an acceptable offer from Metro. Unifor Local 414 president Gord Currie said in a statement: "Front-line grocery workers have been clear about their expectations, and what the company presented is inadequate. ... This dispute is about wages -- members have spoken loudly that they've watched their wages slowly erode over time, while this company turns out record profits, and they are demanding a fairer deal." In late July, the workers voted against a tentative agreement that Unifor national president Lana Payne described as their best in decades, choosing instead to strike and demand more from their employer. Unifor has said grocery workers are asking for a fair share of Metro's profits. The grocer reported higher earnings in its latest quarter as sales rose, beating analysts' expectations. The union has signalled it intends to pattern bargain with the major grocers over the next two years, meaning the Metro contract could help set standards for other agreements across the country.