Loblaw to recommence negotiations with United Food and Commercial Workers union, locals UFCW 175 & 633 and 1000A, regarding unresolved Ontario labour contracts

BRAMPTON, ON, July 2, 2015 /CNW/ -Â Loblaw Companies Limited (TSX:L) 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 & 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.

About Loblaw Companies Limited: Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's food and pharmacy leader, the nation's largest retailer, and the majority unit holder of Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, banking, and wireless mobile products and services. With more than 2,300 corporate, franchised and Associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees, and Associate-owners employ approximately 192,000 full- and part-time employees, making it one of Canada's largest private sector employers.

Loblaw's purpose â€" Live Life Well â€" puts first the needs and well-being of Canadians who make one billion transactions annually in the companies' stores. Loblaw is positioned to meet and exceed those needs in many ways: convenient locations; more than 1,050 grocery stores that span the value spectrum from discount to specialty; full-service pharmacies at more than 1,250 Shoppers Drug Mart® and Pharmaprix® locations and more than 500 Loblaw locations; PC Financial® no-fee banking; affordable Joe Fresh® fashion and family apparel; and three of Canada's top consumer brands in Life Brand®, no name® and President's Choice®. Through the PC Plus® and Shoppers Optimum® loyalty programs, more than one in every three Canadians are rewarded for shopping with the companies.

SOURCE Loblaw Companies Limited