The takeover of Zellers properties across Canada, including Prince George, by the Target retail chain is causing anger and concern among former Zellers employees.
The union representing Zellers workers - UFCW Canada - rallied a large crowd of protesters last week in Mississagua in front of Target's corporate head office. Their demands centred on Target rehiring Zellers workers to their parallel positions when the new Target stores open.
Target contends that promises won't be made to those workers, but they will get extra attention in the hiring process.
One of those sites is the soon-to-be Target location at Pine Centre Mall.
"Since acquiring Zellers, Target [has refused] to respect the loyalty, experience and labour rights of Zellers workers," said UFCW Canada national representative Kevin Shimmin. "Target has told Zellers workers - even those with more than 30 years experience - that they will have to reapply for their same jobs, in the same locations, for starting pay and standards."
Target spokeswoman Lisa Gibson would not disclose the terms of wages and benefits, but said the company understands the need to put together a quality in-store team.
"Target is focused on providing team members with compensation packages that are competitive in the marketplace and will commiserate with position and experience," she said. "Target is guaranteeing an interview to all Zellers employees who apply for a position for stores opening in 2013, (including Prince George)."
The Mississauga protest gathered support from other sympathetic unions and Shimmin said reform is needed across the entire retail industry.
"It is wrong to throw more than 10,000 people out of work. It is wrong to disregard the wages, benefits, seniority and the collective agreements these workers have achieved," he said. "It is wrong for Target to hide behind these corporate offices and not take accountability for their actions. This is just the start of a movement and we will not rest until we get the respect for the Zellers workers in our communities."
Target said they will employ somewhere between 150 and 200 people in Prince George. The hiring process has already begun for store managers, with attention turning to assistant managers and hourly staff late this year or early 2013. Applications are still being taken online at www.target.ca/careers.
