Media Advisory - Hundreds to Picket in Support of Striking Zellers Workers in Brampton today

    BRAMPTON, ON, July 31 /CNW/ - Hundreds of protestors will converge at the
Zellers warehouse in Brampton starting at 7:00 a.m. today (July 31) for a mass
picket and demonstration in support of the over 300 CAW Local 1000 members on
strike against concessions at the retail company's Scarborough distribution
centre.
    The protest will bring together CAW members from across Southern Ontario
as well as labour and community representatives in support of the retail
workers' struggle.

    Mass picket and demonstration in support of striking Zellers workersWhen:     Today (July 31, 2009) @ 7:00 a.m.
    Where:    Demonstrations will take place at the rear entrance gate
              (at the corner of Summerlea Rd. and Gateway Blvd.)
              8875 Torbram Road
              Brampton, Ontario

    Speakers are expected to address the crowd at 8:30 a.m. and will include:

    Stephen Moses, CAW Zellers Warehouse Chairperson
    John Cartwright, President, Toronto and York Region Labour Council
    Carolyn Egan, President, United Steelworkers Toronto Area Council
    Kevin Shimmin, National Representative, United Food and Commercial
     Workers
    Bob Orr, Assistant to CAW National President Ken LewenzaZellers workers were forced out on strike on July 16 in response to a
series of extensive company demands for wage and benefit concessions,
including an $8 per hour wage rollback for material handlers. The company is
also demanding new rules that would increase the use of temporary employment
agency workers.
    The company has relocated most of the products from its Scarborough
distribution centre to Brampton in an effort to drag out the strike and avoid
going back to the bargaining table, said CAW Zellers Warehouse Chairperson
Stephen Moses.
    "We're going to send this company, and U.S.-based private equity firm
NRDC pulling the strings behind the scenes, a clear message to get back to the
bargaining table so we can settle this dispute," Moses said.
    Workers at the Scarborough facility represent a diverse range of cultures
and ethnicities, with many workers representing South-East Asian, African,
Caribbean and Pilipino communities in Toronto.
    The company walked away from the bargaining table two days prior to the
strike commencing. Zellers has so far refused to negotiate with the union
since the strike began.

For further information: Angelo DiCaro, CAW Communications, (416)
606-6311; or Bob Orr, Assistant to the CAW National President, [phone]