8289 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

'Truly Canadian'? American-owned RONA removes signs after ad complaint

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Home improvement chain says its 'entire history is rooted in Canada' despite ownership by Lowe's

 

 

https://www.cbc.ca/n...laint-1.5353474

[DustMagnet]

'Truly Canadian'? American-owned RONA removes signs after ad complaint

Social Sharing

 

Home improvement chain says its 'entire history is rooted in Canada' despite ownership by Lowe's

 

 

https://www.cbc.ca/n...laint-1.5353474

 

 

Can't they just change 'Truly' to 'Historically'?

[shoeflack]

That’s such a dumb move. Wonder if Canada Goose clothing will have to change their name on account of being owned by American company Bain Capital. Or why the heck does Tim’s get to play the Canadiana card so much despite their foreign ownership?

[amor de cosmos]

https://www.victoria...ictoria-photos/

[Mike K.]

They did it!

Victoria’s Russell Books will be enshrined into the the Guinness Book of World Records for erecting the largest tower, ever, of World Book of Guinness Records.

[Victoria Watcher]

retailer stacks up some books - gets $15k in free media coverage.  slow news week in victoria.

[Jackerbie]

They did it!

Victoria’s Russell Books will be enshrined into the the Guinness Book of World Records for erecting the largest tower, ever, of World Book of Guinness Records.

 

I hope there was consultation first

[amor de cosmos]

6m

https://www.timescol...high-1.24008877

[Victoria Watcher]

someone was smart about that engineered base.

[Rob Randall]

I hope there was consultation first

 

There's a loophole in that a building within a building is exempt from all bylaws. Someone will surely exploit this by building a 40 storey tower inside an existing 3:1 zoned lowrise.

[Victoria Watcher]

The irony is not lost on Arne Jackson, as he prepares to open up an Anytime Fitness location in what used to be a convenience store at the corner of Beacon Avenue and Resthaven Drive.

 

“It’s kind of funny to go from a Slurpee machine to a gym,” he says with a laugh, while surrounded by fitness machines and other equipment in various stages of being unpacked.

 

https://www.saanichn...eys-newest-gym/

 

i did not realize the 7-11 there had closed.  it used to be a convenient location with a quick-parking zone right out on resthaven.  

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 17 November 2019 - 09:23 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

interesting article about MEC workers' unionization plans here in victoria. this is the first i'd heard of it but they have already signed people to cards and held a vote.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite presenting itself as a progressive organization, Mountain Equipment Co-op has fought hard to prevent staff in its Victoria store from joining a union, says an employee involved in the organizing drive.

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS, EVENTS & MORE FROM TYEE AND SELECT PARTNERS

 

 

 

 

who has been a frontline worker in the Victoria outdoor equipment and clothing store for more than a year, says the employees’ experience shows why the province’s rule requiring a secret ballot vote before workers can join a union needs to change.

 

The requirement gives management an opportunity to use scare tactics to keep employees from unionizing, he said.

 

“A lot of people shop at MEC... and they have this idea that MEC is better, that MEC is a very progressive

 

https://thetyee.ca/N...campaign=181119

[Victoria Watcher]

By the end of October about 70 per cent of MEC Victoria employees had signed cards certifying they wanted to join UFCW 1518.

 

But in B.C., there is a two-step process. If enough workers sign cards saying they want to join a union, a secret ballot vote is held to confirm the decision.

 

The certification vote was held Nov. 2. MEC filed an appeal arguing the vote count should not go ahead. A UFCW official said Friday that the votes had now been counted and MEC employees had voted with a strong majority to join the union. 

 

is there a place for unionization in a consumer retail environment?  if there is it'll be an extreme challenge for the company.  anything MEC sells i can buy on amazon no?

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 18 November 2019 - 08:54 AM.

[lanforod]

^ except for MEC branded stuff, probably. Cheaper too, most likely. I find MEC pretty pricey.

[Mike K.]

For a business that competes for a highly mobile pool of workers, not having wage flexibility can be detrimental to their staffing levels and retention.

 

For a 20-something working at a retail job, would they rather earn $18 an hour under a union, where they must also pay monthly union dues, or would they rather earn $19.50? MEC, tethered to a union agreement, would be prohibited from scaling wages as demand warrants so all they would be able to offer would be that $18 wage until a new agreement is agreed upon.

[Jackerbie]

For a business that competes for a highly mobile pool of workers, not having wage flexibility can be detrimental to their staffing levels and retention.

 

For a 20-something working at a retail job, would they rather earn $18 an hour under a union, where they must also pay monthly union dues, or would they rather earn $19.50? MEC, tethered to a union agreement, would be prohibited from scaling wages as demand warrants so all they would be able to offer would be that $18 wage until a new agreement is agreed upon.

 

A 20-something at MEC in Vancouver is currently paid $14.25/hour

[Mike K.]

There's a gay bar planning to open in the former sushi space in the 700-block of Johnson Street.

[Rob Randall]

^Hope they call it "The Parkade".

 

A 20-something at MEC in Vancouver is currently paid $14.25/hour

 

You can also make the argument they attract workers that might forgo a higher wage elsewhere because of benefits like MEC's employee discount as well as intangible concepts like working for a socially-conscious employer. Young workers are increasingly aware of this. I would rather work at MEC than Walmart for these reasons.

[Kapten Kapsell]

Clare Mart (on Fairfield near Moss Street) recently liquidating its inventory.  It plans some sort of renovation and may be reopening under a different name (and possibly a new retail concept?).  It had been for sale for a while...

[RFS]

A 20-something at MEC in Vancouver is currently paid $14.25/hour

Would supervisors of any kind be part of the union?