Six-month strike at Quebec supermarket ends

The strike at the Valu-Mart in Shawville, Que. that began last December ended on Monday as the 30 union members represented by Confédération des syndicats nationaux voted in favour of a tentative deal with management.

The store, a franchise of the Loblaw chain, was closed in May due to its underperformance in face of non-union competitors like Wal-Mart, according to management.

Since the store’s closing, many West Quebec shoppers headed to stores in nearby Renfrew, Ont.

Last week, the union represented by the Confédération des syndicats nationaux and management met with a provincial conciliator to reach an agreement.

The Valu-Mart is expected to open in the next few weeks and will undergo renovation later this year.