Striking Loblaw workers walking to Brampton

Striking Loblaw workers from three stores in Northern Quebec are trekking 600 km to company headquarters in a move to kick-start negotiations.

The march to Brampton, Ont., began June 15 from Rouyn Noranda by 40 staff from Maxi and Loblaw stores, where some employees have been on the street since 2012; others for more than a year.

It is expected to end Canada Day, with additional union members joining the picket line in front of the retailer’s head office.

READ: Loblaw, union set to resume talks after strike and lockouts

“They are walking about 60 kms a day in two or three shifts,” said Serge Fournier, CSN commerce federation president. “The employer refuses to sit down and talk. The last session for Maxi employees was Sept. 2013.”

Loblaw’s latest offer in August 2013 was rejected by about three quarters of the membership.

Relations between the union and the supermarket chain have grown increasingly tense. Loblaw announced in May it was selling 12 Maxi stores in Quebec to independent retailers.

READ: Loblaw-Shoppers deal could cause union woes

Fournier says the stores have yet to be sold and the union’s contracts with the Maxi stores, which will change to a former Provigo banner, Heritage, are still in force.

Employees at the Maxi stores to be sold off are all organized by the CSN. One observer has said the company and the union have been “at war.”

The marchers are said to be bringing tables and chairs with them in a move to try to convince the company to sit down and talk. At issue are job security, hours and pay.

READ: Loblaw to bring back Heritage banner

Loblaw did not immediately respond to a request for comment.