Metro grocery chain sued over strikebreakers in Quebec

The Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) and the Metro‑Richelieu United Grocery Workers union have filed a formal complaint with the Tribunal administratif du travail, accusing Groupe Metro of illegally employing strikebreakers, temporary‑agency staff and subcontractors to replace about 550 workers at its Laval headquarters and at the Mérite 1 warehouse in Rivière‑des‑Prairies. The workers have been on an unlimited strike since March 30.

A Ministry of Labour inspection report released on April 22 concluded that Metro breached several provisions of the Québec Labour Code, including using replacement labour to remove non‑perishable goods from the fruit‑and‑vegetable warehouse, actions not permitted under the code’s emergency measures. Metro denies the allegations, says it is complying with the law and notes that a conciliator has been appointed to facilitate negotiations.

The unions are seeking an order that Metro cease all use of strikebreakers and are requesting $5,000 in moral damages and $5,000 in punitive damages, total $10,000. The dispute occurs against a backdrop of Metro’s strong financial performance – profits up 39 % since 2019 and revenues up 28 % – while wages for its collective‑bargaining unit have risen only about 11 % over the same period. The current collective agreement expired on 19 September 2025.