On May 13, 2013 management at the Richmond IKEA locked out the nearly 350 members of Teamsters 213 who work at that location.

IKEA has shown its determination to succeed and a willingness to break labour law, having already been found in violation of Labour Code provisions preventing the use of replacement workers (scabs).

IKEA is not a franchised company. The Richmond and Coquitlam IKEAs are both owned by the parent company, whose owners are among the wealthiest 100 families in the world.

We are writing today to make it be clear that customers choosing to patronize the Coquitlam location, while the strike is on at the Richmond location, are assisting the company in breaking the strike.

One of the issues is the imposition of a tiered wage structure. Despite the location being highly profitable, management is seeking to impose significant wage cuts on the majority of its work force. Five years ago, the Teamsters fought the tiered wage structure and won.

Tiered wage structures such as the one proposed by IKEA poison work sites, creating resentment between co-workers. Moreover, they contribute to the part-timeing of work and raising of hours needed to qualify for benefits as management seeks to take advantage of the new, lower wage categories.

Our suggestion, when you're getting ready for the new semester - go secondhand and assist your fellow working Vancoverites and let IKEA know you aren't shopping at either location until this is resolved equitably.

A Picket is a picket is a picket, we just don't cross - especially as union members.
Contact IKEA: 1-866-866-4532 or http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_CA/customer_service/contact_us/help_us_improve.html

For more information: http://www.thestand.org/2013/07/ikea-lockout-aims-to-bust-union-in-b-c/

For a petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/boycott-ikea/