Striking Sobeys warehouse workers concerned about picket line safety

Striking Sobeys warehouse workers say they have safety concerns after several recent incidents on the picket lines.

They’ve been walking the picket line for weeks after being locked out by their employer, but now Sobeys warehouse workers near Balzac, Alta., say their safety is at risk.

Following the lockout in mid-September, 250 Teamsters union members went out on strike.

The Sobeys Distribution Centre in Rocky View County provides goods to grocery and convenience stores across central and southern Alberta.

The union says it’s not just working hard to try and reach an agreement with the company, but must now address safety concerns on the picket line.

Strike protocols allow members to stop vehicles coming in and out of the property for minutes at a time, but Teamsters say some drivers have tried several times to break through that line.

“We’ve had members who’ve actually been hit by trucks,” said Preston Quintin of Teamsters Local 987.

“We had an incident last week where there was literally a driver who got out, he spat on one of our members and the security just stood there and they just filmed it.

“They didn’t try to intervene,” he added. “They just let it happen.”

The warehouse workers are seeking more competitive wages and a resolution of non-monetary amendments to the collective agreement.

The union is also calling on the public to boycott any store owned by Sobeys’ parent company, Empire, until a contract is ratified.

CTV News has reached out to Empire for comment.