Following Hudson Bay Company’s (HBC) announcement over the weekend that it would liquidate retail operations, Unifor put out a statement calling for transparency from the operator.
In a late Friday announcement, Canada’s oldest company said it couldn’t secure the necessary financing to keep at least some of its empire alive.
“HBC must act in good faith by ensuring workers receive the wages, benefits, and severance they are entitled to under their collective agreements,” says Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Workers’ livelihoods are on the line—they’re rightfully concerned and deserve full transparency from HBC.”
Unifor Locals 40 and 240 represent roughly 320 employees at stores in Windsor, Kitchener, and Toronto’s Sherway Gardens.
A closure of the entire business, which is planned pending a court appearance set for Monday, would mean job losses for 9,364 employees the company has in Canada across its Hudson’s Bay stores, as well as three Saks Fifth Avenue stores and 13 Saks Off 5th locations it owns through a licensing agreement.
Throughout the company’s financial troubles, the union has been in discussion with the company and has been pressing for HBC to honour it’s legal obligations to its workers.
“Our members have been the backbone of HBC for decades,” added Payne. “Workers have shown dedication to this company, and now it’s HBC’s turn to show the same commitment by treating employees fairly and honouring its legal obligations.”
The union continues to hold leadership meetings with members to inform them of their rights.
“Our team has worked incredibly hard to identify a viable path forward, and our resolve is strengthened by the overwhelming support from customers and associates who have shared heartfelt stories about Hudson’s Bay and what our stores have meant to them, their families, and their communities across the generations,” said Hudson’s Bay president and CEO Liz Rodbell in a statement on Friday night.
“These powerful experiences remind us why we must continue to pursue every possible opportunity to secure the necessary support from key landlords and other stakeholders to save The Bay.”
The department store chain dates back to 1670 and now spans 80 stores.
Hudson’s Bay said it plans to sell off its assets over the coming months, pending court approval, which could include an auction process if it receives multiple qualified bids.
- with files from the Canadian Press
