USW say Sears Canada has locked out 500 warehouse staff over dispute

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/markets/headline_news/article.jsp?content=b121691519

From The Canadian Press, April 12, 2010 - 4:44 p.m.

By The Canadian Press

VAUGHAN, Ont. - A union for workers at Sears Canada says that the department store giant has locked out 500 warehouse employees after the two sides failed to reach a new contract.

The United Steelworkers union says that disagreements over pensions, health-care benefits, and vacation entitlement led to the lockout.

A union representative for the Peel-Halton region of Ontario said talks broke off March 23rd.

Sears employs about 33,000 employees across the country and operates a network of corporate stores and dealer stores, as well as home improvement showrooms and catalogue merchandise pick-up locations.