An Important Win at Real Canadian Superstore

Recently, your union’s representative at Real Canadian Superstore’s Windermere outlet took action after workers there said they were harassed and punished for speaking a non-English language on their break.

Situations like this don’t just violate the law and workers’ contracts. They damage the dignity of workers from a wide range of cultures who bring their lives and languages to the workplace. Speech is a big part of identity, safety, and community. When workers are told they can’t speak their own language, even on breaks, it says that who they are isn’t welcome.

English-only rules are a problem in many workplaces. As our communities become more diverse, it’s important that employers value the variety our cultures bring to the table. They should let that diversity make the workplace better, not try to restrict it. This kind of respect builds trust, strengthens teams, and creates a workplace where everyone feels like they belong.

When UFCW Local 401 took a stand against these unfair acts, the excuses for the English-only rule didn’t hold up. After managers agreed to lift their unjust punishments, we talked about solutions. These included a real pledge to respect workers and act fairly, and to uphold the contract and the law. It’s all about heading off issues in the future as well as solving today’s problems.

This kind of success takes the courage and persistence of workers to speak up when something isn’t right, and to push back against unfair policies. It also takes hard work from your union’s reps behind the scenes. We’d like to thank Abdi Guled, Union Labour Relations Officer at Real Canadian Superstore Windermere, for his support for our members at this workplace.

Posted on: December 03,2025