LAVAL, Quebec -- Canadian convenience retailer Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.--which is actively bidding on expansion opportunities in North America and overseas for chains and markets it declined to identify--defended its labor policies as fully respecting Quebec's laws after workers on Tuesday took their fight for their first collective agreements to the convenience store giant's shareholders, reported the Canadian Press.
Shareholders attending the company's annual meeting were told Couche-Tard risks its reputation unless it adopts more worker-friendly policies, said the report.
CEO Alain Bouchard refused to specifically address the grievances of workers, some of whom began negotiations on Tuesday; however, he insisted the company respects its legal obligations.
By votes of more than 93%, shareholders rejected three proposals from a union pension fund.
The Confederation of National Trade Union's pension plan, which owns more than 14,000 shares, called on Couche-Tard to adopt a policy "promoting respect of freedom of association and collective bargaining."
Kassandra Lanteigne, who works full-time at a store in St-Liboire, Quebec, for $9.95 per hour, told shareholders that she doesn't get paid when sick and is forced to find her own replacement. She said workers deserve a bigger share of Couche-Tard's profits, which totaled $370 million last year. Her store is one of a few that is in the process of negotiating contracts, the report said.
In addition to a pay hike, the workers are seeking four sick days per year, clear rules on posting vacation and work hours and the installation of panic buttons in stores as well as psychological counseling when their stores are held up by armed bandits.
Meanwhile, Bouchard said Canada's largest c-store chain plans to expand its fresh food offering in Ontario by replacing older stores with larger locations selling a varied menu.
Couche-Tard operates nearly 600 stores largely under the Mac's banner in the province.
The company's fresh food offering is growing by double digits across its network, the news agency said, particularly in the United States. Food sold varies by store and region, but includes sandwiches, pizza and salads.
It is testing various menu concepts in Quebec, the report added, but is prevented by provincial law from allowing customers to use self-service food counters, as is done in Ontario and elsewhere.
Still, Bouchard sees growth opportunities for fresh food in the company's home province.
Laval, Quebec-based Couche-Tard's network is comprised of nearly 5,800 convenience stores, more than 4,125 of which include motor fuel dispensing, operated by 13 business units, including nine in the United States covering 43 states and the District of Columbia (primarily under the Circle K brand), and four in Canada (primarily under the Mac's banner) covering all10 provinces. It employs more than 53,000 people.
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