Da Prat declares boycott on Zellers, A&P (updated)

Steelworkers Local 2251 President Mike Da Prat today directed his rank-and-file members and their families to boycott Zellers and A&P.

Da Prat issued the directive at a special information meeting of the local's general membership this morning.

The boycott relates to attempts by Essar Steel Algoma to cut costs by having Steelworkers fill their prescriptions at only the two Zellers pharmacies in the Sault and the two A&P pharmacies. .

The union has rejected this idea, arguing that it undermines the right of workers to access medications in a timely fashion.

The Steelworkers boycott extends to all departments of the Zellers and A&P operations, not just the pharmacies, Da Prat said.

He said there's no way that any four drug stores in Sault Ste. Marie could keep enough medications in stock for all Local 2251 employees of Essar Steel.

"This would be a major erosion of our benefits," Da Pratt said. "The company won't care that our people will be disadvantaged."

Da Prat also said he doesn't believe the four stores negotiating to become exclusive providers of prescription medication to Essar employees could obtain them within the three-day period they guarantee for delivery.

In any case, three days is too long to wait for many medications, he said. The issue goes to arbitration tomorrow and Da Pratt believes it will take some time to get a decision.

Until a decision is given in favour of the union, he wants workers and their families to boycott the two A&P stores in Sault Ste. Marie that have pharmacies and the two Zellers stores.