Business and Economy
IKEA announces end to 17 month lockout in B.C.; wage, benefit increases to workers
Trevor / Flickr
VANCOUVER—The 17-month-long lockout at IKEA’s flagship store in Richmond, B.C., is over now that a new deal has been worked out between the company and union.
The 10-year deal with the Teamsters’ Union was reached through the binding recommendations of mediator Vincent Ready.
IKEA did not provide specific details about the deal, but a news release says workers will receive automatic annual wage increases and a new health-care spending account.
The company says the deal means it has the flexibility to make operational changes that will improve the store’s performance.
About 350 employees were locked out of the store on May 13, 2013.
The store, which is one of only two unionized IKEA outlets in the country, will operate on reduced hours until December when it will return to full operations.
