Canada Bread bakers in Langley have been off the job for 49 days and are set to return to the negotiating table Tuesday.
“We are encouraged that the union has invited Canada Bread back to the negotiating table next Tuesday to discuss issues of concern in the comprehensive Collective Bargaining Agreement we proposed back in March,” the company announced Friday.
The company locked out Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco, Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 468 on April 1 after the workers did not accept the company’s offer.
With the union locked out, the company had other staff do the baking.
“Our contingency plan continues to depend on the dedication of our salaried employees who are diligently baking our bread at the bakery every day. Above all, we owe everyone involved a huge debt of gratitude for their ongoing support,” the company said Friday.
In 2014, Grupo Bimbo, the world’s largest bakery firm, purchased Canada Bread, which has 4,200 staff at 18 manufacturing sites across Canada.
On April 27, the company reached a deal with workers at its other locked out site, its distribution centre in Laval, Que. It successfully ratified the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Syndicat des Travailleuses et Travailleurs de Distribution Multi-Marques (CSN).