Wedge Co-op dumps 'anti-union' law firm: 'We made a mistake'

Wake up people! The Wedge has , and will continue on a course towards being a big ugly heartless corporation. That is what they are, most just can't or don't want to see it. They do not follow the co op mission staement of recent years past anymore, they're buying up the farms that provide their produce, Their warehouse serves the entire tri state area of co ops and I call that a monoply. Their mark up on everything is beyond outrageous, I'm a former employee so I know. You'd think with all of their "buying power", prices would get lower, but they just keep going up now don't they? The fact that the GM does not believe in global warming is just the tip of the iceberg with this woman, she is a right wing wing nut who doesn't give a damn about the community she is supposed to be serving or her employees, and if you think that when you order food from the Deli that you are getting quality ingredients in your food that the Wedge is known for - Think again and look for the Sysco truck that pulls up in the back of the store, because Sysco garbage is what they're using to make that food.   I've also worked in unions and I know that the union arrangement is less than Ideal, but this  goes to show you just how degraded and deplorable the working conditions must have become for some of the workers there--that they would make the choice to unionize. It is not a decision they took lightly I'm sure, but I have a feeling they were forced specifically by the attitude and conduct of, and the direction that the current GM is taking with regards to the Wedge. Anyone who wants to get serious about a boycott, I'm IN!

A lot of Calgary attorneys are assisting makers set up combined tasks to discuss the large capital cost associated with some oil beaches tasks. 

Make the world a better place - break a union.

Nicely done Wedge Board.  This is precisely the action I would expect you to take in this circumstance.

I have enough experience with law firms to know that you shouldn't go looking for congruent values from them...you'll just end up being disappointed.  They'll do what they're paid to do.  I am a member of the Wedge - but am not aware of any issues that make it a bad place to work.  If there are some, I'd like to know what they are.  I am not motivated to shop at the Wedge by my dividend check.

i'm surprised city pages hasn't done an expose on the wedge.  as a former employee, there is more than meets the eye going on at this place.  just talk to some former/current employees.  it is a pretty horrible place to work.  but would the members or non-members ever know?  not a chance!  all they see is their dividend checks getting bigger and bigger so why question the happiness/sanity of the employees???

Perhaps the board should address the reason(s) that they and their workers are in a place where union(s) and lawyers are needed/wanted. 

Yes, the board listened, but I think thats about where any input from members and the community will end. All that response said was, "we are looking for a better facade".

Sadly, the board is just as corporate and conservative as the GM they hired. 

Did you know that the GM of the wedge does not believe in climate change and will not let the wedge comment or mention carbon emissions? Yes, the mission of any business is to make profits and return money to the members, but this is beyond insane. 

MEMBERS, I implore you to vote in the elections held by the wedge, call the GM and let the staff members know you support them when you shop. The worst thing the Wedge upper management can think of is a PR nightmare, so if you want to see change in the operations of the co-op you need to be vigilant in voicing concern and distaste. 

Sarah Wovcha, I applaud you ! You made a mistake, you owned up to it,,you made a correction.  Teach THAT to the politicians, I dare you! Well done,,and keep up the good work !

From an old-school union rep.

I wish the board would take notice of the leadership at the wedge and make the needed changes.

Right, blame the law firm. They were acting on the demands of their client, which threw them under the bus. Any lawyer will tell you that's how it worked here. If the law firm tries to prove otherwise it opens itself up to a lawsuit on breaching the attorney-client privilege that survives the termination of their relationship.

This is just tacky.

Nice work!

Members responded, the Board listened. That's exactly what makes a cooperative different.

Co-ops are supposed to be member-driven, not profit-driven - the differentiation has served co-ops well, and it's nice to be reminded of it in this situation.

Regarding the cost of negotiations, a cost-benefit analysis by the board may be in order: paying a living wage to all employees vs. the cost of paying a law firm, negotiations, public relations, member relations, etc.....

either way, job well done to the Wedge Board, and to the members who spoke up.

Anti-union or not, don't you think they'd have the most experience in what both employees want and what employers want?  So they have been anti-union in the past.  They work for YOU, YOU tell them what you want.

Good god, bitchy whiney hipsters...I'm done shopping here, and it's because of the clientele, not because of the business.

"We didn't realize what a dumb move we made until we were informed of our dumb move by our customers, who did the background research we didn't bother to do in the first place."

i.e. "We only listen to our members once they've created a massive PR embarrassment."

So the Wedge decided to go back to the overpriced lawfirm that represents Cargill? I would hope that agribusiness whoredom would be no less discomfiting to the Wedge than union busting.

"We made a mistake."

Yes, they did.  Although Dorsey is no friend of the little guy, either.  On the other hand, The Wedge is no longer a little guy; not by any stretch.  I prefer to patronize smaller businesses, myself.