Successor rights under attack as Target gears up to compete with Wal-Mart

When A sells (or gives or leases etc.) a unionized business to B, all jurisdictions in Canada provide for "successor rights" - i.e., the workers continue to be unionized with the same union, same collective agreement, etc. - indeed, they can't simply be replaced by new employees just because of the sale.

With its purchase of Zellers' stores and gearing up to compete with Wal-Mart, it looks as if the Target chain is taking a run at this principle, by pretending that its temporary shutdown and makeover of Zellers' stores will in effect turn them into new enterprises:

Target digs in heels as labour union applies to keep unionized status

I can't imagine how Target could succeed - but if they ever do (or if laws are changed to make it possible), it could represent one of biggest challenges to the union movement yet.

You want good news? You'll have to read a different thread. Here's the news:

Quebec Wal-Mart workers leave union: More than 150 Gatineau employees had first collective agreement for just more than a year

That leaves the store in Weyburn, SK as the only one still standing and unionized. But Wal-Mart's patented tactics (massive turnover and selective hiring after unionization - plus a whole kit of other stuff), and the inability (or unwillingness) of the union movement to mount a sustained battle in this sector, will no doubt chase the union out of there soon as well.