A strike at Metro’s Laval distribution centre has left shelves bare at super c and Metro stores across the province, creating noticeable shortages of fruits and vegetables. The walkout by 550 distribution, transport and head-office employees began Monday and is open-ended. Metro and union negotiators remain at an impasse after union members rejected a six-year, 11% wage offer.
Immediate fallout on store aisles
Metro has stated the stoppage at the Laval fruits-and-vegetables distribution hub and stoppages affecting the Mérite 1 transport warehouse have caused shortages in roughly 300 stores. Shoppers at multiple outlets have found empty displays for small fruits, citrus and pineapples; in several locations staff posted notes blaming circumstances beyond the store’s control. At some stores, deliveries from alternate suppliers restored limited stock, but many refrigerated storerooms are reported empty.
The strike was triggered by unresolved differences over wages and working conditions. Union members voted unanimously to reject the employer’s complete offer, citing losses of purchasing power due to inflation as the central grievance. The action is indefinite and remains in effect as of March 30, 2026 ET.
Super C stores visibly affected
Super C outlets have been singled out by customers and employees in affected neighbourhoods for clear gaps on produce shelves. Workers inside some supermarkets were replenishing what limited items arrived from secondary suppliers, but the absence of regular inbound loads left aisles sparse. Management notices on display in several Super C locations explained that certain products were not available for reasons outside the stores’ control.
Voices from the negotiation table
Caroline Larocque, Vice-President, Logistics and Distribution, Québec at METRO inc., said, “We are very disappointed by the decision of the unionized employees to trigger the strike, particularly given that we have been negotiating for months to reach an agreement that meets the needs of our employees and our clients in a very competitive market. ” She added that METRO has implemented a contingency plan to maintain supply to stores.
Marie-Claude Bacon, Vice-President, Communications at Metro, said she was surprised by a public union communique and stated, “We deny having made an offer to present to the members. We had planned to continue negotiating Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday last. “
From the union side, Matthieu Lafontaine, President of the Syndicat des travailleurs et travailleuses des épiciers unis Metro-Richelieu-CSN, warned that people are angry and framed the rejection as a response to perceived inadequate proposals. Serge Monette, Vice-President of the Fédération du commerce-CSN, criticized compensation trends: “In six years, revenue rose 28%, profits increased 39% and dividends to shareholders 56%. Employee wages for the same period? Only 11%. “
Background and short-term outlook
The strike involves 550 workers from the Laval distribution centre, the corporate head office and transport operations at Mérite 1 in Rivière-des-Prairies. Union leaders have cited inflation, subcontracted transport arrangements, occupational health and safety, and telework protections among their priorities. Metro leadership has emphasized contingency measures and a desire to negotiate a mutually acceptable settlement.
What’s next for shoppers and stores
Expect disruptions to fruit and vegetable assortments at super c and Metro locations in the near term while contingency plans are implemented and negotiators continue talks. Metro has stated it remains determined to reach a negotiated agreement as quickly as possible; the union has kept its rejection of the current offer in place. As of March 30, 2026 ET, shoppers should anticipate limited availability of key fresh items until deliveries stabilise and a deal is reached.
