(Montreal, July 3, 2009) - Metro regrets that the unionized employees at its Quebec City grocery warehouse have opted to strike, despite efforts over the past two days to reach an agreement with the union through a Ministère du travail mediator.

Metro was very surprised by the employee representatives' decision to call the strike, considering that talks had been underway on renewing the collective agreement.

"We would like to reach an agreement that will allow the company to remain competitive in an increasingly cutthroat market. We are deeply unsettled by the situation, particularly since Metro generally has excellent relationships with all of its employees and unions, and because our employees have some of the best working conditions in the industry," stated Alain Picard, Vice-president, Human Resources.

Metro has put in place a contingency plan to maintain the quality of service it is known for by ensuring the best possible supply to its stores in eastern Quebec.

Metro Inc.
With annual sales of close to $11 billion and more than 65,000 employees, Metro Inc. is a leader in the food and pharmaceutical sectors in Quebec and Ontario, where it operates a network of almost 600 grocery stores under several banners, including Metro, Metro Plus, A&P, Super C and Food Basics as well as over 250 drugstores under the Brunet, Clini Plus, The Pharmacy and Drug Basics banners.



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SOURCE: Metro Inc.
For information: Marie-Claude Bacon
Director, Corporate Affairs
514 643-1086
mbacon@metro.ca

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