Security Guards Hired by Wal-Mart to Spy on Union Sympathizers in Quebec

Dec. 7, 2005
Guards says their hired tasks including spying, other activities not expected in 'normal duties'
MONTREAL (CP) - Wal-Mart Canada hired private security guards to spy on workers at a store in Jonquiere, Que., who supported a union drive, according to an investigation conducted by Radio-Canada.

Security guards told journalists from the CBC's French-language service that they had been hired around the time Wal-Mart decided to close the store in Jonquiere, citing financial reasons.

Wal-Mart closed the store in April, not long after the 200 workers received union accreditation, but before they could sign a collective agreement.

According to excerpts from a documentary to be broadcast Friday on the programme Zone Libre, union leaders and workers sympathetic to the drive were targeted by undercover security guards.

One former guard said he patrolled the store in civilian clothes, watching employees.

Another agent said the store's surveillance cameras were used to follow certain employees.

The guards said they're tasks didn't correspond to their "normal'' duties.

Wal-Mart Canada president and CEO Mario Pilozzi denied the allegations.

"No, we wouldn't tolerate the situation you mentioned,'' Pilozzi told Radio-Canada. "No idea about what you're talking about.''

Spying on union leaders or sympathizers is illegal under the Quebec Labour Code.