But make no mistake: This strike is a litmus test for the public’s moral compass, and so far, the workers have garnered substantial support. Despite the potential for a settlement favouring workers to push food prices even higher, the public’s response has been surprisingly muted.
Nonetheless, while this dispute undoubtedly centres on wages and benefits, it signifies a larger battle — one that pits traditional labour practices against the inexorable march of automation and artificial intelligence. The workers on the picket lines are not simply pursuing personal gains — they are essentially championing the cause of every grocery store employee in Canada.