Renaud-Bray has closed its store in Laurier Québec mall in Sainte-Foy, following a contract dispute last fall, which led to the closure of one of its Quebec City locations. The closure was announced to employees during a meeting on Friday by the CSN union branch representing the bookstore chain workers. Despite being on strike since the end of 2024, the store was partially operational with managers filling in until now.
The closure has left about 30 workers without jobs. The store did not provide any comments, but its website no longer listed the Laurier Québec location by Saturday afternoon. Union president Jimmy Demers expressed bitterness and anger over the closure, stating that the decision did not come as a surprise.
Earlier in February, Quebec’s labor tribunal ruled in favor of Renaud-Bray workers, ordering the company and its owner, Blaise Renaud, to pay $7,000 for actions taken during the contract dispute. The tribunal found that the employer interfered with union activities and engaged in strike-breaking by using managers during the strike.
The conflict primarily revolved around salary negotiations, with the union seeking a $1 per hour raise above the minimum wage, while the employer offered only a 15-cent per hour increase. The CSN President Caroline Senneville criticized Renaud for showing contempt towards workers and customers, stating that it demonstrates disregard for both groups.
The union plans to file another complaint with the labor tribunal regarding the closure of the Laurier Québec store. Workers and union representatives, including Sophia Martin, expressed disappointment over the employer’s lack of negotiation efforts and abandonment, as they gathered for a picket line outside the shopping mall on Saturday morning.
Renaud-Bray still operates another location near the former Laurier Québec store and recently transformed an Archambault storefront in Place Ste-Foy under its banner.
