Windsor union preparing for worst as Hudson’s Bay moves towards liquidation

As Hudson’s Bay appears to move one step closer to liquidating, union representatives in Windsor are preparing for the worst

As Hudson’s Bay appears to move one step closer to liquidating all stores, union representatives in Windsor are preparing for the worst.

Jodi Nesbitt, President of Unifor Local 240, representing 58 Hudson’s Bay Company employees in Windsor, said they are “busy” behind the scenes ahead of the company’s next move.

“It has been so difficult to hear from some of our members that are really struggling because they’ve spent, you know, a better part of their life working there,” Nesbitt told CTV News.

A complete liquidation of the retailers’ assets could begin as soon as Tuesday, according to the Canadian Press. This would include 80 stores, and three Saks Fifth Avenue stores and 13 Saks Off 5th locations in Canada that it owns through a licensing agreement.

Due to the potential size of the liquidation, Nesbitt said they are unsure how the process would play out in Windsor. Moving the assets could take up to 12 weeks.

“That’s what I think is really difficult for us with our members is not being able to kind of predict the next, you know, what could happen if the judge allows it or doesn’t,” Nesbitt said.

A lack of investment has meant most workers have seen the “writing on the wall” in recent months and years, Nesbitt said.

Inside the Devonshire Mall, the Windsor location has employed some staff members for upwards of 25 years.

Representatives for the Bay have noted the liquidation process could “preserve” a slim chance of the company’s restructuring.

Nesbitt recognized their hope to see the return of “what we’ve come to love and know with Hudson Bay” is slim.

“The hopeful outcome would be that they would invest in the Windsor store, and they would be back to what we’ve come to love and know with Hudson Bay,” she said.

In light of the changing landscape, the union continues to pursue certainty for employee wages, benefits and pensions.

Of their 58 staff, 10 employees are considered full-time. Nesbitt said that figure was previously higher before the company offered buyouts in recent years.

“Our focus is basically on making sure that our member’s entitlements, their pay, is you know, that’s at the forefront of any proceedings and anything that goes on,” Nesbitt noted.

“That their pensions are looked at and made sure that they’re funded properly.”