OTTAWA — Executives from Lobaw, Metro and Empire Co. testified before a virtual meeting of the House of Commons industry committee last week, defending the end of “hero pay” for front-line store staff. Metro CEO and President Eric La Flèche; Loblaw Cos. President Sarah Davis; and Michael Medline, Empire’s CEO and president each said the companies made the decision to end the pay hikes independently.
Like many retailers, the grocers had implemented a $2 per hour wage increase in March in recognition of the more stressful demands on staff as the pandemic erupted. Conservative, Liberal and New Democratic MPs alike pushed back at the executives’ testimony on subjects from a livable minimum wage to the relationship between the wage premiums and employee safety.
