IKEA Richmond strike has finally been resolved

IKEA in Richmond has settled their 17-month-long dispute with their unionized employees following mediation and binding arbitration.

Star mediator Vince Ready was called in to help with the impasse between IKEA and the Teamsters’ Union Local 213, however he initially backed away when it appeared the sides were too far from resolution.

However, progress was made through binding arbitration, and the strike was called off. A 10-year deal was agreed to by both parties.

The lockout at Ikea is over! More details to follow.

— Teamsters Canada (@TeamstersCanada) October 22, 2014

After 527 days, lockout of over 300 @IKEA workers in Richmond BC is over!! Congrats @Teamsters LU 213! Details soon. pic.twitter.com/wazY5v22N2

— IKEA Hurts Families (@IKEA_Hurts) October 22, 2014

“Mr. Ready has recognized that the company’s offer is fair and generous and he has ruled that all employees who crossed the picket line to perform their own jobs during the strike shall remain employed at IKEA Richmond,” notes IKEA Canada in their statement issued Wednesday.

Shoppers will soon be able to hit up IKEA’s relatively new Richmond digs for their STENKLÖVER and KOKOSNÖT without crossing picket lines.

The store will operate on reduced hours into December, when they are expected to resume full operations.

IKEA Canada’s statement about the strike resolution continues:

The company has remained committed to reaching a collective agreement that supports the long term success of the IKEA Richmond store while providing wages and benefits that exceed industry standards for all its employees. IKEA now looks forward to warmly welcoming everyone back.

Highlights of the offer presented at mediation:

– Generous wages and benefits
– Automatic annual increases for all employees
– Generous benefits including a new health care spending account
– Secures the long term success of the store
– Operational changes and flexibility that would allow IKEA Richmond to improve the overall performance of the store

It is now the company’s intention to focus on the future and invest heavily in ensuring that we are ready to meet our customers in the best way possible. The IKEA Richmond store will remain open to our customers on reduced hours until mid December when the store will return to full operations.