The union that represents workers at a soon closing thrift shop in Windsor is rescinding its call for residents to boycott the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign.
The Service Employees International Union called for the boycott after the Salvation Army announced it was closing the store on Walker Rd. after 23 years.
The announcement came as a surprise to the workers who were given just two weeks notice they were going to be jobless. Many of the workers have been employed there for more than 20 years.
The boycott was "designed to pressure the Salvation Army to do the right thing", said the union in a release to the media Thursday night. It said the call worked and the agency agreed to a closure agreement that will double the workers' termination and severance pay. Each worker will also get $1,200 to offset the cost of benefits moving forward. The agreement also calls for an annual meeting between the two sides to discuss future opportunities to operate a new theft store in the future.
"These joint discussions and deliberations are intended to focus on utilizing the physical assets/market value of the current property in regard to determining/developing a location strategy relative to the Windsor market," said Ed Eves, the chief steward. The closure agreement will give laid-off workers preferential consideration for employment in any future retail store.
"If it wasn't for the union, the thrift store workers would be receiving less than half the severance package they are now going to receive," said union steward Crystal Blagdon.
SEIU Local Business Agent and Chief Negotiator Ted Mansell said the call for the Christmas Kettle boycott was not made lightly.
"We're relieved to report the Kettles Campaign boycott is no longer necessary and is hereby rescinded," he said. "We now look forward to working jointly with the Salvation Army to persuade them to bring the thrift store back to Windsor."
