News
September 11, 2025
How B.C. unions won more clout in dealing with franchises
Labour lawyer Chris Drinovz says the decision on a dispute with grocery giant Sobeys is a boost for labour.
**How B.C. Unions Won More Clout in Dealing with Franchises**
A recent legal decision involving grocery giant Sobeys is being hailed as a significant victory for labour unions in British Columbia, bolstering their power in dealing with franchise operations. Labour lawyer Chris Drinovz says the ruling has set a new precedent, strengthening the hand of unions when negotiating and resolving disputes within the often complex world of franchising.
While Drinovz didn’t specify the exact details of the Sobeys dispute, he emphasized its broader implications for organized labour. Franchising, a business model where individual owners operate under a larger brand’s name and system, has often presented challenges for unions seeking to represent workers. The separation between the franchisor (like Sobeys) and the franchisee (the individual store owner) can create legal ambiguity regarding who is ultimately responsible for labour relations.
This ambiguity has historically made it difficult for unions to effectively bargain for fair wages, benefits, and working conditions across an entire franchise network. The recent decision, according to Drinovz, clarifies the lines of responsibility and makes it harder for franchisors to distance themselves from labour disputes occurring within their franchise locations.
"This is a positive step forward for workers in franchised businesses," Drinovz explained. "It recognizes the significant influence franchisors often wield over their franchisees and ensures they can't simply wash their hands of labour issues."
The specifics of the Sobeys case likely involved arguments around the degree of control Sobeys exerted over its franchisees' operations, particularly concerning employment practices. The ruling suggests that the B.C. legal system has recognized that franchisors, even if not directly employing workers, can be held accountable if they significantly dictate labour standards within their franchise network.
The decision is expected to empower unions to pursue collective bargaining agreements that cover entire franchise systems, rather than having to negotiate with each individual franchisee separately. This could lead to more consistent and equitable working conditions for employees across a brand's various locations. It remains to be seen how this ruling will be applied in future cases, but labour advocates are optimistic that it marks a turning point in protecting workers' rights within the franchising landscape of British Columbia.
A recent legal decision involving grocery giant Sobeys is being hailed as a significant victory for labour unions in British Columbia, bolstering their power in dealing with franchise operations. Labour lawyer Chris Drinovz says the ruling has set a new precedent, strengthening the hand of unions when negotiating and resolving disputes within the often complex world of franchising.
While Drinovz didn’t specify the exact details of the Sobeys dispute, he emphasized its broader implications for organized labour. Franchising, a business model where individual owners operate under a larger brand’s name and system, has often presented challenges for unions seeking to represent workers. The separation between the franchisor (like Sobeys) and the franchisee (the individual store owner) can create legal ambiguity regarding who is ultimately responsible for labour relations.
This ambiguity has historically made it difficult for unions to effectively bargain for fair wages, benefits, and working conditions across an entire franchise network. The recent decision, according to Drinovz, clarifies the lines of responsibility and makes it harder for franchisors to distance themselves from labour disputes occurring within their franchise locations.
"This is a positive step forward for workers in franchised businesses," Drinovz explained. "It recognizes the significant influence franchisors often wield over their franchisees and ensures they can't simply wash their hands of labour issues."
The specifics of the Sobeys case likely involved arguments around the degree of control Sobeys exerted over its franchisees' operations, particularly concerning employment practices. The ruling suggests that the B.C. legal system has recognized that franchisors, even if not directly employing workers, can be held accountable if they significantly dictate labour standards within their franchise network.
The decision is expected to empower unions to pursue collective bargaining agreements that cover entire franchise systems, rather than having to negotiate with each individual franchisee separately. This could lead to more consistent and equitable working conditions for employees across a brand's various locations. It remains to be seen how this ruling will be applied in future cases, but labour advocates are optimistic that it marks a turning point in protecting workers' rights within the franchising landscape of British Columbia.
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