Halifax – July 25, 2014 – Workers at Lawtons Drugs in downtown Halifax are the newest members of UFCW Canada Local 864 after voting "YES" to joining Canada's best retail union. The bargaining unit was recently certified by the Nova Scotia Labour Board, following a successful determination vote in June.

Lawtons Drugs operates a chain of over 80 drugstores and healthcare supply stores across Atlantic Canada. The new Local 864 bargaining unit – located at the Lawtons Drugs store in the Scotia Square Mall in downtown Halifax – is the first-ever Lawtons retail location to be organized.

While the Lawtons store is a breakthrough at the retail level, Local 864 already represents members at the Lawtons Drugs distribution warehouse in Dartmouth. The Lawtons chain is owned by Sobeys. Local 864 also represents members at the Sobeys distribution warehouse in Stellarton.

A Notice to Bargain has been sent to the company, and members of the new unit will be meeting in early August to elect their Bargaining Committee and discuss the terms of a first collective agreement.