The store in North Battleford is among those the United Food and Commercial Workers would like to see unionized. (CBC)

A union is claiming victory against Wal-Mart after a labour board decided it could not rule out the possibility that the closure of a unionized store in Quebec might scare workers in Saskatchewan.

The United Food and Commercial Workers is trying to unionize the retail chain's stores in Weyburn, Moose Jaw and North Battleford.

It alleges Wal-Mart Canada's closure of a unionized store in Jonquiere, Que., in 2005 was an unfair labour practice intended, in part, to intimidate workers who want to organize in Saskatchewan.

The company sought to have the union's unfair labour practice application dismissed at a preliminary stage, saying the Saskatchewan agency was acting outside its jurisdiction.

Wal-Mart also argued it wasn't its fault if newspapers ran editorials about the Jonquiere closure.

However, in an Oct. 24 decision, the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board disagreed with those arguments, dismissing Wal-Mart's preliminary application.

"The fact that the actions of Wal-Mart upon which the allegations are based were committed outside the geographic confines of Saskatchewan does not mean that they cannot constitute violation of the restriction on intimidation of its employees in this province," the ruling said.

That means the union's case against Wal-Mart can proceed.

Wal-Mart is the world's largest private employer, with more than 6,400 locations, but unionized stores are the vast exception in North America.

Freedom of choice urged

Labour groups allege that's because Wal-Mart is anti-union.

However, Wal-Mart spokesman Andrew Pelletier said the company respects the right to unionize and the right to freedom of association.

On the other hand, it's important for Wal-Mart workers in Saskatchewan to have freedom of choice, he said.

"I know that in the North Battleford and the Weyburn situations, there have been numerous complaints that were before the labour board in the past of associates claiming that they were harassed by the union to sign union cards," Pelletier said.

"So that disturbs us."

The store in Quebec was closed almost four years ago because it was unprofitable, Pelletier said

'They can't deal with the competition?'

But Paul Meinema, president of UFCW Local 1400, which represents Saskatchewan workers, doesn't buy that explanation.

"Are they suggesting that they aren't as good a retailer as other unionized retailers are?" he asked. "They can't deal with the competition? That the only way that they can be profitable is on the backs of their workers or to deny certain benefits to the workers?"

Meinema denied the union is strong-arming workers to join.

Wal-Mart said it will fight the latest ruling.

A labour relations board decision on whether the store in Weyburn will be unionized is expected soon. As well, the Supreme Court of Canada is expected to hear arguments early next year about the Quebec store closure.