Press release
Beaulieu Canada turns its back on its workers with an indefinite lockout 

Acton Vale, October 10, 2025 – Less than 48 hours after a symbolic one-day strike by the 160 employees of Beaulieu Canada (Division 3), the employer declared an indefinite lockout, which came into effect at midnight. 

The workers, represented by the Service Employees Union, Local 800 (SEU 800), denounce the employer’s decision as hasty and unjustified, following nearly a year of negotiations. 

A year of fruitless discussions 

Talks between the union and the employer began on October 15, 2024, while the collective agreement expired on December 13, 2024. 

Despite 23 meetings and more than eight months of mediation by a representatif of the Ministry of Labour, no significant progress has been achieved at the bargaining table. 

Faced with this impasse, employees chose the path of moderation by holding a one-day strike on October 8, 2025, to send a clear message without causing lasting harm to the company. 

 That day of action also brought the new CEO, Mr. Samuel Akhavan, who took office on October 3, to the bargaining table for the first time. A gesture the workers saw as a sign of goodwill and openness. 

Barely in office, the new CEO triggers an indefinite lockout 

To everyone’s surprise, the meeting quickly deteriorated. In a tense atmosphere, Mr. Akhavan announced, in what appeared to be an impulsive move, an indefinite lockout of the 160 employees, effectively halting all union activity and cutting off any immediate possibility of dialogue. 

“For an organization that claims to value transparency, dialogue, and respect, it didn’t take long to resort to extreme measures. On his very first day at the table, Mr. Akhavan brought a rifle to a sword fight,” said Alexis Roy, SEU 800 union representative. 

“For now, our priority is the well-being of our members. That’s where we’ll focus our efforts in order to support them through this situation,” he added. 

An incomprehensible and inhumane move 

For employees, the lockout is especially shocking as it comes on the eve of Thanksgiving. 

“Obviously, we were stunned to learn that we’d be locked out indefinitely. We did everything we could to minimize the impact of our one-day strike. It’s even harder to accept knowing this is happening over the Thanksgiving weekend… Gratitude seems to be in short supply at Beaulieu Canada,” said Guy Boisvert, president of the local union unit. 

SEU 800 condemns the employer’s behavior as completely disconnected from the human values the company claims to uphold. 

“This is a textbook example of an organization that puts profit before people. Yet it’s these 160 employees who have long been the pride and backbone of Beaulieu Canada,” concluded Alexis Roy. 

SEU 800 stands in solidarity with Beaulieu Canada workers 

The union reaffirms its solidarity with its members and calls on Beaulieu Canada management to return to the bargaining table in a spirit of openness and mutual respect.