Metro grocery store workers striking across the Greater Toronto Area say their employer has not adequately compensated their wages for inflation, despite enjoying significant profits in the past years.

Employee Jason Sylvester says a raise of three or four dollars an hour would be a good start.

On Wednesday, the grocery giant froze workers’ medical benefits because of the labour dispute.

Metro says some perishable products from the closed stores have been sent to other stores while food that can’t be sold but remains good for consumption has been donated to local food banks.

Daily Bread Food Bank CEO Neil Hetherington says donations are needed because of a startling rise in food bank clients.

Hetherington says income insecurity, precarious employment and a shortage of affordable housing are all factors in people needing to use food banks.

Some 3,700 members of Unifor Local 414 walked off the job Saturday after rejecting a collective bargaining agreement, shuttering operations at the 27 stores.