Wal-Mart May Close Unionized Store

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. raised the stakes in a fight over its only unionized store in North America, saying it might shut the Canadian store unless workers proposed a contract the company found acceptable.

The world’s biggest retailer said a delay in talks with the union was hurting business at the store in Jonquiere, 290 miles north of Montreal.

Marie-Josee Lemieux, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 503, said the union would meet with Wal-Mart executives and seek to submit a contract proposal by mid-November.

Wal-Mart shares fell 37 cents to $52.55 on the NYSE.

* Daiei Inc., a Japanese retailer that needs a third bailout in three years, agreed to seek aid from the government, ending its insistence on seeking a private solution from Wal-Mart Stores Inc. or other investors.