As you know, Sobeys sold its Safeway Gas Bars to Shell.
Here is what we know so far:
Shell likely didn’t do this out of the kindness of their heart, of course. The Alberta Labour Code governs Alberta’s unionized labour relations. The Labour Code provides for situations where a business or a piece of a business is sold to another entity, such as Shell.
This part of the labour code is called ‘Successorship.’ Think of it like passing on the captaincy of a sports team; the new captain must follow specific rules and maintain the same responsibilities as the previous one. Successorship ensures that employees’ rights and agreements are protected, even if the company is sold.
You are still unionized members of UFCW Local 401! And until another agreement is negotiated and voted on by the 401 Gas Bar members, it remains in force.
Unfortunately, neither Sobeys nor Shell have provided any further facts.
These are urgent questions, and selective silence is not acceptable.
So we expect you will have many questions for which we will be pressing Shell for answers. These will include:
As soon as we get any additional information, we will, of course, reach out again.
In the meantime, if you have any pressing questions, please contact Union Labour Relations Officer Sandy Harmeson by phone at 403-291-1047 (Ext. 1107) or sharmeson@ufcw401.ab.ca.
Posted on: June 21,2023