Bargaining Kicks Off With CMS Gas Bars: How You Can Help Us

Last week, your union bargaining committee held our initial exchange meetings with CMS Gas Bars. 

Before we get to this update, we want to take a brief moment to welcome Tristan Cossins-White to the CMS bargaining committee! Please join us in welcoming him to the team.

Our Proposals to the Company

Throughout this process, you will often hear a term we call “open bargaining”. At UFCW Local 401, we believe all negotiations with your employers must be as transparent as possible so you know what is happening at all times. Watch the video below to learn more about open bargaining. 

Part of open bargaining includes what your bargaining committee is proposing to the company.

You can read through our entire proposal document here.

Some of the key proposals your bargaining committee has put together include (but are not limited to):

• Increased wages with post-probation increases
• Improvements to vacation benefits, including new carry-over rights
• A new health spending account 
• Paid meal and rest periods
• Employee discounts and profit sharing
• Improved notice periods for company-initiated shift changes
• The addition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a general holiday
• Double pay for staff working on Christmas
• Company-supplied period products
• Increased protections against discrimination
• And more!

Early Bargaining Wins

While there is still much to discuss and negotiate, we are pleased to report that we have already made some progress. 

We have agreed to some basic housekeeping items that will help move bargaining along. We have also agreed on extended timelines for grievances and arbitration – mediation has also been added as an option in the resolution process.

CMS has confirmed that you can request replacement of worn-out/poor-fitting uniform shirts anytime. You are entitled to two-shirts when you are hired, plus one new shirt each year.

The company has confirmed that respectful workplace signage will be posted at all stores in the near future (if they have not already been installed). If your store does not have one, please let us know!

Challenges That Have Arisen

Just as your bargaining committee has had the opportunity to present proposals to the company, the company has also shared their proposals with us.

You can read the company’s proposals here.

Overall, the first meetings were positive, but we want to share some of the themes that have been raised.

• A concern that has been raised by your committee is a company proposal to remove a ban on working alone – a protection that exists in your current CBA.
• The company has also expressed some disagreement with our scheduling improvement proposal; however, they are in agreement with us that more clear language is needed around scheduling, availability, and shift changes.
• An incease to standard work days from 10 hours max to 12 hours max.

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How You Can Help Us

We will next be meeting with the company from November 5-6, 2026 with an additional union caucus meeting on October 13th. Caucus meetings are an important part of bargaining as it gives your committee an opportunity to review proposals and discuss strategy.

Please document in writing any hazards you see (such as dark/blind corners, worn-out anti-fatigue mats, etc). Share these concerns with your employer – if you are unsatisfied with their reponse, please notify your union rep so that they may follow up. 

Your bargaining committee will be reaching out to you for feedback soon, so stay tuned!

In solidarity,

Your Union and Bargaining Committee
UFCW Local 401

Tristan Cossins-White – Calgary McKenzie Town
Corwin Skinner – Grande Prairie
Victoria Gallager – Edmonton Meadowlark
Kristy Andrei – Edmonton Westmount
Gurneet Kaur – Stony Plain
Kyle Lentz – Red Deer
Gabriel Colwill – Cochrane
Scott Galbreath – Calgary Glenmore
Tristan Cossins-White – Calgary McKenzie Town
Jamie Myhre – Lloydminster
Nicole Boisson – Lethbridge Fairway
Holly Wagner – Medicine Hat

Merryn Edwards de la O –Negotiator
Susan Bellamy – Union Labour Relations Officer
Taylor Rittinger – Union Labour Relations Officer
Teresa Ludwig – Union Labour Relations Officer

Posted on: October 06,2026