Negotiations Underway at Black Velvet

May 5, 2021 – Lethbridge, AB – Your union bargaining committee met and exchanged proposals with the company on Monday, May 3rd. 

While this is the beginning of the bargaining process, each side presented their proposal packages, and there were discussions on the recent COVID cases and the company’s response, the purchase of Black Velvet by Heaven Hills, as well as the changes within the union since the last round of contract negotiations.  

Open and transparent bargaining

Under the new leadership of President Thomas Hesse and Secretary Treasurer Richelle Stewart, and with the support of the Executive Board, the local has adopted an open and transparent approach to collective bargaining. This means that your bargaining committee will be providing regular updates and creating opportunities for you to be more involved as the process continues.  

In this spirit, you can download the proposal packages below:

Union Proposals
Company Proposals

Upcoming bargaining dates

Your Bargaining Committee has scheduled the following dates to continue discussions with the Company:

  • May 10-12
  • June 9-11
  • June 29-30

In solidarity,

Your UFCW Local 401 Union Bargaining Committee,

Devin Yeager, Chief Negotiator
Bill Bennett, Union Representative
Darren Colby
Mike Webb
Andrew Roth