PROGRESS MADE, BUT STILL A LONG WAY TO GO
Bargaining between your Safeway Bargaining Committee and Sobeys continued in Edmonton from October 21 to 23.
While we’ve made some progress, there’s still a lot of work ahead before we reach a fair deal that reflects your hard work and meets your needs.
This past week, the parties exchanged and discussed 55 proposals. There’s been some movement on smaller items, but Sobeys continues to hesitate when it comes to the real issues that matter most to Safeway workers: fairness, respect, and wages that keep up with the cost of living.“Sobeys’ profits don’t happen without Safeway workers. We’ve had some minor movement on small issues, but we’re still fighting for the fairness and recognition you’ve earned. This round of bargaining reminds us how important it is to stay united. We’re stronger together.” – Thomas Hesse, President, UFCW Local 401
A FEW OF THE PROPOSALS WE’VE TABLED
Your bargaining committee, made up of Safeway members like you, has been advancing proposals that speak to your priorities. Here are some of the key proposals:UP3 – Paid National Day For Truth and Reconciliation and Land Acknowledgment
Sobeys has countered a proposal to include a Land Acknowledgment in the collective agreement. Your bargaining committee continues to review and engage with this proposal to ensure it reflects genuine respect and truth, not token gestures.
UP49 – New Digital Union Membership Application – Pilot
A pilot program is being developed for two stores during bargaining to test digital union membership applications. This would make signing and updating your membership easier and faster, while keeping workers connected to their union.
UP24 & UP25 – Mental Health Supports And Sick Leave Amendment
Your union tabled a comprehensive proposal on mental health that would ensure meaningful supports for Safeway workers across the province. This includes amendments to the sick leave provisions in all three agreements to provide stronger protections and clarity for full-time employees. Read the proposal here.
ELECTRONIC SHELF LABELS (ESL): WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Sobeys began testing Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs) in Alberta stores back in June 2025 and has now advised that installations will continue in additional stores starting in January 2026. The company claims these changes “won’t impact workers,” but your Bargaining Committee knows that any new technology in stores must be carefully monitored to ensure it doesn’t result in job loss, increased workloads, or reduced hours.
A survey will be sent closer to the next round of bargaining so that members can share their concerns directly with their union.
ESL deployment schedule:
Electronic shelf labels will begin installation in the following stores between January and February 2026:
This scheduled deployment also means the company has sent your union a letter indicating its intention to eliminate all Head File Maintenance positions.
You can read the company’s letter by clicking here.
Your bargaining committee pushed the company on these developments, clearly spelling out the anxiety, frustration, and stress that the plan is causing for File Maintenance employees and all stores. Sobeys had little in the way of responses to these arguments, sticking to their mantra that the technology “won’t impact workers”.
Your union filed a grievance as part of its pushback against the initial phases of this plan. We will look at adding to that grievance in light of these additional details and in order to address the full breadth of the company’s planned changes.
The Company is proposing a temporary assignment of duties until bumping occurs and has floated a possible “bidding system” to allow senior employees to pre-select their bump locations (pending your union’s agreement).
“As someone who works very closely with our File Maintenance team, I see every day how much accuracy and care go into keeping our prices and labels right for customers,” said James Protsack, a produce manager and Safeway bargaining committee member from Edmonton. “With Electronic Shelf Labels, there are serious concerns about what this means for our coworkers’ jobs and for transparency. If this technology replaces the need for people to maintain prices, that’s a direct hit to their job security. And if no one is double-checking those prices, who’s protecting customers and ensuring fairness? Technology should support our work, not replace the human oversight that keeps our stores accountable.”
We will continue working with all impacted File Maintenance employees to ensure you are supported during this stressful time while also fighting the Company’s attempts to erode job security, reduce stability, or replace valued positions with technology.
Your union’s priority remains protecting good union jobs and ensuring every member has a fair path forward.
LEGAL BATTLES BEYOND THE BARGAINING TABLE
While your Bargaining Committee was preparing for the second round of negotiations, important legal proceedings were also taking place that directly impact Safeway workers.
On October 10, the Court of Appeal heard the judicial review regarding the overturn of Arbitrator Mia Norrie’s Wage Reopener decision, a case that has major implications for fair pay at Safeway. We continue to fight to uphold decisions that recognize the value of your work and push back against Sobeys’ rollbacks. A decision from the Court is not expected for a few months.
From October 14–17, your union also attended a hearing on the company’s handling of customer abuse, or more accurately, its lack of a comprehensive program to address this ongoing and growing issue. This matter strikes at the heart of workplace safety and respect. Your union made it clear that grocery workers should never be expected to tolerate abuse as “part of the job.”
“Whether it’s in the courts or at the bargaining table, we’re not backing down when it comes to fairness and safety for grocery workers.” – Thomas Hesse, UFCW 401 President.
SOLIDARITY BEYOND THE BARGAINING TABLE
Your Safeway Bargaining Committee wearing red in support of Alberta teachers.
During this round of talks, your Safeway Bargaining Committee showed solidarity with Alberta teachers, who demonstrated at the Legislature on October 23 to demand better working conditions in public education.
Although Safeway members couldn’t be there in person, the committee wore red at the table and sent a message of support, along with dozens of bags of potatoes for the teachers’ rally.
The potatoes were a playful nod to Premier Danielle Smith’s dismissive remark that “there’s more than one way to peel a potato,” made in response to teachers’ concerns about classroom conditions and funding. It was a reminder that when workers are underestimated, standing together is the only way forward.
“It’s about solidarity, pure and simple. Whether it’s teachers, grocery workers, or healthcare staff, our struggles are connected. Sobeys may not be ready to listen yet, but we are here, we’re organized, and we’re not backing down.” – Richelle Stewart, Secretary Treasurer, UFCW Local 401
MEET YOUR BARGAINING COMMITTEE
Your Union Bargaining Committee is made up of Safeway workers from stores across Alberta, representing your voices and priorities. They are standing firm for fairness, respect, and stability.
SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN
We’ve started a campaign to expose Sobeys’ workplace practices. Why are we doing this?
- To keep the public informed
- To discourage new hires from being strike replacements (scabs)
- To build solidarity and community support
https://faircheckout.ca/This is part of the fight for fairness, not just at the bargaining table, but in public awareness.
Check out the FairCheckout.ca website and spread the word.
GET INVOLVED AND STAY INFORMED
Safeway workers are strongest when we act together.
The next round of bargaining will take place November 17–19, 2025, in Calgary. If you want to attend, reach out to your Union Labour Relations Officer.
Here’s how you can stay informed and get involved:
- Observe negotiations: We believe in open bargaining, and this means any Safeway worker can come in person to the bargaining table and watch. Email your ULRO or ufcw@ufcw401.ab.ca to attend.
- Attend Zoom debriefs
- Follow updates: Via email, social media, and the bargaining website: gounion.ca/safewaybargaining2025
- Talk to colleagues: Share updates, build unity, and strengthen your voice
- Listen to the union’s podcast Voices of 401: https://gounion.ca/voicesof401/
Bargaining is a collective process, and your participation and support are key to achieving the fair deal we all deserve.
Posted on: October 24,2025