Red Lobster: Your Bargaining Update for October 2026

We met with the employer’s committee on September 23 and 24 to begin bargaining.

As we did so, your bargaining committee welcomed Pinkal Patel, ensuring that the interests of members working in the Kitchen/Heart of House are represented at the negotiating table alongside Len and Tanya from the Serving/Front of House staff.

The union and the employer’s full ingoing proposals are included below, in keeping with UFCW 401’s commitment to open and transparent bargaining:

• Click here to see your Union’s ingoing proposals.
• Click here to see the Company’s non-monetary proposals.

Our proposals focus mostly on monetary items like wages and benefits, but we are also proposing to clarify issues such as reducing shift length and hiring/training for new positions.

Red Lobster’s non-monetary proposals would require all employees to be available a minimum of three shifts per week (there is currently no required minimum). They also want more ability to have managers work in bargaining unit positions.

We are concerned that requiring all staff to work three shifts a week will exclude some current employees who work two shifts a week. It may also close off the option to future employees who may want to reduce hours for a number of reasons, including pursuing education or phased retirement.

Although were able to reach agreement on a few housekeeping items as well as modifying the grievance and arbitration articles, the employer was not in agreement with our scheduling and training proposals.

They also have yet to respond to any of our monetary proposals but have committed to providing a monetary response at our next meetings. Our monetary proposals include:

• Raising wages to a rate in line with the actual cost of living in Edmonton.
  • Red Lobster is already paying much higher wages at our other unionized site in Burlington, Ontario. The minimum wage in Ontario is currently $17.95/hr and will continue to rise with the cost of living. Click here to see the full Burlington Red Lobster collective agreement.
  • The Nepean Red Lobster in Ontario recently unionized—congratulations!
• Making the benefits plan accessible by reducing eligibility from the current 30 hours/week.
• Increasing vacation, adding holidays, paid leave for Citizenship ceremonies and members facing domestic violence and providing free menstrual hygiene products in employee washrooms

Our next meetings are scheduled for December 1, 2, 3; January 11, 12, 13; and February 9, 10, and 11. Members are welcome to attend any of these meetings as observers on non-work time.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to your committee with any questions, comments or feedback you may have:

• Leonard (Len) McCool – [email protected]
• Tetiana (Tanya) Lys – [email protected]
• Pinkal Patel – [email protected]
• Matt Gilks, Union Representative – [email protected]
• Merryn Edwards de la O, Union Negotiator – [email protected]

With your support, we can work together for a fair contract that recognizes the value of our work.

In solidarity,

Your Union
UFCW Local 401

Posted on: October 06,2026