Sofina Calgary: Sofina Workers Speak Loud and Clear
Sofina Workers Reject Company Contract Offer by 76%
A few weeks ago, Sofina workers did not accept the Company’s offer. Some complained that they had been intimidated. Some said that they didn’t like voting at work, where management was watching them. Many said there was no clear outcome to the vote. Many Sofina workers are unhappy with the offer. Some voted yes. Many asked to have a new vote.
Local 401 is a reasonable and responsible union. We reviewed all the circumstances, and did our homework. We listened to Sofina employees. The sensible decision was to conduct a new vote.
We did it at an offsite neutral location. We clarified the issues. We also let some time pass so people could pause and reflect and to try to create some distance from management interference.
About 350 people voted. We now have a crystal-clear result that has emerged from that decision and that environment.
76% OF SOFINA EMPLOYEES HAVE VOTED NO!
Your bargaining committee gets ready to count the ballots.
In many ways this is no surprise, because the Company has not addressed your issues:
- A six-year contract is too long, as you will be locked in during uncertain times.
- Wage increases aren’t good enough. Even if the wage offer were to stay the same, you should receive that money quicker, perhaps spread over three or four years, instead of six.
- The Company continues to interfere with your right to information. They won’t let your union put information on your bulletin board. It would seem that they try to manipulate things to limit the union rep’s ability to visit your workplace.
- Sofina uses you to make them rich, but has been unwilling to make reasonable payments into an education fund so you can expand your horizons.
- Employees are very nervous and unhappy with risks to their coffee breaks and scheduling.
Poultry is a booming business, and your company is owned by a billionaire. What’s wrong with asking for your fair share?
It’s hard to trust Sofina, and they can be a very scary company. Eric is gone: many believe he was fired, and many believe it could be unjust. Could you be next?
Sofina tried to interfere with your right to vote by hiring high-priced lawyers to go to the Alberta Labour Relations Board. They lost. But what they did shows that they can be bullies, are willing to interfere with your rights, and are willing to use their power to stick their nose where it doesn’t belong.
In sum, they have shown that they can be unethical. And after they have shown you this, you have to wonder about the risks of signing to a six-year contract.
NEW BARGAINING
Your union is writing to Sofina. Union negotiators and leaders will say they are prepared to put hostilities aside and return to the bargaining table to address workers’ issues. That is the simple solution here.
The reason Sofina employees have now rejected the company’s offer four times is that it’s a bad offer. It’s pretty clear that Sofina employees deserve something better, and they are prepared to stand up and fight for fairness.
In Solidarity,
Your Union
UFCW Local 401
Posted on: July 02,2026