20 things your union has done to fight for you and with you!
Plus, announcing your Bargaining Committee
It’s been a busy couple of weeks at Safeway.
Early bargaining with Safeway starts next week at the Hyatt Place Edmonton West located at 18004 100 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5S 2T6. Your union is committed to open bargaining. If you would like to observe bargaining, contact your Union Labour Relations Officer.
We’ve been focused on fighting for fairness at Safeway, for you and all your coworkers. There have been quite a few updates letting you know what your union has been working on. It might have been challenging to keep up with everything!
President Thomas Hesse and Secretary Treasurer Richelle Stewart listening to members at the special digital meeting we held for Safeway members.
So, we thought we’d compile a list of everything we’ve done to fight for fair checkout and get rid of grocery greed at Safeway:
- Your union has assembled a pre-bargaining strike leverage statement of 95% at Safeway.
- Your union has gathered proposals to push for the best offer possible.
- Your union held a special digital meeting to update Safeway members on our efforts to fight for fairness on their behalf.
- Your union has assembled a Bargaining Committee from across the province with representation from all departments.
- Your union has assembled an Engagement Committee to keep members up-to-date on bargaining as it unfolds.
- Your union has initiated a number of legal actions to fight for your rights and keep Safeway accountable.
- Your union has begun preparing a stay application to protect the wage increases we’ve already won.
- Your union has filed an unfair labour practice complaint at the Labour Relations Board about Safeway’s bullying and intimidation.
- Your union has also filed grievances on Safeway’s attempts to bully you and take your voice away.
- Your union is challenging the judicial decision that sent the 5%/5% award back to arbitration by taking it to the Court of Appeal.
- Your union has commenced the process to have the Wage Reopener re-arbitrated, if that becomes necessary.
- Your union has prepared a radio campaign for both Safeway and Superstore to bring your stories to the public for support.
- Your union has prepared a television ad for potential distribution in the New Year
- Your union has invited our members to open bargaining (contact your ULRO if you are interested).
- Your union has worked with economist Jim Sanford to prepare a well-founded economic proposal so you can keep up with the cost of living and inflation.
- Your union has canvassed Safeway members about key workplace issues
- Your union has configured and announced strike pay and benefits in the retail sector to prepare for potential retail strikes.
- Your union held our first bargaining conference ever to educate our members about the bargaining process.
- Your union has educated and trained Safeway Walking Stewards on bargaining issues so they are better able to communicate with you
- Your union has consistently and continuously communicated with you about the bargaining process as it unfolds.
Announcing Your Bargaining Committee
Your union made the decision to bring a full Bargaining Committee made up of Safeway members from a variety of departments and stores from across the province to early bargaining meetings with Safeway. This way, we can ensure that all representations at the bargaining table are informed and led by a member-focused perspective.
Your Bargaining Committee is made up of the following members:
- Fred Newbold, 8855
- Mairi Kennedy, 8871
- Linda Rivard, 8874
- Dawn Ward, 8880
- Teresa Kuefler, 8883
- Maryrose Boyd, 8891
- Karamjit Ryan, 8866
- James Williamson, 8899
- Charmaine Sealy, 8921
- Matthew Ferguson, 8921M
- Carla Correia, 8879
- Catherine Eden, 8895M
- Blaine Desrochers, 8887
- Linda Travers, 8887
- Margaret Macaulay, 8863
- Nicole Johnson, 8891M
- Candi Haugen, 8888
- Nate Leblanc-Fortin, 8823
- Adeel Kiani, 8831
- Moira Finnigan, 8833
- Tracy Matheson, 8854
- Gage Beck, 8854M
- Justin Collyer, 8919
- Rose Ann Moreno, 8991
- Deborah Cadmus, 8991
- Kevin Ali, 8842
- Faith Bergman, 8903
Successful negotiation is rooted in solidarity and bargaining strong together. We thank and congratulate these members for stepping up to ensure your collective voice is heard loud and clear by Safeway throughout this early bargaining process. We are confident they will do an excellent job fighting on your behalf.
Stay tuned for another exciting update tomorrow!
Posted on: December 13,2024