Are Safeway’s cupboards really bare?

Safeway keeps claiming they can’t afford the reasonable wage increases you won through arbitration last year.

As the old saying goes, they want us to believe that their “cupboards are bare,” and that paying you a decent wage threatens the profitability of their business.

The Company has gone so far as to utilize the cupboards in some store lunchrooms with in-your-face postings of their intimidating communications that attempt to bully you with fear-mongering and threats.

We’re even aware that in some instances, the Company has placed their materials on top of union bulletin board to prevent you from seeing our updates.

However, public reports about their bottom line tell a different story.

In a press release written by the Company itself, “Empire Co. Ltd. says it earned $207.8 million in its latest quarter, down from $261 million a year ago as its sales edged higher.”

$207.8 million might be a bit less than $261 million a year ago. However, it is a far cry from being unprofitable — all while Sobeys’ sales are increasing.

Company documents show that Sobeys posts annual sales of $30.7 billion and holds assets in excess of $16 billion. The Sobeys Family itself has a net worth of almost $4.5 billion.

For a full rundown of figures around Sobeys’ business operations, see notes released during our digital meeting for Safeway members on November 23, 2024.

The Sobeys Family, who are worth almost $4.5 billion according to Macleans. 

It seems more than a little difficult to believe that trying to make your life slightly more affordable is having the catastrophic impact that Safeway suggests in their objectionable communications.

That is precisely why your union keeps pushing Safeway to do the right thing for you.

If you haven’t done so already, please fill out the bargaining proposal survey ahead of our preliminary meetings with the Company on December 16-20, 2024.

Click here to fill out the early bargaining proposal survey today!

As a reminder, here are all the things your union is doing to fight for fairness at Safeway:

• Appealing the Review: We are appealing the judicial review that sent the award of 5% wage increases in 2023 and 2024 back to arbitration.
• Protecting Your Wages: We are exploring a legal strategy called a “stay” to stop Safeway from removing your wage increases.
• Stopping Claw Backs: A “stay” could also potentially stop the Company from attempting to recoup the increases they have already paid you.
• Meeting with the Company: On your direction, we have agreed to meet with the Company for focused early bargaining discussions to see if we can push them to treat you fairly.
• Holding Safeway Accountable: We filed an unfair labour practice complaint to hold the Company accountable for the bullying and intimidation tactics they have used in their communications to you.
• Talking to the Media: We recently responded to a media request from Global News about our unfair labour practice complaint that brought your struggles into the public spotlight (click here to see the story). 

We will keep updating you about all of the ways that we are pushing to protect you and fighting for fairness at Safeway. 

We understand that this has been a very difficult time for Safeway workers. But know that your union will not rest until we have done everything in our power to push Safeway to do the right thing for you.

Posted on: November 28,2024