Connecting with Members & Building Our Strength
Recently, President Thomas Hesse and Secretary-Treasurer Richelle Stewart connected with Safeway members at one of our Edmonton stores. The message was simple: we’re going to continue to fight for what’s right.
We continue to explore our options in response to a shocking decision from the Court of King’s Bench instructing us to redo the “binding” arbitration process that delivered a major wage increase for senior members at Safeway.
President Hesse and Treasurer Stewart joined Union Labour Relations Officer Thomas Feth to bring that message directly to members like Susan, who has worked at Safeway for thirty years and is beloved by her regulars.
They spoke with Reg, a forty-one-year veteran, about the pressures of the affordability crisis and our determination to appeal an anti-union decision delivered by a conservative judge.
They connected with George, a retired member and staunch supporter of the Union hailing from Fort McMurray.
They sat down with members who have been suffering from the Company’s callous attitude toward employees who are just trying to make a living. These members joined in reminding us all to stay informed!
And they spoke with members throughout the store to bring them Local 401’s message of continued strength and resolve.
Tough fights are nothing new to our Union, but we understand that people are confused and anxious in the wake of recent news. For all our members, we want you to know that UFCW Local 401 is continuing to stand strong with you, and that your fellow members are ready to stand strong with you and to demand fairness, justice and a living wage.
“What’s happened is that even ‘binding’ arbitration cases can be appealed by a company through something called ‘judicial review,'” said President Hesse. “The courts will very rarely, our lawyers tell us, interfere with an arbitrator’s decision.”
“The Company rolled the dice, and found a very conservative judge willing to rule in their favour,” added Hesse. “We will definitely appeal, but we can’t say for certain what will happen next. What we are certain of is our fighting spirit: we won’t stop speaking up for what’s right.”
When a member asked our Secretary-Treasurer what she could do to help, Richelle said: “Our members are our strength. You are the Union, and you make our collective fight possible.”
“Talk to your colleagues, stay informed, and take advantage of your Union’s education resources,” added Stewart. “You can take time to learn more about your rights as a worker and how to organize effectively without losing a cent of income.”
Everyone is battling a continued affordability crisis even as news comes in about declining inflation. The wildly elevated prices that have become our “new normal” haven’t gone anywhere. Companies still need to do right by their employees, now more than ever.
Click here to see a video message from our President and Treasurer.
We’re going to take our message to the public and speak truth to power. Click the blue button below to see what’s coming.
Stay tuned and make sure to check your e-mail as we continue to keep you informed about this situation and our preparations for major bargaining in 2025.
Posted on: October 27,2024