CONSIDERATION OF A STRIKE GROWS STRONGER AMONG ALBERTA SAFEWAY EMPLOYEES…
Sobeys’ attack on file maintenance workers aggravates employees even more!
Safeway employees now have the clearest vision of Sobey’s they have ever had. The company has unnecessarily rolled back wages. They have misrepresented facts in an attempt to manipulate workers. They tell you that “Safeway talks”. But the reality is that your union has been forced to file a complaint at the Labour Board to get them to the bargaining table to talk.
Having only agreed to a very small number of bargaining dates in the coming months, Sobeys aggravated the situation by needlessly attacking file maintenance employees. The company claims that technological changes are at issue. But instead of coming to the bargaining table to discuss these issues, they are arrogantly moving to eliminate important file maintenance jobs.
“These are unique and important jobs,” says President Thomas Hesse of UFCW Local 401. “They are typically held by long-term employees and treasured as full-time union careers accompanied by good pay and benefits. These are jobs worth fighting for, and these loyal employees are hurt and confused by the company’s actions.”
“The move from Sobeys to simply eliminate a critical category of jobs before bargaining even begins is deeply disturbing,” adds Secretary Treasurer Richelle Stewart. “It’s yet another of the many overbearing tactics that we will have to fight back against with everything we’ve got.”
A deal in California… and some possible lessons for Alberta
UFCW Local 5, UFCW Local 8, and UFCW Local 648 have reached a tentative agreement with Albertson’s Companies which owns Safeway, averting a planned strike that would have been the first regional labor stoppage against the company in nearly three decades, affecting over 25,000 employees in North California.
“We’re dealing with wage scales that are inaquedate for the cost of living in the areas that we live,” said a UFCW 8-Golden State member when explaining the union’s willingness to strike. “A lot of us can’t afford to shop at the stores we work at. That’s a big change from what used to be a dignified, middle-class job.”
The deal follows many months of negotiations and growing strike momentum from the thousands of Safeway employees represented by the unions in the Bay Area. Workers were overwhelmingly backed by their communities in a united stand for a contract with fair wages, protections and representation.
“We’re deeply grateful to the customers we serve for their unwavering support,” said UFCW 8-Golden State president Jacques Loveall in a statement. “Your encouragement gave our members strength, resolve and the confidence to stand united.”
Obviously, UFCW in California secured the support of customers before they took strike votes. That’s exactly what Local 401 is doing as well.
“This is a hard-earned and inspiring victory,” said UFCW Local 5 President John Frahm and UFCW Local 648 President Dan Larson in a joint statement. “Because our members stood together—strong and unshakable—they secured a contract that reflects their value and delivers real improvements for their families and futures.”
The circumstances of this deal may be a glimpse of things to come for Safeway employees in Alberta. The stores have a different owner, but the issues are the same: the cost of living has skyrocketed there too, and Safeway stores there operate in a similar market.
How did UFCW members fight there? They voted overwhelmingly to strike, and they pushed their company to the edge of the cliff. Hours before a strike was to commence, their employer agreed to a good deal.
Seeking Solutions at the Bargaining Table
File maintenance employees — and all Safeway employees — will be seeking solutions at the bargaining table. Money, benefits, and job security are front and center as Sobeys threatens store closures and conversions.
The affordability crisis continues to make it impossible for workers to pay their bills. While workers can’t afford to shop in their own stores, Sobey’s just keeps making money.
Your union has offered compelling arguments and relied on logic, analysis, and morality to plead the case of Alberta Safeway workers. We have had an advertising campaign and used every available legal strategy. But if Safeway employees continue showing up for work, what real incentive does the company have to improve wages and benefits or to enhance job security?
The right to strike and to threaten to strike is an important right in a free society. Only unionized workers have this treasured right.
The data reveals that unionized workers enjoy better wages and benefits than non-unionized workers. That is because these workers have used their treasured right to strike when and where necessary.
It is important to think of this and prepare for a possible strike contingency as early as possible. Before a strike or even a strike vote can occur, a number of legal requirements must be met. The process is very slow. Workers need to fully engage with their union to understand the process so they can make an informed decision.
What choice will you make? A few employees have been a bit hypnotized by the company, and it has been difficult for some to realize that Sobeys is different from Safeway under the previous ownership.
Bluntly put, they aren’t nice at all and the fightback campaign will likely require a strike vote.
As bargaining commences, Sobeys will likely continue to resist and drag their feet. They will certainly misrepresent the facts. As painful as those tactics are, your union will be as patient and reasonable as we can.
But, as you grow increasingly frustrated and angry, please make every effort to stay informed and start to confront the reality that a powerful and positive strike vote could be an absolute necessity.
Local 401’s bargaining policy is one of transparency. We have a policy of open bargaining. If you would like to visit the bargaining table to see what happens for yourself, just let us know.
Posted on: July 28,2025