Hard Times for Safeway Workers…
The Company needs to listen!
Your union knows you are facing challenges making ends meet.
Just like Safeway customers, many of you are struggling to afford the basic necessities of life while the Company makes a lot of money. That’s not a fair grocery store or fair checkout for anyone…
The Struggles of Safeway Workers
For too many of you, this situation has become dire.
One long-time employee, who’s been with Safeway for nearly 16 years explained how the financial struggles have affected their life. They’ve been working throughout the pandemic, providing an essential service to customers, but are now struggling to cover their expenses.
This employee worries about a possible clawback of the increase you won through the Wage /Reopener arbitration. Such a clawback would hurt their family.
“I’ve been with Safeway for over 16 years,” they shared. “I worked through the pandemic when the company needed us the most. But now, Sobeys is planning to claw back what little we earned. This wage rollback will hurt my family, and I feel like they’re taking from us just to keep their profits up.”
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Another employee, a single mother raising a teenager, is equally devastated.
“I work 40 hours a week just trying to make ends meet,” she comments. “Now, Sobeys wants to take back the wage increase I was awarded? It feels like they don’t care about us at all.”
“How am I supposed to pay bills, feed my child, and keep a roof over our heads when they’re taking money away from us?” this employee goes on to ask.
Another employee shares how they are forced to shop at other stores because the rising prices at Safeway make it too expensive to buy food where they work.
“I can’t even afford groceries at Safeway anymore,” they lament. “I’m doing everything I can to support my family. But Sobeys doesn’t seem to care. They’re treating us like we’re disposable even though we’re the ones who keep the company running.”
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If wages get clawed back, workers get left behind
“Sobeys is prioritizing profits over people,” says UFCW Local 401 President Thomas Hesse. “With $30.7 billion in annual sales and profits of $207.8 million in the first quarter of 2024, it’s disgusting that they are threatening to cut wages for employees who are struggling to get by.”
The Billionaire Sobeys Family. A family hurting families…
“The Sobeys family is worth almost $4.5 billion. I doubt very much that they are struggling right now,” added Hesse. “Yet they’re asking single mothers and families who are barely getting by to make even more sacrifices. It’s just indefensible.”
“Safeway workers are the backbone of the Company,” Secretary Treasurer Richelle Stewart adds. “They deserve to be paid fairly and to be treated with respect. But Sobeys seems to view them as disposable. That’s unacceptable.”
“The wage rollback Sobeys plans will only make it harder for employees who are already living paycheck to paycheck,” concludes Stewart.
Remember: You need a raise. You deserve a raise. And Sobeys can afford it. – President Thomas Hesse.
Your voice matters.
If you have faced similar struggles, we want to hear from you. By sharing your story, you can help shape early negotiations happening December 16-20, 2024.
Click here to share your story.
Your story will make a difference in the fight for fair wages and better working conditions for all Safeway workers.
Safeway workers and customers need fair grocery stores and a fair checkout.
By working together, we can ensure everyone is treated fairly and grocery greed doesn’t dictate the future of our communities.
Posted on: December 05,2024