New “Without Prejudice” Vote Scheduled for Sofina Calgary Members
President Thomas Hesse and Secretary Treasurer Richelle Stewart with Sofina Calgary workers.
Dear Sofina Calgary Members:
We want to thank all the employees who responded to our recent survey.
After we found ourselves in a very unusual situation, with a vote on the company offer that didn’t reveal a clear and proper result, we continue to believe that there has been interference by management.
We asked you if you wanted a second “without prejudice” vote away from the plant and the eyes of Sofina bosses. We also asked for your comments on the situation.
A significant number of responding members said they want a new vote. Some of them say they simply want a clear majority, whichever way the vote goes.
Some felt that the company acted improperly in trying to implement the offer in a very grey, unclear situation, and without bothering to consult your union.
— A Sofina employee.
— A Sofina employee.
— A Sofina employee.
Quite a few also said that they do, in fact, believe that pressure from management contributed to the unreliable vote result.
— A Sofina employee.
— A Sofina employee.
— A Sofina employee.
Your union’s lawyers are carefully investigating the disturbing allegations of company interference and intimidation raised by these employee responses, and other evidence. In the meantime, the call for another vote is very clear.
The next vote will be done on a “without prejudice” basis. What this means is that the vote is being held to help us better understand what you and your coworkers truly want as we move forward. Our union lawyers will continue to review this matter in the meantime.
After the without prejudice vote has concluded, we will have to decide what to do next: it could be that the vote will be sealed and not counted. It could be that the vote will be counted, but it will only have temporary validity until the Alberta Labour Relations Board makes an overall finding about what’s happening at Sofina Calgary. We may or may not reveal the results of the vote to Sofina.
As we prepare for that “without prejudice” vote, we have demanded that the Company give you the money they have promised you.
By no means do we accept Sofina’s false claim that the vote was decisive and that we have agreed to the contract. We have not. However, we do believe that, regardless of the outcome of bargaining and mediation so far, this should be seen as an emergency measure to help members cope with the affordability crisis and pay their bills. You need that money. You deserve that money. You should get that money now.
And it’s only fair as compensation for the stress that Sofina bosses have put members through.
We believe that even after the company pays you this money, that bargaining should start again if a ruling is made that the contract has not been accepted. Simply put, you should get the money that the company has promised you so far, and then we should keep fighting to get you a better contract on top of that.
Will this happen? If it doesn’t, it won’t be because your union didn’t push for it. If you have any anger or frustration about this at all, it is entirely Sofina’s fault. It is shocking that the billionaire owner of this company, Michael Latifi, cannot act ethically.
Details on the “Without Prejudice” Vote
Vote information for the new “without prejudice” vote is as follows:
In-Person Voting:
Wednesday, June 24th, 2026
Noon to 5:00 PM
& 7:00 to 10:00 PM
Glenmore Inn
1000 Glenmore Court SE
Online voting:
9:00 AM on Thursday, June 25th, 2026
to 9:00 AM on Friday, June 26th, 2026
It’s very important that all members who can take part cast a vote and make their voices heard!
If you have any questions, please contact Devin Yeager at [email protected], Jeff Ible at [email protected], or Ricardo de Menezes at [email protected].
In Solidarity,
Your Union
UFCW Local 401
Posted on: June 13,2026