Sobeys Sinks to New Lows
Silencing workers to dismantle your voice
Just when you think they couldn’t get any more underhanded, Sobeys sinks to new lows.
Yesterday, the company wrote to your union to inform us that your Walking Stewards will be required to cease their work on your behalf effective August 10, 2025. That’s just one day following the expiration of your contract.
Sobeys says their instructions stem from language in your collective agreement. But let’s be clear, this is an attack on our union’s ability to support members like you. That support is more important than ever as we get ready to bargain.
What are Walking Stewards?
A Walking Steward is a worker just like you, who has volunteered for a challenging and essential role: fighting for your rights and providing crucial information about your contract and union relations. These stewards have the courage to speak truth to power, even when faced with a multibillion-dollar corporation like Sobeys. They are the frontline defenders of your rights, ensuring you are not left in the dark.
What makes this program even more valuable is that it’s employer-funded. This means that Sobeys pays for the program, so your union dues do not increase. You get all the benefits of dedicated representation without any additional cost to you.
Every day, Walking Stewards demonstrate extraordinary courage and conviction. In fact, two of them even appeared in a TV commercial, boldly speaking truth to power about the work they do to protect workers like you.
The term “steward” means they are guardians of your rights. Unlike other union reps confined to a single store, Walking Stewards travel between stores, ensuring that workers at all locations have access to the information and support they need.
This role has been especially important as Safeway stores are being converted to FreshCo, with many workers facing buyouts, transfers, and seniority issues. Walking Stewards were created in part to help during these transitions and have been crucial in providing support during these difficult times.
They’ve also been there during tough bargaining periods, offering critical information about benefits, services, and even mental health resources during some of the most challenging times in retail.
Sobeys’ move is no coincidence
Is it a coincidence that the company sent this notice just days after they were required to notify you of the Bargaining In Bad Faith complaint your union filed with the Labour Board? We’ll let you make your mind up for yourself.
“It’s clear your union’s strategy of pushing Sobeys is getting under the company’s skin,” says UFCW Local 401 President Thomas Hesse.
”This is about shutting down the voice of workers,” continues Hesse. “But Safeway workers won’t be silenced. The calls for strike action get louder every day. We hear you and will continue pushing Sobeys to get to the bargaining table and do the right thing or face the consequences.”
Your walking stewards have played a vital role in making sure your rights are protected, your voice is heard, and problems are dealt with quickly and fairly. Union lawyers also noted the valuable assistance that your Walking Stewards have provided in fighting for successful grievance and arbitration outcomes that have protected your rights and put money back in your pocket.
It’s no wonder Sobeys is moving to make it harder for you to raise concerns, ask questions, and get the help you need when they mistreat you.
“Safeway workers face a more challenging work environment than ever before,” says Secretary Treasurer Richelle Stewart. “Removing the support of their Walking Stewards during this challenging time is not just callous, it is underhanded and unscrupulous.”
”Safeway workers can rest assured that their union will fight to reinstate the invaluable support of their Walking Stewards at the bargaining table, with the Board, and by going on strike, if necessary,” adds Stewart.
In response to Sobeys’ latest move, the union is bringing another complaint to the Labour Board. This is yet another attempt by Sobeys to gag workers, weaken the union at a critical time as we approach bargaining, and manipulate the situation to their advantage.
By targeting some of our key leaders, they hope to dishearten us and discourage us from fighting back. But we won’t let them succeed. We’re more united than ever, and we will continue to push back against these attacks.
Shop Stewards will have to step up
If you see one of your Walking Stewards in the coming days, don’t forget to thank them for all the hard work they’ve put in keeping you informed, supported, and well-represented in the face of Sobeys’ unrelenting attacks. They truly have been on the frontline of the fight for fairness at Safeway.
Now, it’s incumbent on all of us to step up and fill this void. Shop Stewards, this is your time to lead. Together, we can ensure the continued strength of our union as we face the challenges ahead. Let’s use this moment to build a movement that tells Sobeys: Safeway workers are not disposable.
And if you want to tell us how you feel about the company’s latest low-blow, you can still take our Say It To Sobeys!
Click here to take our confidential Say It To Sobeys survey.
Stay strong, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Union Labour Relations Officer.
Posted on: August 01,2025