The process of counting the Safeway vote

We’ve had a number of Safeway union members ask us when the outcome of the vote will be available and what the process for counting the votes will look like. 

So, we thought it would be helpful to provide an update with some clarification as online voting closes tonight at 11:59 PM.

Voting on the Company offer has been conducted at multiple locations across the province through a multi-faceted approach.

As you know, there have been in-person meetings and in-person balloting. There has also been an online vote. The online vote has been conducted by a third-party agency that specializes in online voting processes. There was also a virtual information session.

All of these outcomes will be sent to your union’s offices in Calgary and Edmonton. The ballot counts will be conducted by union representatives and Safeway union members themselves.

Safeway workers will also act as scrutineers and observe the process to ensure its integrity.

As we have mentioned in our meetings, any Safeway employee can participate as a scrutineer. It is important that you let us know immediately, as arrangements will need to be made.

Be reminded that voting relates to three separate union contracts. There is a province-wide retail contract, a northern meats collective agreement, and there is a southern meats collective agreement. Votes will be tallied for each of these constituencies.

Also, please be reminded that this is not a strike vote. A strike vote cannot legally occur for months and probably not until the summer at least. As well, a strike vote is supervised by the Alberta Labour Relations Board. A strike vote is a different process.

Don’t worry, this vote cannot result in a strike. You should also be reassured that the Company is not in a legal position to lock you out.

The voting process will also produce other quantifiable. There will be an overall acceptance and rejection tally. There could also be an adjusted tally that reflects the measure of intimidation that the Company has brought to bear on the voting process.

Unfortunately, some employees have complained about Sobeys’ conduct during this process. These matters are being reviewed in consultation with our legal counsel, once again to ensure the overall integrity of the vote.

If you have anything to say or any concerns to express about the voting process or environment, please contact us immediately.

The sad truth is that Sobeys has crossed a line. Safeway employees have been unionized in the province of Alberta for about 75 years. Sobeys has bullied Safeway employees in a way we have never seen before.

It is one thing for a company to offer logical reasons why an employee might accept the company offer, but it is another to poison the environment in which a vote is taking place.

We are disappointed that the vote on the offer had to take place under such conditions. But your union has sought to ensure that every member had all of the information they needed to participate in the vote and worked to make voting as accessible as possible.

We will work to provide you with an outcome of the vote as quickly as possible while balancing all of the factors that have come to bear on this process. It is our obligation to do our due diligence regarding the circumstances surrounding the vote.

Expect to receive an update about the voting process and where it is headed via email in the coming days, and most certainly as soon as we are able to provide it

We would like to take this opportunity to thank every Safeway union member who has participated in the vote on the Company offer.

Our expectation is that we could have the highest voter turnout for a retail contract vote in our history. We have worked very hard to make the voting process as accessible as possible for Safeway members.

We understand that this was not an easy decision to make and we celebrate the courage Safeway workers have demonstrated as they grapple with making up their minds in the face of the challenges posed by the affordability crisis.

We hope we can find a way to grapple with the unfortunate complexities the Company has brought forth during this time.

Regardless of the outcome, your union will continue to have your back.

Posted on: January 23,2025