Union Goes to Labour Board to Force Sobeys to Tell the Truth About the Future of Safeway
On Monday, your union filed an application with the Labor Relations Board to compel Sobeys to tell the truth about its plans for Alberta Safeway stores.
As you know, Sobeys has left many employees feeling very frightened and insecure about the future of their employment. Threats of store closures and conversions have been looming for a considerable period.
Click here to see the Complaint.
At President Hesse’s direction, union lawyers brought a complaint to the Labour Board demanding disclosure from Sobeys. As we have said, it is very difficult to try negotiating a new union contract when Sobeys refuses to be truthful about its plans.
Is job security an issue or isn’t it? If job security is an issue, what stores might be subject to closure or rebranding? Does Sobeys plan to sell the business? What else are they up to?
It is especially unfair for the company not to be transparent during the bargaining process. There can be no doubt that a Safeway strike vote is coming soon.
In September, we will have been at the bargaining table for a year, meeting every month. The company has not offered a wage increase to anyone. In fact, they continue to go to the Supreme Court to put wage increases you have already received at risk.
Click here to share your feedback on job security and the future of Safeway.
The company has offered no buyouts or retirement bonuses. They have not agreed to improve benefits or even to ensure that existing benefit plans will be properly funded into the future.
And again, Sobeys won’t even tell Safeway employees whether their store will remain open in two weeks or two months.
It is our hope that a very strong strike vote could wake the President of Sobeys up and even reach the Sobeys Family. None of them are in Alberta. They are in Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. They don’t seem to have a clue how to run their business in Alberta.
WestJet flight attendants have voted by a 97% margin to go on strike. They remind us that when you are not treated with respect at work, it is time to stand up for yourself.
Are you worried about your job security? How do you feel about the future of Safeway in Alberta?
Click here to share your feedback on job security and the future of Safeway.
In Solidarity,
Your Union
UFCW Local 401
Posted on: July 24,2026