Ready, Set, Go! Bargaining Conference
Welcome to our Ready, Set, Go! Bargaining Conference. We’re so excited to have you joining us this week!
While the affordability crisis continues to impact so many of us, your union is getting ready to fight back in one of the most crucial ways we can: at the bargaining table.
The need for wage increases and benefit improvements is more urgent than it has ever been. In response, your union is preparing for the most aggressive bargaining we have ever coordinated.
From 2025-2028, we will be negotiating some of our largest contracts with employers like Safeway, Superstore, Cargill, Olymel, and JBS. We will also be fighting to Stop the Squeeze and make life more affordable at hundreds of other workplaces where our members work.
We know employers won’t give us the increases we need out of the kindness of their hearts. We have push them to do it. Every single one of them. But we can’t do it alone. We need your help. And that’s what this week is all about.
At this Conference, you will hear from speakers talking about what’s driving the affordability crisis, industry trends, the legal challenges we face, and the impact all of this is having on workers’ mental health.
You will participate in workshops outlining the work that goes into preparing for strong bargaining, how to communicate with your coworkers about bargaining in a way that gets them engaged, and how we can leverage strong and active members to force employers to give us the gains we need!
This Conference also gives you the opportunity to connect with other union members from across the province and build the kind of strength and solidarity we need moving forward.
We have members from across the province and a variety of industries. We have meat-packing workers from Cargill High River and JBS, Olymel, Maple Leaf, and Sofina; health care workers from Optima Living, Bayshore, Excel Society, and IHAC; retail workers from Superstore, Safeway, FreshCo, Sobeys, Co-op, and IGA; and many more!
The diversity of our union is one of our greatest strengths. But we also share a lot in common, especially when it comes to bargaining strong together in negotiations. When we stand together, we can achieve amazing victories that build better workplaces and a better world. That is exactly what we will continue doing by bargaining strong together!
Be sure to check this webpage for updates during the conference, including overviews of our events and speakers and links to our dynamic photo galleries and social media content!
Monday, May 26th: Our Members Arrive!
Members arrived to kick off this wonderful event! Spirits were high and the spirit of solidarity was in the air! You can see a complete photo gallery here.
Tuesday, May 27th: We Have Wrapped Up Day One!
To find a photo gallery of great moments from Day One of the Bargaining Conference, click here! We’re looking forward to even more wonderful moments and energetic engagement on Day Two! Thanks to all of you!
Wednesday, May 28th: Magical Moments From Day Two!
The second day of our conference saw powerful presentations, courageous and emotional sharing, and a warm spirit of mutual caring and support among our attendees. Economist Chris Abbott, psychotherapist Shanique Victoria Edwards, and Local 663’s President Rena Wong and Secretary Treasurer Michael LaCoste shared remarkable facts and insights with us and inspired us to go out and build worker power in our communities. You can click here to see a full photo gallery.
Thursday, May 29th: That’s a Wrap!
We hope our attendees are feeling energized and inspired as we wrap the final day of our conference! In the weeks to come we will be posting links to content from our workshops and presentations where available, as well as posting the many pictures and videos we didn’t get around to during the event. So stay tuned for further updates!
UFCW Local 401 wishes to extend a special thanks and welcome to the Elders who have honoured us by joining our Bargaining Conference.
