Month: December 2023

Alberta wage update

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

Teammates,

As indicated in our last communication, we committed to keeping you updated regarding the timing of the upcoming wage increases. Teammates who are eligible for increases and retroactive payments can expect them to appear on your next pay deposit on December 21, 2023.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your efforts in preparing the stores for the busy weeks leading into the end of the year. The stores look great, and we are well-positioned to win the holiday season!

Wishing you and your family happy holidays,

Julie Sue Wood
VP, Operations, Prairies

Making the season merry and bright with Compliments and Panache

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

With the holiday season upon us, many of our customers (and teammates, too!) will be hosting holiday parties and get-togethers… and you can’t have a festive celebration without appetizers, right?

That’s right, we can all sleigh the holiday season by preparing the perfect appetizers that will delight our friends and family. Here’s a roundup of a few of our Own Brands appetizers that will surely make it on our customers list. And they don’t need to check it twice!

1. Compliments Charcuterie Trio

It’s so true… everyone flocks to the charcuterie board at holiday gatherings. It’s the definition of easy entertaining and has something for everyone. And we have not one, but three savoury deli meat Charcuterie Trios in stores to choose from. Which one is your favourite? Hard to choose, isn’t it?

  • Hungarian, Cervelat and Peppercorn Salamis
  • Dry-Cured Genoa Salami, Salami with Prosciutto and Prosciutto
  • Dry-Cured Spicy Genoa Salami, Dry-Cured Genoa Salami and Prosciutto

Best of all, pair any of the trios — or all of them — with our Compliments Double Cream Brie Cheese and assortment of crackers for charcuterie board perfection. You’re welcome!

2. Compliments Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Move over buffalo chicken wings! These healthier, but just as scrumptious, cauliflower bites are packed with flavour.

Crispy and smothered in a tangy, spicy buffalo sauce, these bites will certainly amp up your appetizer game to the next level.

We doubt there’ll be any left over!

3. Panache French Onion Soup Bites

 Do you love French Onion soup, but don’t enjoy the hours it takes to make? Well then, this app is for you!

These cheesy, crispy, melt-in-your-mouth bites will definitely elevate your holiday spread this season. Trust us — once you taste one, you’ll be back for more.

Tip: We suggest you have an extra box on hand because they’ll be in high demand!

4. Panache Shrimp Dim Sum Collection

You can’t go wrong with shrimp — and this Shrimp Dim Sum Collection has it all with three different shrimp apps in one convenient pack!

We’ve got siu mai, har gow and shrimp dumplings, accompanied by a soya ginger sauce for all those dippers out there.

We have a very good feeling that this may become one of your go-to hosting appetizer. Yum!

With these great quality Compliments and Panache products (and many other favourites) that we’re proud to offer in our Safeway stores, we know we can meet all of our customers’ holiday entertaining needs.

So whether you’re purchasing these products for yourself, bringing them to a special holiday occasion or recommending them to customers, let’s work together to win our busiest season and make our Own Brands products #1 in our stores.

Happy Holidays!

Alberta wage reopener update

Posted on by Daniela Travierso
“Our people are what makes Safeway great. I believe that as a team we must all focus on building a strong future for the Safeway team of today and tomorrow.”
— Julie Sue Wood, VP, Operations, Prairies

Teammates,

As many of you are aware, we and UFCW 401, received the arbitration decision on the final offer selection process. I must admit we were a bit shocked at the decision.

While our Union partners might tell you otherwise, we do believe in supporting our teammates. To do this, we must look at the big picture to ensure we are building a sustainable future for us all. The deal that the Arbitrator approved is going to put immense pressure on our business. What might look like a short-term victory, could create real challenges for all our teammates in the future.

Operating as a grocery retailer through these highly inflationary times is challenging. Like so many other businesses, we are managing a delicate balance in Alberta and do not want to tip the scales in the wrong direction. The labour costs in the arbitration decision threaten the little stability we are trying to build upon in Alberta.

Following a review of the Arbitrator’s decision, we feel that several critical errors were made. Right now, the Company is filing a Judicial Review Application, which means a judge will review the decision to ensure that the decision was reasonable and the process was fair. This does not mean that we will not or do not want to process wage increases for those impacted. In the coming weeks, we will let you know how we will move ahead and the date when you can expect your wage increase and retroactive pay.

We are going to move forward with our values in mind, respecting our teammates and this process along the way. I would like to thank all of you for your patience as we work through the details of this decision.

 

Julie Sue Wood
VP, Operations, Prairies