An update on UFCW 832 negotiations

This week, we sat down to begin negotiations with UFCW 832 in Manitoba.

Sobeys is at the table to get an agreement, and we will stay there and work hard to get one.

We want to be clear and transparent with you – we did not walk away from the table.

After the union set out their proposal, it was clear that there were significant differences in our positions. We said we had to carefully review the proposal and make some decisions on the path forward. Together, Sobeys and UFCW 832 decided to adjourn for the week. We’ve agreed to meet again on January 29 for negotiations and want you to know that we’re committed to continue working on and reaching an agreement.

We’re focused on negotiating an agreement that helps preserve the future of our stores in Manitoba and as many jobs as possible.

The grocery industry is competitive and it’s only getting tougher. Many of our Safeway stores continue to lose money and are not sustainable. Our operating costs are still some of the highest in the industry. It’s vital that we get our labour costs in line so we can continue to be competitively priced in the market while providing  good, stable jobs and secure a strong future for Safeway.

Keeping you informed is important to us and we’ll continue to share updates in your stores and on SafewayTalks.ca