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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
