Author: Sudhanshu Rewari

As we head back to the bargaining table next week, it’s important to us that we remain connected with you, so you have a clear understanding of what we are trying to achieve. Times are challenging, but we are committed to the collective bargaining process and securing a strong future for Safeway in Alberta.

Last week, we presented an offer to UFCW 401 that they have decided to take to their membership for survey. This survey fails to mention the important background information that our offer is based on. Here are some facts you need to know:

 

• More than half of our Safeway stores in Alberta are struggling financially.  Alberta was facing financial challenges before COVID-19 and they will continue or even worsen after COVID-19. The temporary sales spike during this pandemic is not enough to fix the financial challenges that faced the Province before the pandemic, and it is not enough to help us through the next wave of financial hardship in Alberta.

 

• To help UFCW 401 understand our challenges, we want to share store financials with union leadership but UFCW 401 refuses to agree to protect this competitive information. In doing so, they refuse to acknowledge the financial challenges faced by so many of our Alberta Safeway stores.

 

• Even in the face of financial uncertainty, we are still focused on securing a strong future for our Alberta stores by investing significantly in the Safeway banner and introducing our much-needed Discount banner, FreshCo in the right communities. We can only continue to invest in the Safeway banner if we achieve a competitive agreement.

 

• Our competitors have significant advantages in their agreements. We are not asking for anything that is not already standard in the Alberta retail environment. Without a competitive offer, we cannot close these gaps and our stores will continue to suffer.

 

We need a fair agreement that balances the need to serve customers with the Discount format they want, while making sure our teammates are rewarded appropriately for their hard work.

We want to compete, we want to invest, we want to continue to grow. To do so, we must have a competitive collective agreement that allows for long term success.

Please reach out to your store manager if you have questions. We will continue to post updates on Safeway Talks.

We’ve been back at the bargaining table this week with UFCW 401, working towards a fair collective agreement and this is an update on where we are in this process.

We approached this week’s bargaining with our two goals top of mind: first, to invest in the future of Safeway, and second, to introduce FreshCo in the right Alberta markets. Our conversations started positively, and both parties made progress. However, as our discussions continued and we shared our offer, we found ourselves at yet another stand-still with the Union. Unfortunately, we have not come to an agreement. We trust the bargaining process and are committed to continue bargaining with the oversight of a government-appointed mediator, but it appears UFCW 401 is not on the same path.

The fair offer we proposed allows us to continue to build a strong future for our teams in Alberta. It allows us to maintain secure jobs, while operating viable grocery stores to continuing serving our communities. Our offer includes a comprehensive approach to wages with meaningful monetary improvements, and improved benefits that are competitive in the industry.

We know this has been a long process. Since bargaining began over fifteen months ago, we have been laser-focused on our long-term success in Alberta. It has always been our intention to continue investing in the future of Safeway in Alberta, however, this will only be possible under the right conditions and collective agreement. Our ongoing projects to renovate and refresh our stores prove that we’re committed to Safeway. Our plans also include introducing our proven Discount model, and opening FreshCo stores in the right Alberta markets. Our transition plans include fair and appropriate options for the employees. Now more than ever, it is important that we meet the needs of Albertan families in the challenging economic times that will continue to persist.

Though we are looking towards a stronger future, we want you to know that we have not forgotten all that is currently on your plate. You have done an outstanding job serving Albertans as an essential service through the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to ensure that amidst the future of bargaining with UFCW 401, our focus on your safety, and the safety of our customers, will not waver.

We ask that you keep yourself informed during this bargaining process. You may notice increased Union activity at your store, in the media, your store’s parking lot, or online. This could include leafleting, demonstrations or distributing items to customers in front of your store. Please use your best judgement when consuming this information. Your Store Managers will continue to be a source of support and are here to help answer the questions you may have at any time. We will also continue to provide updates on Safeway Talks.

We want to continue mediation and hope we can regain the momentum we’ve lost. We’re incredibly grateful for your patience throughout this process and hope we can reach a resolution soon. Remember there is strength in numbers. The best way to secure a strong future on the other side of this crisis is to continue to stand together. These tough times will not last. Our tough team will.

 

For the last 15 months, it’s been important to us that you stay informed with honest and accurate updates from the bargaining with UFCW 401. We remain committed to achieving a fair collective agreement that positions us all for future success.

As we prepare to return to the bargaining table next week, we want to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to transparency. Our focus at the table has not and will not change. We will continue to work towards an agreement that allows us to build a strong foundation for the future of Safeway in Alberta and allows us to introduce FreshCo in the right Alberta markets.

Prior to the COVID-19 global pandemic, factors including falling oil and gas prices and an increase in unemployment, had forced the province of Alberta into an extremely challenging economic position.  While we can’t be certain how long the impacts of COVID will last, we can be sure that once we reach the other side, the Province and our stores, will still face these challenges. Though customers will continue to turn to Safeway for our incredible service, knowledgeable staff and unparalleled product offering, the tough economic climate will leave our communities wanting more discount grocery options. By introducing FreshCo, we can ensure our store network meets the needs of Alberta families in the months to come.

Although we have often spoken of the undeniable need for a discount offering in Alberta, we want to reaffirm to all of you that we are absolutely committed to the Safeway banner.  In fact, we are willing to invest $200 million into the Alberta Safeway stores over the next 5 years.  This can only happen under the right conditions and if we are competitive in the market.

It’s important that we look ahead to our future together. Our focus is a collective agreement that positions us for success for the long haul:

• Our bargaining proposals are fair and competitive, respecting our employees while supporting the success of the business.
• We are committed to working together with UFCW 401 and your bargaining committee on an agreement that ensures we become competitive in Alberta.
• We want to prepare as best we can in the face of the challenging economic times ahead.

Thank you, again, for all that you do in our stores. Your commitment to Albertan communities is inspiring. We will continue to share updates from the bargaining table and encourage you to stay informed as negotiations continue.

By working together, we will always be stronger.

 

There’s no denying these past weeks have had their challenges as we worked together to quickly establish new ways of operating to help keep our teammates and our customers safe. Though it hasn’t always been easy, one thing that’s been consistent is the incredible wave of support, showcasing humanity at its absolute best. From gift card donations and to coffee drop-offs to chalk messages and everything in between, it has been powerful to see the ways we not only support each other, but how our communities in turn, show their support for us.

Our Safeway teams have shown that even in times of uncertainty, our commitment to our customers is unwavering. Many of our stores have put their creative minds to the test, building some truly unique and beautiful rainbow displays. Covering windows and glass cases these colourful symbols are a powerful reminder to our communities that we are all in this together.

Our stores also made sure to remember some of our youngest customers, showing a sweet sign of support by stocking our shelves full of Girl Guide cookies. When our local troops couldn’t participate in their usual door to door sales tradition, our Safeway teammates didn’t hesitate to offer a helping hand.

But our teams haven’t stopped there. With the support of our Community Action Fund, groceries, monetary donations and gift cards have all been huge sources of support that our local stores have shown to our Alberta community food banks, senior homes, schools and so many more organizations.

At our Heritage location in Edmonton, Alberta, support never sounded better than when Store Manager, Gord Petruk, had the idea to invite local musician Martin Kerr into the store to surprise his staff with a musical tribute as a thank you for their hard work.

Our communities continue to find heartwarming ways to show their gratitude, too. Uplifting signs, personal letters, gifted meals, firetrucks with sirens blaring, all examples of a grateful community showing up to support the front line heroes in our stores.

And this is just naming a few!

Every day you show up to work, you are supporting Canadians when they need it most. You are the best examples of showing how when we work together and support one another, nothing can stop us. Thank you for joining us as we drive forward, together.