Author: Sudhanshu Rewari

Last week, we shared with you that we were back at the table with your bargaining committee and UFCW 401. After some time away, we came to the table ready for constructive, collaborative conversations to work together towards a new collective agreement.

While we returned to the table as planned, we couldn’t help but acknowledge the strain that the bargaining process was placing on our stores and retail teammates, during a time of already increased pressure.

Since this global crisis began, employee and customer safety has been our number one priority. Our frontline teammates are serving Canadian families during a time of great anxiety. Our distribution centres are working around the clock, and our back-office operations are laser-focused on supporting our stores.

We know that this terrible crisis has also impacted our frontline teams. While bargaining last week, we noticed the increased stress bargaining was adding to our strong culture at Safeway. During this time of crisis, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily step away from the bargaining table to continue focusing on the safety of our teammates and our customers. Alberta needs us. Canada needs us.

It is very important that bargaining positions are not confused with COVID-19 concerns. We need to continue focusing 100% of our efforts on operating as an essential service at a time when our communities need us more than ever. We have been at the bargaining table for over a year now and unfortunately, due to this crisis, we need a little more time. We look forward to getting back to the table to have proactive discussions in May as planned.  We need to stand together now, more than ever before. Our teammates have been doing an incredible job serving Canadians during these unprecedented times and we are so thankful for their efforts. Alberta families can rest assured knowing that together, we’re here to support them.

Team,

The last few weeks have been incredibly challenging. We experienced panic buying based on fear and the reality of the seriousness of the situation, but we stuck together and we’re now finding many new routines. As these uncertain times continue, I wanted to take a moment to send my sincere appreciation for your tremendous hard work and dedication to serving our Alberta Division communities. I have never been more proud of our frontline heroes. Your dedication, hard work and compassion are incredible. Thank you!

As we continue to operate as an essential service for Canadian families, the health and safety of our teammates and customers remains our top priority. Over the last few weeks, we have made a series of changes to help keep you safe;

• Created a process for teammates to wash their hands every fifteen minutes.
• Added extra resources to wipe down common areas more often.
• Installed plexiglass cashier shields and backboards to protect our teammates and customers.
• Added floor markers at check out to help facilitate a two-meter distance as customers line up.
• Asking customers who bring reusable bags to pack their own groceries.
• Limited the number of customers in the store to promote physical distancing along with front vestibule monitoring and cart sanitation.
• Restricted the sale and redemption of Lotto, vending machines, Western Union and Rug Doctor.
• Increased the tap limit on credit card purchases to decrease contact and high-touch surfaces.
• Closed full service departments and cancelled all product demos and sampling events
• Providing gloves, masks and face shields as PPE for those employees who want them.

We’ve also implemented “one-way aisles” to ensure customers do not pass too closely together when going in opposite directions, and we’re encouraging customers to designate one individual per family do to the shopping for their home. These are a few of the many measures in place to help keep all of us safe and healthy.

As well, we are in constant communication with Health Canada and Alberta Health Services (AHS) to ensure we are taking the necessary steps to support our teammates that are impacted by COVID-19. Out of respect and their confidentiality, we will not release any personal information about our people, but will be transparent with where we have been notified of COVID-19 cases in our stores. We will continue to work with AHS in each COVID scenario.

I know it hasn’t been easy, but I am so grateful for your leadership and support during these difficult times. You continue to prove that our Safeway pride is strong in Alberta, and we will continue to stand side-by-side as we navigate through this together.

Scott Chollak

VP, Alberta Operations

It goes without saying that these are truly unprecedented times. We have seen more customers come through our doors in a shorter period of time than ever before. But one thing that has stayed the same is our incredible team. You continue to come to work with a positive attitude, a commitment to serving our customers, and a love for what you do. Thank you for joining us as we stand side-by-side as an essential service that our communities can count on.

In a few days, we’ll be back at the table with the bargaining committee and UFCW 401. We’re looking forward to continuing these conversations and working together on a new collective agreement that will govern how we operate over the next few years. To support these conversations, we’ll have the assistance of a government-appointed mediator who we hope will help to bring attention to the things important to all of us.

While we can’t lose sight of the extraordinary work we’re doing during this pandemic, we also need to ensure Safeway is positioned for success once the impacts of COVID-19 have subsided. Two of the key points we hope to reiterate include:

• Safeway stores in Alberta need to be refreshed and modernized. We are long-term, trusted supporters of so many Alberta communities and we will continue to provide Albertans with a high-quality, full-service grocery option with our Safeway stores. Our Safeway stores need to be bright and inviting to compete in the market. We have plans to invest $200 million to refresh our Safeway stores. However, we need the right collective agreement in place to do so.
• Albertans continue to change the way they shop, and many customers are on the hunt for a reliable discount grocery option. As the economy continues to shift, Alberta families are managing their budgets differently. It’s important that we respond to this customer need for a functional, competitive discount grocery store. To support company growth, while providing Albertans with secure and stable jobs, we need to deliver the kind of stores that our customers want. To do so, we will open new FreshCo stores where our customers have made it clear that there is a need.

We’re looking forward to continuing positive, cooperative conversations with UFCW 401 as we take the steps necessary to begin executing our plan to win, together. We will continue to keep you up to date on progress. Thank you, again, for all that you do in our stores.