Category: Homepage

Summer is a time to rest and recharge

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

Rest is one of the most important aspects of your self-care plan. Remind yourself of what you can do to recharge and build your own self-care action plan.

What is self-care? It’s any action you take to maintain and improve your health, whether physical or mental, because as we know they’re intrinsically related. Our busy schedules naturally make us think we don’t have time for it, but now more than ever is the time to build self-care into your daily schedule. A recent study has shown that self-care leads to increased self-confidence, productivity and happiness. It can also reduce the likelihood of chronic disease.

Building self-care into your daily routine is the key to success. Remind yourself of the few things we can do every day to check-in with ourselves using our 2-minute mental wellbeing check-in:

Our mental wellbeing strategy focuses on providing resources, education, and raising awareness throughout the organization to let our teammates know that support is here.

Visit SobeysMentalWellbeing.com to learn more about self-care and access the support resources available to you, your family and your fellow Safeway teammates. Below is a summary of a few of those resources.

Scene+ hits the Atlantic!

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

Scene+ has officially taken over the east coast.

On August 11, Scene+ replaced the AIR MILES program in stores and online. This is the first rollout of our new loyalty program which will continue across the rest of Canada culminating in early 2023.

To get you ready for Scene+ making its way to Ontario, what’s better than showing you how our Atlantic store teammates marked this special occasion.

From the décor to the cakes and everyone’s smiling faces, it was certainly a day to remember.

 

 
 

 

Looks like an epic day was had by our Atlantic store teammates, right? They sure know how to make a scene!

And this is only the beginning. Stay tuned for more information as we get ready to launch Scene+ in Ontario.

We can’t wait to see how you’ll bring your celebration to the next level!

Looking for more information on the Scene+ program? Here’s some FAQs:

How will customers earn Scene+ points at Safeway Stores?

When the program is launched, customers will have several ways to earn Scene+ points in Safeway stores including:

  • Everyday Rewards: Earn points through weekly flyer events and everyday product offers in-store and online with Voilà
  • Personalized Offers: Receive weekly offers customized just for you, delivered to your email or grocery store App
  • Banking Products: Earn even more points by shopping with a Scotiabank debit or credit card.

Will customers be able to redeem Scene+ points toward groceries?

Yes. Once the program is launched, customers will be able redeem 1,000 Scene+ points towards $10 off their purchase of eligible products at Safeway.

Where else can customers earn and redeem Scene+ points?

  • Travel: With your next escape powered by Expedia
  • Dining: With dine-in, take-out and delivery at over 700 restaurants (like Harvey’s, Swiss Chalet and Kelseys)
  • Shopping: Earn for shopping online and redeem points at over 60 retailers including Apple and Best Buy
  • Movies: At Cineplex Theatres
  • Entertainment: At Playdium and The Rec Room
  • Banking: Earn even more points by shopping with a Scotiabank debit or credit card and redeem Scene+ points for an account credit on participating Scotiabank debit and credit cards

How will I continue to receive my employee discount?

At launch, you’ll continue to enjoy your employee discount by scanning a Scene+ membership number. More details on how to register your Scene+ number for the discount will be provided in the weeks leading up to your launch.

In the meantime, please continue to scan your AIR MILES card to get your employee discount.

Scene+ hits the Atlantic!

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

Scene+ has officially taken over the east coast.

On August 11, Scene+ replaced the AIR MILES program in stores and online. This is the first rollout of our new loyalty program which will continue across the rest of Canada culminating in early 2023.

To get you ready for Scene+ making its way to the West, what’s better than showing you how our Atlantic store teammates marked this special occasion.

From the décor to the cakes and everyone’s smiling faces, it was certainly a day to remember.

 

 
 

 

Looks like an epic day was had by our Atlantic store teammates, right? They sure know how to make a scene!

And this is only the beginning. Stay tuned for more information as we get ready to launch Scene+ in the West.

We can’t wait to see how you’ll bring your celebration to the next level!

Looking for more information on the Scene+ program? Here’s some FAQs:

How will customers earn Scene+ points at Safeway Stores?

When the program is launched, customers will have several ways to earn Scene+ points in Safeway stores including:

  • Everyday Rewards: Earn points through weekly flyer events and everyday product offers in-store and online with Voilà
  • Personalized Offers: Receive weekly offers customized just for you, delivered to your email or grocery store App
  • Banking Products: Earn even more points by shopping with a Scotiabank debit or credit card.

Will customers be able to redeem Scene+ points toward groceries?

Yes. Once the program is launched, customers will be able redeem 1,000 Scene+ points towards $10 off their purchase of eligible products at Safeway.

Where else can customers earn and redeem Scene+ points?

  • Travel: With your next escape powered by Expedia
  • Dining: With dine-in, take-out and delivery at over 700 restaurants (like Harvey’s, Swiss Chalet and Kelseys)
  • Shopping: Earn for shopping online and redeem points at over 60 retailers including Apple and Best Buy
  • Movies: At Cineplex Theatres
  • Entertainment: At Playdium and The Rec Room
  • Banking: Earn even more points by shopping with a Scotiabank debit or credit card and redeem Scene+ points for an account credit on participating Scotiabank debit and credit cards

How will I continue to receive my employee discount?

At launch, you’ll continue to enjoy your employee discount by scanning a Scene+ membership number. More details on how to register your Scene+ number for the discount will be provided in the weeks leading up to your launch.

In the meantime, please continue to scan your AIR MILES card to get your employee discount.

Ready. Set. Fundraise! The checkstand campaign for our Family of Support Initiative starts today.

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

Today we kick off our third annual fundraising campaign in support of 13 children’s hospital foundations as part of the Family of Support: Child and Youth Mental Health Initiative.

We want to take a moment to celebrate the impact you’ve helped make possible for thousands of children and youth across the country.

When we launched the partnership in 2020 with Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations and the Sobey Foundation, our goal was simple: help children, youth and their families in Canada get the mental help support they desperately need early. And this was in the middle of a pandemic no less.

Safeway teammates have come together in unprecedented ways, building a family of support, and encouraging donations in our communities. The inspiring energy and passion you’ve shown in the last two years has helped enable Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations to take early mental health intervention programming to new heights, with many easily surpassing their five-year goals in just two years. Here’s a few highlights from the 15 programs receiving support:

  • 36 new treatment spaces
  • Over 7,000 health care providers trained
  • Over 20,000 mental health assessments completed

This impact cannot be understated. We’re making a true difference for thousands of children and families across Canada. These aren’t just numbers or stats — these are lives changed.

More about this year’s campaign

From July 26 – August 10, Canadians from coast to coast will have the opportunity to donate when checking out at Safeway and any Sobeys Inc. banner stores.

Every donation stays local and supports your children’s hospital foundation. One hundred per cent of funds raised will ensure more kids can get the mental health support they need early.

A special thanks to YOU, our Safeway teammates and outstanding cashiers, who are bringing this campaign to life by inviting customers to donate. We’re so grateful for everything you continue to do to make this campaign a success!

Resources

  • Learn more about our Family of Support at familyofsupport.com
  • Sign up year-round for our Healthier Tomorrows Giving Program, where you can donate directly from your paycheque to your choice of over 30 charities, including the 13 children’s hospital foundations we’re supporting through Family of Support.
  • Your wellbeing, and the wellbeing of your family, is so important to us. Visit sobeysmentalwellbeing.com to learn more about our mental health resources.

The day has finally come…it’s Grocery Heroes Day!

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

Each and every day, our amazing Safeway teammates go above and beyond for our customers and communities. But today, we’re saying “thanks!” a little bit louder.

We’re proud to have such hardworking and dedicated teammates and we want to show you how much we appreciate you for all you do!

Make sure to check out the poster in your common teammate areas and scan the Virtual Thank You Card QR code on the poster to read messages from Leaders and backstage teammate from all over the country. We want you to know how proud we all are to be your teammates.

We’re also inviting all customers to get in on the “thanks” too! Every Safeway store will have a poster where customers can write their own messages of appreciation.

And there may be even more surprises, so keep a look out!

Snap photos of today’s celebration! We saw great photos from last year’s Grocery Heroes Day celebration and we’re hoping to get the same level of enthusiasm this year. Snap a few great photos throughout the day and post them on the closed Safeway Facebook page.

Happy Grocery Heroes Day and THANK YOU to our very own Safeway frontline heroes! 

Announcing new rewards with Scene+

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

In June, we announced that we are a co-owner of the Scene+ loyalty program, along with two other iconic Canadian brands, Scotiabank and Cineplex.

Scene+ will replace the current AIR MILES program in stores and online, beginning in Atlantic Canada in August 2022, and then continuing across the rest of Canada culminating in early 2023.

What is Scene+?

Scene+ is one of Canada’s leading loyalty programs. It offers members opportunities to earn and redeem points when and how they want to be rewarded. Scene+ includes a broad array of rewards partners, including Scotiabank, Cineplex, Expedia, more than 700 restaurants nationwide, and online retailers including Apple and Best Buy.

How will customers earn Scene+ points at Safeway Stores?

When the program is launched, customers will have several ways to earn Scene+ points in Safeway stores including:

  • Everyday Rewards: Earn points through weekly flyer events and everyday product offers in-store and online with Voilà
  • Personalized Offers: Receive weekly offers customized just for you, delivered to your email or grocery store App
  • Banking Products: Earn even more points by shopping with a Scotiabank debit or credit card.

Will customers be able to redeem Scene+ points toward groceries?

Yes. Once the program is launched, customers will be able redeem 1,000 Scene+ points towards $10 off their purchase of eligible products at Safeway.

Where else can customers earn and redeem Scene+ points?

  • Travel: With your next escape powered by Expedia
  • Dining: With dine-in, take-out and delivery at over 700 restaurants (like Harvey’s, Swiss Chalet and Kelseys)
  • Shopping: Earn for shopping online and redeem points at over 60 retailers including Apple and Best Buy
  • Movies: At Cineplex Theatres
  • Entertainment: At Playdium and The Rec Room
  • Banking: Earn even more points by shopping with a Scotiabank debit or credit card and redeem Scene+ points for an account credit on participating Scotiabank debit and credit cards

How will I continue to receive my employee discount?

At launch, you’ll continue to enjoy your employee discount by scanning a Scene+ membership number. More details on how to register your Scene+ number for the discount will be provided in the weeks leading up to your launch.

In the meantime, please continue to scan your AIR MILES card to get your employee discount.

Stay tuned for more information as we get ready to launch Scene+.

Reaching a deal with UFCW 832

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

Since late 2021, we’ve been at the table with UFCW 832 and the Safeway bargaining committee, working collaboratively towards a fair collective agreement for Safeway teammates in Manitoba. Our focus at the table has been on securing an agreement that is good for our teammates and their families, while supporting the long-term health of our business in Manitoba…which is good for all of us! We’re glad that all parties saw eye-to-eye on this.

These objectives were top-of-mind throughout every conversation, and we’re pleased that they’re at the core of the newly ratified Safeway agreement with UFCW 832. The bargaining process was positive and constructive, ultimately landing on a deal that’s in everyone’s best interest and fully recommended by both sides. The new five-year agreement takes effect immediately and will carry us through to March 2027.

The agreement provides a long-term commitment to our teammates through regular wage increases and provisions for benefit funding. It also allows for key operational enhancements that will enable us to continue investing in our stores and competing within the Manitoba market.

We’re proud that this agreement brings a number of enhancements for our teammates, like restructured wage scales for many employees, improved benefit funding, and increased earning potential for teammates who are building their careers in our stores and are a vital part of the future of our business.

As a business, we’ve made a significant investment in our teammates and in the success of Manitoba Safeway for both the near future and long-term. While the last two years haven’t been without their challenges, your Safeway pride shines bright as ever in our stores across the province. We’re excited to continue growing as a team.

Introducing Togetherall — a new support resource available to Safeway teammates!

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

We’re incredibly proud to share that a new support resource is available for all Safeway teammates. Togetherall offers teammates a confidential, online mental health peer support community that is available 24/7. This new resource is available to all Safeway teammates at no cost, regardless of employment status.

On Togetherall you’ll find courses specific to your concerns and learn techniques to help manage your mental health. There are numerous tools, self-assessments and articles to help you understand how you’re feeling in addition to tracking your progress. The community is where you can get (or give) the mental health support needed and is monitored by clinical professionals.

Mental health is more than the absence of disease, it includes wellbeing, self-care and managing the daily struggles we all face to keep ourselves mentally well. Mental health concerns can affect anyone. Click here to join Togetherall today!

 

 

 

Kicking off bargaining with UFCW 832

Posted on by Sudhanshu Rewari

Last week, Safeway, UFCW 832 and UFCW 832’s Bargaining Committee began bargaining for a new collective agreement. It’s been quite some time since we last bargained in 2018, and a lot has changed in our store network and across our province since then.

Safeway is at the table eager to work collaboratively with UFCW 832 and the bargaining committee. We are committed to the bargaining process. We know we share the same goal – to come to a fair and competitive agreement that will balance the needs and aspirations of our teammates, and the operational and competitive requirements of our stores. We want to continue building on the exciting growth we’ve seen in the Safeway banner in Manitoba for years to come.

There’s a lot for us to discuss with UFCW 832 over the coming weeks. We will focus on our incredible Safeway teammates as our top priority. While there may be references to FreshCo in our collective bargaining, those stores are managed independently by their Franchise Operators. The focus of our negotiations is Manitoba Safeway stores and the necessary steps to ensure a profitable future with long-term career opportunities for those Manitoba Safeway stores.

We know that many of the conversations over the next few months will impact you and your families. You’re at the heart of our stores across Manitoba and it’s no secret just how critical your work has been to serving our local communities with pride. We encourage you to stay informed on bargaining progress by speaking with members of the UFCW 832 Bargaining Committee or connecting with your Store Manager if you have questions about how negotiations may impact your day-to-day work.

We’re back at the table in January and will continue to keep you updated as bargaining continues. If we work together, we’re hopeful that we can reach a fair agreement before the expiry of our current contract this March.

Honouring our Canadian Heroes

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

Hi Team,

Like many of you, today is an important day for me. Today, on November 11, we pay respect to the many Canadian Heroes who have fallen in service to this country, and acknowledge those who continue to serve.

Let’s take a moment today to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by our Heroes who have stepped up, and continue to step up, to defend our Canadian values and the freedoms that we enjoy today.

To our Safeway teammates who have fought for or continue to serve our country, and to those with friends and family that may be doing so, we salute you. We will wear our poppies with pride today to honour you for your bravery and courage.

We will read the following script over the PA system in our stores at 11:00 am this morning to observe a moment of silence:

“Good morning shoppers. As we all stand here in peace and safety, we pay our respects to all of the fallen, all of the wounded and all who served in conflict for more than 100 years. Today, we remember those who volunteered, sacrificed, served, fought, and died, for our freedom. We thank you, and salute those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We will never forget. We will remember you.”

Warm regards,

Julie Sue Wood, Vice President Operations, SMO