Category: Our Communities

Manitoba Safeway teammates raise more than $61,000 for Toonies for Tummies

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

From March 2 – 16, Safeway stores across Manitoba raised critical funds for school meal programs in their local community as part of the Toonies for Tummies campaign. The annual campaign is an opportunity for the grocery industry to come together in support of school-aged kids facing food insecurity.

We’re pleased to share that, together, our teammates and customers raised more than $61,000! Time and time again you show up for your communities when they need you most, and your hard work and dedication doesn’t go unnoticed.

We’re so proud of our Safeway frontline teammates who brought this campaign to life. A heartfelt thank you to all of you for rallying in support of hungry kids in their local communities!

Teammates at Tyndall Square Safeway (Winnipeg, MB) proudly showing off their fundraising efforts!

Way to go Kildare Safeway teammates (Winnipeg, MB) for exceeding your fundraising goal!

Saskatchewan Safeway teammates raise more than $28,000 for Toonies for Tummies

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

From March 2 – 16, Safeway stores across Saskatchewan raised critical funds for school meal programs in their local community as part of the Toonies for Tummies campaign. The annual campaign is an opportunity for the grocery industry to come together in support of school-aged kids facing food insecurity.

We’re pleased to share that, together, our teammates and customers raised more than $28,000! Time and time again you show up for your communities when they need you most, and your hard work and dedication doesn’t go unnoticed.

We’re so proud of our Safeway frontline teammates who brought this campaign to life. A heartfelt thank you to all of you for rallying in support of hungry kids in their local communities!

Way to go Moose Jaw Safeway teammates for exceeding your fundraising goal!

Goal achieved! Great job Swift Current Safeway teammates!

 

Kicking off bargaining with UFCW 247

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

Last week, we sat down with UFCW 247 and the Safeway bargaining committee, eager to work collaboratively to begin bargaining for a new collective agreement. There’s a lot for us to discuss over the coming weeks and we’re here to listen.

Its been quite some time since we last bargained in 2019, and a lot has changed in our store network and across our province since then. We’ve come a long way and made some positive changes to the business.

  • We opened new stores in Austin Heights, Arbutus and Davie Street.
  • We remodeled many stores including West Broadway and Fort St. John, to name a few.
  • We converted 16 Safeway stores to FreshCo stores, and though this was difficult for many teammates, it helped us attract new customers by providing the store format and shopping options they may have been going to our competitors for.
  • We ran three successful meat cutter training cohorts with a fourth cohort starting this April.

Now more than ever, we need to prepare ourselves for the future. In the coming years, we’ll face many challenges with the uncertain economy, the extremely competitive grocery industry, and evolving customer needs and wants.

Reaching an agreement that balances the needs and goals of our teammates, and the operational and competitive requirements of our stores will help set us up for success.

Our focus at the table will be on investing in our valued Safeway teammates, modernizing the collective agreement, and addressing areas of competitive disadvantage specific to our meat, deli and seafood business. We want to support the future growth of the Safeway banner in B.C. for years to come.

We know that many of the conversations over the next few months will impact you and your families. That’s why its important to us that you stay informed. We’ll keep you updated on SafewayTalks.ca as bargaining continues.

Kicking off bargaining with UFCW 1518

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

Last week, we sat down with UFCW 1518 and the Safeway bargaining committee, eager to work collaboratively to begin bargaining for a new collective agreement. There’s a lot for us to discuss over the coming weeks and we’re here to listen.

Its 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. We’ve come a long way and made some positive changes to the business.

  • We opened new stores in Austin Heights, Arbutus and Davie Street.
  • We remodeled many stores including West Broadway and Fort St. John, to name a few.
  • We introduced Voila in-store fulfillment as a new offering for our customers to help drive sales.
  • We converted 16 Safeway stores to FreshCo stores, and though this was difficult for many teammates, it helped us attract new customers by providing the store format and shopping options they may have been going to our competitors for.

Now more than ever, we need to prepare ourselves for the future. In the coming years, we’ll face many challenges with the uncertain economy, the extremely competitive grocery industry, and evolving customer needs and wants.

Reaching an agreement that balances the needs and goals of our teammates, and the operational and competitive requirements of our stores will help set us up for success.

Our focus at the table will be on investing in our valued Safeway teammates, modernizing the collective agreement, and addressing areas of competitive disadvantage. We want to support the future growth of the Safeway banner in B.C. for years to come.

We know that many of the conversations over the next few months will impact you and your families. That’s why its important to us that you stay informed. We’ll keep you updated on SafewayTalks.ca as bargaining continues.

Standing in solidarity: Honouring our Indigenous Peoples on Orange Shirt Day

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

For a period of more than 150 years, First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation children were taken from their families and communities to attend schools which were often located far from their homes. More than 150,000 children attended Indian Residential Schools. Many never returned.

On Orange Shirt Day (September 30), Safeway — alongside all of Sobeys Inc.’s banners from coast to coast — showed their support for Indigenous teammates, families, customers, and the communities we serve by wearing an orange shirt or ribbon to send a strong message of recognition and remembrance to Indigenous Peoples.

Thank you to all of our Safeway teammates who took the time to wear orange shirts, ribbons and stickers, create in-store informational displays, and share inspiring stories. Not to mention those who donated to local organizations supporting Indigenous Peoples.

Check out just a few photos of how our Safeway teammates from across the country marked this meaningful day — showing our commitment to the journey to Truth and Reconciliation. We’re so inspired by your display of solidarity with our Indigenous communities.

Corral Centre Safeway (Brandon, MB) honouring Truth and Reconciliation Day with a donation to the Brandon Friendship Centre.

Southland Mall Safeway (Regina, SK)

But there’s always more we can do. At Sobeys Inc., we’re committed to taking action for the long-term. This includes our ongoing involvement in the Progressive Aboriginal Relations program in partnership with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. For more information, you can reach out to Kakwiranoron Cook (kakwiranoron.cook@sobeys.com), Senior Advisor, Indigenous Relations and Communications.

In addition, you can visit the “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Jam Group” tile in the home page of your People Portal to access Indigenous Workplace Inclusion resources.

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.

Keeping you safe is just as important as ever

Posted on by Sudhanshu Rewari

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have worked quickly and efficiently to introduce several new health, safety and security measures to help protect our teammates and customers. Measures like plexiglass shields, social distancing floor markers and personal protective equipment are just a few of the ways that we’re keeping our teammates and our stores safe. We’re also asking customers to follow all Public Health guidelines and refrain from entering our stores if they’re experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. We’re also encouraging all to wear a mask while shopping. If a customer arrives at our stores without a mask, we will offer them one. In accordance with Public Health orders and bylaws, we do not ask our teammates to enforce customer mask-wearing. Instead, we will continue to remind and educate our customers about the requirement.

Our guiding principle from the very start of the pandemic has been to follow the trusted guidance of Public Health, and we will continue to provide our frontline teammates with all of the support and training necessary to safely uphold this commitment in our stores. If you have any questions or concerns about the protocols in your store or find yourself in an uncomfortable situation with a customer, please contact your Store Manager who will provide immediate assistance.

While the pandemic continues to evolve differently in communities across Alberta, and as the provincial government announces tighter restrictions on businesses that can remain open, it’s just as important as ever that we maintain the standards that we have worked so hard to achieve. Your safety is incredibly important to us, and our customers have told us loud and clear just how much they appreciate your hard work in keeping our stores safe. Each day, you go above and beyond to serve Alberta families with courage, dedication and pride, and we couldn’t be prouder.

If you find yourself in need of support, please remember that the Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) is here to help. The EFAP provides the tools to support overall mental health and well-being through our EFAP provider, Morneau Sheppell. You have free access to:

  • Telephone, video & e-counselling
  • Online group counselling
  • Online tools and resources

For access to EFAP resources, visit the Morneau Shepell site at www.workhealthlife.com, call their toll-free number (1-844-880-9142) or speak to your Store Manager.

We’ve worked together and come so far this year – let’s continue to stand side-by-side to ensure our stores remain the safest place for our teammates to work and our customers to shop.

A day to remember our Canadian Heroes

Posted on by Sudhanshu Rewari

Team,

Today is an important day for Canadians across the country, and a particularly significant day for us as a team with such deep Canadian roots.

On November 11, we pay respect to our Canadian Heroes, both past and present, who have fought for our country. While their courage and heart inspire us every day, I encourage you to take a moment today to pause and reflect on the bravery of those who have served – and continue to serve – Canada during times of conflict.

Let us never forget the men and women who have sacrificed for our country, and let us continue to honour our Canadian heroes who defend our values and freedoms today.

We thank our Safeway teammates who have served or are still serving our country, and those with friends and family that may still be doing so. We will wear our poppies with pride today to honour you.

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.

Today and always, #CanadaRemembers.

 

Kind Regards,

Julie Sue Wood

Vice President, Operations – Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario

The Employee Family Assistance Program is here to help

Posted on by Sudhanshu Rewari

We know that delivering essential services to Canadians during a time of crisis can be challenging, to say the least. Plexiglass shields, physical distancing floor markers, cart sanitization after each use; all of these and many others have been put into place to make sure we are doing our part in protecting the health of our teammates and customers. We’re so proud of your commitment to our Alberta customers and communities in the face of unprecedented change.

Keeping this in mind, we recognize that this crisis can create anxiety and stress for all of us. Your health and well being is our very top priority, and prioritizing health also means supporting your mental well-being.

Mental health is just as important as your physical health and we’re committed to supporting you and your family throughout this difficult time and encourage you to use our Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP).

Our EFAP program provides you with tools to support your mental health and well-being through our EFAP provider, Morneau Shepell. You have free access to:

  • Telephone counselling
  • Video counselling
  • E-counselling
  • Online group counselling
  • Online tools and resources

You can access the Morneau Shepell Care Access Centre by calling (toll-free) 1-844-880-9142 or by accessing their services online through www.workhealthlife.com. Under “Get in Touch”, you can request services and e-Counselling, exchange messages with a counselor, or read the various articles and resources available to you. Don’t forget, you can always reach out to your Store Manager or Human Resources Business Partner for support, as well.

Thank you for your continued commitment to one another and our customers. Your health and well-being will continue to be our very top priority, and we’ll get through this, together.