Category: Our Communities

Team,

Like all of you, I was deeply saddened to hear of Doug O’Halloran’s passing. As President of UFCW 401, Doug served as the proud voice of 401 for more than 30 years and was a true partner. Doug provided his members with great support and guidance. Throughout his tenure, he significantly contributed to the labour movement and touched the lives of so many working families all across the province.

It goes without saying that Doug’s tenacity will always be well respected. Doug was a true leader – admired by many for his unwavering dedication to his members and his passion to advocate for them.

I’ve known Doug for more than 20 years and will always remember him for his respect for the labour process and true advocacy for his members. I know Doug will be remembered not only for the meaningful work he achieved, but also for the foundation he has laid for UFCW 401.

Our company mantra is that we are a family nurturing families and we know times like this can be incredibly difficult. On behalf of the entire Sobeys Inc. family, I send our deepest condolences to Doug’s family and friends during this difficult time.

 

Respectfully,

 

Simon Gagne

EVP, Human Resources

Sobeys Inc.

Safeway teammates,

As you know, we’ve been in collective bargaining with UFCW 401 since March. We’ve consistently kept you informed with open and honest updates from the bargaining table and have been clear about our objectives from the very beginning – securing a strong future for Safeway and meeting customer preferences by introducing FreshCo to the right Alberta markets. These goals have not, and will not, change.

Over the past week UFCW 401 has been distributing a survey in stores in preparation for a strike in Alberta.  We ask that you carefully consider what a strike will mean for Safeway. The retail climate in Alberta is challenging enough. Many of our stores continue to struggle. Know that if a strike takes effect, it could continue for a long time. This means frustrated customers, happy competitors, damage to our reputation, significant lost sales, no capital investment, and at the very core, teammates who are forced to disrupt their lives and face financial insecurity for their families. We also want to be clear that a strike will not solve the key issue we face – many of our Safeway stores are unprofitable simply due to the customers and the markets that they serve. Striking will simply worsen an already challenging situation.

A strike cannot and will not change the market in Alberta. It would simply distract all of us, on both sides of the table, from addressing the problems in our stores. And the longer we wait to solve them, the more difficult they become to solve. At some point, all strikes will end, and the issues before us will still exist.

We’re committed to winning at Safeway. We’ve been clear that there’s so much opportunity for Safeway in Alberta. We believe in the full service model and we’re prepared to continue investing in Safeway’s future – but we need a fair collective agreement and the right market factors to do so. We will continue to come to the bargaining table prepared to work towards a fair agreement and a smooth introduction of FreshCo. Just last week, employees voted to ratify an agreement for our Alberta Gas Bars. Progress is possible, and we’re dedicated to working with our Safeway teammates and UFCW 401 to accomplish a positive result for you, too.

We ask that you continue to trust in the collective bargaining process. Unfortunately, things like this sometimes take time. But rest assured that we are just as committed to a fair agreement as the day bargaining began.

Thank you for your continued hard work in our stores and patience through negotiations. Your Safeway pride never ceases to amaze us and we’re excited to continue driving growth together in Alberta. We will keep you up to date as bargaining progresses.

 

Scott Chollak

Vice President Operations, Alberta

Good morning team,

I know you’re all preparing for a busy day and Thanksgiving weekend ahead. We’re already seeing incredible store readiness and enthusiasm, and we have plans to visit several more stores. I can’t wait to see you all in action!

Thank you for continuously striving to exceed the expectations of every customer that chooses to spend their hard earned money in our stores. We appreciate your hard work and support not only this Thanksgiving weekend, but every day of the year. You continue to create incredible customer experiences and find new and unique ways to generate success.

Although Thanksgiving only comes once a year, I like to live with a spirit of gratitude. Have a very happy Thanksgiving enjoying quality time with friends and family.

 

All the best,

Scott

Vice President Operations, Alberta

Last week, the Company’s bargaining committee and UFCW 401 were back at the table to resume collective bargaining. We’re committed to continue keeping you informed with our progress at the table.

Discussions largely surrounded health and safety within the Safeway work environment. Our conversations focused on store security, customer interactions and health and safety concerns.

Earlier this month, we shared details with you regarding multiple enhancements to store security within the Alberta Safeway network. The health and safety of our teammates and our customers will always be our top priority. We’re pleased that UFCW 401 shares this view. We will continue taking all steps necessary to ensure that our stores remain a safe space for you.

While we were able to discuss these safety items that are important to us all, we were disappointed to see the leaflets that UFCW 401 has recently been sharing in our Safeway stores that question if our plans to turn around the company and win in our stores are working. Over the next five years, we’re prepared to invest $200 million into the Alberta Safeway network, with the right market factors and a collective agreement that allow us to effectively compete in the province.

We know that some of our full-service stores are operating in the wrong markets. In markets where our Safeway stores can’t win, we’re ready to introduce our proven discount model to customers. This will help us have a stronger, healthier store network overall, and connect better with our customers. We’re ready to execute a winning plan that will help turn our Alberta store network around.

We need to start looking forward, together. We’re optimistic that we can build a strong future for Safeway in Alberta. We are back at the negotiating table early in November and will continue to share updates from the table.

Safeway is proud to support local growers and producers as part of our commitment to ensuring that great Canadian products are always on our shelves. With roots right here in Edmonton, Alberta, Ian Gladue, CEO of Pânsâwân, knows just what it means to be a Safeway supplier. Available in select Safeway and Sobeys stores in Edmonton, Pânsâwân offers a unique dry meat product that was once used to sustain indigenous people through Canadian winters – but remains a popular (and tasty!) snack today.

Ian Gladue grew up in Treaty 8 Territory in northern Alberta. Bigstone Cree Nation was his home, and his family roots remained close to heart as he moved across the province. As a chef, it was always important for Ian to keep traditional food on his menu. Ian started Native Delights First Nations Cuisine in Edmonton and received an outpour of community support – but felt there was a limit to how authentic his restaurant menu could be, and he knew he wanted do more.

“I wanted to do something new and bring a more traditional food experience to the market,” says Ian. “I wanted to share the foods of my ancestors; the first foods of Canada.” And thus, Pânsâwân was born. After much trial and error, Ian and his team began producing their authentic First Nations product for consumers in 2015.

Traditionally smoked, 100% Alberta-farmed bison

Pânsâwân (pronounced “bahn-sa-wan”) means “thinly sliced meat” in Cree. Thousands of years ago, indigenous communities would prepare thin strips of lean wild meat for drying and smoking.

Pânsâwân dry meat is made from only two ingredients: locally-sourced, humanely-raised Alberta bison, and smoke – nothing else. Ian sets his local company apart by keeping the product as close to its origins as possible. “It took us a long time to bring our traditional meat smoking process up to today’s food standards,” Ian explains. “Using modern equipment and technology, we believe we have replicated the method of hanging meat racks over a smoking fire almost exactly.”

A proud partnership

Ian knew Safeway and Sobeys were the obvious partner choice simply based on our commitment to local communities across western Canada.

“A company that is willing to give a chance to local producers is a company that truly cares about the food they sell and their local community,” said Ian. “It feels like we’ve made it into the big leagues for food – and we are very excited to be on your shelves.”

With our support, Pânsâwân has been able to revive, restore and contribute to the preservation of First Nations cuisine and culture. Since partnering, Pânsâwân has seen a steady incline in sales across western Canada. Not only is Pânsâwân now readily available for long-time fans, but in-store demos have allowed Ian to introduce his product to new customers that otherwise may never come across it. It’s a win-win all around!

Be sure to check out Pânsâwân the next time you stop by your local Edmonton Safeway store, and stay tuned to Safeway Talks for more Safeway Local Supplier Spotlights!