Category: Provinces

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

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. We will wear our poppies with pride today to honour them for their bravery and courage.

As Canadians, it’s important that we 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 values and the freedoms that we enjoy today.

The following poem will be read over the PA system in our Safeway stores at 11:00 am this morning to observe a moment of silence:

“They shall grow not old,

as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them,

nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun

and in the morning

We will remember them.”

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

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,

Scott Chollak, Vice President Operations, Alberta

Teammate CFL Contest has been extended!

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

We’re loving the photos you’ve been sharing that we thought…we want to see more! We’re extending the contest submission deadline until November 12!

If you haven’t yet, now is the time to get involved! You have until November 12 to enter the Teammate CFL Contest. All you have to do is snap a photo of you and your friends and/or family going BIG at Home to show off your CFL spirit. Then, you’ll share the photo on Safeway’s closed teammate Facebook group using #myCFLfamily. You’ll want to remember to include your store number!

15 teammates will be randomly selected to win 1 of 15 CFL prize packs, valued at $500. From the 15 randomly selected winners, one teammate will be chosen to win a Grey Cup Trophy visit to their store, ahead of the ’23 CFL season kick-off.

For more information, speak with your Store Manager.

Keep those photos coming!

Have you entered the CFL Contest yet? Just 10 days left!

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

There’s 10 days left to enter the Teammate CFL Contest. If you haven’t yet entered, do so today!

Until November 5, snap a photo of yourself and your friends or family going BIG at Home to show off your CFL pride. Then, post the photo in Safeway’s closed teammate Facebook group using #myCFLfamily. Make sure to include your store number, too!

What’s up for grabs? 15 teammates will be randomly selected to win 1 of 15 CFL prize packs, valued at $500. From the 15 randomly selected winners, ONE teammate will be chosen to win a Grey Cup Trophy visit to their store, ahead of the ’23 CFL season kick-off.

For more information, speak with your Store Manager.

We hope you’ll continue to join us as we go BIG to celebrate our CFL partnership. We’re loving the photos, keep them coming!