Category: Provinces

Wage reopener arbitration update

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

In December 2023, we informed you about our challenge of the Arbitrator’s decision on the Wage Reopener. In our view, there were several critical errors made in the ruling. The information the Arbitrator relied on to base their decision was partially inaccurate and was not in line with the Alberta market and competitive landscape.

This decision, which rewards only top-rated teammates, has now put significant negative pressure on our business and creates future risks for all teammates. We can’t stress enough that these wage increases have put Safeway in an extremely uncompetitive position compared to the rest of the Alberta grocery industry.

The impact of the decision has made several of our stores unprofitable. As a result, we may have to make difficult choices to address this situation. It is for this reason that we continue to challenge the Arbitrator’s ruling.

What we want is a decision that is fair and market competitive which enables us to continue to run profitable stores while providing opportunities for all of our teammates well into the future.

As required, we implemented the first wage increase for top-rated teammates last August. At that time, we communicated that the second increase for top-rated teammates would occur this August. We are honouring that commitment and these teammates will receive their increase on their next pay.

We can’t stress enough that these wage increases for top-rated teammates have placed us in an extremely difficult position compared to our competitors. We will continue to be transparent in communicating the impact of the Arbitrator’s decision on our business and any difficult choices we may need to make as we move forward.

Introducing the Passionfruit No-jito in support of the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

In continuation of our longstanding support for the Special Olympics movement, Safeway proudly stands as a platinum level sponsor of the upcoming Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Calgary (February 27 – March 2, 2024). This reaffirms our commitment to making a positive impact on the communities we serve.

And if that’s not enough, we’re also bubbling over with excitement as we announce a delicious addition to our Alberta store shelves that’s sure to make a splash! Introducing Burwood Distillery’s Passionfruit No-jito, exclusive to our Alberta Safeway stores and Safeway Liquor locations.

Crafted to perfection, the Passionfruit No-jito is a non-alcoholic drink that not only promises to tantalize taste buds, but also supports a cause close to our hearts—the Special Olympics Winter Games. For every four-pack sold in our stores between January 30 and March 31, Burwood Distillery will generously donate $3, with a spirited goal of raising $90,000 to back this incredible event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join us in making a difference

The Passionfruit No-jito isn’t just a beverage—it’s an opportunity to contribute to a great cause while offering our customers a unique and refreshing experience. We encourage our teammates to create eye-catching displays to showcase this exclusive mocktail. Your enthusiasm and dedication are key to making this initiative a resounding success.

Cheers to making a difference, one can at a time!

Nominate a Special Olympics athlete teammate for an unforgettable experience

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

We’re excited to announce a unique opportunity for one of our Special Olympics athlete teammates to attend the upcoming Special Olympics Winter Games (February 27 – March 3, 2024) in Calgary.

And we need your help in choosing this deserving teammate …. here’s how!

Nomination Period:

Between January 17 and January 26, we encourage you to nominate a teammate who is a Special Olympics athlete and who not only embodies the spirit of the Special Olympics, but also its core values of empowerment, excellence, respect, diversity, and inclusion.

Nomination Process:

Nominating is simple! Fill out this online form, and in 500 words or less share how your nominee exemplifies Special Olympics values. Ensure your nominee is…

  • aware of and has agreed to the nomination before you submit it.
  • available to travel from February 27 to March 3.
  • has a support person available to travel with them during this time.
  • comfortable with completing the correspondent duties indicated below.

And remember, your nominee must be both an active Special Olympics athlete and a teammate who’s not currently participating in the Winter Games.

The Adventure:

The chosen teammate and their guest will embark on an unforgettable journey to the Special Olympics Calgary Winter Games. What makes this experience even more extraordinary is that the selected teammate will serve as our special correspondent, capturing the behind-the-scenes magic of the Games that we’ll share with all teammates to give you an inside look at the Games. In addition to attending the Special Olympics Winter Games, the chosen teammate will also enjoy a Calgary Flames hockey game and explore the breathtaking beauty of Banff or Lake Louise.

Selection Process:

The winner will be selected by members of a panel comprised of the Community Investment, DE&I, Operations, and HR teams, and announced in mid-February. This recipient will be selected based on the strength of their connection to the core values of the Special Olympics.

So don’t delay — submit your nomination today and help us provide one of our teammates with an incredible experience!

Meet Your Safeway 2022 & 2023 Top Value Champions

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

As a Company that lives our values in everything we do, we’re so excited to officially reveal our 2022 and 2023 Value Champions.

With over 1,200 nominations, choosing the semi-finalists and winners was certainly not easy. We read stories that made us laugh, and some that made us cry. But after every story, we were left feeling so incredibly proud … proud that these teammates are the fabric of our business.

Check out the list of our nearly 200 Value Champions semi-finalists who are most deserving of our praise.

Without further ado, we’re so proud to share that we’ve got not one, but two Safeway Top Value Champions. Selected as two of only eight top winners, this is an outstanding accomplishment. Like we promised, each winner will receive an epic experience to celebrate their big win in style. We’ll be sure to give you an inside look at their adventures soon.

Community-Engaged: Ashish Errappa

Store Manager at Safeway City Centre Mall in Thompson, Manitoba

Ashish is the true definition of a compassionate, forward-thinking leader who goes above and beyond to serve the distinct needs of his community. Ashish’s local Indigenous community shared a desire for more local grocery and fresh bakery options. So, he shifted his offering to better provide what his community needs. On top of that, Ashish makes it a priority to give back and there’s a long list of community causes he supports, like food banks, schools, and the Boys and Girls Club, to name a few. He even spearheaded a $10,000 Community Action Fund donation of frozen turkeys to Manitoba Keewantinowi Okimakanak Inc. as part of 820 holiday hampers that went to families with food insecurity. There’s no doubt that Ashish exemplifies all that we stand for!

Results-Oriented: Janet Shabatoski

Pharmacy Technician at Safeway Callingwood in Edmonton, Alberta

Janet is the complete package — as a person, teammate and leader. With her can-do attitude, Janet consistently goes well beyond her normal duties to support her team, but most notably, she did so when her manager was on leave. Without hesitation, Janet stepped up to keep the pharmacy running smoothly. Managing invoices, orders, staff schedules, and getting the team through the challenging cyber security incident, Janet did it all, and we’re so proud of her.

 

We’re nothing without our values, and it’s clear that our winners are admired by their teammates for being dedicated, kind, resilient, and incredibly hard-working. Talk about a world-class team.

Once again, congratulations to each winner. Our values make us stronger, together. You’re proof of this.

Don’t forget! Submissions are now open for 2024 — nominate a Value Champion today.

Inspired by a teammate who embodies the values that are at the heart of who we are? Think they deserve an epic experience of their own? Honour their efforts by nominating them using this form.

 

Alberta wage update

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

Teammates,

As indicated in our last communication, we committed to keeping you updated regarding the timing of the upcoming wage increases. Teammates who are eligible for increases and retroactive payments can expect them to appear on your next pay deposit on December 21, 2023.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your efforts in preparing the stores for the busy weeks leading into the end of the year. The stores look great, and we are well-positioned to win the holiday season!

Wishing you and your family happy holidays,

Julie Sue Wood
VP, Operations, Prairies

Making the season merry and bright with Compliments and Panache

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

With the holiday season upon us, many of our customers (and teammates, too!) will be hosting holiday parties and get-togethers… and you can’t have a festive celebration without appetizers, right?

That’s right, we can all sleigh the holiday season by preparing the perfect appetizers that will delight our friends and family. Here’s a roundup of a few of our Own Brands appetizers that will surely make it on our customers list. And they don’t need to check it twice!

1. Compliments Charcuterie Trio

It’s so true… everyone flocks to the charcuterie board at holiday gatherings. It’s the definition of easy entertaining and has something for everyone. And we have not one, but three savoury deli meat Charcuterie Trios in stores to choose from. Which one is your favourite? Hard to choose, isn’t it?

  • Hungarian, Cervelat and Peppercorn Salamis
  • Dry-Cured Genoa Salami, Salami with Prosciutto and Prosciutto
  • Dry-Cured Spicy Genoa Salami, Dry-Cured Genoa Salami and Prosciutto

Best of all, pair any of the trios — or all of them — with our Compliments Double Cream Brie Cheese and assortment of crackers for charcuterie board perfection. You’re welcome!

2. Compliments Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Move over buffalo chicken wings! These healthier, but just as scrumptious, cauliflower bites are packed with flavour.

Crispy and smothered in a tangy, spicy buffalo sauce, these bites will certainly amp up your appetizer game to the next level.

We doubt there’ll be any left over!

3. Panache French Onion Soup Bites

 Do you love French Onion soup, but don’t enjoy the hours it takes to make? Well then, this app is for you!

These cheesy, crispy, melt-in-your-mouth bites will definitely elevate your holiday spread this season. Trust us — once you taste one, you’ll be back for more.

Tip: We suggest you have an extra box on hand because they’ll be in high demand!

4. Panache Shrimp Dim Sum Collection

You can’t go wrong with shrimp — and this Shrimp Dim Sum Collection has it all with three different shrimp apps in one convenient pack!

We’ve got siu mai, har gow and shrimp dumplings, accompanied by a soya ginger sauce for all those dippers out there.

We have a very good feeling that this may become one of your go-to hosting appetizer. Yum!

With these great quality Compliments and Panache products (and many other favourites) that we’re proud to offer in our Safeway stores, we know we can meet all of our customers’ holiday entertaining needs.

So whether you’re purchasing these products for yourself, bringing them to a special holiday occasion or recommending them to customers, let’s work together to win our busiest season and make our Own Brands products #1 in our stores.

Happy Holidays!

Alberta wage reopener update

Posted on by Daniela Travierso
“Our people are what makes Safeway great. I believe that as a team we must all focus on building a strong future for the Safeway team of today and tomorrow.”
— Julie Sue Wood, VP, Operations, Prairies

Teammates,

As many of you are aware, we and UFCW 401, received the arbitration decision on the final offer selection process. I must admit we were a bit shocked at the decision.

While our Union partners might tell you otherwise, we do believe in supporting our teammates. To do this, we must look at the big picture to ensure we are building a sustainable future for us all. The deal that the Arbitrator approved is going to put immense pressure on our business. What might look like a short-term victory, could create real challenges for all our teammates in the future.

Operating as a grocery retailer through these highly inflationary times is challenging. Like so many other businesses, we are managing a delicate balance in Alberta and do not want to tip the scales in the wrong direction. The labour costs in the arbitration decision threaten the little stability we are trying to build upon in Alberta.

Following a review of the Arbitrator’s decision, we feel that several critical errors were made. Right now, the Company is filing a Judicial Review Application, which means a judge will review the decision to ensure that the decision was reasonable and the process was fair. This does not mean that we will not or do not want to process wage increases for those impacted. In the coming weeks, we will let you know how we will move ahead and the date when you can expect your wage increase and retroactive pay.

We are going to move forward with our values in mind, respecting our teammates and this process along the way. I would like to thank all of you for your patience as we work through the details of this decision.

 

Julie Sue Wood
VP, Operations, Prairies

‘Tis the season for holiday display magic

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

It’s official — the holiday season is in full swing!

From produce to the floral and bakery department, and through every aisle, our Safeway stores are buzzing with the festive spirit.

Taking centre stage is our 2023 Holiday campaign, reminding customers that their local Safeway store is here for everything needed to create their special holiday meals.

Holiday season after holiday season, we continue to be amazed at how you bring the campaign to life. Just seeing all of the magical yet unique holiday displays in stores now, its clear that the spirit of innovation is flourishing at Safeway.

Together, we have what it takes to win our busiest season. Let’s continue to show our customers that shopping with us is second to none.

Here’s only a handful of merchandising displays that will surely wow our customers all season long. Go team go!

There’s trees within a tree! Talk about thinking outside of the box. Way to go, Castlegar Safeway (B.C.)!

Safeway Tyndall Square (Winnipeg, MB) has all your Panache holiday entertaining needs in one spot!

What’s better than a tree made out of cookies? Nothing! Collingwood Safeway (Vancouver, BC) surely agrees!

These festive editable creations from Seafair Safeway’s (Richmond, B.C.) Bakery department look too good to eat!

Poinsettias galore! Great display, Swift Current Safeway (SK)!

English Bay Safeway (Vancouver, B.C.) is ready and waiting for Santa!

Congratulations to our 2023 Nourish U Safeway Graduates

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

On September 21, we held a graduation event in Winnipeg to celebrate our Safeway store management trainees (SMT) and department management trainees (DMT) who successfully completed the 2023 Corporate Nourish U Management Training Program.

Let’s hear it for ….

  • Kiefer Childerhose (SMT)
  • Ashley Gard (DMT)
  • Jemelle Pagulayan (DMT)
  • Sharon Bowman (DMT)
  • Anthony Hanson (DMT)
  • Scott Smith (DMT)
  • Nicholas Dahl (DMT)
  • Kyle Milner (DMT)

                 

(First photo) Congratulations to all Manitoba Nourish U graduates!           
(Second photo) From left to right: Greg Warner, District Operator; Anthony Hanson, DMT graduate; and Danielle Rhoda, Director of HR Operations

But like any graduation, career development doesn’t stop there. Each graduate was provided with the tools to create an individual development plan and are encouraged to always have an area of focus as they progress through their careers at Safeway.

Are you considering taking this career leap? There’s no better way to be inspired than hearing from a recent grad about why you should invest in yourself.

“My time in the DMT program was a fantastic experience. Not only did I learn how to hone my management skills into a more effective tool at work AND become more confident in my job, but I met many wonderful people within the Company, many either in my same position or mentors who help guide me still today.” — Anthony Hanson, DMT Graduate

Congratulations once again to each graduate! We couldn’t be prouder to have you as part of the Safeway family, and can’t wait to see all that you accomplish.

Nourish U is our leadership development program for corporate Store Manager (SMT) and Department Manager (DMT) training. It’s the very best opportunity to immerse yourself in our operations, get to know our teammates, and understand our products. But Nourish U is more than just an education tool — it’s the engine that kick starts our culture, brings together our brightest minds, and establishes a foundation for every successful career at Safeway.

If you’re interested in applying for an upcoming Nourish U Program cohort, visit the Nourish U tile in the People Portal for more information, or speak to your manager who’s always available to help.

Congratulations to our 2023 Nourish U Safeway Graduates

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

On September 20, we held a graduation event in Thunder Bay to celebrate our Safeway store management trainees (SMT) and department management trainees (DMT) who successfully completed the 2023 Corporate Nourish U Management Training Program.

Let’s hear it for ….

  • Ali Naderi (SMT)
  • Brandon Convery (DMT)
  • Margo Tse (DMT)

     

(First photo) Graduates from left to right: Ali Naderi, Margo Tse, and Brandon Convery         
(Second photo) From left to right: Loretta Friesen, District Operator; Margo Tse, DMT graduate; and Julie Sue Wood, VP of Operations – Prairies  

But like any graduation, career development doesn’t stop there. Each graduate was provided with the tools to create an individual development plan and are encouraged to always have an area of focus as they progress through their careers at Safeway.

Are you considering taking this career leap? There’s no better way to be inspired than hearing from a recent grad about why you should invest in yourself.

“The Nourish U program provided me the opportunity to connect with my peers and build relationships that will last throughout my career. In the breakout rooms during the workshops, we were able to get different perspectives on ideas which I found valuable in my learning.” — Margo Tse, DMT Graduate

Congratulations once again to each graduate! We couldn’t be prouder to have you as part of the Safeway family, and can’t wait to see all that you accomplish.

Nourish U is our leadership development program for corporate Store Manager (SMT) and Department Manager (DMT) training. It’s the very best opportunity to immerse yourself in our operations, get to know our teammates, and understand our products. But Nourish U is more than just an education tool — it’s the engine that kick starts our culture, brings together our brightest minds, and establishes a foundation for every successful career at Safeway.

If you’re interested in applying for an upcoming Nourish U Program cohort, visit the Nourish U tile in the People Portal for more information, or speak to your manager who’s always available to help.