Category: Provinces

Why challenge the Arbitrator’s ruling?

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

As shared with you in August, top-rated teammates were awarded their second wage increase. This said, Safeway continues to challenge the Arbitrator’s ruling on the Wage Reopener, and there may need to be difficult decisions taken.

It can’t be reiterated enough that the wage increases for top-rated teammates have negatively impacted the profitability of the stores and resulted in many locations becoming unprofitable. Safeway is now in an extremely uncompetitive position compared to the rest of the Alberta grocery industry.

As a result, the organization is required to assess if further action is needed to address this challenging position. All options are being considered including closures, conversions, and hours reductions — any of which could result in the potential loss of jobs.

Having to make any of these choices would be extremely difficult, and the organization doesn’t take the evaluation process lightly given the potential magnitude of impact. It’s because of this reluctance to make any of these tough choices that Safeway has no other option than to continue to challenge the Arbitrator’s ruling.

Further updates and details on the judicial review process and any difficult choices that must be made will be shared with you.

Safeway Talks Scene+ Points Giveaway: September 23 – October 13

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

Signing up for the first time? Click here!

Already registered and want a shot at winning? Click here!

 

What’s up for grabs? You have the chance to win 5,000 Scene+ points!

Fifty (50) lucky Safeway teammates will be randomly selected, and their Scene+ points will be deposited into their account.

Click here for full contest Rules and Regulations.

Good luck!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Contest runs from September 23, 2024 and ends on October 13, 2024. Open only to Safeway Teammates who are Safeway Talks members and legal residents of Alberta who have reached the minimum legal working age in their province of residence on the date that they entered the Contest. There are fifty (50) prizes to be won. Each prize consists of one (1) 5,000 Scene+ points (ARV $50.00 (CAD) each). The prizes have no equivalent cash value, are non-transferrable and no substitutions will be made. Correctly answered skill testing question required. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.

Last chance! Share words of encouragement for our athletes to win a Feed The Dream lunchbox!

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

As the much-anticipated Paralympic Games kicked off last Wednesday, we picked things back up with our Feed The Dream lunchbox contest. And in the midst of all the excitement, our Team Empire Paralympic athletes have earned three medals so far!

If you haven’t entered the Feed The Dream lunchbox contest yet, this is your last shot! You have until the Paralympic Closing Ceremony on September 8 to share words of encouragement for our Team Canada Paralympic athletes.

Just head on over to the Teammate Hub to enter today!

And remember, if you entered the contest during the Olympic Games, but haven’t yet won a lunchbox, you’re still in the running to win (no need to enter again!). Following the Paralympic Games, 500 additional lunchboxes will be randomly awarded, on top of the 500 given out during the Olympic Games.

While you’re on the Teammate Hub, don’t forget to:

  • Read the heartfelt notes of support written by your own teammates.
  • See what our Feed The Dream Correspondents are up to in Paris and follow along on their journey.
  • Take our monthly Trivia Challenge. You could score yourself a Lululemon Team Canada prize pack or Scene+ points.

Good luck, team!

The Paralympic Games are on! Don’t miss your last chance to WIN a Feed The Dream lunchbox!

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

It’s time to get loud and proud once again! The Paralympic Games (August 28 – September 8) have begun — and we can’t wait to watch our Team Canada and Team Empire Paralympic athletes, like Stefan Daniel and Kamylle Frenette, compete for a coveted spot on the podium.

Here at home, you too, have a chance to win big! We’re sure you’ve heard the buzz about the Feed The Dream lunchbox contest by now and that we’ve awarded 500 lunchboxes to date. Want to get in on the action but haven’t entered yet? Well, lucky for you, there’s still time.

All you have to do is head on over to the Teammate Hub and submit a note of encouragement for our Paralympic athletes.

And don’t worry — if you entered the contest during the Olympic Games, but haven’t yet won a lunchbox, you’re still in the running to win (no need to enter again!).

While on the Teammate Hub:

  • Have a look at the heartfelt notes of support written by your colleagues.
  • Check out our digital scrapbook, A View from the Games, to see what our correspondents are up to at the Paralympic Games.
  • Take our monthly Trivia Challenge, too. You could also score yourself a Lululemon Team Canada prize pack or Scene+ points.

Good luck…and let’s get ready to cheer on Team Canada!

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!