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Teammates, as we shared with you, a judge overturned the 2023 Wage Reopener decision and ordered that the matter be heard again in a new arbitration.

The decision was overturned in part because of inaccurate and irrelevant information submitted by your Union. The court recognized that the Arbitrator’s wage decision was “based on facts not supported by the evidence”. Further, the judge recognized that the Arbitrator’s decision was “unreasonably” based on market comparators of which “none are part of Sobeys’ competitive climate”.  

The Arbitrator’s original decision may only apply to those at the top of the scale or higher, but it has already put financial pressure on our business and if left unaddressed, will impact the competitiveness and long-term viability of Safeway, creating risk to teammate hours and jobs.

We know this is tough news to hear and this isn’t something we are taking lightly. This is why we have reached out to your Union asking them to meet with us. Please see below the letter sent to UFCW Local 401. We really hope UFCW 401 cares about what matters to you and that they make this a priority so we can find a path forward that works for everyone.

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November 3, 2024

Re: Alberta Safeway

To: Thomas Hesse, President, UFCW Local 401

Tom,

We appreciate you responding to our request to meet. As we discussed in our meeting this past Tuesday, it’s clear that the Arbitrator’s decision has put financial pressure on our Safeway business and if left unaddressed, will continue to impact our competitiveness and long-term viability, creating risk to our teammate hours and jobs. Like we talked about, the company has no choice but to act quickly to protect the Safeway business.

This letter is to re-confirm that we would like to meet with Local UFCW 401 to work on a path forward.  While we are in discussions and as long as we are working together we are prepared to hold off on reverting wage rates and collecting the overpayment from team members until January 26^th, 2025. We are hopeful that between now and January 26th, 2025, we are able to reach a fully ratified settlement that addresses the wants of our teammates and the Company’s significant competitive disadvantage. As we discussed, we will need to be focused to a very limited number of topics, including the extension of the collective agreement. Our labour relations team is prepared to meet and we have cleared our calendars to meet with you. Below we have provided all the dates we are available.

• November 12^th, 13^th, 14^th, 15^th
• November 18^th, 19^th, 20^th and 21^st
• December 9^th ,10^th, 11^th, 12^th, 13^th
• December 16^th, 17^th, 18^th, 19^th, 20^th

Timing is critical and we must find a solution that works for everyone.

​Tough times don’t last, tough people do. Those words have never been more relevant as the world faces the challenges of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Together with Safeway Canada, Brett Kissel is proud to announce ‘Brett Kissel – Live at the Drive-In,’ a first of its kind social distancing drive-in country music concert taking place on Saturday, June 13^th at the main parking lot of the River Cree Resort and Casino outside of Edmonton, Alberta. Safeway Canada’s support ensures one hundred per cent of the event’s ticket-sales will go to Food Banks Alberta. The unique concert will also be streamed live across Canada, with media partner details to be announced.

“Music, and specifically country music, serves as a soundtrack to our lives. Obviously, the last few months have been an incredibly difficult chapter in all of our stories here in Canada and throughout the world,” said Kissel. “Through performing this one-of-a-kind drive-in show, I want to use live music to bring some light and happiness to people. I want to say thank you to all of those who have been on the front lines during this pandemic and to do what we can to make a difference supporting those in need. I want to support everyone through something that I miss – that we all miss, very much – live country music.”

‘Brett Kissel Live at the Drive- In’ concert is one-way Safeway Canada is supporting local communities through its Community Action Fund. Initiated at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Action Fund empowers 1,500 stores across the country to inject millions of dollars into Canadian communities. The fund has helped deliver food and critical funds to food banks and a range of other community organizations in need across Canada.

“When Brett reached out about creating a first of its kind drive- in country concert, the idea resonated strongly with our team at Safeway. Brett’s song ‘Tough Times Don’t Last, Tough People Do’ has inspired our frontline teammates throughout this crisis. At Safeway, we want to ensure that our community partners, such as Food Banks Alberta and others across the country, are not forgotten during this crisis,” said Sandra Sanderson, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Sobeys Inc. “We hope this unique social-distancing music event will inspire Canadians to help one another during these tough times and give back to the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

Concert attendees will also be encouraged to ‘text to donate’ to Food Banks Alberta and Safeway Canada will match donations up to $25,000 over the course of the concert. Safeway is proud to contribute millions of dollars in food and funds each year to address hunger across Western Canada.

Organizers have worked alongside Alberta Health Services and Health Canada to ensure that all health guidelines and safety measures for proper social distancing are in place and adhered to for the safety of all concert guests, performers, and staff.  Full event information and health guidelines are available online at drivein.brettkissel.com.

Tickets for this very special performance go on sale on Monday, May 25 at 10:00 a.m. via Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.ca). Admission for the 60-minute performance is $50.00 per vehicle, plus applicable fees, and taxes. Additional performances may be added later.