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.