Safeway union readies for possible strike
Union criticizes removal of ‘hero pay’ as parent company sees rise in profits
Alberta Safeway employees have voted nearly 80 per cent in favour of going on strike.
Safeway employees in the province, who have been without a contract since 2017, can now legally go on strike with just 72 hours’ notice. But the union that represents about 7,000 Safeway employees at 75 stores across the province said it is still hopeful a strike can be averted and that negotiations with Sobeys — which owns the Safeway chain — can resume.
“If there was a strike, it would be the largest private sector strike in 20 years in Alberta,” said Thomas Hesse, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 401. “I don’t believe our members are eager to go on strike. What they have asked us is to approach Sobeys and invite them to come back to the bargaining table.”
At issue for Safeway employees, Hesse said, is the grocery chain’s removal in mid-june of the $2-perhour pay bump that workers were granted in March for taking on hazardous conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The fact that the “hero pay” program has been removed while the threat of the virus remains — and in spite of Sobeys’ parent company reporting increased profits — feels like a slap in the face to many employees, Hesse said.
“Ten Safeway stores in the province of Alberta and one gas bar have had COVID diagnoses or investigations,” he said. “Employees see the contrast between the increased profits (the company is making) and the increased risk of working there.” Hesse said employees are also asking for ongoing and comprehensive health and safety committee meetings, and are concerned about proposed changes to their benefits plan.
In an emailed statement, Sobeys said it wants to work with the union to reach a deal that balances the interests of both parties and hopes to be back at the bargaining table soon. “It is so important that we stand together to support Canadians right now,” the statement said. “We hope to complete the collective bargaining process quickly, so we can move forward and focus on the future.”