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Around 6,000 Safeway employees in Alberta have voted to approve a new five-year collective agreement with Sobeys, securing wage increases, better benefits, and job security. The contract, endorsed by 91% of workers, includes a 10% immediate wage hike, a $2,000 signing bonus for most workers, and an 18% cumulative pay increase over the term, while also preventing unilateral store closures.
Safeway workers across Alberta have voted 91 per cent in favour of a new five-year union contract with Sobeys. The endorsement comes after a 10-day voting period for around 6,000 employees.
UFCW Local 401 Approves Sobeys Contract
The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 401 posted the results on Saturday, four days before strike action was scheduled to begin. The union had said wages had been the primary contention point in long-running negotiations. The new deal with Sobeys includes wage, benefits and cross-training improvements the union says will lead to more available hours for part-time workers. The agreement also includes a condition for the company to withdraw its Supreme Court of Canada action against its workers.
Sobeys filed a judicial review in 2023 after an arbitrator's decision to take the union's last offer. Workers will now be allowed to keep the 10-per-cent wage increase negotiated at that time. Most workers will also receive a $2,000 signing bonus, with junior employees getting $500 and new funding for union dental, health and welfare benefits. Most workers will also see a cumulative wage increase of 18 per cent over the course of the five-year agreement.
Sobeys Alberta Store Closures Consultation
Sobeys will now also be required to consult with a committee of Safeway workers and UFCW Local 401 should corporate offices want to close any Alberta locations.
Safeway Sobeys Alberta Union Contract UFCW Local 401 Wage Increase Strike Avoided Benefits Improvement Canadian Retail News
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