SUPERSTORE & DC BARGAINING INFORMATION

Welcome to the UFCW Local 247 information hub for the 2026 round of collective bargaining for BC Superstores and Distribution Centres.

This page is updated regularly. Bargaining updates will be shared with members by email and posted here, so please check back often.

Translation of this page is available by selecting your preferred language at the top right of this page. 

Latest Updates

Respect, Rights, and Fair Scheduling (May 15, 2026) Retail Update

Loblaw DC Bargaining Begins (May 14, 2026) DC Update

Retail Bargaining Begins (May 1, 2026) Retail Update

Building a Strong Bargaining Team (April 14, 2026) Retail Update | DC Update

Survey Ends, Bargaining Team Selected (March 13, 2026) Bargaining Update

UFCW Local 247 Launches Bargaining Survey and Call Out for Bargaining Team (February 19, 2026) Bargaining Update

Loblaw Agrees to Early Bargaining with UFCW Local 247 (February 10, 2026) Bargaining Update

UFCW Local 247 Requests Early Bargaining (January 31, 2026) Bargaining Update

Key Documents

Union’s In-Going Bargaining Proposals (Retail)
Please note these are the Union’s in-going bargaining proposals only. They are not the final outcome. The proposals in this document are subject to the negotiations process and will change over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

We haven’t dealt with wages yet. But we will by no later than July 22, 2026.

While we have presented a proposal calling for substantial wage increases for all members, wages are often the most controversial issue in bargaining. So we will be dealing with wages closer to the end of the bargaining process.

That said, because we are bargaining early, we were able to set certain conditions, including a fixed deadline for the bargaining process: July 22, 2026 (the anniversary of our current agreement). 

If we don’t have an agreement by then, we will abandon the early bargaining process and begin planning “normal” bargaining for 2027.

Our bargaining priorities are determined by UFCW Local 247 members. Through the submission of hundreds of bargaining survey responses from members across BC and the development of proposals through discussion at a one-of-a-kind bargaining conference, we’ve put together bargaining priorities covering an array of issues.

These include: 

  • Wages. We need to get wage increases for long-serving members as well as those working through the wage grids. 
  • Benefit improvements and more employer contributions to ensure the sustainability of our benefit plans.
  • Respect, including issues such as unfairness in scheduling, customer abuse situations, and union representational rights for members.

Consistent with our commitment to transparency, our retail proposals are available for download here.

We are often asked why Superstores and Loblaw Distributions Centres are part of the same Collective Agreement in BC.

UFCW Local 247’s certification with the BC Labour Relations Board covers all BC Superstores AND Loblaw’s three Distribution Centres. Because these worksites are under one certification, they fall under one Collective Agreement, which must be voted on together.

Some things to consider:

It’s always been this way. Retail and warehouse members have been under one certification since 1989.

At one time, retail and warehouse members bargained together at one bargaining table, and the language in the agreement was all the same.

Over time, stores and warehouses evolved, and we established a separate warehouse committee to address issues specific to warehouse members. There are now three warehouses under the agreement.

Retail and warehouse still coordinate. Both tables coordinate throughout the bargaining process, and quite often (if not always), each bargaining committee pledges to the other to not recommend a deal unless they are both recommending acceptance. In April 2026, both retail and warehouse members participated in a bargaining conference in advance of negotiations where the unity of the groups was discussed at length.

Every member has one vote. Some have suggested that the warehouses have a disproportionate influence over the outcome of the retail agreements. The reality is that each member has one vote. There are 10 retail members for every 1 warehouse member. In terms of turnout, in any vote we’ve carried out, both retail and warehouse members tend to show up in similar numbers.

Our unity is our strength. Others have suggested that warehouses and retail stores don’t have a lot in common. There are differences in these workplaces, but that’s not a reason to not stick together. In fact, there are many large, composite collective agreements in BC that cover multiple workplaces, job descriptions, and professions – even multiple employers and multiple unions! – with workers from various industries bargaining together.

Solidarity is about building unity around the things we have in common. No matter the industry, we know that bargaining together increases our collective strength and leverage at the table. It increases the stakes for the employer! That applies in our situation as well.

Warehouses give retail workers leverage, and vice versa. By sticking together under one agreement, our leverage extends beyond our membership. BC warehouses supply not only Superstores but also every other Loblaw banner in the province – even the non-union banners. That means, the outcome of our bargaining for 28 stores and 3 warehouses – because we are united – has a significant impact on the company’s business beyond our bargaining table.

As long as we stick together under one agreement, we can all do better!

There are several reasons why we asked to bargain early:

  1. If we get to the table sooner, we can get increases and much needed improvements for our members sooner.  Getting an increase of any amount for an entire year sooner has a compounding financial impact. Also, we know there are a number of issues that members want to address around scheduling, cross-training, shift marketplace, and customer abuse.  We want to address all of that sooner.
  2. Bargaining won’t drag on. We can set conditions, like a deadline, so the union and the employer can either get a deal or not.  
  3. It worked well in Ontario. Locals 175 and 1006A engaged in early bargaining involving 121 Loblaw-owned stores and impacting 26,000 members. They got major improvements around wages and scheduling well in advance of their agreements expiring.  
  4. It’s low risk for both sides. We have nothing to lose by going to the table early, because if we don’t like what we see from the company, we can always walk away. The same goes for the employer. 

We’ve held numerous member surveys over the past few years, and we’ve heard loud and clear from UFCW Local 247 members about wanting a different approach from us in our negotiations with Loblaw.

Here are a few examples of what we’re doing differently:

  • We have assembled our largest and most representative bargaining team ever! There are roughly 70 UFCW Local 247 members from Superstores and DCs across BC involved in bargaining.
  • We are sharing regular updates by email and on our website. Anyone wanting to learn about bargaining can sign up to receive updates by email. Lots of bargaining information, including all of our updates, are available on our Superstore & DC Bargaining Page.
  • We are bringing bargaining updates direct from the bargaining table to members’ workplaces. No communication is more effective than face-to-face. We’ve been holding bargaining update events in stores, and our bargaining committee members have been providing updates direct from the bargaining table.
  • We are being more transparent about the process, including how the process works as well as sharing our in-going retail bargaining proposals, so members know what we are pushing for!

For now, the best thing to do is to follow along and stay informed.

Read and share the updates with your coworkers. Questions? Reach out to your union representative!

Union Buttons – A simple way to show your support

We have many priorities for this round of bargaining. Members want more money for the work they do. They want better and more sustainable benefits. They also want respect from customers and management as well as respect from the company in terms of their access to hours and recognition for their service. Put simply, this is all about wages, benefits, and respect.

A union button is a small but significant symbol of solidarity and commitment to our shared goals.

You are allowed to wear union buttons at work, provided you aren’t doing so where food is being prepared.

The more folks showing support for their union, the more everyone can see that solidarity and union pride! Talk to your Union Bargaining Team member or Union Representative to get a button of your own.

Union Bargaining Team

Our union Bargaining Team is comprised of UFCW Local 247 members supported by union leadership and staff.

For this round of negotiations, we are proud of the fact that this is the largest group we’ve ever brought together to negotiate a collective agreement.

Within the Bargaining Team, have a large Bargaining Committee: the group that meets face-to-face with the company. We also have an even larger Bargaining Council, made up of members whose role is to provide updates, gather feedback, and engage members along the way.

Who is on the Bargaining Team?

Your Bargaining Team is a diverse group of UFCW Local 247 members who generously give their time and energy to try to bring improvements for their co-workers.

The team is intended to equitably represent as many members’ interests as possible, bringing together members from nearly every workplace, department, seniority level, employment status (full-time/part-time), and other demographics.

Learn about the members of your Bargaining Team below:

Retail Union Bargaining Committee

Retail Union Bargaining Council

DC Union Bargaining Committee

DC Union Bargaining Council

Bargaining Timeline

The following is our proposed timeline for the bargaining process. For more general information on how collective bargaining works, see our Bargaining Basics page.

February 19 - March 6, 2026
Member Consultation

We held a member survey to gather members' ideas and priorities.

Members were invited to express their interest in serving on the UFCW Local 247 union bargaining team.

February 19 - March 6, 2026
Week of March 9
Bargaining Team Selection

Your union reviewed survey respondents and selected over 70 UFCW Local 247 members to serve on the union's Bargaining Team.

Our bargaining team equitably represents the membership based on geography and store location, department, seniority, full-time/part-time status, and other demographics

Week of March 9
April 8-10, 2026
Bargaining Conference

Our Union Bargaining Team gathered in Surrey for a bargaining conference where they heard from experts and discussed and developed bargaining priorities.

There was also special information on how we are communicating and engaging members throughout the bargaining process.

April 8-10, 2026
April - July 2026
Negotiations with the Company

Your bargaining committee will meet with the Employer and seek to negotiate improvements for you.

For retail members, bargaining began on the week of April 27-May 1.

For warehouse members, bargaining began on May 5.

Further bargaining meetings for retail members are scheduled for May 11-15, June 1-5, and June 15-19.

Further bargaining dates may be necessary to secure a tentative agreement before our July 22 deadline.

Your bargaining team members will provide updates to you throughout the process, both by email and in person updates in your workplace. 

April - July 2026
July 22, 2026
Deadline for Member Vote

One of our key conditions for early bargaining is that we reach a deal before the anniversary of the expiry of the agreement. 

If no deal is accepted by our members by July 22, 2026, then we will end the process and prepare for bargaining as usual in 2027.

If a deal is accepted by membership vote, then the collective agreement will be renewed with the newly negotiated terms.

July 22, 2026