Stong’s members ratify new contract
A very busy fall in 2018 turned a very busy winter of contract negotiations and ratification meetings for UFCW Local 247 members. At Stong’s, members strongly ratified a new contract in voting on November 26 and 27th, 2018. The new contract has many improvements for Grid “B” members, including a new dental package and a much-improved […]
Consumers want cashiers, not self-checkouts
Toronto – March 20, 2019 – Recent media reports of consumers being forced to use self-checkouts at retail stores across Canada suggest that some major retailers are becoming increasingly out of touch with their customers’ needs and preferences. For more than a decade, self-checkouts have been gradually popping up in grocery, hardware, general merchandise, and […]
FreshCo contract negotiations begin April 2-3
UFCW Local 247 and Safeway-Sobeys are scheduled to meet April 2 and April 3 to begin contract negotiations for the 5 Safeway stores being converted to re-open as FreshCo stores. The latest information and negotiations updates will be posted here as they become available.
Important info for members in 5 FreshCo conversion stores
On March 10, we reported the Union and Sobeys reached an agreement on an adjustment plan that covers members working in one of the 5 stores the Company recently announced would close and be converted to the FreshCo banner: Aldergrove (#4959), Chilliwack (#4938), Maple Ridge (#4971), Ladner (#4962),and Abbottsford (#4932). The adjustment plan offered to our members included buyouts and […]
Head coverings grievance resolved in members favour at Loblaw warehouse
A grievance filed by the union regarding head coverings worn by members working in the Loblaw warehouse has been settled. The issue began when Loblaw’s DC 1957 warehouse in South Surrey banned members working in the warehouse from wearing hoodies on the shop floor, despite the fact that since 2009, the DC 1957 warehouse had […]
Superstores scheduling issues see members paid after union steps in
Issues with union members’ store schedules at Superstores 1523 (Chilliwack) & 1558 (Abbotsford) led to the union filing a policy-scheduling grievance on their behalf, and the grievance settlement is a solid win for members in those stores: One member alone will receive over 50 hours paid compensation for the scheduling problems, resulting in more than […]
Agreement Reached With Sobeys on Adjustment Plan for 5 Closure Stores
UFCW Local 247 and Sobeys have reached an agreement on an adjustment plan that covers members working in one of the 5 stores the Company recently announced would close and be converted to the FreshCo banner: Aldergrove (#4959), Chilliwack (#4938), Maple Ridge (#4971), Ladner (#4962),and Abbottsford (#4932). Details to follow shortly.
Extended Health-Dental now available at 6 months for Safeway Grid B members
Good news for Safeway Grid B members! Your eligibility for Extended Health & Dental Care benefits has now been reduced from one year of employment to 6 months. As of January 1, 2019, Grid B members will qualify for the Extended Health & Dental Care Plan if they meet the following three criteria: Minimum age: […]
International Women’s Day is March 8
The first International Women's Day occurred in 1911, supported by over one million people. Today, IWD is celebrated all over the world with a renewed commitment: Let's Build a Gender-balanced World. Gender balance is essential for our families, our workplaces and our communities to thrive. Collective action and shared responsibility for driving a gender-balanced world is key. […]
Discussions held with Sobeys-Safeway on 5 store closures/conversions
UFCW Local 247 met with representatives from Sobeys-Safeway on February 28th and March 1st to discuss the impact of the recent announcement of five (5) Safeway store closures on 247 members. To recap, on January 29, Sobeys advised Local 247 that it would be closing five more Safeway stores in B.C., all located in Metro […]
Apply now for the 2019 UFCW Charity Foundation Scholarship
Washington, D.C. – February 15, 2019 – The UFCW Charity Foundation Scholarship application process is now open to eligible applicants across North America. For over 60 years, the UFCW International Union has awarded union scholarships to recognize UFCW members and their dependents in both Canada and the United States. As part of the union scholarship program, the UFCW […]
Union to meet with Sobeys-Safeway over 5 store closures
UFCW Local 247 and Sobeys-Safeway will be meeting specifically to talk about issues facing members in the 5 Safeway stores Sobeys recently announced will be closing in the coming months. With the first 3 Safeway stores scheduled to close May 25, the union sent the company a letter asking to meet and deal with the closures under […]
Happy Lunar New Year!
On February 5, UFCW Local 247 members are among those joining hundreds of thousands of Canadians across the country celebrating the Lunar New Year – the Year of the Pig – by spending time with friends and family in numerous fun-filled activities to mark year 4717 on the lunar calendar. The Lunar New Year starts with […]
Telephone Town Hall February 7 – 7:00 pm (Pacific time)
UFCW Local 247 has members living in every corner of B.C., and beyond. To better connect our widespread membership with the latest news and information from the union, we use Telephone Town Halls 4 times per year. The next “Telephone Town Hall” for UFCW 247 members will take place as follows: DATE: Thursday, February 7 TIME: 7:00pm (Pacific […]
Sobeys closing another 5 Safeway stores
On January 29, Sobeys advised UFCW Local 247 that it would be closing five more Safeway stores in B.C., all located in Metro Vancouver. The five Safeway stores Sobeys is closing are: Aldergrove (#4959) – closing May 25, 2019 Chilliwack (#4938) – closing May 25, 2019 Maple Ridge (#4971) – closing May 25, 2019 Ladner […]
Build your skills with new webCampusPLUS courses for January
Toronto – January 16, 2019 – UFCW Canada's ground-breaking online education program, webCampusPLUS, is launching two new courses that can help you build your skills in health and safety and retail communication. Beginning January 16, the free online courses are being offered in English and are available to all UFCW Canada members and their family members, […]
Local 247 member receives $1000 BDM scholarship
Congratulations to UFCW Local 247 member Jorden Swetlikoe of Kelowna, one of eighteen winners of the UFCW Canada – BDM Scholarship. Jorden is a retail food member who works at the Real Canadian Superstore in West Kelowna, B.C. Currently completing his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus, Brother Swetlikoe had […]
Starting soon! Free “English as an Additional Language” courses
Free 12-week courses in "English as an Additional Language" are available in Vancouver and Richmond to UFCW Local 247 members via the B.C. Federation of Labour's Health & Safety Centre. Links to sign up for these courses are below, and for more information and course details, please click here. (Please note a $50 deposit is required – refunded at graduation […]
Thank You Shop Stewards
Your Union has undertaken its first online picket captain training education session. This session targeted the picket captain duties: responsibilities and organization. During our open question period, a lot of discussion centered on the negativity and anger that is being directed in some cases at the shop stewards themselves. During these stressful times, against the […]
