Improving Pharmacy & Expanding Store Outreach
Between March 7 and 10, we completed another round of negotiations with Sobeys. Talks were productive, bringing us closer to completing the non-monetary phase of the bargaining process.
Special Focus – Pharmacy
Two full days of bargaining were dedicated to Pharmacy conversations. The Employer’s spokespeople for these talks included Chris Heitland, Director of Pharmacy Operations; Krystle Pitz, Director of Human Resources; and Michelle Harrison, Pharmacy District Manager.
In addition to Pharmacy Assistant Theresa-Lynn Dziedzic (Store #4920), who sits on the Union’s Bargaining Committee, we welcomed two additional pharmacy representatives to the table: Suzanne Auer, Pharmacy Assistant (FreshCo # 4256) and Irelda Mendoza – Pharmacy Assistant (Safeway 4905).
All of our Pharmacy members brought their voices, and amplified the voices and experiences of their co-workers from across the province, to assist with negotiating improvements to protections that matter most to pharmacy members.
Having a special focus on Pharmacy with representatives from the employer side and union side facilitated a thoughtful and constructive conversation that we believe led to positive tentative outcomes for Pharmacy members.
Site Visits
On March 7 and 8, those committee members who were not directly involved in the Pharmacy talks toured stores across the lower mainland. This was an opportunity for the bargaining committee to hear directly from you on bargaining priorities. We will continue doing outreach across the province, including the regions outside of the lower mainland, in the weeks ahead. Keep an eye out — we have solidarity buttons and information for anyone wants to get more informed and involved!
Moving Forward
On March 9, the Employer bargaining committees was joined by Andrew Folwell, Sobey’s Vice President of Labour Relations, who provided a high level overview of the Company’s plans and approach to future development of labour relations in BC and across the country.
We will continue negotiations next week with talks scheduled between March 13 and March 17 and will provide another update at the end of next week.
Updates on bargaining and other information can be found on our bargaining information hub.
Check your in-store Union Board for updates and a scannable QR code that will also take you to the information hub.Want to tell us why Bargaining at Safeway matters to you and have your quote featured on the information hub and social media? Send it to reception@ufcw1518.com.
Please take a minute to share this email with your co-workers. If they are not receiving emails from the union, they can reach out to update their information by sending their name, email and store number to reception@ufcw1518.com.
In solidarity,
Angela Crosato, Sobeys 4908, Vancouver
Peter Dombrowski, Sobeys 4920, Surrey
Teresa-Lyne Dziedzic, Sobeys 4920, Surrey
Robert Milan, Sobeys 4960, Kelowna
Armin Reyes, Sobeys 4996 Reline Crew
Matt Rose, Sobeys 4974, Cranbrook
Marlene White, Sobeys 4977, Coquitlam
Shiela Scarr, Sobeys 4912, Langley
& UFCW 1518 Staff Negotiators:
Stephen Portman and Ronda Melbourne