Safeway: Where we are (and how we got there)

May 14, 2018

UFCW 1518 continues to prepare for its upcoming meetings with Special Officer Vince Ready to deal with the union’s appeal for assistance in negotiations with Sobeys. President Ivan Limpright appealed to the Minister of Labour to intervene when negotiations with the company stalled in March. ‘”Our goal remains the same: to negotiate a fair and reasonable contract that protects our members’ job security, entitlements and rights. It’s really simple,” said President Ivan Limpright. “Even though our members didn’t create the many problems that Safeway is facing, they know how to fix them. Unfortunately, we are dealing with a company that is fundamentally disrespectful to the people who built Safeway,” Limpright explained. “Still, my hope is that Sobeys will engage in the mediation process in good faith and with a desire to resolve our outstanding issues.” UFCW 1518, Mr. Ready and Sobeys next meet on May 28 and 30. Read on for a chronology of events leading up to the current dispute with Sobeys.  

A chronology of Sobeys’ mismanagement of a once-great BC grocery store and our efforts to save it.