Tentative Deal Could Avoid Strike at Safeway Locations Across BC if Ratified

A new tentative collective bargaining agreement has been reached which, if ratified, will prevent a strike at Safeway locations across BC.

After eight months of negotiations with parent company Sobeys, members of UFCW 1518 voted 98 percent in favour of strike action last week.

It came with calls for fair wage increases amid record profits, adequate access to full-time jobs, and concerns over a lack of respect for their work.

Yesterday, the bargaining committee reached a tentative deal with Sobeys which they are strongly recommending members to ratify.

Few details on the agreement have been released, but if approved it will cover grocery, retail and FreshCo pharmacy workers.

It will not, however, cover deli, meat, and seafood department workers, who are represented by UFCW 247 and remain at the negotiating table.