UFCW 247 Members Vote 99% YES to Authorizing Strike

In an unprecedented turnout, UFCW Local 247 members working in the Meat, Deli, and Seafood Departments in Zone 1 Safeway stores have voted 99% in favour of authorizing strike action. Thank you for this massive expression of union strength and solidarity.

“Our strike vote sends the strongest possible message to Sobeys,” said UFCW Local 247 President, Dan Goodman. “Union members are united across the stores and committed to pushing for the best possible agreement.”

What we’ve achieved together is a big deal, and it will impact what happens over the coming weeks. Today, UFCW 1518 is returning to the bargaining table with Sobeys after their Zone 1 members voted 98% YES to authorizing a strike if necessary. They can count on our solidarity when they sit across from the company this week and next. Late next week, the Bakers’ union is also planning to take their strike vote.

All this pressure is building towards our next meetings with the company planned for the week after Thanksgiving (October 11-14). We can now head into those meetings with a strike mandate from you in our hands.

Remember: just because we voted to authorize a strike doesn’t mean we are going on strike right away. Our goal remains getting back to the table with Sobeys to get a deal you – the members – can vote on. Whether we call a strike will certainly depend on how things go over the coming weeks, and we will be reaching out to you (a lot!) if we see things coming to that.
 
“Thank you to all those who reached out and engaged with us over recent weeks,” said Lead Negotiator and Assistant to the President, Cathy Shannon. “We can’t begin to express what it means to your bargaining committee! To our dedicated Shop Stewards, workplace leaders, and those many individuals and groups of members who reached out to make sure everyone got connected and participated in the vote: THIS ACHIEVEMENT IS YOURS!“

Let’s keep building the strength of our union and showing Sobeys the unwavering support we have for each other. We’ll be keeping you informed as things move forward.

As always, if anyone is not receiving our updates, please tell them to get connected with us by sending an email to ufcw@ufcw247.com or phoning toll-free 1-800-667-2205 and provide their full name, employee number, store number, email address, and cell phone number. Remember, our Safeway bargaining updates, along with regularly-updated Strike FAQs, remain available to you on our website.

#Solidarity