The Union Bargaining Committee for UFCW Local 247’s Safeway members met last week to discuss and prepare for negotiations, and later in the week met with the employer.

Prior to meeting the employer, the Union Committee met among themselves to review issues relevant to UFCW 247 members and to discuss the Ready Award that was issued in UFCW 1518’s bargaining with Sobeys.

Sobeys officials then met with the Union Committee, and provided a confidential financial presentation to the Committee on how they saw the company’s position in the market.

The Union Committee asked Sobeys to provide more information that would allow for a more detailed discussion, and we are currently in the process of setting those meetings up.

The Union Committee and Sobeys also agreed to dates for talks to continue on October 2-3, October 15-16, and October 23-24.

The Union Safeway Bargaining Committee is Sharon Tuerlings, Alicia Whitehead, Doug Insley, Margaret Robins, Kathleen Allen, and Brian Taylor, and they were joined by UFCW 247 President Suzanne Hodge, Secretary-Treasurer Dan Goodman, Union Rep Bruce Jackson, and Union Rep Cathy Shannon.