Safeway members in Northwest Ontario achieve new contract

More than 330 members working at three Sobey’s Safeway stores in Kenora, Dryden, and Fort Frances, ratified a new collective agreement in late November.

The four-year contract provides initial lump sum payments of $500 for full-time, and between $300 and $400 for part-time employees. In January 2019, wages will increase by 30 cents per hour. Rates will increase again, by 40 cents per hour, in June 2020 as well.

Employer contributions toward the workers’ dental care plan will increase in 2020 to 32 cents per hour worked. Previously, the contribution rate was 30 cents per hour worked.

New important language establishes that any demotions from management positions must be based on cause. In addition, these situations will be subject to the grievance and arbitration procedure as well.

Thank you to the members of the Union negotiating committee from the three stores:

• Fort Frances: Cheryl Stuart, Samantha Stuart
• Kenora: Jim Doulis, Erin Rose
• Dryden: Debra Pihulak, Karen Stoiber
• Union Staff: Union Rep Tracy Stubbs, and Executive Assistant to the President, Luc Lacelle.