May 18, 2004

Bargaining continued for 3 days at the end of April. The main focus was trucking issues.

Clearly, the company wants to virtually rewrite many critical sections of the contract with respect to the rights of drivers. They seek to import many of the negative work arrangements available to them in Calgary where the teamsters represent Safeway drivers.

They even want to eliminate annual job bids!

The union bargaining committee stood firm in its unanimous opposition to company concessions.

Bargaining dates are confirmed in June. Ice cream plant issues will be the main topic of discussion for the next bargaining session.

Remember, we all need each other to achieve a fair contract. Drivers must support ice cream plant workers. Full-timers must support part-timers. Produce workers must support grocery workers!

Solidarity among all workers is the key to success at this location.