March 7, 2005

Safeway Warehouse Workers Update!

We have just completed another round of bargaining with your Employer on March 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 2005. To say the least, we have not been successful in getting your Employer to move off the concessions that they are trying to force you to accept. Some of these issues outstanding are the forty (40) hour work week, deletion of all double time including Statutory Holidays and the fifty (50) hour provision for drivers, just to mention a few. On top of that, they come with very little in the way of wages but want a six (6) year contract going forward.

We have had a Labour Board appointed Mediator with us for the last two (2) days of Bargaining and we asked her to write out late Friday. It would appear that we will need your support in order to get the Employer to move off these positions. It is the unanimous position of the Bargaining Committee to bring the current and latest offer from your Employer for you to give us direction on.

We will be having two (2) votes in the near future as listed below. The first one will be the Ratification Vote to show you what the Employer is offering and explain the Bargaining Committee's position. We are hoping the membership will give us a strong "No!" on accepting this offer. Then we will be having a Strike Vote three (3) days later in order to show the Employer that this offer is totally unacceptable. It is absolutely vital to your Career that you attend, vote and show your solidarity in this matter.

We will be having a Ratification Vote on March 16th, 2005, at the Ramada Inn (11834 Kingsway) at 9:00 a.m. and then again at 6:00 p.m. Please plan on attending either meeting.

The Strike Vote will be held on March 19th, 2005, at the Union Office (14040 128th Avenue) from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and then again at 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Please note that at this vote you come in, cast your ballot and then leave. (There are no meetings or discussions allowed in the voting area).

Please watch your bulletin boards and check the Web Site www.ufcw401.ca under the heading on the home page, "No Way! Safeway". In addition, stay in touch with your Union Representative or make sure you come out to any Union meetings.