Sobeys Negotiations Update

We have just completed one more round of bargaining with your Employer on February 22nd, 23rd and 24th, 2005. This week appeared to be a bit slower and we got the feeling that the interest to resolve our issues was not there as it has been in the past. With that in mind we have decided to move the process along as we have been hearing from you, the members, that you want this process to come to an end. We have informed the Employer that we are taking the legal steps necessary to bring this set of Bargaining to a conclusion and have applied for Mediation.

In this last set of Bargaining we did achieve some movement but we still have a few issues that we feel are important but are unable to get your Employer to move on; for example, Health and Safety and Fairness and Respect. These are just a couple of examples and we are now moving into things like wages and benefits.

At present we have bargaining dates firmed up for April 5th, 6th and 7th, 2005, April 12th, 13th and 14th, 2005, as well as April 19th, 20th & 21st, 2005. We have offered to meet sooner than these dates with your Employer and your Employer has agreed to one other set of dates in between our committed dates. Our objective for these earlier dates is to come to a conclusion and have something for you to vote on. Should we fail to reach a conclusion at that point, then we will have the Mediator involved in the last set of dates in April.

We are hoping to have something for you to vote on after these sets of bargaining dates. Please watch your bulletin boards and check the Web Site www.ufcw401.ca under the heading, "Say it to Sobeys". In addition, stay in touch with your Union Representative or make sure you come out to any Union meetings. We will be posting information as soon as we have it and it is very important that you attend these meetings as this is where the decisions will be made on your contract.

This is a very important time and your absolute solidarity and attendance will be required in the near future so please plan on attending the meetings when they are posted.