Calgary – March 16, 2015 – UFCW Canada Local 401 members at Safeway-Sobeys in Alberta have overwhelmingly ratified a new collective agreement.

The new deal brings a number of gains including wage scale increases.

Members stood strong as the employer made concessionary demands such as removing department managers from the union and allowing vendors to stock shelves, however members sent a strong message that they would fight to maintain their contract and achieve the gains they deserved.

"This is a major victory for Safeway members. Not only did Safeway-Sobeys drop its two major concessionary demands, but it also offered Safeway members wage increases," said UFCW Local 401 Secretary Treasurer and lead negotiator Theresa McLaren. "I would like to thank all members who attended the ratification meetings across the province to ask questions and cast their ballots. And thanks to every Safeway member for demonstrating clearly what we can achieve when we bargain strong together!"

This marks the first time since 1992 that an agreement has been reached between UFCW Canada Local 401 and Safeway-Sobeys without having to take a strike vote first.