Safeway employees across Alberta have voted decisively to authorize a strike if a fair collective agreement cannot be reached when they return to bargaining this week.
The United Food and Commercial Workers (CFCW) Local 401 union posted the results of a strike vote on Friday.
In Calgary, 87% voted in favour of striking and in Edmonton, the number exceeded 90%. Some other Alberta cities saw strike votes in excess of 95%.
The union said they are seeking wages that keep pace with inflation, better benefits, improved job security, safer stores and respect for the work they do.
“Our members have spoken clearly, they want a fair agreement that allows them to support their families and recognizes the value of the work they do every day,” said UFCW Local 401 President Thomas Hesse.
“They want to be able to afford the food they stock on the shelves, to work in safe stores and to know they have job security moving forward.”
The union’s bargaining committee will return to meetings with Sobeys from Sept. 15-17.
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