Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are contract negotiations?
A. This is the process where the Employer (Safeway) and the employees (Union members) propose changes they want in the next contract.
Q. How does the Union know what to propose or seek?
A. The Union started preparing for this moment three years ago, but recently began surveying the members to know what is important and how important it is. We also know what is going on in the industry across the country as the UFCW represents around 1 million grocery store workers.
Q. What if Safeway doesn’t want to negotiate?
A. While it is true, Safeway would rather not have to negotiate, federal law requires that they make a good faith effort to negotiate and work towards reaching a new agreement.
Q. Why would Safeway want to reach a new agreement?
A. Safeway wants to sell products and they want hard working happy employees serving their customers. They also care about their image as customers make a choice where they shop. A peaceful settlement assures Safeway of labor peace and the prosperity that brings.
Q. How does the process work and how long does it take?
A. Your Union along with Safeway workers (Union Negotiating Committee), meet with Safeway executives (Company Negotiating Committee) over a series of meetings. Both sides present the other side with the changes they want to make, usually these proposed changes are provided in writing, but sometimes they are vocalized before being put into writing. Both sides will listen and respond with a counter proposal. The Company is assured of labor peace until the current contract expires. Sometimes the process goes faster than other times, but according to Federal law the bargaining process is not defined by a time, but rather by information provided, steps, and processes taking place during bargaining. If either side violates federal labor laws the process can go another direction.
Q. Do Meat and Retail clerks each bargain separately?
A. Yes, the Meat cutters, meat wrappers deli, coffee bar and seafood clerks are each covered under a separate agreement, so they will meet, vote, and act independently of the retail clerks. The retail and the meat are independent of each other during negotiations, but they also do work together.
Q. Is my store management a good source for information during negotiations?
A. No, your store director and his assistants are Safeway’s first line of offense and defense. Also, most importantly, Store Management does not attend negotiations in person, but their position requires them to carry out Safeway directives, which will most likely not be the workers goals. We know from past negotiations that store management monitors and reports the workers pulse to District Management so Safeway can push or back off on specific proposals. Make sure when asked by your Manager that you let your manager know you demand and expect BETTER!
Q. What is the best source to get information about Negotiations?
A. We have set up a web site just for keeping Safeway workers informed and up to date regarding negotiations at www.2022negotiations.com. Please make sure to sign up for text message and email message updates. One of the best sources for information is the Union Rep that comes into your store, because they will be attending each bargaining session. You should also talk with a co-worker who is participating on the negotiating committee for actual first hand knowledge.
Q. Why does the Union propose improvements and $$ and Safeway propose ¢¢ and reductions?
A. While both sides rely on sales and customers we differ on how profits are distributed. The Union wants the employees who make those profits to see more, and the Company wants their CEO, executives, and shareholders to see more profits and more bonuses.
Q. Will Safeway take care of us?
A. After Safeway's best year with the COVID-19 pandemic, workers are not seeing rewards the way they would like to see them. Some gift cards in the past are not helping them with rising food and gas prices. Safeway workers need help working for a living. We sure hope so, and will ask them to do the right thing.
Q. How does a strike work and will we strike?
A. A strike or work stoppage can take place over illegal unfair labor practice or purely for economic reasons because one side demands improvements or demands cuts. The Union members are the ones that vote to accept, reject, or vote to strike. The vote does require two-thirds vote to strike. Our goal is not to strike but rather to reach a beneficial and productive contract that rewards you the pay and benefits you earn and deserve. The best way to avoid a strike is to be prepared to strike if necessary, as the Company will be monitoring the employee’s feelings and thoughts. They will try to take things away if you let them.
A. This is the process where the Employer (Safeway) and the employees (Union members) propose changes they want in the next contract.
Q. How does the Union know what to propose or seek?
A. The Union started preparing for this moment three years ago, but recently began surveying the members to know what is important and how important it is. We also know what is going on in the industry across the country as the UFCW represents around 1 million grocery store workers.
Q. What if Safeway doesn’t want to negotiate?
A. While it is true, Safeway would rather not have to negotiate, federal law requires that they make a good faith effort to negotiate and work towards reaching a new agreement.
Q. Why would Safeway want to reach a new agreement?
A. Safeway wants to sell products and they want hard working happy employees serving their customers. They also care about their image as customers make a choice where they shop. A peaceful settlement assures Safeway of labor peace and the prosperity that brings.
Q. How does the process work and how long does it take?
A. Your Union along with Safeway workers (Union Negotiating Committee), meet with Safeway executives (Company Negotiating Committee) over a series of meetings. Both sides present the other side with the changes they want to make, usually these proposed changes are provided in writing, but sometimes they are vocalized before being put into writing. Both sides will listen and respond with a counter proposal. The Company is assured of labor peace until the current contract expires. Sometimes the process goes faster than other times, but according to Federal law the bargaining process is not defined by a time, but rather by information provided, steps, and processes taking place during bargaining. If either side violates federal labor laws the process can go another direction.
Q. Do Meat and Retail clerks each bargain separately?
A. Yes, the Meat cutters, meat wrappers deli, coffee bar and seafood clerks are each covered under a separate agreement, so they will meet, vote, and act independently of the retail clerks. The retail and the meat are independent of each other during negotiations, but they also do work together.
Q. Is my store management a good source for information during negotiations?
A. No, your store director and his assistants are Safeway’s first line of offense and defense. Also, most importantly, Store Management does not attend negotiations in person, but their position requires them to carry out Safeway directives, which will most likely not be the workers goals. We know from past negotiations that store management monitors and reports the workers pulse to District Management so Safeway can push or back off on specific proposals. Make sure when asked by your Manager that you let your manager know you demand and expect BETTER!
Q. What is the best source to get information about Negotiations?
A. We have set up a web site just for keeping Safeway workers informed and up to date regarding negotiations at www.2022negotiations.com. Please make sure to sign up for text message and email message updates. One of the best sources for information is the Union Rep that comes into your store, because they will be attending each bargaining session. You should also talk with a co-worker who is participating on the negotiating committee for actual first hand knowledge.
Q. Why does the Union propose improvements and $$ and Safeway propose ¢¢ and reductions?
A. While both sides rely on sales and customers we differ on how profits are distributed. The Union wants the employees who make those profits to see more, and the Company wants their CEO, executives, and shareholders to see more profits and more bonuses.
Q. Will Safeway take care of us?
A. After Safeway's best year with the COVID-19 pandemic, workers are not seeing rewards the way they would like to see them. Some gift cards in the past are not helping them with rising food and gas prices. Safeway workers need help working for a living. We sure hope so, and will ask them to do the right thing.
Q. How does a strike work and will we strike?
A. A strike or work stoppage can take place over illegal unfair labor practice or purely for economic reasons because one side demands improvements or demands cuts. The Union members are the ones that vote to accept, reject, or vote to strike. The vote does require two-thirds vote to strike. Our goal is not to strike but rather to reach a beneficial and productive contract that rewards you the pay and benefits you earn and deserve. The best way to avoid a strike is to be prepared to strike if necessary, as the Company will be monitoring the employee’s feelings and thoughts. They will try to take things away if you let them.