The union representing workers at Safeway says the grocer’s parent company is preparing to shut down 10 stores in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1518, which is bargaining with Sobeys for a new deal for B.C. workers, says its president was informed late Monday (January 22) of the slated closures.
"This is an insult and an outrage," Ivan Limpright, president of UFCW 1518, said in a statement.
“First, Sobeys squandered Safeway's market share and sullied a well-loved B.C. brand. Now they want to make our members pay for their mistakes? This isn't about business: it's about people's lives."
The union estimates 1,000 B.C. workers would be affected by the closures, either through job losses or transfers to other stores.
Sobeys has had difficulty integrating Safeway into its own operations ever since Empire Co. (TSX:EMP.A), Sobeys’ own parent company, acquired Safeway in 2013 for $5.8 billion.
The grocer faced issues ranging from supply chain management to customer loyalty cards.
The union said Sobeys has indicated it may open its discount grocery brand, FreshCo, at five of the 10 locations slated to close.
Locations facing closure:
Lougheed, Burnaby
City Square, Vancouver
Sunwood Square, Coquitlam
Point Grey, Vancouver
Royal Oak, Burnaby
Blundell, Richmond
Broadmoor, Richmond
Newton Town Centre, Surrey
Strawberry Hills, Surrey
Mission
