SAFEWAY PAYROLL CHAOS HEADED TO MEDIATION-ARBITRATION ON FEBRUARY 17

Since August 4, 2009, Safeway members have been forced to cope with their employer’s disastrous launch of a new payroll software program called “Peoplesoft”.

Since Peoplesoft was launched, Safeway has managed to foul up virtually everything related to union member’s payrolls, and beyond.

Members have had to cope with an employer that has made a mess of their sick time banks, ATO, Dental, Pension plan credits, and maternity leaves, just to name a few areas of chaos.

For good measure, Safeway’s new payroll system also resulted in improper terminations, and Safeway even went so far as to go into member’s bank accounts to take back money they claim was overpaid.

Since Safeway’s computer meltdown began last summer, the union has continually been filing grievances on all aspects of Safeway’s payroll mess to ensure union members are protected from their employer’s mistakes.

Now, at last, these issues will be heard by an experienced arbitrator in a mediation-arbitration hearing on February 17. The hearing on February 17 will be part of the process in finally moving forward and ensuring members are compensated properly for all they’ve been put through by Safeway.

All members are reminded they should check their pay records carefully every week, and if there are any problems, please contact your Union Rep as soon as possible. (To find your Union Rep, click here: http://www.ufcw1518.com/rep/)

Given the mess Safeway has made of their payroll since last August, many union members are now wondering if Safeway is going to be able to produce accurate T-4 slips, as required by law for members to do their income tax returns.