400 workers are off the job as three mills closed in the northern BC town of Mackenzie: that is nearly 10% of the community’s population. The mill shutdowns are the result of an economic downturn in BC’s forestry industry, which has also left many loggers and contractors out of work. As the unemployed workforce leaves town in search for jobs, other businesses and workers are also struggling. Last Thursday, ...read more 

“It’s a smart move, and a long time coming.” That’s what UFCW 1518 member Sartaj Birring had to say about Sobeys announcement that it will no longer offer plastic grocery bags across all banners. Starting in January, 2020 Sobeys, parent company of Safeway, will cease distributing plastic bags to customers in its 225 locations in an effort to be more environmentally sustainable. “There’s a shift in how customers are ...read more 

UFCW 1518 has successfully pushed Sobeys to agree to offer additional voluntary severances to Grid A members in the stores that will continue to operate as Safeway in Kelowna, Kamloops and Vernon. This agreement comes as a result of  discussions between the union and company under Section 54 of the BC Labour Relations Code. Last month, Sobeys announced that six more Safeway stores would be closing and converting to ...read more 

Nominations for the election of UFCW 1518 President, Secretary-Treasurer, Recorder and Vice-Presidents open July 10, for the term of January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2023. The current term expires at the end of 2019. The Election Notice was emailed and mailed to all stewards for posting to the union bulletin boards. It was also published in the summer issue of Update Magazine, which was mailed to members’ homes. ...read more 

UFCW 1518 signed a memorandum of agreement with Hornby Island Co-op this week to increase the wage scale, part way through a four-year collective agreement. Under the agreement, store clerk and senior clerk classifications will see significant hikes, putting the Co-op on the path to becoming a living wage employer. “This is a fantastic example of the work the union has been doing to use the rising minimum wage ...read more