Sobeys Winnipeg warehouse workers join the union

The United Food and Commercial Workers announced last week workers at the Sobeys warehouse and distribution centre on Inkster Boulevard in Winnipeg have voted to join UFCW Canada Local 832.

Reasons for joining included feelings of uncertainty created for the workers by Sobeys' acquisition of Safeway Canada.

Sobeys announced in June approximately 50 of its underperforming stores would close. On December 6, one of the affected stores, a Safeway in Steinbach, Man., shuttered its doors. Of the 60 employees at the grocery store and seven at the gas bar, about 12 will transfer to work at other Safeway outlets, Blake Crotehrse, director of communication at UFCW Local 832 told The Carillon.

UFCW Canada already represents employees from more than 350 Sobeys, Safeway, IGA and Freshco stores across the country.