Union for Safeway workers in Manitoba reach tentative deal with company

The union representing about 2,200 employees at Safeway stores in Manitoba says a deal has been struck in contract negotiations, only hours after saying they would be in a legal strike position.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 832 says in a statement that a tentative agreement was reached Saturday evening with Sobeys West Inc.

The workers voted 98% in favour of a strike to back contract demands earlier this month, though no strike date was set.

The union had said it would be legally able to strike Sunday, the day after the current contract expired.

Details of the tentative agreement will be presented to the members at meetings across the province next Sunday, and a vote will be held on it then.

The union says the bargaining committee will be recommending that members accept the tentative agreement.