Ten Safeway stores in B.C. — including one at Sunwood Square in Coquitlam — are slated to close, the union representing workers says.
But Safeway's parent company has yet to confirm the news.
Ivan Limpright, president of UFCW Local 1518, said he was informed by Sobeys late Monday that the company is planning to close the stores but may re-open five under its discount banner FreshCo. The announcement comes as the UCFW prepares to bargain with Sobeys on behalf of staff at all B.C. Safeway stores.
Limpright said he only learned of the decision late Monday and said hundreds of members will lose their jobs.
A Sobeys spokespersonn confirmed the closures but said five stores would re-open under the FreshCo label pending the outcome of union negotiations.
A property manager for Bentall Kennedy, which leases Sunwood Square, said the company had no information on the closure.
The possible closure of the Sunwood Square Safeway would follow the recent closure of the Safeway in Austin Heights to make way for a new development and a new store.
Other Safeway locations slated for closure, according to the union, are Lougheed Mall and Royal Oak in Burnaby; City Square and Point Grey in Vancouver; Blundel and Broadmoor in Richmond; Newton Town Centre and Strawberry Hills in Surrey; and Mission.
The union says the closures are scheduled for May 5, except for City Square, which is set to close on July 28.
Also this week, Sobeys announced that it has signed an agreement with Ocado Group to bring an online grocery platform to Canada.
