Why UFCW
Grocery store workers join UFCW 401 because our union has a long history of negotiating real gains that help our members and their families lead better lives.
With approximately 32,000 members across the province of Alberta, our membership consists of workers in food retail and production, as well as a broad range of other industries and sectors. Our union’s foundation is built on our members’ ongoing struggle for fairness, equality and social justice – collectively striving for dignity, respect, and safety for all workers.
As a UFCW 401 member, you are part of the large UFCW Canada union. With more than 250,000 members in Canada, of which nearly 150,000 are grocery store workers, UFCW Canada is the leading private sector union for workers to belong to. Our collective agreements provide our members with benefits unheard of in non-union workplaces. These benefits include: grievance procedures to ensure no one is fired or disciplined unfairly, guaranteed wage increases, dental and drug benefits, and more.
UFCW grocery members have a say over their working conditions, with real job security and access to training and education opportunities. For example, our union offers a Butcher Pre-Apprenticeship Program for members who want to further develop their skills and credentials as food professionals.
What are some of the unique things about UFCW Canada?
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Our free education program, webCampus: UFCW Canada’s webCampus courses are free to all members and their families. With over 200 courses to choose from, you can learn online at your own pace, anywhere, anytime. You can build your skills, earn micro-credentials, and obtain certification from one of our professional development partners.
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Our Migrant Members Support Program: If you are a UFCW member in Canada on a temporary work permit, your union can help you build your life in Canada with your family. UFCW Canada is committed to helping its migrant members achieve permanent residency and citizenship: our Migrant Members Support Program is here to assist.
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Our Young-Workers Internship Program (YIP): UFCW Canada is one of Canada’s most youthful unions with more than 40% of our members under the age of 30. Our Young-Workers Internship Program (YIP) provides an opportunity for young members to build solidarity together and learn to fight for workers’ rights across the country.
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Union Savings Program: As a UFCW member, you can get discounts and benefits that can save you thousands of dollars per year. Through the Union Savings program, members of UFCW 1400 get access to hundreds of discounts and savings – on everything from insurance to credit cards to electronics and more – that are exclusive to union members in Canada.
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Scholarships: Every year, more than 25 scholarships, bursaries, awards and grants – totalling more than $300,000 – are available to our members and their families. For UFCW 401 members, the Grant Notley Memorial Scholarship and Robert McWilliams Memorial Scholarship provide a total of $30,000 in scholarships to eligible members.
