Is It Time to Consider a Grocery Union?
The supermarket and grocery store industry accounts for one of the largest food retail channels in Alberta. In a province where the cost of living continues to rise, Alberta grocery workers deserve a strong collective voice to ensure their hard work is met with the pay, protections, and respect they’ve earned. Teamsters 987 represents workers in this key sector including cashiers, stock clerks, warehouse and distribution workers, suppliers and more. As your grocery store union, Teamsters 987 can bring greater respect, recognition, fairness, stability and reward to your workplace.
Teamsters 987: Alberta’s Grocery Workers Union Fighting for You
Joining with Teamsters 987 (TLU 987) to unionize your workforce can help to address the many challenges you face.
Unionizing provides options for families who need flexible hours and equitable pay in order to provide for their loved ones. A union can stand up for a safer and fairer workplace, greater benefits, sick days and personal days, health-related issues, fair scheduling and more. We can also advocate for pensions and retirement options. All supermarket and grocery store workers deserve stability and support. Teamsters 987 can help you find it. Discover more about how Teamsters can help grocery workers on our labour union benefits page.
Higher Wages
Better Health Benefits
Increased Job Security
Safe Working Conditions
Who Can Benefit From a Grocery Union or Supermarket Union?
If you work in a grocery store anywhere in Alberta — whether you’re a cashier at a Calgary supermarket, a night stocker in Edmonton, or a deli clerk in a smaller community like Red Deer or Lethbridge — a grocery workers union is built for you. From front-end staff and department clerks to warehouse workers and delivery drivers, union representation fights for fair wages, consistent scheduling, and better benefits for every worker, full-time or part-time.
Front End / Customer Service
- Cashiers
- Self-checkout attendants
- Customer service desk clerks
- Baggers / courtesy clerks
- Cart attendants
Department Staff
- Deli counter workers
- Bakery clerks
- Butchers / meat cutters
- Seafood department workers
- Floral department staff
- Hot food / prepared foods workers
- Cheese/specialty food clerks
Stocking & Inventory
- Stock clerks / shelf stockers
- Overnight crew / night stockers
- Receiving clerks
- Inventory control clerks
- Backroom/warehouse staff
Produce
- Produce clerks
- Produce trimmers/prep workers
Management (Lower Level)
- Department supervisors
- Assistant department managers
- Shift leads
Pharmacy
- Pharmacy technicians
- Pharmacy clerks
Support & Facilities
- Janitors / sanitation workers
- Maintenance workers
- Security guards
Distribution & Logistics
- Warehouse workers
- Delivery drivers
- Forklift operators
- Order selectors / pickers
Starting a Union is Easy
The biggest step when starting a union is realizing that you deserve to be treated with dignity, respect and fairness. Once you find a determined leader who is committed to the cause, the process is quite straightforward and Teamsters 987 is there to support you every step of the way. To discover the 8 Simple Steps visit: How To Start A Union.
TLU 987 has been creating fair workplaces for workers since 1942 with 100% confidentiality. To learn more contact Teamsters today.
Be Discrete. Be Aware. Be Wise.
Efforts to start a union will be resisted by management. An employer may attempt to threaten you, but fortunately, you are legally protected against intimidation or dismissal. Your Teamsters 987 organizer can provide valuable advice to help you get the support of your coworkers while minimizing any risk.
Teamsters 987 represents workers across the province of Alberta.
I am grateful that being part of a union protects not only my rights but those of my teammates. Knowing someone is in your corner and has your back is good.
VICKY, GROCERY UNION MEMBER
FAQ
The timeline can vary depending on the size of the workplace and the cooperation of the employer, but the certification process in Alberta can move relatively quickly once enough workers have signed union cards. Teamsters 987 will walk you through every step and keep the process as smooth and efficient as possible.
The timeline can vary depending on the size of the workplace and the cooperation of the employer, but the certification process in Alberta can move relatively quickly once enough workers have signed union cards. Teamsters 987 will walk you through every step and keep the process as smooth and efficient as possible.
In a non-unionized grocery store, wages, schedules, and working conditions are set entirely by the employer and can change at any time. In a unionized grocery store, these terms are negotiated and locked into a collective agreement that protects workers. Unionized grocery workers in Alberta typically enjoy higher wages, better benefits, more predictable scheduling, and stronger job security than their non-unionized counterparts.
Absolutely. Many grocery store workers are employed part-time, and union representation is just as important for them as it is for full-time staff. Teamsters 987 advocates for part-time workers to receive fair scheduling, pro-rated benefits, and protection from exploitation — issues that are especially common in the grocery industry.
When a collective agreement is in place, all employees will be required to pay dues. The amount is calculated by multiplying your hourly wage rate by 2.5 and adding $2.
So if your hourly rate of pay is $20/hour, your dues would be: $20×2.5=$50 $50+$2=$52/month for Union dues.
No. They are not able to access the results of a petition. It is confidential. When an application for certification is submitted, the Alberta Labour Relations Board Officer receives a current list of all employees. It is up to the Board to confirm if you have enough votes to support the application to start a union – not your employer.
No — it is completely legal for Alberta grocery workers to organize and join a union. Under the Alberta Labour Relations Code, your employer cannot threaten, intimidate, or punish you for union activity. If your employer attempts to interfere with your right to organize, Teamsters 987 can help you understand your legal protections and next steps.
The process starts with workers expressing interest in forming a union. They can do this by confidentially reaching out to a union. From there, a union representative like Teamsters 987 will guide your team through the certification process as outlined by the Alberta Labour Relations Board. This includes signing union cards, a potential vote, and formal certification. The process is confidential and protected by Alberta labour law.
It can vary from one workplace to the next. Common concerns involve fair work hours and scheduling, wages and benefits, workplace safety, and employee training and development.
Most grocery store employees are eligible to join a union, including cashiers, stock clerks, deli workers, bakery staff, produce clerks, meat cutters, pharmacy technicians, overnight crew, and warehouse workers. Both full-time and part-time workers can benefit from union membership. If you work in a grocery or supermarket environment in Alberta, chances are you qualify.
LEARN HOW STARTING A
UNION CAN TRANSFORM
YOUR WORKPLACE
Reach out to a Teamsters 987 Organizer.
It’s 100% confidential.
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