Loblaw Companies Limited comments on negotiations with UFCW Canada Local 401 in Alberta

CALGARY, Oct. 6, 2013 /CNW/ - Despite the strike, Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) continues to negotiate with UFCW Canada Local 401 in Alberta. Real Canadian Superstore® and Real Canadian Liquorstore® locations in Alberta remain open to serve customers.

We feel we are making progress at the bargaining table and continue to negotiate in good faith. We are hopeful of reaching a settlement in the near future that reflects a sustainable business model needed to support our colleagues and serve our customers.

We regret any concern that this situation has caused our customers and want to assure everyone that our colleagues are committed to excellent customer service during this time.  We respect the Union's right to demonstrate, and we hope that they are respectful and peaceful in their approach.

Alberta Real Canadian Superstore® locations will be open daily from 8 am to 10 pm and Real Canadian Liquorstore® locations will be open daily from 10 am to 8 pm.

Loblaw reached tentative agreements with the leaderships of UFCW local 832 in Manitoba and UFCW local 1400 in Saskatchewan on Thursday, Sept. 26, and on Thursday, Oct. 3, respectively.

About Loblaw Companies Limited (TSX: L)
Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is Canada's largest food retailer and a leading provider of drugstore, general merchandise and financial products and services. Loblaw is one of the largest private sector employers in Canada. With more than 1,000 corporate and franchised stores from coast to coast, Loblaw and its franchisees employ more than 134,000 full-time and part-time employees. Through its portfolio of store formats, Loblaw is committed to providing Canadians with a wide, growing and successful range of products and services to meet the everyday household demands of Canadian consumers. Loblaw is known for the quality, innovation and value of its food offering. It offers Canada's strongest control (private) label program, including the unique President's Choice®, no name® and Joe Fresh® brands. In addition, the Company makes available to consumers President's Choice Financial® services and offers the PC® points and PC Plus™ loyalty program.

SOURCE: Loblaw Companies Limited

Julija Hunter, Vice-President, Public Relations, Loblaw Companies Limited
[email protected] or [email protected]