The union representing workers at Safeway stores in Winnipeg said a number of locations in the city are slated to go up for sale, as part of the Competition Bureau approving a Sobeys takeover.

The union said the locations include Safeway grocery stores in Winnipeg at:

  • 1441 Main Street
  • 77 Vermillion Road
  • 1120 Grant Avenue
  • 850 Dakota Street

The Price Chopper at 677 Stafford Street will also be up for sale.

Union president Jeff Traeger says the suburban Safeway stores on Vermillion, Grant and Dakota should sell quickly. But he says a fast sale of the Main at Luxton location is less likely.

Shoppers at the North End store are upset that their only local grocery store is for sale.

"If somebody does not purchase this store, people in this neighbourhood are going to have to go a very long way to access affordable and fresh groceries," says Kyle Mason with the North End Family Centre.

Kathleen Ciluffo says she’s been shopping at Safeway for 30 years. “There’s so many people around here that don’t have the money, and don’t have the vehicles, and don’t have the means even to take a bus to go get groceries,” says Ciluffo.

Nearby Extra Foods closed recently.

Sobeys said it will put a total of 23 stores up for sale in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba for regulatory approval for its $5.8-billion purchase of grocer Safeway Canada

The Nova Scotia-based supermarket chain Sobeys says the Competition Bureau approved the transaction with the understanding that certain locations in Western Canada would be put on the market. They say they’re confident they can sell all 23 stores.

UFCW Local 832 said about 300 to 350 people work at the four Safeway stores.

“Starting tomorrow on October 23 and through the week, UFCW Local 832 representatives will be in the affected stores to help answer any questions and when more information is made available will be notifying the members at our website, www.ufcw832.com,” said the union in a statement.

"What the union currently knows is that under the ruling, the purchase of these stores will include the rights and benefits negotiated in the collective agreement. The members at these four stores will be protected with their current collective agreement," said its statement.