The Editor,
Re. “Union says Sunwood Square Safeway will close” (The Tri-City News, Jan. 24).
I worked at the Sunwood Square Safeway for seven years. It was filled with dedicated career employees, in particular women that took under their wing young employees, making me feel like I worked with so many work moms and sisters.
They care about the service they provide to the community. There are so many regulars I would see on a weekly and sometimes even daily basis including seniors and people with special needs.
I was on a first-name basis with many of the customers.
Will you have the same experience with discount chains that chuck your groceries down the belt for you to pick up and bag yourself or make you feel like an inconvenience needing help to your car? I don’t see that as a great alternative.
The way the staff is being treated by Sobeys in this situation is horrible. To this day, they still don’t know what their future is and the store is shutting down forever in May. The disrespect to these employees — some of whom have worked for the company for more than 30 years — is so sad to see.
I have so many friends still working there, including an aunt who works at the Mission Safeway that is under threat of closure or being revamped into a discount chain at the cost of employee benefits and wages.
I hope all the wonderful employees get the future they deserve.
Natalie Legrow
Coquitlam
