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Empire builds momentum with key labour decision in British Columbia
Empire builds momentum with key labour decision in British Columbia Canada NewsWir...
About this update from Empire Co Ltd Class A
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\n\nEmpire builds momentum with key labour decision in British Columbia\n\n/* Style Definitions */\nspan.prnews_span\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\na.prnews_a\n{\ncolor:blue;\n}\nli.prnews_li\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\np.prnews_p\n{\nfont-size:0.62em;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\nmargin:0in;\n}\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCanada NewsWire\nSTELLARTON, NS, Jan. 29, 2019\n\n\n\nDecision contributes to a level playing field for Empire to compete in B.C. Voluntary buyout option to be presented to eligible B.C. Safeway employees Framework in place to continue moving forward with FreshCo expansion in B.C. 12 FreshCo locations confirmed to open in B.C. and Manitoba in 2019 STELLARTON, NS, Jan. 29, 2019 /CNW/ - Today Empire Company Limited (\"Empire\" or the \"Company\") (TSX: EMP.A) announced progress implementing a labour decision provided by a Special Officer appointed by the Government in British Columbia. The decision sets terms that provide a framework to improve store profitability and enable conventional Safeway stores to compete on a level playing field in B.C. The decision also advances the Company's plans to expand FreshCo into Western Canada. \n\"We are in the midst of turning around our Western Canadian stores. We have improved our standards, execution and marketing,\" said Michael Medline, President and CEO of Empire. \"We are extremely proud of the progress our teammates in the region are making. This decision in B.C. is a major building block in improving our customer service, employee relations, profitability and flexibility in the West.\"\nThe decision by the Special Officer in B.C. allows for the Company to offer voluntary buyouts to eligible long-service B.C. Safeway employees. These buyouts provide flexibility and stability for the Company to better manage labour and operational costs in B.C. The Company estimates the cost of the buyouts will be approximately $35 million depending on take-up of the offer by employees and will be charged to operating earnings during the third quarter of fiscal 2019.\nAs announced in fiscal 2018, Empire is expanding its FreshCo discount business into Western Canada through the conversion of approximately 25% of its 255 Safeway and Sobeys full service stores. Two locations were announced in Manitoba in July 2018 and 1...