Appendix A
UFCW Local 401 Timeline

1953

The first Safeway store in Edmonton is organized. The Edmonton local of Retail Clerks International Union (RCIU) is created and dubbed Local 401. Over the next few years, RCIU organizes all Safeway stores in the province, served by two locals, divided geographically. (The southern Alberta local was Local 397.)

1974

The Edmonton local launches its first strike against Safeway. It lasts five days.

1979

United Food and Commercial Workers union is created via a merger of RCIU and Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America. The Edmonton local changes its name to UFCW Local 401.

1984

The two Alberta locals representing retail clerks merge to form the province-wide UFCW Local 401.

1985

UFCW Local 402, representing Co-op grocery workers, merges with Local 401.

1985

Tom Hesse is hired as a representative for Local 401, a position he holds until 1997, when he becomes an international representative for UFCW Canada.

1988

UFCW Canada is created as a semi-autonomous branch of UFCW International.

1989

Doug O’Halloran is appointed president of Local 401.

1992

UFCW Local 740-P, representing meat-packing workers in Lethbridge, merges with Local 401.

1992

O’Halloran wins his first election for president, defeating a challenger for the position. He is re-elected in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016.

1993

Local 401 accepts rollbacks at Safeway, resulting in significant member unrest.

1997

The Safeway strike occurs. The settlement fails to make desired gains.

1997

Local 661, representing a grain-milling plant in Lethbridge, merges with Local 401.

2001

Tom Hesse returns to Local 401 as executive director of labour relations.

2002

Theresa McLaren is appointed secretary-treasurer. She is elected in 2004 and re-elected in 2008, 2012, and 2016.

2002

Local 401 organizes the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton and carries out a successful first-contract strike.

2004

A pair of challengers run against O’Halloran and McLaren. Both incumbents are re-elected.

2005

Local 401 organizes Lakeside Packers in Brooks and carries out a successful first-contract strike.

2007

Local 401 carries out a first-contract strike at Palace Casino in Edmonton.

2007

UFCW Local 373A, representing meat cutters in southern Alberta, merges with Local 401.

2008

Local 401 formally affiliates with the Alberta NDP.

2009

Workers are locked out at Old Dutch in Calgary. The dispute is settled via a landmark Labour Relations Board ruling that the Rand formula is constitutionally protected.

2013

Local 401 holds a province-wide strike at Superstore over concessions. The employer backtracks after three days.

2013

A Supreme Court decision relating to the 2007 Palace Casino strike rules that privacy legislation is unconstitutional for restricting rights on a picket line.

2016

O’Halloran is challenged in the presidential election by a member of Local 401 staff. O’Halloran is re-elected.

2017

Local 401 merges with Local 1118 to create a single province-wide local in Alberta under the 401 banner. It has a membership of almost 40,000 workers.