UPDATE: Safeway has announced the closure of its supermarket located at 231 West Jackson St. in Hayward, California, a move set to take place on February 2, 2026. In a letter sent to the California Employment Development Department, the grocery chain confirmed that 76 associates will be affected by this decision, but emphasized plans to transfer all impacted employees to nearby locations.
Safeway Vice President of Human Resources for Northern California, Terra Powers, stated in a letter dated November 5 that the company does not anticipate any layoffs resulting from the closure. “We intend to place all the associates into a position at another nearby location,” Powers wrote. The company is working closely with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5 and Baker’s Union Local 125 to facilitate these transitions.
The company reassured employees that those with seniority will have bumping rights, allowing them to displace less senior workers at other locations if necessary. However, it remains unclear how this will impact jobs at those locations. “The exact placement of positions has not yet been completed,” Powers noted, raising questions about how Safeway defines “nearby” and whether all employees will be moved to the same store.
In an effort to ensure a smooth transition, Safeway confirmed that associates will continue to work at the Hayward store until its operations conclude on the closure date. This decision comes as part of Safeway’s ongoing strategy to streamline operations while preserving jobs wherever possible.
As the closure date approaches, employees and customers alike are keenly interested in the developments surrounding the store’s transition. Safeway’s commitment to job preservation highlights the company’s focus on employee welfare amid changes within its operational framework.
The Hayward community will be closely monitoring how this announcement unfolds, particularly regarding employee placements and the future of the supermarket chain in the area. With the closure still more than two years away, stakeholders are encouraged to stay informed as Safeway works through the logistics of this significant operational shift.
For continued updates on this developing story, stay tuned as we provide the latest information on Safeway’s plans for its Hayward location and the impact on its workforce.
