In the last year, a lot has changed in the way we operate our business. Our business, which is selling groceries and providing services to our Owners and customers, has likely forever changed due to the pandemic and we will never be in that pre-pandemic space again. We can take what we have learned about our business in the past year, which includes a deeper understanding of what is and is not within our control, to develop a plan to move forward.
As I reported last month, our plan is to develop a conservative sales budget for our next fiscal year that reflects a year of transition for the pandemic and continued economic challenges. We will continue to look for ways to bring our expenses in line with sales, as well as evaluate all of our programs and services to determine if we will continue, change, or eliminate some of them. We have proven in the last year to be more willing and able to expedite change and provide options to be open for business, and I see no reason to not carry on with this new learned skill.
It was a year ago this month that our employees ratified our first collective bargaining agreement, and we entered into our first year of a two-year contract with the union (United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America). And, a year ago this month, we entered a new chapter of our grocery operation under completely different protocols due to the outbreak of the pandemic. We continue to support the countless number of COVID-19 protocols that were developed in the last year. I, for one, look forward to fewer restrictions related to the pandemic as more people are vaccinated against the coronavirus and new improved safety measures are developed.
New Human resource manager
Finally, I am thrilled to announce we have hired a new Human Resources Director, Alysa Hartman, who started the last week of February. They are responsible for the HR department functions including benefits administration, recruitment, hiring and training programs, as well as union relations. They will also help us with improved communication within the cooperative, and development and implementation of equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts.
Stay warm; stay well
A heartfelt thank you to those of you who continue to play by the rules, wear face coverings, and maintain social distancing while you are in the store to help others stay safe.
