Dennis Sato

What’s your name?

Dennis Sato

What would you say to anyone thinking of joining UFCW 1518?

“One of the biggest benefits is when you get employed and join a union there is a lot more job security and overall security knowing there is help and lots of resources available to you.”

How has the union helped you personally?

“Personally, I’ve gained a lot of knowledge on how the union works and the relationship that it has with the compnay. Being a part of a union has allowed me to get to know more about what happens behind the scenes and how things are going.”

What is the biggest change in a union?

“The benefits of being part of a union are job security and the good package of benefits we’ve earned. We are also treated more fairly at work without being picked on, disciplined or singled out.”

Ashad Ali

Name: Ashad Ali
Occupation: Pharmacy Technician

Originally from Fiji, my mom and I migrated to Canada in 1991 after the tragic death of my father. I have worked for Safeway as a pharmacy technician for the past 10 years, and over this time the union has supported me and helped me maintain my job.

It wasn’t until later on that I realized what being part of a union really stood for and what it meant to an ordinary union member.

The union helped every time I got into trouble for standing my ground against aggressive and unnecessarily demanding management who would use all the tricks in the book to intimidate me.

Today, at the age of 31, I am enjoying my 10th year of employment at Safeway and believe the union plays an important role for our survival in an industry where financial gain sometimes tends to exploit humanity. Whenever needed, the union is willing and ready to fight for their members’ rights in the workplace.

Some of the advantages of being part of the union are job security, better wages, and 90 per cent dental and medical coverage for not only me, but my wife Eden and two-month-old son Arzan.

When I first started working for Safeway I was only being paid $13 an hour but after bargaining and negotiations the union helped us receive steady wage increases over the past few years. Today, I get paid $18 an hour.

I am grateful for all the support I’ve received from the union. These years of experience have led me to realize how helpful and supportive the union is to its members and they ensure our rights are respected in the face of overzealous employers

Ravi Dhindsa - Sunrise Poultry

UFCW 1518 Member:

Ravi Dhindsa

Where do you work?

Sunrise Poultry, Surrey BC

What is the biggest thing you’ve got out of joining UFCW 1518?

The biggest thing is job security and the rights you get from a collective agreement. It eliminates favoritism and gives us a voice at work.

How has the union helped you personally?

At Sunrise we have the highest paid wages in North America because the union negotiated good contracts with the employer.

Anytime you need some help you can count on your union rep to assist you in any situation.

What would you say to someone considering contacting UFCW 1518 about joining a union in BC?

Joining a union is a good decision for you and your family.

John Skarlatos - Grocery Store Worker

UFCW 1518 Member:

John Skarlatos

Where do you work?

Save-on-Foods in Coquitlam

What’s the difference after forming a union?

I’ve had other jobs before, if I wasn’t a UFCW 1518 member management wouldn’t treat us fairly.  The union protects my rights.

Why should people UFCW 1518?

Join a union because you never know when your boss could his niece or nephew to bump you out of your position.

What has joining a union done for you personally?

They wanted to put me onto the graveyard shift after years of working days but because we have a union contract there was a process to make sure I could keep my shifts.

“I started to process of forming a union in my workplace…. After the majority of my co-workers voted in favour of joining UFCW it was like night and day.”

Kassandra Cordero - IGA Vancouver

UFCW 1518 Member:
Kassandra Cordero

Where do you work?

IGA in Vancouver

What has been your involvement with the union?

We didn’t have a union at my store, so I helped organize one.

What happened after you joined?

Before our store was unionized we had no benefits. Some of us had been working for two years full time without a raise in pay. Now that we’re union we have regular raises and benefits based on how long we have worked at the company.

What would you say to other workers thinking about joining a union?

People should join our union because it ensures fairness and respect at the workplace. It make sure scheduling is done fairly and it’s a way to keep your employer accountable for the way he/she treats you at work.

Karl Schoenberger

UFCW 1518 Member:
Karl Schoenberger

Where do you work?

Lilydale Poltry
Port Coquitlam

How long have you been a UFCW Member?

42 Years

What has been your experience in the union?

The union helps me get more value from my work like ensuring medical, dental coverage, extended care, life insurance and gives me job security.

What would you say to someone thinking about joining?

Being in the union means you will be treated properly by management.

What has the union done for you personally?

The union has managed to get us the best food workers contract anywhere in North America.