Name: Jason Lam – Safeway

Union: UFCW 1518

 

I became a UFCW 1518 member when I first started working at Safeway in Vancouver as a Clerk II. Working at Safeway has allowed me to achieve a good work-life balance as I pursue my education, as it has given me the flexibility and stability that I need while I also raise a young child. Having a unionized workplace has provided me, as well as my coworkers, with support by protecting our rights within our work environment, while giving us the opportunity to also live different experiences. 

Having a Union Representative available for any questions or issues have shown me that worker can have measures to deal with injustice and or any other concerns. Recently, I have also had the opportunity to attend some training with UFCW 1518, which was a great experience and I hope this will lead to me to more opportunities in the future. My family and I are also enjoying the benefits that the union has fought for through negotiations of our contract with our employer which has been very beneficial to us. Being a member of UFCW 1518 is a great experience as I know that my union will be there to support me and other union members throughout the stages of life.

 

 

Name: Shirley Arandela

Union: UFCW 1518

 

I joined UFCW 1518 four years ago when I began working for PriceSmart Foods when one of their new stores opened in Vancouver. I enjoy my work at the sales centre as it allows me to provide assistance to many people. Recently, I have become more involved in the union by attending training and becoming a shop steward within my store as I strive to help people and solve problems in my workplace every day. The training and support the union has provided has created more opportunities and new experiences for me to become more involved within my workplace. Now as a Shop Steward, along with my union, I am able to better help others in my workplace to help deal with any questions or concerns that may arise.

In the past, I have worked in a non-unionized workplace but I believe it is important to have a safe, healthy and happy work environment for everyone. Having a union to provide support for me, as well as other union members, has allowed us to better facilitate a positive work environment as we have measures to look into issues and protect members if any issues arise. As a union member at PriceSmart Foods, I have been able to develop friendships within the workplace and along with everyone else, we have become one big family over time. The interaction with people and the community has continued to make me enjoy my work as I find it rewarding to provide service to customers, my coworkers, the community, and my union, UFCW 1518.