I started working for Save-On-Foods in 1990 after I moved to Canada from Hong Kong in 1964 and I’ve been a UFCW 1518 member since then.
We moved to Saskatchewan when I was six years old. My family decided to move because my grandpa was working on the railway. We were in search of a better life and more job opportunity. My grandpa applied for us all to come over, my mom, dad, myself and three brothers. I lived in Saskatchewan until after college.
As a UFCW 1518 member I appreciated the value of belonging to the union. The union strike fund helped us endure a huge strike in 1996 that lasted around five weeks. At the end of the strike there was a buyout and we ended up getting a raise with steady wage increases for each year afterwards.
Just before we went out on strike the store manager and the assistant manager approached me. I asked them whether I would ever get a full-time position and they replied that I would never see a full-time position for my class.
After the strike a new contract was signed and I was eligible for a full-time position thanks to the change in contract. Then eight months after the strike I ended up getting the position.
When I started I was being paid $8.00 an hour and am paid $24.20 today. The new contract gave me consistent wage increases.   
I feel that my job is secure with the union behind me and enjoy the comfort in knowing if I ever do have any problems at work my union will support me. The previous contract helped the Junior Clerks become entitled to benefits they would not have had otherwise.
Before then I was working at Zellers which is non-unionized. I received no benefits there whereas today dental, medical, eye glass prescription and orthopedic prescription are covered for myself and my husband.
Also, I was getting paid around $9.25 an hour at Zellers. Although raises were given I never could have reached the wage I get today and felt much less job security working a non-union job.