I’ve worked as a General Clerk in the bakery at Save-On-Foods for almost 12 years, and over this time my union has given me much support.
Although I had a good job back home in the Philippines I needed a change and decided to apply as an Independent Immigrant to Canada. I was approved and arrived in 1997.
I’ve been a UFCW 1518 member since I started in 1998 and got a full-time position last year after the union negotiated a new contract for us. As a union member, I’ve learned there are lots of advantages to being part of a union such as job security, wages, better working hours and benefits.
The new contract and the changes that came with it gave me better benefits such as improved medical and dental care for both myself and my daughter Danica. It also provided me with additional accumulated time-off days, increased wages, and more.
Before the new contract I was being paid $12.15 an hour, but today I get around $18. We also receive a stipulated raise amount for every 520 hours we work. I’m very happy with this contract because it allows me to move up and I can now apply at any store and in any department without losing my seniority.
I appreciate that my Union Rep comes in regularly to check on how we are doing and to see if we have any work related concerns. It’s wonderful to have someone from the union come into the store and approach each member asking how we feel and how we are being treated by management.
In one situation I felt the manager was being disrespectful and unfair. The manager would expect me to finish an impossible workload and if I didn’t get it done he’d get upset. 
My Shop Steward and my Union Rep advised me that if this situation happens again I should contact them immediately because this type of behaviour is intolerable. After this experience I know the union is there for me and will support me whenever I need their help.
My Shop Steward and my Union Rep also explained how the new contract works which helped me understand our rights as members. My morale was boosted and I felt more confident.
I’m one of about 26,000 UFCW 1518 members in B.C., and by my experience I can say it is true that the union definitely makes a difference in making my job and my life better.