Checkout - Secretary-Treasurer's Message, Winter 2022

Advocating for our members and giving back to our communities

The staff, Executive Board, and Officers throughout the Local Union all work toward a common goal: to advocate for working people and their rights.

This advocacy happens in many ways, and your Union has the resources to employ:

• Full-time Union and Servicing Representatives;

• Workers’ Compensation specialists;

• Health & Safety experts;

• Dedicated Legal Counsel;

• Pay Equity Reps;

• Organizers, and;

• Administrative and other staff who all work to support and assist the membership.

One of the most rewarding things about representing workers is when we’re able to recoup money for our members.

In November, the Pay Equity department reported that so far this year, about $300,000 has been paid back to members through the pay equity process. Workers' Compensation Reps reported approximately $635,000 in compensation has been won for injured workers through the claims’ appeal process this year.

And every day, your Union Reps and Stewards help put money back in members’ pockets by filing grievances and going to arbitration when employers violate a collective agreement.

Your Executive Board at UFCW Locals 175 & 633 is a committed group of labour advocates as well. They use their experience in the workplace to give feedback on projects and plans, and guide the Union’s continued work in the broader community.

The Board approved donations of $5,000 for Gillian’s Place, a shelter in St. Catharines for all women, children, two-spirit, genderqueer, trans and non-binary people who face domestic violence, and another $5,000 for Youth Without Shelter, which supports youth facing homelessness in Etobicoke.

In addition, the Board endorsed a $5,000 donation to OBAT Canada for aid in Pakistan where 30 million people have been affected by floods, with 7.6 million people displaced, and hundreds of thousands living in relief zones.2

Your Executive Board also voted to continue its annual $90,000 in donations to food banks and community support centres across the province.

The annual HungerCount from Food Banks Canada reports that there was a 43% increase in total visits to Ontario food banks between 2019 and 2022. The report also found that in Canada, 33.1% of food bank users are children.1

Food Banks shouldn’t have to exist in Canada, but they are desperately needed by many, especially as inflation is at an all-time high. We must all put pressure on our elected politicians to prioritize food security and accessibility in our communities.

I want to thank our members for another year of dedication and commitment: I am proud to be a part of this Union with you. I wish you the best of the holiday season and a happy New Year.

In Solidarity,

Kelly Tosato treasurer@ufcw175.com