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President's Message Checkout Fall 2023
Union Power is Worker Power
The Toronto & York Region Labour Council has called 2023 the Year of the Union. Working people and Unions are demanding more, demanding better. They are demanding fair. And it has been a powerful year for unionized workers as we've seen, both here in Canada and across the U.S., Union members go on major strikes.
The power that comes with being a Unionized worker also builds strength from the day-to-day vigilance of your Union Stewards, Health & Safety Committees, and co-workers.
Your power also comes from collective bargaining, standing together, united to achieve good improvements in a binding agreement. Your power comes from raising your voices and standing up when something isn’t right – whether it’s at work or in your community.
Some of the challenges facing working people do seem insurmountable. But that’s when we need to remember our power. And we need to remember that together, our collective power can move those mountains and create a better life for working people.
This Local Union will continue defending the interests of our members through every avenue possible. That means achieving good, strong collective agreements across every sector and industry. It means pursuing grievances, arbitrations, and other legal avenues to enforce and fight for our members’ rights.
Your Union will continue to provide members with opportunities for training and to get more involved in leadership roles in the workplace as Stewards and Health & Safety members. We will continue to provide support, instruction, and information that is relevant to the day-to-day working lives of our members.
It will also remain a priority of this Local Union to lobby every level of government to enact better labour laws, enhanced workers’ rights, health and safety protections, and more.
Our Local wouldn't be as strong as it is without the support of your Executive Board, whose invaluable feedback and guidance helps us chart a path forward through any obstacles.
I welcome Local 633 President Brian Kozlowski and Recorder Rita-Lynn Swiderski to their new acclaimed roles, and welcome back Julie MacCrae who will serve another acclaimed term as Local 633 Secretary-Treasurer. And congratulations to all of our new and returning Executive Board members of both Local Unions.
Thank you for allowing me the privilege of being your President for another term alongside Secretary-Treasurer Tosato, Recorder Karen Vaughan, and Vice-President Jim McLean. Your support and confidence allow our Union to grow and remain strong.
I look forward to continuing to work in the best interests of the members and working people across this province alongside the Officers and Executive Board of UFCW Locals 175 & 633.
The next four years will no doubt bring new challenges, but I am confident we will also experience victories and progress in the fight to enhance and protect the rights of working people.
