SHOPPERS DRUG MART UPDATE:

Strike at Shoppers Drug Mart Strengthens Solidarity

Cloverdale Shoppers Members (L-R) Manpreet Dhillon, Sandy Upton, Michael Li, Madge Baker, Laurie Lambert, Ruth Elringham, Kolby Fraser - Feb. ‘08

After 9 weeks on strike last fall, union members at the Shoppers Drug Mart in Cloverdale signed a new contract that provided them with much-deserved wage increases, benefits and a signing bonus. However, it was not just a good contract that came out of the picketing: solidarity among the members grew very strong, and continues to strengthen today.

“We all worked together and supported each other while we were on strike,” says Shop Steward Sandy Upton. “Even the members who had only been working with us for a couple months stayed on and were very active and supportive during the strike, and we’re happy to see that they are still working with us today.”

Michael Li

The members stood together to form a strong bond, and they all agree that one member who really stood out as a strong supporter during the strike was Pharmacist Michael Li.

“Michael was always there, and willing to stand strong on the picket line,” says Sandy. “He was a real trooper, and stayed loyal to us even when he was offered positions in other pharmacies. Michael would help put the tent up in the morning, and never missed a day. Even though he lived much further away from the store than any of us, he was always eager to be out there supporting all of us in our fight for a fair contract.”

Michael Li has been a UFCW 1518 member employed with Shoppers Drug Mart for over 20 years. When asked about his role in the strike Michael responded humbly by stating, “the strike really wasn’t about me, it was about my coworkers. After all these years for them to not have a raise, even though the company has been doing so well, just wasn’t right. They deserved a raise and a better contract, and I’m happy I was able to help and be supportive.”

“We all worked together and supported each other while we were on strike.”

The members at the store all pitched in for a gift for Michael to thank him for his dedication and support throughout the 9-week strike.

“We had a strong team out there on the picket line,” says Sandy. “It was the support we had from each other, our customers, and other merchants in the area, as well as the continuous hard work and efforts of our Union Representatives that allowed us to have the success we did and enjoy the strong contract that we have today."