Budtenders at Clarity Cannabis joined UFCW 1518 last week, making them the first cannabis workers at a private dispensary to unionize in Canada. Workers cited poor treatment, lack of security and safety training as reasons for joining union. “We are excited to welcome these new members to our union and we are proud to be the first union in Canada to organize private dispensaries,” said President Kim Novak. Budtenders ...read more 

UFCW 1518 and Sobeys will enter mediation on March 2 with mediator Julie Nichols. Key for the union is obtaining a definition of “profitable year” as outlined in Special Officer Vince Ready’s decision. UFCW 1518 filed a grievance last December regarding 14 Safeway locations across the province it says have become profitable since the Special Officer handed down his decision in 2018. The grievance stems from the union’s review ...read more 

“When workers stand together with a union behind them, good things happen.” That’s what President Kim Novak said about two recent wins for workers spearheaded by UFCW 1518. Just last week, the union was successful in helping workers at Fairmont Chateau Whistler win back $85,000 in gratuities wrongfully withheld by their employer. The luxury hotel had been taking 20 percent of the tips earned by banquet workers and using ...read more 

Uber and Lyft were officially welcomed to British Columbia today when the Passenger Transportation Board approved their licenses, prompting UFCW 1518 President Kim Novak to renew the union’s commitment to fighting for the rights of ride hailing drivers. “British Columbians want and deserve safe, convenient and accessible transit. We welcome Uber and Lyft to beautiful BC, but we absolutely expect them to comply with the law – both to ...read more 

UFCW 1518 members working part time as community health workers can accrue more vacation time as a result of a win at the BC Labour Relations Board. Arbitrator Ken Saunders ruled that Northern Health Authority’s policy capping the vacation time of regular part time employees and preventing them from earning vacation time when they worked casual and temporary assignments violated the collective agreement. The policy allowed regular part time ...read more