UFCW 1518 has launched a campaign to encourage members to vote in the upcoming provincial election. UFCW 1518 Votes aims to raise awareness among our members about the importance of voting and to encourage them to vote for workers’ issues. British Columbians head to the polls on May 9 and stakes for workers are high. After 16 years of Liberal rule, things like a living wage, affordable housing and safe, affordable childcare are still pipe dreams. ICBC, MSP and BC Hydro rates have risen, with the average family paying more than $1000 more each year. School closures, cuts to classrooms and Christy Clark’s war on teachers hurt everyone, but our kids the most. And what about jobs? Last month the ranks of unemployed workers in BC grew as full-time jobs declined slightly, according to Statistics Canada. At the same time, BC leads the country in the prevalence of precarious part-time work. This is not good news for workers, their parents and their children. We need a government that respects workers and understands our issues. We need a government that works for all of us, not for rich corporations and the wealthy few. That’s why we’re asking our members to take the pledge to vote on May 9. The last provincial election was decided in only seven ridings by just a few thousand votes. Your vote matters! On May 9, make your vote count and your voice heard. Don’t want to wait until then? Early voting is available at any district electoral office from now until 4pm on May 9. Either way, make sure you bring a buddy and two pieces of ID – that way even if you’re not on the voter list, you can register to vote on the spot. And after you’ve voted, you can create a Twibbon and share the good news on social media. Whenever you do it, however you do it, just vote. Creating a #BetterBC is up to all of us. Getting involved is as easy as voting.