President Patrick Johnson believes every worker is an organizer. Patrick served as Executive Assistant to UFCW 1518 leadership from 2016-2019 and was elected by the membership to the position of Secretary-Treasurer in 2019 and again in 2023. In June of 2024, Patrick was unanimously elected by UFCW 1518’s Executive Board to the position of President
In this role, Patrick continues his longtime commitment to organized labour and environmental activism. For more than two and half decades Patrick has amplified the importance of agreeing on a common agenda for future action on workers’ rights, good jobs, and positive environmental and climate actions. It was through his fight for regional equity that he first witnessed the power of unions to bring progressive change on issues like reconciliation, affordable housing, environmental sustainability and workers’ rights. Patrick started with the UFCW 1518 in 2009, working as an Organizer and fighting to bring the rights and benefits of the union to non-unionized workers. Since then, he has led successful organizing drives in the retail and industrial sectors and bargained many strong collective agreements, helping tip the scales toward justice for more British Columbian workers.
UFCW 1518’s financial strength was transformed under Patrick’s former role as Secretary Treasurer, building sustainable operations and a robust member action fund to represent and support members during bargaining and in the fight for better working conditions.
Patrick believes in the power of organizing. He is dedicated to building our members’ collective strength through education, engagement and political action. Patrick lives on the traditional and unceded territory of Shíshálh First Nations with his wife and young two daughters. He has a degree in Environmental Policy from Western Washington.
Secretary-Treasurer Ronda Melbourne is a passionate advocate for workers’ rights. Ronda began her journey with UFCW 1518 in 1998 when the store where she worked, Cooper’s Foods, became part of the Overwaitea Food Group and unionized. Since becoming a rank-and-file union member Ronda has taken on many leadership roles at her workplace and the local – her involvement with UFCW 1518 has spanned decades. In August of 2024, Ronda was elected by UFCW 1518’s Executive Board to the position of Secretary-Treasurer.
In 2009 and 2014, Ronda served on the Bargaining Committee for Cooper’s Foods, showcasing her commitment to securing better working conditions for her co-workers. As a Shop Steward and Workplace Leader she was a key player in representing and supporting her fellow members.
From 2016 to 2019, Ronda was an Executive Board Member, providing strategic leadership during a pivotal time for UFCW 1518. She also served as Temporary Union Representative in 2016 and became a Full-Time Union Representative in 2018.
Her extensive experience includes being one of the lead contract negotiators in 2023 for both Save-On-Foods and Safeway. Additionally, she has previously serviced our major foods stores, industrial plants and workers in our healthcare sector.
Ronda’s lived experience as a former UFCW 1518 member and well-rounded knowledge of our local’s diverse membership make her an invaluable asset to the leadership of UFCW 1518. Ronda is an experienced negotiator, furthering her expertise through education at the Justice Institute of British Columbia.
Our office is located on traditional Indigenous
territory belonging to the Qayqayt First Nation
350 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC V3L 1A6
reception@UFCW1518.com
Toll-Free: 1.800.661.3708 • 604.526.1518
Fax: 604.540.1520
Have a workplace-specific question or concern, or need to make a general enquiry? Contact us using the form below, the details on our Contact page, or email reception@ufcw1518.com.
Notifications