As we gather to mark Labour Day, I want to take a moment to recognize the immense contributions of our members and workers across the province and industries. Labour Day is more than just a long weekend; it is a powerful reminder of the struggles and achievements of those who came before us, and it serves as a call to continue our fight for fairness, dignity, and respect in the workplace, and to reflect on the progress we still need to make.

Labour Day’s roots run deep, dating back to a time when workers faced perilous conditions, long hours, and little to no protections. It was the unity and determination of those workers that brought about the rights and freedoms we often take for granted today—such as fairer wages, safe working conditions, and the right to collective bargaining.

Workers continue to stand up and organize in response to the ever changing labour market, demanding the respect, wages, and working conditions they deserve. UFCW 1518 stands as a pillar of strength and solidarity, advocating for better working conditions, fair treatment, and the respect every worker deserves. We are headed into a provincial election which could create even more challenges for our workers. I have visited a lot of members in the last year and continue to hear how hard it is to get by with the skyrocketing cost of living, and we know that the provincial government under NDP Premier David Eby, is the only one guaranteed to continue increasing the minimum wage. We cannot go back to lower wages and risk losing the card check that we fought so hard for.

This year, we saw nearly 400 farmworkers at Highline Mushrooms, the largest group of farmworkers in Canadian history, join our union, taking a monumental step toward securing fair treatment in agriculture. We celebrated a unanimous ratification at Mackenzie Co-op, where members secured significant improvements in their collective agreement. And in a major victory, the Labour Board ruled that all 16 FreshCo stores in BC will now bargain as one unit, strengthening our collective voice as we head into negotiations.

Yet, as we enjoy these hard-won victories, we must remain vigilant. The fight for workers’ rights is ongoing, and our commitment to upholding the interests of our members has never been stronger.

On this Labour Day, we honor the resilience and tenacity of our members who keep our communities thriving, whether they work in grocery stores, poultry plants, dispensaries or in the healthcare sector. We reaffirm our dedication to protecting and advancing the rights of working people, ensuring that their voices are heard and their contributions are valued. Together and organized, there is no limit to what we can achieve.

Happy Labour Day to our members and all workers—today and always, we stand with you.

In solidarity,

Patrick Johnson
President, UFCW 1518