Member Profiles

Chris Osborne

Chris Osborne works at Ridge Landfill in Blenheim and he has been a UFCW Local 175 member for 18 years. He worked most of those years as bulldozer operator but has moved up to excavator operator. He enjoys his job immensely and is proud to be a UFCW member. Chris appreciates the benefits that belonging to a Union provides him and he played a pivotal role on the negotiation committee for the last two rounds of bargaining. When Chris started at Ridge Landfill, his daughter was one year old. And now, she also works at Ridge as the scale operator.

Debbie Sutcliffe

Debbie Sutcliffe is a member who works at Wholesale Club in Thunder Bay. Debbie is a cashier and has been working at the store since August 1998. Debbie is always supporting her co-workers and monitors the schedules to make sure that the cashiers are receiving the appropriate hours. She is the first face that customers see when they come into the store, and she is the last person customers see when they leave. Debbie always makes sure that everyone has a great shopping experience.

Gregg Boyachuk

Gregg Boyachuk has over 30 years of service with Metro in various locations in Toronto and Brampton. As produce department head and Union Steward, Gregg is a true leader in his workplace. During the pandemic, Gregg had been going into one of the hardest-hit COVID-19 communities in the country, but Gregg says “despite the challenges, being able to laugh and build teamwork with co-workers has given the downtown Brampton Metro store a sense of purpose and pride.” Gregg was a member of the Metro bargaining committee in 2022 where he was able to bring his 30+ years’ experience to the bargaining table.

Karen Kershaw

Karen Kershaw works at Food Basics in London as a cashier/supervisor. She has worked at the store for 20 years and enjoys helping customers and her co-workers. Karen is happy to work in a unionized environment. She feels protected having the Union to fight for her rights, and the contract has provided members with benefits and a pension plan along with vacation. Karen has been a Union Steward for more than 10 years. She enjoys helping members and being a voice for them, especially for those who are less confident and younger members. Karen says the best part of being a Steward is standing up for all the members and the satisfaction in knowing you have helped them. In her spare time, Karen likes to travel, but much of her free time is spent at a retirement home visiting her dad as much as she can.

Melissa and Kaitlin

Melissa Pickell and Kaitlin Mitchell are members from the Quinte Humane Society in Belleville. Melissa has been at the shelter for about 11 years while Kaitlin has been there about six years. They say they are both happy to be part of a Union. Being members of UFCW Locals 175 & 633 gives them the chance to negotiate their contract and job security. In fact, both Melissa and Kaitlin were on the 2021 Negotiating Committee as well as the pay equity committee. Their wish is for you to visit humanesocietyhpe.ca and consider adopting one of the animals they shelter.

Mohamedali Karim

Mohamedali (Monty) Karim is a driver for TransCare in Toronto, where he has worked for nine years. Monty is a Steward for the members and he enjoys introducing new employees to the collective agreement, listening to employee concerns, investigating incidents, and finding solutions. “It has been a great honour to be able to serve not only our clients but also my fellow co-workers. I have a genuine love and respect for the elderly, which stems from having my grandparents being a part of my upbringing. They taught me the importance of service and helping the community especially the elderly.” Monty was born and raised in Tanzania and enjoys playing in various soccer and volleyball leagues, listening to good music, and moving to the beat.