Who We Are

Elmer is a unionized service worker at Jollibee Fast Food restaurant in Toronto. With 70 stores in North America and 1300 stores across the globe.  Jollibee – Wilson Station is the only unionized store in North America. Elmer has been with the employer since July 2019 and has spent many years in the food industry and was a chef at a Steakhouse back in the Philippines.  Elmer is currently part of the Production Crew and a Crew Trainer at Jollibee.  He works in kitchen production, on the fryer and says that he enjoys working at Jollibee and likes the overall environment, especially his colleagues. Elmer likes belonging to the Union because he feels secured and protected.  He was a supporter of the Union when his workplace decided to organize in 2020.  Elmer has been a member of the negotiating committee in both sets of bargaining since they organized and was instrumental on the negotiating committee with the ratification of their 1st renewal contract.

Kathy is a unionized hospitality worker who has been a member at Comfort Inn Cornwall for over 38 years and has acted as a Steward in her workplace for the past 29 years. Kathy works as a full-time Front desk Attendant and enjoys the many friendships she has made over the years with the clientele and her co-workers. Kathy became a Union steward because she wanted to help those that do not have a voice. Kathy says the thing she values most about being part of our Union is security. Kathy has also been a member of the negotiating committee for the last four rounds of bargaining and she is looking forward to being a part of the upcoming negotiations.

Shafin is a unionized service worker at Hertz and has worked there for 33 years as a counter agent. Shafin says he enjoys his job as the company is good to work for. Shafin is active in his community and volunteers for a group called Canada 150 who clean parks all across Canada. He also volunteers for Aga Khan service.

Michel Léo is a unionized hospitality worker at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa and works as a banquet server. He has been at the hotel for 24 years and says that from the first day in the banquet department, and still to this day, he has never gotten tired of working in a team atmosphere. “It never gets old and throughout the years I have seen many faces and heard different stories. I also love to build buffet set ups and spruce them up with decorations.” Michel Léo says that he appreciates working in a unionized environment because of the seniority rights, schedule, pay and “knowing that my union is there for our members when needed. I also appreciate the fact this union is a strong contributor for leukemia. The most important thing about being unionized is that all members are as one, and for me it is also very important to have access to the grievance process and that all disciplines must go through a just cause process.” Although he has not held a position on the negotiating committee or health and safety committee, Michel Leo has been a strong voice during negotiations. He makes sure to be informed and encourages the membership to come out and vote on a new contract. Micel Léo says that he likes being a steward and the opportunity to earn the respect from pears and management. He ensures that he is policing the collective agreement so that the terms of the CBA are respected.

Bowan Ramcharritar is a unionized Industrial Food worker at CLS Catering Services in Mississauga. Bowan is a driver and also a Union Steward. Bowan decided to take on the position to be able to help fellow members and be more involved.

Clinton is a unionized industrial food worker at Post Foods (Weetabix) in Cobourg as a team leader on the cougar and coating lines. Clinton says he enjoys the people that he works with and trouble shooting his lines to improve efficiencies and production. Clinton is the Chairperson at the plant and prior has held a steward position for over 10 years. Clinton became a steward to become more active in the Union and to create change for the members and to become a voice for them as well. Clinton says it’s rewarding being able to see change in the workplace and contributing to that change, but it’s a challenge to creating a winning culture. Clinton like belonging to a union and participating in the training provided through cell training, conferences and the online education resources. He appreciates the job security, benefits and having the Union support you in the workplace.

Kelon is a unionized industrial food worker at Burnbrae Farms in Mississauga. Kelon started his career ten years ago in the sanitation department on the night shift. After four years he moved to general utility where he still currently works. Kelon participated in his first set of negotiations in 2022 and loved being a part of achieving a great collective agreement. Since then, he has been elected steward in his workplace and was sworn in as an Executive Board Vice-President in 2024. Kelon says he enjoys making positive changes in his workplace and being an advocate for those who are not comfortable speaking up. Kelon believes being part of a Union allows members in the workplace to have a voice in their own working conditions. Kelon continues to make a difference in his workplace by participating in Joint Labour Management meetings and representing members in the workplace through the grievance procedure.

Pascal is a unionized HOPE sector worker at Rexdale Community Health Centre in Toronto working as a Health Promoter. He became a union steward when he noticed that his fellow coworkers would come to him and speak to him with questions and concerns around work issues and union business. He then decided to take on the role and has been successfully representing the members since. Pascal says what he loves about being part of a union is that he gets to be the voice for all his brothers, sisters and friends. He was on the negotiating committee for the last set of negotiations and was part of bargaining a fair deal for the members. Even though he is not able to meet all the demands or expectations of the members he loves the challenge. With every grievance he learns something new, it helps him become more effective in resolving grievances. Whether it’s his clients or his co-workers, he loves to help and represent them. He believes the importance of having a union is job security, also having professional negotiators to negotiate their wages on your behalf and the ability to collectively bargain result in unionized employees receiving better wages than non-union workers.

Michelle is a unionized HOPE sector worker at Community Services for Independence North West (CSINW) in Thunder Bay. Michelle has been a steward for five years and has also been an active member on the Health & Safety Committee and Joint Labour Management Committee. Michelle has served on the negotiation committee for several sets of bargaining and will be participating in a special scheduling committee for the workplace. Michelle has enjoyed being active with the Union, the learning opportunities, meeting new people, and being an advocate for her fellow members.

Sam is a healthcare worker at Bradgate Arms Retirement Home. Sam is a cook at the home who enjoys showing his love for the residents through his food. In addition to cooking daily menu items, Sam goes out of his way to make special dishes for the residents. When they are sick, Sam cooks chicken soup and other special dishes which he personally pays for. He enjoys cooking and catering to their needs and says he continues to do this because he sees these residents as his grandparents. Sam has been involved in bargaining, has stepped up to be a steward and has been doing amazing work for his colleagues.

Diana is a HOPE sector worker and support staff member at the OATC Kitchener East. Diana supports the other staff by helping clients with their appointments, ensuring the clinic runs smoothly and collaborating with her team of nurses and doctors. Working in the community healthcare sector, Diana appreciates being able to see life through different perspectives, especially through the lives of those she gets to interact with on a daily basis, including her clients. Diana appreciates being a part of the union and she says, it’s reassuring having someone to be a voice and represent herself and her colleagues.

Harjit is a unionized Industrial Food worker who has worked at Olymel in Brampton for 29 years. Harjit works as a General Labourer in the DSI X-Ray Departmentand is a strong believer in workers' rights. He is a certified H&S committee member and has sat in every round of negotiations since 1999. Harjit is also a member of the benefits committee and the pension committee where he expresses the interests of the membership and educates himself to empower his colleagues. Harjit is the Chief Steward at Olymel in Brampton, serving members in the Orenda and Westwyn plan. Harjit first became a steward after suffering abuse from management. With his colleagues behind him, Harjit rallied and has been a strong advocate for nearly 3 decades, ensuring the members at Olymel are safe and properly represented. Harjit believes one of the biggest challenges of being a steward is empowering members to stand up for themselves. He often encourages other members to speak out in order to make their workplace better.

Barb is a unionized Industrial Food Worker at Fearmans/Sofina Foods in Burlington. Barb appreciates working in a unionized workplace because of the security and the peace of mind it provides. Barb likes knowing that the Union is there for you to protect you. She likes knowing they work in a safe environment because of the Health and Safety members. Barb believes that without a Union there would be uncertainty in the treatment that they would receive from their employer. Barb became a Union Steward in 2019 then become back up Chief Steward, the role she currently holds. Barb became a steward because she was interested in helping and educating the members and she saw a need for more female representation in the steward role. Barb says the best part of the role is helping to educate members of their rights and the biggest challenge is trying to see everyone in the plant on a regular basis as the facility is large. Barb participates in union functions and events and routinely attends the Labour Day parade in Hamilton.

Jordan is a unionized Industrial Food worker at Cargill Watson Foods in Guelph. Jordan has held many positions such as order picker, cooler slotter, box and tote loader and currently palletizer forklift. Jordan says that he knows the benefits of belonging to a Union and things like job security, being able to negotiate a better deal for everyone and the fact that the employer must follow seniority are just a few of them. Jordan has been a steward for more than two years and says he took on the role to assist his other members in knowing their rights and to ensure everyone is treated fairly. fellow members. Jordan says the best part of the role is learning more about the collective agreement and gaining a greater understanding of it. He believes the biggest challenge is the differing opinions when it comes to the interpretation of the CBA language.

Robert  is a unionized Industrial worker at Canadian Linen in Ottawa. Robert has been a member for more than 5 years and says that working in an industrial setting can have its challenges; it’s a hard job that’s always changing. He likes being part of a Union as it ensures everyone is being protected equally. He appreciates the collective bargaining process and the rights provided by the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Narenderjit is a unionized insudtrial worker at Polar Pak in Brampton. Narenderjit has worked for the company for over 25 years and is a machine operator on the C1 shift. Narenderjit is one of the most experienced operators in the plant and is always willing to lend a helpful hand to assist others with training and any health and safety concerns.

Tan is a unionized industrial worker at Mobile Climate Control, Jane St. location as an Assembly Operator in the Assembly Department. Tan says what he loves most about his job is the people that he works with, he says they are nice and look out for one another. He also feels good about working in a clean environment. Tan believes in the power of the Union, and says without a Union workers have no protection and no voice. Tan has seen numerous improvements through many rounds of bargaining at Mobile Climate Control, and enjoys being able to voice his concerns and have them addressed through collective bargaining. Tan says without a Union the company can give and take as they wish, with a Union you know your rights and benefits that are negotiated under your CBA are protected.

Sheila is an industrial worker at Dresden Industrial in Ridgetown. Sheila has performed many different jobs throughout the factory such as: different lines/machines as an operator, the cleaner, done safe launch on parts before they go out to customers and as a quality monitor. Sheila has also been on the social committee. Shelia has been a steward for nine years and is currently the chief steward. Sheila says “I enjoy being a steward because of all the different things that we get to figure out, with the who, what, where and how for each situation. I have been told that I sometimes do too much for some people, those who I think just need that extra help getting better at doing what is required of them. They improve, and I feel I did my job. I enjoy working with the people on all shifts. I try to help anyone who asks me a question or if they just need someone to talk with about a problem. I like to talk. “