I would like to begin this message by congratulating Brooke Sundin on his recent retirement announcement. I have known Brooke a long time and he has done an excellent job for of both Local 1518 and UFCW Canada members. I wish him a long and healthy retirement on behalf of the staff, executive board and members of Local 247.

There have been a few more staffing changes within our local. Although their retirement was announced  earlier in the year, Lou Regenwetter and Ian Landles had continued to assist the local on a consultant basis but have moved on to enjoying their free time. We again wish to thank them for their many years of service. We recently hired Bruce Jackson and Heather McLaverty on as full time staff. Bruce had been a long time meat cutter at Canada Safeway and Heather worked at the Extra Foods in Abbotsford in the meat department for 16 years. Both had been shop stewards and worked as relief representatives in the past.

There have also been changes within the Education and Training Centre. As we look forward to moving into our new facilities in New Westminster I have appointed Dean Patriquin to be our new Education and Training Director. Many of you will be familiar with Dean as he has serviced many of the Local 247 units. Dean will be assisted by Tima Burgess who will be taking over for Sandy Labermeyer as the Membership Coordinator. Tima has sat on the Education Committee for the last 5 years and has also been a shop steward for the last 7 years. I would like to thank Sandy for her efforts on behalf of 247 members and wish her well in her travels.

Later this year we will be before the B.C. Labour Relations Board in the matter of the conversions of Save-On Foods stores to the Price Smart banner. This is an extremely important matter for the future of our local and I want to assure everyone that we will do everything possible to protect and assist our members in these locations.

In solidarity,
Gib Whitlock
President