Executive Board

Dan served as Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW 247 for 10 years before assuming the responsibilities of President in May 2021. He started his career in the grocery industry in 1984 working for Safeway in Winnipeg and got involved in his union (UFCW 832) shortly after, as a Shop Steward and Executive Board member. Dan was hired by UFCW Canada as a National Representative and after a stint at the National Office in Toronto, joined UFCW 777 in 2001 as Assistant to the President. Dan lives in Coquitlam with his wife and two children and when not busy with union work, he is busy with his family and their many sporting activities.

Charles lives in Coquitlam and started serving as Secretary-Treasurer in 2021, after holding the duties of Assistant to the President since 2011. Charles started working for Superstore as a baker in 1989 at Metrotown when it opened and was hired as a Union Representative in 1995. He served members as a Shop Steward and Recording Secretary on the Executive Board. He has continuosly assisted members with their WorkSafeBC appeals and oversees the Loblaw servicing staff.

Brian lives in Coquitlam and has worked as a meat cutter for Safeway since 1994. Brian has been a Shop Steward since 2005, and served on the Union Negotiating Committee in 2008 and 2013. A member of the UFCW 247 Executive Board since 2009, Brian is familiar to many members as a temporary Union Rep. He lives in Coquitlam with his wife, has two daughters, and enjoys mountain biking, hockey, and the gym.

Margaret lives in Richmond (where she also grew up), and like her Mother and Grandmother did, she works at Safeway. In her 38-year career, Margaret has worked in 8 stores as a Cashier, Department manager, deli clerk, and meat wrapper. She participated in the 2013 proposals as a Shop Steward, and served on the most recent Union Negotiating Committee for negotiations with Safeway. Margaret has enjoyed years of volunteering with various school PAC’s, Richmond girls’ softball as team manager, and a leader with the Girl Guides of Canada. In her spare time, she loves to cook and garden, but her true passion is dogs! Margaret has bred and shown quality English Springer Spaniel dogs at conformation and obedience dog shows in the US and Canada for over 35 years.

Alicia lives in Surrey and has worked at Safeway’s Ocean Park store since 2014. Alicia took a meat-cutting course and shortly after became involved with her Union’s Negotiating Committee. She enjoys arts and crafts, has volunteered with charities that support the Surrey Food Bank, and as a former trained Aesthetician, did medical pedicures for the elderly at two local facilities.

Nalini has lived in Delta, B.C., for the past 20 years and is married with two beautiful children, a son and a daughter. She began her career in 1997 at the Newton Real Canadian Superstore in the meat department and now works at the Delta Real Canadian Superstore in the Grocery Department as a Perpetual Inventory (PI) worker. Since 2022, she has also served as a shop steward at the Delta Superstore, where she takes pride in supporting her members. Nalini enjoys helping others, traveling, and listening to music. She is also actively involved in community work, including women’s initiatives and the Shoe Memorial.

Sandra lives in Surrey, and works at Delta Superstore. She has been with Supestore since 1993, been a Shop Steward since 2007. Sandra enjoys volunteering, and has helped out with fundraising for Bright Lights, and is involved with the Shoe Memorial. Sandra has a 19 year old son, and a very busy Shitzu who expects to be treated like a second child.

Dino lives in Burnaby, and has worked at Western Grocers DC 1908 (warehouse) since 1989. Dino worked in many roles at DC 1908 , including as a Health & Safety committee rep, and in 2001 transferred to maintenance and trained as a mechanic.

Dino became a Shop Steward in 1989, served on his Union Negotiating Committee, and is in his third term as a member of the UFCW Local 247 Executive Board. He has been involved in the UFCW 247 New Westminster Training Centre, and also served as a (temporary) coordinator for the Training Centre courses for members.

John lives in Langford and has worked at the Langford Superstore since 2002. He has been a Shop Steward since 2001 and been on the Union Negotiating Committee since 2015. John has been a member of the NDP since 1984, and since moving to BC in 1992 has volunteered on every Federal and Provincial election since. After working graveyard shifts for 15 years, John is still getting used to being up during the day, and is extremely proud of his four children and five grandchildren.

Michele started as a cashier in 1989 at Extra Foods before transferring to Superstore in 1997 and worked her way up to Assistant Department Manager. Michele took her first Shop Steward course in 2013 and has enjoyed the more active role with her union ever since. Now in Campbell River, she counts as her passions animal rescue and breast cancer research, having done fund fundraising for both for many years.

Peter Parmar has been with the Real Canadian Superstore in Prince George since its grand opening in 1995.  He started off as a cashier and was then trained in customer service and the cash office.   He then proceeded to learn how to open and close the store and became a full-time front-end administrator.  When not at work, Peter enjoys running and working out, travelling and spending time with his family.

Gorden has been with Safeway since 1980. He lives and works in Dawson Creek, where he is a meat cutter and department head. A Shop Steward since 1987, Gorden has a teenage son, along with five adult children.

Kirste has worked for Safeway in Kamloops since 2011, where she’s been an active steward in the Seafood Department for the majority of that time.  In 2023, she took on the responsibility of being part of the bargaining committee to represent her fellow union members.  Kirste is an avid golfer, has three amazing adult children, and recently became a “Nani”.  She has been involved with the Heart & Stroke Foundation for 25 years and is a proud supporter of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, as well as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Doug lives in Kelowna with his wife and two children. He has worked at the Downtown Kelowna Safeway since 1986, where he also serves a Shop Steward. Doug has been part of the Union Negotiating Committee and enjoys the outdoors, as well as garage time tinkering on cars and trucks.

Dawn is from Surrey and works at the Newton Superstore. She has been with Superstore for over 25 years, serves as a Shop Steward and has been on the Union Negotiating Committee since 2010. Dawn is a member of and volunteers with the UFCW 247 Women’s Committee. Married with two children, Dawn also loves to travel.

Dale lives in Chilliwack, where he works at Five Corner Meats. He first became active in the union as a member of the Union Negotiating Committee when a transition in company ownership took place; shortly after that he began serving as a Shop Steward. Dale enjoys playing sports and board games.