When Flora Larimian left her native Iran, she prepared herself to be surprised by the many everyday differences between Tehran and her new home, Coquitlam. The surprises would be a small cost to pay for the life she hoped to build for her children.
One thing Flora never expected was that she would find herself attending a course where she would be surrounded by fellow union members, learning to be a Shop Steward and leader in her workplace, the Coquitlam Superstore.
On March 11-13, 2025, Flora and two dozen of her fellow UFCW Local 247 members from across the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island attended the Introduction to Shop Stewards course in New Westminister.
“People at my work were saying it was better to work at Superstore because there is the protection of a union,” Flora told us when we asked how she ended up taking the course. “I wanted to learn more about that, so I decided to take the course.”
During the course, Flora learned more about her Collective Agreement, the contract between her union and her employer setting out her many workplace rights. She also learned about the many other workplace rights workers in BC have, such as those covering basic employment standards, health and safety, and human rights.
Most of all, Flora noted the difference between having these rights and knowing how to exercise them.
“Coming from Iran, I understand how important it is to have a voice to speak up,” said Flora. “But after attending the shop stewards’ course, I feel more empowered to actually use my voice to help enforce the rights that we have as union members.”
“Providing union education opportunities to members is an effective way to support members’ growth and knowledge about their rights,” said UFCW Local 247 President Dan Goodman. “It also allows our union to learn from the diverse experiences and perspectives of our membership. Union education rejuvenates and makes our union stronger.”
Introductory Shop Stewards education is available to all UFCW Local 247 members at no cost. The only obligations are having a willingness to explore taking on the important role of Shop Steward in your workplace and talking it over with your Union Representative.
“There is a high demand for these courses, which highlights the need and interest members have in getting involved in their union,” said UFCW 247 Education and Engagement Coordinator, Ximena Mastrodonato. “This was one of the largest intakes that we have ever had, and we have a growing list of members interested in taking future courses.”
We are excited to hear Flora’s story, and we congratulate her and all the members who are learning to exercise their workplace rights, with the backing and support of their union.
While the next course, to be held April 1-3 in Surrey, is already full, more courses are being planned in early June and beyond.
Curious to learn more? UFCW Local 247 members interested in attending union courses can reach out to their union representatives for more information.
