At McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton, UFCW 1006A steward Dan Brown is busy working to ensure the building is safe.
Dan, who works at Chubb Fire & Security, is part of a unique industry of workers within the UFCW 1006A family. He and his co-workers install and test the fire and security systems for various buildings, from schools to hospitals to retirement homes. For their roles, they undergo specialized training and hold fire alarm licenses.
“Every day is different,” said Dan, who has worked with Chubb for more than 20 years.
He said union representation makes a big difference in his personal life.
“We work in such a big territory and there are times we are asked to go outside our working area,” he said. “With a union, we are protected. The company cannot force us to go outside of our working area without agreement from us or the union.”
The union contract ensures he can work in his service area, which means he has the flexibility to be home after work to support and spend time with his two children, wife, and elderly parents.
“It is nice to be home at a decent time throughout the evening because there is always something on the go family-wise,” he said.
Before unionization, the workers did not have this protection.
“It’s nice having the backing of the union,” Dan said.
