To All UFCW Local 649 Members,
I hope this message finds you well and enjoying a well-deserved summer break. Thanks, as always, for everything you do and for being part of this union. We’re proud to stand with you and will continue working hard to protect your rights and improve your working conditions.
There are a few things I would like to draw your attention to.
REMAINING GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS IN 2025:
Wednesday August 27 at 7pm, Sutherland Hall.
Every member who attends this meeting or submits a valid meeting exemption (such as working the night shift) will receive $30 on their year-end assessment cheque.
Wednesday November 26 at Sutherland Hall.
There will be multiple meeting times throughout the day at the hall to accommodate all shifts. There will be no exemptions for this date. Anyone who attends will receive $50 on their year-end assessment cheque.
Anyone who attends all 4 meetings or attends the May and November meetings and has submitted valid exemptions for the February and/or August meetings will receive an additional $40 on their year-end assessment, for a total of $200. All members MUST have attended at least one meeting in 2025, or they will not be paid for February/August exemptions.
I know summer can be a busy, but I hope you can make time to attend the August meeting. Your voice matters, and the more people involved, the stronger we are as a union.
SCHOLARSHIPS:
There are multiple scholarships available now.
The George Semeniuk Scholarship through the UFCW Provincial Council.
Applications are online at ufcw.ca/saskatchewan and this scholarship is open to all members, spouses, and their children enrolled in post-secondary education, in the amount of $1000. Application deadline is September 20, 2025 by 4:30pm.
The Local 649 Scholarship is here.
This scholarship is open to children of full time or permanent part-time members. Local 649 scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $750 each. Application deadline is October 31, 2025.
The Strategic Organizing for Growth (SOG) Scholarship is here.
This scholarship is open to children of full time or permanent part-time mebers. SOG scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $500 each. Application deadline is October 10, 2025.
The SOG also has a limited amount of back to school supplies for distribution to those in need in our community. Items include pencils, pens, erasers, rulers, etc. We would like to open these supplies up to our members that have school age children. If you are in need of supplies, please reach out to the SOG by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Due to demand, packages will be limited to 2 per family. Deadline for requests is August 15, 2025.
As a union, we are committed to standing together – not just in the workplace, but in all aspects of life. If you’re struggling, please consider reaching out to our Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) for confidential counselling and support. Our EFAP provider, Family Service Saskatoon, offers a range of counselling services for you and your dependants. To access services, all you need to do is call their intake number, 306-244-0127, and tell them you (or their parent) are a member of UFCW Local 649, and they’ll get you right in.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions and enjoy the rest of your summer!
Brant Palko, President UFCW Local 649
Cell: 306-292-8083
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.