A Message From Your Union President Douglas O’Halloran

As some of you may know, I was diagnosed with kidney cancer in June of this year and for quite sometime we didn’t have a clear picture of what I was facing. But as that picture developed as to what I was facing, with the extraordinary support of my wonderful family, in mid October, I decided to opt for laparoscopic surgery to remove the effected kidney and tumour. As a result I have been on sick leave since.

Due to post surgery complications I was readmitted to hospital for a short period of time for further treatment. This delayed my recovery a bit but turned out to be a blessing in disguise as they discovered I was bleeding internally which could have lead to a life-threatening infection had it gone unnoticed much longer.

Many members will recall seeing me out and about in the various workplaces during the spring and summer months this year. I fully intended to continue my tour of the province, particularly with our Safeway/Sobeys negotiations on the horizon, but this has delayed those plans somewhat. I do, however, look forward to resuming the tour and seeing you all once I’ve healed up and am back to my old fighting self. My goal is to be back by February or March.

I want to extend a heartfelt “thank you” for my re-election this summer and I am very much looking forward to a full and speedy recovery so that I can fulfil my promises and obligations to the amazing 401 membership that I have had the good fortune to work for and serve since 1989.

I wish you and your family an amazing holiday season and hope that you are able to cherish your loved ones and celebrate each other. I will see you all in 2017! All the best!

In Solidarity,

Douglas O’Halloran, President
United Food & Commercial Workers Union, Local 401

Posted on: December 16,2016