The EPC was created when the leadership of three local unions, namely Local 1288P, Local 864, and Local 1252, unanimously voted to form the Eastern Provinces Council (EPC). The reasons were clear back then and are clearer today. Together we are better, stronger and more diversified. It was the right thing to do for the membership and for the organization’s growth plans to grow UFCW Canada from coast to coast to coast.

It has not been easy, with three local executive boards, as well as an EPC executive board. There is lots of membership involvement. This was planned. We developed the EPC for the membership and want as much membership involvement as possible. With hundreds of stewards and committee members, we are thankful for all their help and support. Without them, we would not be as great as we are today.

The full-time EPC and National staff in the region work closely together with the executive boards and the membership. We have found that the membership usually just wants their grievance or issue resolved as quickly as possible with the best outcome possible, and they are not concerned with who resolves it. We are focused on getting the issues resolved.

We know that the EPC is unique and one of a kind in UFCW Canada. That’s OK with us. Atlantic Canada is a unique place to work and live and we know it’s OK to be different.

We are honoured, proud and very pleased to represent the membership of Atlantic Canada and continue to work hard to earn your respect and support while we grow to together.

About UFCW Canada

UFCW is one of the largest, most dynamic, fastest-growing and most respected unions in the world. There are 1.4 million members across North America standing together to improve the lives and livelihoods of workers, families, and communities. In Canada, UFCW is one of Canada's largest unions and represents more than 250,000 workers from St. John's to Victoria.

UFCW Canada members are employed mainly in retail food stores, food processing and production, warehousing, health care, and the hospitality sector — but as one of the most progressive and fastest growing unions in North America, UFCW Canada members can be found working in virtually every type of workplace and providing just about any type of service you can imagine.

As a member of UFCW Canada Local 864, Local 1252, or Local 1288P, you are represented by a Local Union that assists you in bargaining and applying the Collective Agreement, as well as providing all necessary services to the membership.

All three Local Unions are represented on the UFCW Canada Eastern Provinces Council (EPC) Executive Board. The EPC Board directs the daily activities of the EPC staff, which in coordination with UFCW Canada National full-time staff, work closely to support the representational and growth efforts of Local Unions 864, 1252 and 1288P.

UFCW Canada's National Office is situated in Rexdale, Ontario. Other services provided by the National Office to Local Unions include: research on corporate background and legislative issues; political action; diversity, inclusion and women’s programs; education and training support; organizing support;  and specialized local union services to assist Local Unions in representing the membership.

There are 33 different Local Unions across Canada and many more in the United States. Each Local Union represents members in certain geographic regions and in various different sectors of our workforce. They can all vary greatly in size. A single workplace local may only have a handful of members, or all the way up to the largest UFCW Local Union having more than 45,000 members and a Province-wide jurisdiction encompassing hundreds of workplaces.

In addition to the variety of charitable works and contributions by the UFCW Canada and its members, our union has chosen the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) as our official charity.

Land Acknowledgement

UFCW Canada – Eastern Provinces Council and Locals 864, 1252 and 1288P are located on Mi’kmaw territory, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaw people. The people of the Mi’kmaw Nation have lived on this territory for millennia, and we acknowledge them as the past, present and future caretakers of this land.

With respect and gratitude, we also acknowledge that we have more work to do in regard to understanding the Truth, Recognition and Inclusion of Indigenous Peoples of this land.