FFAW-Unifor Executive Board By-Election – Candidate Information
FFAW-Unifor is providing the following space for candidates in the current Executive Board by-election to share information with members.
Each candidate has been offered the same opportunity to submit a photograph and up to 500 words of campaign information. Candidate materials are presented as submitted and do not constitute an endorsement by FFAW-Unifor.
Chelsea Dicks
Candidate for IRO Non-Fish Seat:
Candidate Statement
Hello! For those of you who don’t know me, hi, my name is Chelsea Dicks. I’m currently running for the vacant position on the executive board for non-fishing! I would love to have your vote in the upcoming election.
I’ve been in the hospitality industry since 2013, and I am currently working as a night auditor at the Ramada in St. John’s since 2016. Over the last couple of years I have jumped straight into everything union, and it has been a really rewarding experience. I first stepped up because, like a lot of our workplaces, after the pandemic, we faced a lot of challenges. At our workplace, we lost a number of full-time employees, some of whom were on the bargaining committee and shop stewards; we only had one person left.
In the last year, I believe I have had a lot of growth within our union. I represent Ramada on the IRO Council, and I am the young worker rep on FFAW’s women’s committee. I am also currently the member at large East on unifor’s Hospitality and Gaming Industry council. I received shop steward training as provided by the wonderful Johan and Joey, spoke on the floor at unifor’s constitutional convention in 2025, and I attended unifor’s Young Worker Activist training. I also contributed to workshop discussions back in May for the first hospitality bargaining toolkit that is currently in development at unifor.
Our jobs are more than just a paycheque, they are essential in our communities and to our local economy. I want to make sure we have a strong voice at the table when it comes to these big decisions. I know I’m still new to a large portion of you, but I hope to earn your respect through my actions, passion and dedication. The knowledge, connections and memories I’ve already made are more than I ever imagined, and I can’t wait to continue. The IRO side of our union may be smaller, but the work all of us put in every day is just as important. I would love to have your support and your vote for this position on the executive board!
Solidarity siblings
Mark Fudge
Candidate for IRO Non-Fish Seat:
Candidate Statement
Workplace: Molson Brewery, St. John’s
Position Sought: Executive Board (IRO Non-Fish)
My Background
Before joining Molson, I worked in Northern Alberta as an industrial welder. While the work was good, my goal was always to build a life here at home. I was fortunate enough to secure a job at Molson in St. John’s, where I have proudly worked as an operator for the past 16 years. Having a strong, stable union job right here has allowed my wife and I to raise our two kids in this community. I know firsthand how vital good union jobs are to families across Newfoundland and Labrador.
Union Leadership and Experience
I believe in taking an active role to protect and support our membership. I currently serve as Chief Steward at Molson and have been on our local executive for over seven years, directly participating at the bargaining table to help negotiate two successful collective agreements. My involvement also extends beyond our local plant. Alongside our local union President and Vice President, we represent our workplace at the annual National Brewery Council meetings. We join union brewery leaders from across Canada to address industry-wide changes, automation, and workplace challenges.
To make sure I can represent our members as effectively as possible, I have consistently worked to upgrade my skills. I have completed formal shop steward training and the Grievance Handling & Workplace Leadership course through Unifor and the FFAW. Additionally, to stay ahead of how new technology is impacting our workplaces, I recently completed a course in Practical Business Applications of AI through Keyin College and the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.
Why I’m Running
I am running for the FFAW Executive Board to bring frontline experience to leadership:
Protecting Good Local Jobs: Ensuring our members continue to have secure, high-quality work backed by strong union contracts.
Proactive & Skilled Representation: Using my bargaining, grievance handling, and cross-industry experience to hold employers accountable and address evolving workplace issues.
Frontline Voice: Keeping leadership grounded in the day-to-day realities of the members working on the floor.
I would be honoured to have your support and your vote.
About Candidate Materials
Candidate statements and photographs appearing on this page have been provided by the candidates. FFAW-Unifor provides equal space to eligible candidates in accordance with the Union’s Candidate Campaign Sharing Policy. Publication of these materials does not represent an endorsement of any candidate by FFAW-Unifor.