Kim Novak UFCW 1518 Obituary, Trail-blazing B.C. union leader has died: With her family by her side, Kim Novak, the first and youngest female president of Local 1518 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, passed away over the weekend. She was 38 years old.
According to Patrick Johnson, the secretary of UFCW Local 1518, Novak has long been a vital member of the organization. Johnson remarked, “President Kimberly Novak led a remarkable life that positively impacted the lives of countless people.” In Local 1518, Novak served in a number of leadership capacities, including secretary-treasurer, union representative, and director. She was on the UFCW Canada National Council and vice-president of UFCW International.
“Kim became the first female leader of our union and its youngest leader when she was unanimously elected president of UFCW 1518 (in January 2019),” Johnson added. “Kim led the way not only for our union but the larger labor movement throughout her entire career in the fight for respect and dignity for all workers.”
UFCW is the union that represents employees at Safeway, Save-on-Foods, and a number of other supermarkets and companies. Premier of British Columbia David Eby expressed his deep sadness over Novak’s passing in a statement. According to Eby, Kim “was a bright light advocating for workers throughout B.C.”
“Kim’s family, her two young sons, her sisters and brothers, and everyone who loved her, have my sincere condolences.”