Rick became active with the local as a member when his work place, Toast Cafe owned by Cara at Pearson International Airport, was organized in 1999. In 2002, he participated in the S.P.U.R program as well as the Youth Internship Program where he spoke at high schools across the G.T.A about the concepts of solidarity, activism and unions. Rick organized the employees of Select Service Partners at Pearson International Airport. Rick also sat on the executive board of UFCW Local 206 for a year before becoming a full time Union representative in 2005. Since 2005, Rick has serviced Airport hospitality workers, hotel workers, security guards, social service workers, and laundry workers. He has sat on the Political Action Sub Committee and has earned a certificate in campaign management. He has also been trained and worked as a lobbyist.