UFCW Canada Local 1006A is proud to congratulate Rechev Browne, the recipient of the 2016 Wayne Hanley Youth Community Award.
The award is in recognition of the difference that Browne, a young worker, is making in his union and his community.
Rechev, a steward at Jim's No Frills in Etobicoke, has participated in UFCW Canada’s Youth Internship program and attended UFCW Canada’s Ignite Conference. He also helps at Youth Without Shelter, an organization which works to help end youth homelessness.
“I thought it was awesome—I wasn’t expecting it at all,” said Browne. “I wanted to get more involved with my union and my community. Through my actions, I wanted to inspire more youth to get involved, because if they see me doing it, maybe they will want to do the same.”
President Wayne Hanley presented the award to Rechev at a local union event, which raises awareness and funds for the fight against Sickle Cell Anemia.
“We all have a powerful voice within us that we can use to create change at work and in our communities,” said President Wayne Hanley. “We are stronger as a union and greater as a labour movement when young activists like Rechev step up and put their incredible potential into action. When young activists rise up and own their place in their union, there is no limit to what they can achieve and to the difference they can make."
Winston Gordon, a UFCW Canada Union Representative and the organizer of the event, congratulated Rechev on his award.
“Congratulations to Rechev on the award—It is always great to see outstanding young activists come up in our union,” Gordon said.
Rechev said he can’t wait to get more involved in the union.
“If we, as young workers, don’t get involved, the union will one day disappear,” Rechev said. "Everything that the generations before us fought for will be gone and the companies will have the upper hand. If we start getting more young people involved, it gives our union a chance to survive and thrive not just for our generation but for the generations to come.”
