Surrey, BC – Today Cheryl Semonovitch begins a new chapter in her life as the first female Secretary Treasurer of IAM District Lodge 250.
She became an IAM member of Local Lodge 1857 in 2007 when she organized the office staff at Collins Manufacturing, a truck body manufacturer in Langley, B.C. “Our shop floor was already part of the IAM and I wanted the same treatment for the office personnel, so I reached out to the Business Representative Andrew Tricker and we became part of Machinists,” she explained.
She was very active within the union, sitting on the bargaining committee during four contract negotiations at Collins. As a shop steward, Cheryl pushed the employer to abide by the collective agreement every day on the job.
“After working as the Secretary Treasurer for my Local the last three years, I decided to run for the position of Secretary Treasurer of the District Lodge,” she said. “My heart and passion is with the membership and this position is an honour.” When asked about what she felt would be the biggest challenge in her new job, the answer was simple and straightforward. “It’s one thing to be a shop steward for one local in one location. Now I get to meet and hear from the members of all the locals in the district, there will be a lot to learn and I look forward to it.”
Cheryl Semonovitch is a great addition to the District,” said IAM District Lodge 250 Directing Business Representative Walter Gerlach. “She is committed to the work we do.”
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