British Columbia UFCW 1518 president has died. Kim Novak died after a short battle with brain haemorrhage. She was 39. “It is a day of deep sadness for the members of union 1518 today. Kim Novak, our president, passed away from a sudden illness. Ms. Novak was our youngest president and worked tirelessly for union members rights. My deepest condolences to Ms. Novak young family and loved ones during this time. Thank you Kim for your years of service and passion for members needs, you will be missed greatly by all of us,” Susan Duclos wrote of Facebook.
Vancouver & District Labour Council: Our deepest condolences to the members of UFCW 1518 on the passing of their President, Kim Novak. Our thoughts are with her friends, family, and colleagues in this time of loss.
BC Federation of Labour: BC’s labour family is devastated and saddened by the loss of Kim Novak, president of UFCW 1518 and one of the warmest, most vibrant and effective voices in our movement. It’s impossible to imagine what our Officers’ meetings will be like without Kim’s wisdom, infectious energy, and passion. Her advocacy both for her union’s members and for workers everywhere helped ensure better, safer workplaces and fairer laws throughout our province.
From picket lines, to boardrooms, to convention stages, to those amazing TikToks, to one-on-one conversations — nobody could hope to outmatch her eloquence, wit and irresistibly persuasive conviction. Kim’s understanding of labour’s mission extended beyond our borders, leading her to serve as a UFCW International Vice-President for the past four years. She saw leadership as a way to lift up others and uphold the dignity of all workers, and worked in the finest traditions of solidarity and justice.
Our deepest condolences go out to Kim’s family. We are heartbroken, and we join the members, staff and leadership of UFCW 1518, as well as all who knew and worked with her, in mourning her loss. Countless thousands of working people and their families in BC are better off today because of her legacy, and we are endlessly grateful for all she contributed to our movement and our province.
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