ATU Celebrates Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

A native of Saskatchewan and a proud first generation ChineseCanadian, Brother Harry Lew grew up with a strong work ethicworking in his family’s restaurant at a very early age. In 1985, hemoved to Calgary where he started with the Calgary Civic Cafeteriaas a Red Seal Chef in 2004 joining ATU Local 583-Calgary, AB andbecame an Executive Board representing our cafeteria members.In 2006, Brother Lew took a job at Calgary Transit as a ConventionalBus Operator. A natural born leader, he became a Shop Stewardand then was elected again as a member of the Local’s ExecutiveBoard in 2008. Brother Lew won consecutive elections as an Executive Board Member for Operations from 2008 until 2019 when members elected him as the Local’s Financial Secretary-Treasurer in January2020, a position he still holds today. As Chair of the Local’s SocialCommittee, Brother Lew looks to get members engaged inthe Local. When not doing all things ATU he referees footballfor the Calgary and district’s school boards.  A die hardToronto Maple Leafs fan, he also supports the MinnesotaVikings. We salute Brother Lew for his commitmentand dedication to his Local and our Union.

A proud native of the Fiji Islands, Ramesh Nandan worked very hardto provide for his family and helped his dad in the sugarcane fields.Ramesh graduated from college in 1989 and started a career as anAir Traffic Controller at the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF).After getting married in 1990 and having two children, Rameshgot an opportunity to come to Canada in 1999 in hopes of a betterfuture for his family. In 2011, Ramesh took a job at HandyDart,joining our Local 1724-Vancouver, BC. Wanting to advocate forhis fellow Union members, Brother Nandan decided to becomea Shop Steward in 2015 and still serves in that role. He has beeninvolved in Health and Safety for his Local and was elected tothe Local’s Executive Board in 2021. When not working,Brother Nandan volunteers for Sangam, an organization inthe Fijian community, organizing events, functions, andworking in the temples. Known for his great leadershipskills and values, Brother Nandan is well respected byour Local 1724 members.  We salute Brother Nandanand his great work with HandyDart and our Union.

As a proud Filipina, Local 1576-Lynnwood, WA, Sister Sharon Thea Parker has been a constant force for her Local at Transdev DART for the past six years. An Executive Board Officer, she wears many hats—Dispatcher, Shop Steward, contract negotiation team member, and trusted representative in grievance and disciplinary hearings. And somehow, she manages to juggle all thatwhile still showing up with a warm smile and tray after tray of amazing Filipino food! Sister Parker is someone who steps up, even when it’shard. Through eight general managers in just two years, she’sremained a steady, knowledgeable, and reassuring presence forour members. Whether it’s orientations for new members,contract prep, or simply making sure people feel seen andheard, Sister Parker gives of her own time. She doesn’t seekthe spotlight—she just wants to make sure people are takencare of. At the bargaining table, Sister Parker never hesitatesto speak up with clarity and conviction, always focusedon what truly matters to the membership. We saluteSister Parker’s compassion, strength, and unwaveringsense of purpose for her Local and our Union.