Everyone is aware of the illegal war being waged against Ukraine by Russia. Not everyone knows that one of our own Local 88 members employed at GM Cami Assembly is directly affected by it.
Krystyna Zavyalova is a PSG in Chassis on B shift. She immigrated to Canada from Ukraine in 2003 with her parents. Her brother Nikolai and his family stayed in Ukraine and have been living through the war crimes happening in their homeland.
Last month Krystyna’s sister-in-law Tama and nephew Sem were able to cross the border into Poland. Upon arriving one of own our Local 88 retirees Zdzisiek “Bo” Musial picked them up and brought them to a hotel.
They spent a month in Poland while Krystyna and her parents made arrangements for visas and plane tickets for them to seek refuge in Canada.
They arrived here on March 22nd and are relieved to have found safety, but worry about Nikolai, who has enlisted in the Ukrainian army.
On Friday April 29th the union hall (364 Victoria St., Ingersoll) will be open from 1pm to 1am for a social gathering and fundraiser with a silent auction. There will be karaoke entertainment from 9pm to 1am graciously provided by Local 88 Brother and Retiree, Kevin Tilson.
Check out the silent auction items online here: https://www.32auctions.com/Zavyalova
We are requesting donations of auction items from members and local businesses.
The silent auction items are available for online bids now until noon on April 29th. At 1pm the silent auction will transition to the live event at the union hall and be open until 11:59pm. Winning bidders will be contacted on Monday, May 2nd to arrangement payment. Non-payment will see the items go to the next highest bidder. All items must be picked up by Friday, May 6th.
If you are unable to attend donations can be made online by credit card at https://square.link/ or e-transferred to admin@unifor88.ca. Please add the word Ukraine in your e-transfer message so that we know the funds are intended for this fundraiser.
Unifor Local 88 will match all donations made up to $1000.00