Isabelle Glandon, Local 486

Super C
Aylmer, Quebec

Isabelle was 16 years old when she started working as part-time cashier at a Steinberg store in Aylmer, Quebec. It was her first job. Since salaries were attractive, she chose to work for this company where her father also worked as a baker. Over the years, she held several jobs in the store. For the past while, she has been assigned to the Meats and Cheeses Department. Over time, her place of business changed banners several times to finally become a Super C store.

When she started working, Isabelle did not know much about her union, like many young people around her. She was a reserved and shy person and was afraid to make complaints. Then she started to attend union meetings and began to understand the role of the union a bit more. Faced with a new manager who had no respect for employees and the collective agreement, Isabelle said to herself, "That’s enough!”. A union steward position became available and she went for it. Isabelle has worked as steward for 10 years and sits on her local union’s executive committee as recording secretary. She feels privileged to hold this office. She also takes part in negotiations and has experienced one of the longest strikes of the UFCW. This strike began in April 2000 and ended in July 2001.

Her great pride is to have succeeded in standing up to her employer, in enforcing the collective agreement and in helping her co-workers. Through her union involvement, she managed to overcome her shyness. She feels that women have taken their proper place in society.

In her opinion, unions definitely still have their usefulness because without them the progress achieved so far would quickly disappear. You need only look at working conditions at non-unionized companies such as Wal-Mart. Young people must be convinced to get involved. As a matter of fact, her niece is an assistant-steward at the store and would like to study in the field of labour relations. Despite her many years as a steward, Isabelle is still driven by the same driving force and wishes to continue to be involved as much as before.