Lyse Buddie, local 501

Provigo
Montreal, Quebec

Lyse began her career as a cashier at Presto, a warehouse supplier for grocery stores. Large amounts of cash in circulation put her workplace at a high risk for theft. Sister Buddie was a victim of 14 robberies, including some that were armed. After a prolonged leave of absence accompanied by stress that caused repeated stomach ulcers, her doctor recommended that she quit her job as a cashier.

Thanks to her determination and the progressive contract clauses negotiated by Local 501, Lyse became the first woman to work in a warehouse for the Provigo chain. But nothing was easy. She had to convince the company that she could “do the job” and for a long time she had to use the executive restroom because there were no facilities for women in the warehouse. She worked at a distribution center for nearly twenty-five years in a non-traditional occupation.

Lyse Buddie became involved in the union as a warehouse health and safety representative and as a member of Local 501’s Women’s Committee from October 1996 to 2008. She was also an activist for FRONT (Femmes regroupées en options non traditionnelles) a network of women who work or study in a non-traditional sector. In 2000, a lung cancer diagnosis forced her to restrict her union activities as well as her volunteer work with seniors (transportation to appointments, accompaniment, meal distribution – Meals on Wheels and food collection).

In spite of her prolonged absences, the local’s women’s committee always considered Lyse one of its members.

Lyse lost her battle with cancer and passed away peacefully on October 22, 2008. During her final days, Francine Leblanc, a retired executive assistant of UFCW Quebec and Diane Émard, who worked at Sobeys offices, were by her side.

A tribute by Local 503 representative Louise Lefebvre best described what kind of woman Lyse Buddie was. “Lyse was always ready to help anyone; this woman preferred to give than to receive. Even stray cats could count on her. She could give the shirt off her back to help. Her ability to listen was a great gift, not to mention her kindness and her big heart. She never did anything half-way.”