Janet Wilson, Local 1977

Real Canadian Superstore
St. Thomas, Ontario

Three decades ago Janet Wilson took a job as a part-time cashier at the Loblaws store in St. Thomas, Ontario. A member of UFCW Canada Local 1000A, she eventually became more involved in her union as a union steward.

When the store was converted to a Zehrs in 1989, Janet became a member of UFCW Canada Local 1977 and volunteered to be on the Health and Safety Committee. It was there that she found her mission for improving working conditions so that her fellow workers would be better protected from job injuries.

In the early 1990s she became a specially trained certified worker-member of the Health and Safety Committee and soon after became an instructor for the WSIB-funded Workers’ Health and Safety Centre. In that role over the years, she has trained every store manager and certified worker in every Zehrs and Real Canadian Superstore covered by Local 1977.

In 1995, her local asked her to come to the union office one day a month to go over the workplace inspections and minutes of health and safety committee meetings for all of the stores. That task quickly evolved into several days a month through which Janet built up and ran the local’s entire health and safety program. She has been a member of the Local 1977 Executive Board since 1997 while continuing as a part-time cashier at one of the first Real Canadian Superstores.

In August 2007, Local 1977 President Scott Penner asked Janet to take over as the local union’s full-time WSIB Specialist in addition to her health and safety responsibilities.

“No one in our union has had a greater influence on health and safety than Janet,” says Scott.

Janet retires officially on December 31st, 2009 but her legacy will continue.

“It would be impossible to calculate how many injuries have been prevented – and will continue to be prevented – because of her tireless dedication over so many years, “ says President Penner.

“Her great contribution to safer and healthier workplaces will continue through all the members she has trained and instilled with her infectious passion to protect her fellow members and, indeed, all workers.”