Interviewee: John Wilgus
Year: 2005
Location: Calgary
Profile: John Wilgus was born and raised in Toronto. He moved to Calgary in 1975, where he became involved in the Bakery, Confectionary and Tobacco Workers International Union (BCTGM). His union activism started while working full-time at McGavin’s Bakery. Despite having little prior knowledge or outside help, Wilgus became a shop steward at the bakery. Later, he served as president of his local, Local 252. In 1980 he was elected Alberta’s business agent for the union, a newly-formed, full-time position that allowed him to quit his job at McGavins. As business agent, he negotiated contracts with Safeway in 1981 and with McGavins, Weston Foods, and Lucerne plants in 1982. Wilgus became an international representative in October 1984, organizing workers in Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, and Winnipeg. When the union’s Canadian membership received autonomy over their pension plan, he became one of its trustees. Though retiring in 1995, he remained active in his local as a volunteer. Beyond discussing his work and union experiences in this interview, Wilgus shares his perspectives on such issues as changing working conditions, anti-labour governance, and corporate misbehaviour.
Keywords: Bakers; Bakery, Confectionary and Tobacco Workers International Union (BCTGM); Clerks; Lockout; Meat cutters; Part-time workers; Shop steward training; Strikes; Union education; Worker rights.
Transcript: Download PDF
See also: Precarious Workers in Alberta; United Food and Commercial Workers