Judy Hrycuik, Local 1400

Real Canadian Superstore – 8th Street
Saskatoon (Saskatoon)

Judy has been a member of UFCW Canada since she started working at the 8th Street location of the Real Canadian Superstore (Loblaw) in 1979. Judy became a Shop Steward at her store in the ‘80s and says that she believes it was when the contract was expiring and there were so many bad things happening in the workplace that she became involved.

“There was lots of talk and no action and since I had been working there since the store opened, I was a senior employee and I stepped up to be on the Negotiation Committee and also became a Steward.”

She comments that she has attended many wonderful educational classes and events through her involvement with the union and continues to try to help out wherever needed.

With 30 years experience working in the deli department, she has seen many changes in the department and taken on many responsibilities in addition to her normal duties, one duty being the responsibility to train the new deli workers. One change she has observed is that the workplace continues to become more and more diverse. Judy sees this as an opportunity to ensure that each of the ethnic workers she trains receives the extra help and time needed to break language barriers, ensure that what she is explaining is being understood and create a good atmosphere for her fellow members.

long with her duties as Chief Steward at her store, she is also on the Occupational Health and Safety Committee, sits on the grievance resolution committee, and has been a member of the Negotiation Committee representing her co-workers numerous times since the mid ‘80’s. She is an active member of the local’s Women’s Committee and volunteers at many UFCW events. Judy gives her time to her community as well, doing various types of volunteer work including at many sporting and musical events that come to Saskatoon. She also helps with local and federal elections.

As Judy’s two children are grown and no longer live at home, she says that “as they grow older” she and her husband enjoy spending their winter vacation relaxing on warm beaches but that they also still enjoy downhill skiing, supporting the local hockey team, walking and watching sports, hockey, baseball, football, bowling and Judy also enjoys going to the gym and reading.