Sylvie Langlais, local 500

Reno Depot
Montreal, Quebec

In 1993 Sylvie began working as a cashier at Home Depot. The store had been operating under the Brico name, but that year a change of banner took place. This was the first Reno Depot to open in Montreal.

Before working there, Sylvie worked at a Provigo store which was also unionized with the UFCW. Then she felt she needed a change.

A friend who worked at Brico invited her to come work there. Sylvie didn’t know anything about the industry, but she wasn’t afraid to take up the challenge. The possibility of a full-time position was also  very attractive.

When it opened, Reno Depot had 425 employees. Sylvie had already developed some interest in the union when she was working at Provigo. She attended meetings and felt that she could bring in new ideas. This is why Sylvie decided to apply when new steward positions came up at Home Depot. She wanted to represent the cashiers who, according to her, are in a department that does not get the attention it deserves.

After taking up a steward position, Sylvie took part in her first collective agreement negotiation. She is proud to have contributed to the negotiation of a base level of full-time positions and sick leave for part-time employees. During the negotiations, the employees decided to organize a day of pressure tactics. So on this day they all removed their work smocks. Because this smock is the only way to identify them in the store, customers didn’t know who to go to for help which particularly upset management.

When you speak to her about the differences between men and women, she responds that when men have a question they go to the proper person, whereas women discuss it amongst themselves but don't take things any further. Sylvie is trying to encourage her coworkers to claim what they’re entitled to: “Be a woman!” she tells them.

However, she recognizes that not everyone feels comfortable confronting management. So she doesn’t hesitate to do it for people who don't dare do it themselves. For Sylvie, justice is essential. Her involvement as a steward allowed her to better understand all of the issues involved in negotiations, the employer’s position as well as the union’s, and to make well-thought-out decisions.

For Sylvie, unions will always have their place in society, otherwise who would protect those that are easily exploited?