In 2007, as a new employee at Weston-Interbake, Clyde admits he fell for some of management's anti-union propaganda and voted against joining the union. However, it didn't take very long for Clyde to understand why his co-workers were trying to organize with BCTGM Local 68. So when some of his co-workers were talking about contacting the BCTGM once again in 2008, he made sure he was one of the first to sign a Union card and encourage many of his co-workers to sign. According to Clyde, "Management has no respect for employees and some of the supervisors would talk to workers like they were dogs."
Management began giving Clyde undesirable jobs after he bravely stood up and announced he supported joining BCTGM Local 68. Clyde did any job he was assigned and took pride in his work. However, the company considered him a threat because of his friendship with so many Interbake workers. As they did with other out-spoken pro-union supporters, management fired Clyde.
Times are really tough and Clyde has been struggling to find work. "There isn't a lot company's hiring anyone--let alone a man in his sixties," says Clyde. "I just haven't had any luck in finding work," he adds.
"Weston-Interbake management has literally destroyed me financially, by both firing me and then challenging my unemployment. I've been living on my saving and everyday it's getting tougher and tougher.
"But if I had to do it all over again, I would because it is the right thing to do. I have faith that management will have to count our ballots and we'll finally have the true representation needed at Interbake!"
