Belinda Breton, from Loblaws Real Canadian Superstore in London, Ontario, has won the Grand Prize for our Share Your Story Contest. Belinda received $500 in PC Gift Cards for her winning entry.
"Congratulations to Belinda for winning the Grand Prize for our Share Your Story Contest," said Wayne Hanley, President of UFCW Canada Local 1006A. "As Ontario’s best union, 1006A has a strong track record of advancing and protecting our members’ rights. I want to thank Belinda for sharing her powerful story about how 1006A has made a difference in her life."
The contest ran over last year, and was open to all local union members.
"When I set out on the story, it was for everyone to read on how you can fight the big corporations," said Belinda. "The response I received was truly amazing. I am very grateful to the Union for all the help along the way and now even more so with the winning of my entry. Never give up for what you believe in."
To enter the contest, members had the opportunity to submit 150 words on how the union has made a difference in their life. Monthly winners were chosen, and from there, the Grand Prize winner.
BELINDA'S STORY
"In 2010, I was injured at work. I thought all the paper work was done properly by company. It turned out that none of it was done. I called Bill Vantol, our union rep, and told him my story. He came to see me at work and took all my notes and doctor's letters with him to the union's WSIB department. They never gave up. It took four long years of writing letters and making phone calls. After all that time, I thought, for sure, I was never going to win.
But one day, I got a phone call from Frank Mensah, who was working in the WSIB department. He told me I had a hearing in London with WSIB and that I was finally going to be able to explain my side in person.
Martha Villeda, who works in WSIB with the union, came with me. She was a god-send. After a day-long hearing, I won my case.
I would never have been able to do any of it without my union and to this day I am so grateful for all the hard work and compassion they all showed me. That is what our Union does for us."
Thank you to everyone who entered the contest!
