Interview with Dave Wilson

Dave Wilson grew up in Winnipeg. He was influenced by his grandfather who was active in the Winnipeg General Strike. He apprenticed as a lineman with the Manitoba Telephone System and soon after starting there he became the shop steward for apprentices in his local of the IBEW. He eventually became president, and then assistant business manager of the local. In 1975, he left Manitoba to get a job at Okanagan Telephone (OK Tel) in Kelowna, which eventually merged with the B.C. Telephone Company. At OK Tel, Dave was very active in the TWU and became president of his local. He was also very active in the NDP. Dave left the telecommunications industry when he took a buyout after the merger of BC Tel and Telus. After that, he worked for the B.C. Union Label Trades Council, promoting the Union Label and the UFCW Discovery to Apprenticeship Program. Dave was also active in the IWA Credit Union and Community Savings Credit Union.