Why I won’t be boycotting Sears

I write regarding the July 25th article in The Telegram titled “Calls for a boycott” concerning Sears Canada. I, for one, will not join in such a boycott.

I deplore, of course, the shabby treatment of the retail employees made worse by millions of dollars to be doled out to the top level Sears brass. The boycott will not — that I can see — help the laid-off employees. Maybe if Sears Canada makes some money on their clearance sales then something more could be offered to the unfortunate ex-employees.

I, like millions of Canadians, have fond memories of Sears, or rather Simpsons-sears Limited as it used to be known for years. In 1973 I worked at Simpsons-sears as a low-level employee. It was a great place to work. As an employee one got 10 per cent off most purchases.

That year I was given, along with many other employees, a silver medallion in acknowledgement of 1973 being a One Billion Dollar Year. Two hands are clasped together in co-operation on the coin — representing, of course, management and labour. The obverse of the medallion states: “Dedicated to Leadership in Merchandising And Customer Satisfaction; Thank you for your contribution to our Progress.”

I still have that medallion. It meant a lot to me as a very young new employee of this, at that time, great Canadian company. In the subsequent decades I made sure to purchase as much as I could at Sears Canada. Unlike the person quoted in The Telegram article, I will be sad if Sears Canada does ultimately close out of business. I will, however, always have that medallion and those dear memories as a young Sears worker.

Robin Reid St. John’s