June Wilson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and was a member of the Garment Workers Union before emigrating to Canada in 1967. On her arrival in Canada she became a member of the Hotel, Culinery Workers and Bartenders Union, local 40, and was appointed Shop Steward in 1969. In 1970 she became a delegate from her local to the South Okanagan Boundary Labour Council and held the position of secretary. June, and the other 29 Action Centre Coordinators joined the Canadian Union of Public Employees in 1985.
After the death of her only child in 1980, June returned to her native Scotland for almost a year. She refers to the trip as "a matter of survival".
On her return to Canada she was faced with the "new reality" which consisted of rising unemployment and diminishing opportunities. Low on funds, no permanent job prospects and ineligible for benefits either federally or provincially, June volunteered to act as a coordinator in the Penticton Unemployment Action Centre which was about to open.
Three months later, when down to only enough funds to cover one more mortgage payment on her home, The B.C. Federation of Labour was able to put the coordinators on salary. June received her first paycheque one week before Christmas. She says "I'll never forget the relief I felt. It was like winning a lottery. I was one of the lucky ones who was saved by the bell, but I'm changed by the feelings of fear and panic I experienced during that period. I no longer take things for granted".
June Wilson's depth of commitment to the unemployed is apparent in her writing, but her commitment was shared by all the coordinators in the Province.
