Sysas started his professional career as a worker at a radio measurement device factory. In 1976 he joined a company producing magnetic tape recorders VILMA. From worker to head of shop, and subsequently deputy head of a major division, Sysas was elected chairman of the factory trade union in 1987. From 1989, he led the independent Lithuanian Metalworkers' Union as its elected Chairman, and a year later he organised and chaired Unification, the independent Lithuanian Trade Union. As the Soviet Union was crumbling and Lithuania was regaining political independence, the Unification was cooperating and supporting the independent Social Democratic Party. Finally, Sysas lead the consolidation of the Unification and another major national Trade Union Centre to become the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation.