Provincial - November 2008 (PDF) - BC Government and Service ...

Record number of BCGEU members run for local officerecord number of BCGEU membersAaround the province are making namesfor themselves by running for citycouncils, school boards and other locallyelectedbodies.Thirty-four BCGEU members ran for a variety ofpositions this election.As the Provincial went to press, candidates were outknocking on doors, handing out leaflets and meetingvoters, all in preparation for the municipal election onSaturday, November 15.“I want to congratulate our members who are running,”said Darryl Walker, BCGEU president. “It takes a lot toput your name forward and do all the work necessaryto run a campaign, let alone the work involved if youget elected!“Local governments have been vocal on many BCGEUissues such as child care, social services and the stateof highway repair, and we need them to continue tospeak out.”BCGEU candidates listed here are endorsed by theCross Component Committee in their area, and canalso be endorsed by their local Labour Council.Following is a list of BCGEU-endorsed members runningfor local office in B.C. communities:• Abbotsford: Preet Rai (School Trustee, District 34)• Ashcroft: Helen Kormendy (Council)• Castlegar: Raymond Koehler (Council)• Campbell River: Charlie Cornfield (Mayor), GeorgeMaclagan, Joyce McMann (School Trustee, Dist. 72)• Central Saanich: Zeb King, Sue Stroud (Council)• Chase: Scott Koch (Council)• Chetwynd: Kathy Weaver (Council)• Comox Valley: Susan Barr (School Trustee, Dist. 71)• Coquitlam: Sheryl Seale (Council)• Cowichan Valley: Ann Andersen, Patty McNamara(School Trustee, District 79)• Cranbrook: Dave Hall (Council)• Delta North: Anne Peterson (Council)• District of Saanich: Dean Murdock (Council)• Fort St. James: Brenda Gouglas (Council)• Fort St. John: Dan Davies (Council)• Grand Forks: Gene Robert (Council)• Houston: Joanne Dickenson (Council)• Island Trust: Garry Steeves (Trustee)• Langford: Ryan Hinton (Council)• Logan Lake: Marlon Dosch (Mayor)• Nelson: Gord McAdams (Mayor),Robin Cherbo (Council)• New Denver: Gary Wright (Mayor)• Parksville: Sue Powell (Council)• Port Coquitlam: Brad West (Council)• Salmo: Jeanine Haughton (Council)• Terrace: Lorrie Gowen (Council)• Victoria: Peg Orcherton (Trustee, District 61)• Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM):www.civicnet.bc.ca• Ministry of Community Development,Local Government Department:www.cd.gov.bc.ca• Social Planning and Research Councilof BC (SPARC):www.sparc.bc.ca

UPDATERecord number of BCGEU-endorsedcandidates elected to local governmentMore BCGEU members are running for andbeing elected to local government acrossB.C. Of the 34 members endorsed bycross component committees as municipaland school board candidates, 21(61.7 per cent) went on to be elected.According to preliminary electionresults, the following memberswere elected on November 15:Preet Rai (Abbotsford SD);Helen Kormendy (Ashcroftcouncil); Charlie Cornfield(Campbell River mayor); JoyceMcMann (Campbell River SD);Kathy Weaver (Chetwyndcouncil); Susan Barr (ComoxValley SD); Ann Andersen(Cowichan Valley SD), AnnePaterson (Delta North council);Dean Murdock (Districtof Saanich council); BrendaGouglas (Ft. St. James council);Dan Davies (Ft. St. Johncouncil); Gene Robert (GrandForks council), Joanne Dickenson(Houston council); Garry“On behalf of ourunion, I would liketo congratulate allmembers whoput their namesforward forelected office.”Darryl WalkerSteeves (Islands Trust); Marlon Dosch (Logan Lakemayor); Robin Cherbo (Nelson council); Gary Wright(New Denver mayor); Sue Powell (Parksville council),Brad West (Port Coquitlam council), Jeanine Haughton(Salmo council), andPeg Orcherton (Victoria SD).Labour councils across the province also endorsed atotal of 252 candidates for local government elections.Of that number, 181 candidates were successful inbeing elected to local office.MEETING OF MINDS — On his recent provincial tour (see p. 10-11), BCGEUpresident Darryl Walker met with community leaders in local communities acrossB.C. Walker is pictured above with Prince George mayor-elect Dan Rogers, whowas endorsed by the local labour council.Photo: Joshua Berson

Photo: Joshua BersonB.C.’s Commercial Vehicle Inspectors workbehind the scenes to keep our roadssafe for the travelling publicWhen the Campbellgovernmentmoved to cut thepublic service byone third, startingin 2002, commercialvehicleinspection jobswere cut as well– falling from 270to 160 today.s British Columbians climbAinto our cars each day, makingour way to work or taking thekids to hockey practice, wedo so with confidence that wewill have a safe journey. As wenavigate through traffic, we trust that thesemi-trailer behind us can stop in time, andthat its cargo is properly secured.That trust doesn’t just happen — it stemsfrom the dedication of B.C.’s commercialvehicle inspectors, who check commercialvehicles, enforce laws on commercialvehicle safety, and issue certifications tocommercial carriers and private vehicleinspection facilities.Inspectors can order vehicles off the road ifthey find serious safety infractions.On Nov. 12, the BCGEU issued a statementdemanding that the provincial governmentcarry out an immediate system-wide safetyaudit of highways vehicle fleets, followingreports that a private highways contractorwas caught operating unsafe vehicles withinfractions so serious that a number oftrucks were ordered out of service.“We want Victoria to carry out a safetyaudit so that the public and highwaysmaintenance workers can be reassured thatthe vehicles are in safe working order,” saidBCGEU President Darryl Walker.“The problem is that the Campbell governmentallows contractors to oversee theirown maintenance regimes. Independentscrutiny by the province’s trained commercialvehicle safety experts happens onlyinfrequently. This needs to change.”Cory Lawton (Local 2004), a self-described“truck cop” for over 20 years, works at theHunter Creek weigh scale in Hope, inspectingcommercial vehicles for load and safetyinfractions, ensuring that loads are properlysecured, and checking drivers’ log books toensure they take mandated rest breaks.“We have a lot of power and need to useit correctly,” Lawton says, adding thatinspectors must use common sense inexercising their authority.While inspectors have no powers of arrestand carry no guns, tasers or spray, they areissued a Kevlar vest, which gives some protectionagainst potential violence on the job.Brian Taylor, the Local 2010 chair fromChetwynd, travels B.C.’s highways lookingfor commercial vehicle infractions. Heagrees that inspectors need to exercise adegree of caution in performing their duties.“There’s a certain amount of danger thatcomes with the job,” Taylor says, notingthat about 5 per cent of drivers he stopsare “obnoxious”. Communications can bea problem too, with no cell phone service inmany rural areas of the province.Taylor ensures that drivers and trucks carrycorrect licenses, and he checks vehiclesand loads to ensure they are road-safe.George Foisy (Local 2006) has worked for

PROFILEthe provincial government for 35 years. Heworks in the portable enforcement unit inthe Williams Lake area, and estimates thathe stops and checks about 20 trucks a day.“When the economy is good, we have fewerproblems,” says Foisy. “The owners havemore money to fix their vehicles.” However,he predicts that the current economicdownturn may spur more operators to cutcorners, to reduce maintenance costs.The job of monitoring and enforcementis becoming more difficult as well, Foisynotes, with weigh scales being closed, andfewer inspectors to monitor ever-increasingvolumes of commercial traffic.When the Campbell government moved tocut the public service by one third, startingin 2002, commercial vehicle inspection jobswere cut as well — falling from 270 inspectorsto 160 today.Gordon Bell (Local 2003) has 23 years experienceand works as an inspector in theMetro Vancouver area — enforcing safetyand speed regulations, and speaking tovarious groups about vehicle safety.“There are not enough of us to do the job,”agrees Bell, noting that “truck traffic hasmore than doubled” in recent years.Mike Zakus, a Local 2010 steward from FortSt. John with 18 years experience, worksas an inspector in the Peace River region,inspecting school buses and checkingprivate licensed shops that inspect and fixcommercial vehicles,“We can suspend an operation for 30 daysor pull a school bus off the road,” if seriousinfractions are found, says Zakus. “We havea good rapport with the local facilities.”On the 50th anniversary of the commercialvehicle inspectors service in B.C. (1958-2008), the travelling public continues to bewell-served by these dedicated professionalswho, like many in the public service, areforced to deal with an increasing workloadand higher traffic volumes, with fewerworkers and diminishing resources.DEDICATION — (Top): CVSE mobile inspector Gordon Bell. (Clockwise from middle left): CVSEInspectors Cory Lawton, Brian Taylor, Mike Zakus, and George Foisy.

NEWSMembers’ pensions‘well positioned’ toweather volatilefinancial marketGov’t facilitiesworkers ratify a4 year agreementBCGEU members who provide maintenanceand property management services for BCgovernment facilities across the provincehave ratified a new agreement that includesa 15 percent wage increase over 4 years.“This agreement helps our members deal with thecost of living. It also recognizes the importance of theirwork,” said Dave MacDonald, the chair of Component17, the general services component, which includesthese employees.Bargaining committee chair Keith Wealick attendedinformation meetings around the province and waspleased with the result.“We had a number of challenges during bargaining, butin the end were able to come up with an agreementthat the members could support,” said Wealick.“We still have a number of grievances to work out withthe employer and now that the agreement has beensigned, we are hoping they can be dealt with quickly.”Members will receive a 3 percent wage increase ineach of the first 2 years, rising to 4.5 percent in eachof the final 2 years. Additional benefits includeextended health and vision care improvements.The new collective agreement expires April 30, 2012.The 280 members are employed across the provinceby Brookfield LePage Johnson Controls - WorkplaceSolutions Inc. under a privatized agreement with theB.C. government.The recent market turmoil in the financialmarkets has resulted in a number ofinquiries from members about their pensionplans. By all accounts, BCGEU members’pension plans are able to hold up, despitethe recent financial storms.BCGEU members, working in a diverse number ofjobs, are members of the Public Service Pension Plan(PSPP), College Pension Plan (CPP) and the MunicipalPension Plan (MPP). Community social service workerswill be able to join the MPP in 2010.As “defined benefit” pension plans, members are guaranteedincome for life after retirement. The pension willdepend on years of service, age and earnings. The stateof the market does not impact their pension benefit.The B.C. Investment Management Corporation (bcIMC),which manages the pension funds, has had concernsabout the state of the market over the last year. Butthe corporation has taken steps to diversify and lessentheir exposure to stocks which have been subject tothe recent market downturn.The bcIMC provided assurances to the BCGEU in arecent bulletin: “The long-term investment returns ofthe pension plans remain strong and, as long-terminvestors, the plans are well-positioned to weatherthe recent events of the financial markets,” said DougPearce, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief InvestmentOfficer of bcIMC.The pension funds are invested in a wide range ofinvestments including real estate, securities, bonds,Treasury Bills, mortgages and equities. The annualizedrate of return for all public sector plans has beenbetween 7.5 percent and 8.8 percent over the lastten years.More information on each pension plan is available at:www.pensionsbc.ca.

NEWSM2M priorities: Recruiting new stewards, talking to membershe union’s annual Member to MemberTcampaign has become a regular part of theunion’s outreach activity to its members.This year has seen a heavy focus onrecruiting stewards.“It’s important that local executives get out and meetthe members and hear what they have to say,” saidDarryl Walker, BCGEU president. “I’m alsohoping that components can use M2M as away to recruit new stewards.“We’re right in the middle of electingstewards and M2M can be an effective wayto encourage members to put their namesforward to be a steward.”Activists in Component 2 are not justtalking to members — they’re out to helpthe community by collecting canned goodsfor donation. They encourage theirmembers to bring their donations any timebetween December 8 and 12.“We feel it’s important to help thecommunity where we can,” says HelenLindsay, Component 2 chair. “Our memberswork with many people who need a littleextra help and we want to do our part.”Component 5 has been out visiting stores, talking totheir members as they continue to promote their“Shop Public” campaign, reminding members that“where you shop does matter.”“M2M can bean effective wayto encourageour members toput their namesforward to be asteward.”Monica Wyllie is the Local 704 chair. This is her firstM2M campaign as chair and she’s out visiting worksitesand talking to members. Wyllie is handing outsome of the union’s educational material and “swag.”Dave Cumming is the Second Vice-Chair of Local1003 and he’s been visiting worksites in the area tosign up stewards. This year, he focused on theEnvirotest worksites. “My plan is to get stewards at allworksites,” Cumming says.Kim Phillips (Local 1210 chair) and RoyScafe (Local 310 chair) have beenpounding the pavement in their area torecruit stewards.Phillips has recruited 13 stewards —“what a success” — and was able to visitmost of the offices. Scafe hit a number ofspots, including North Peace CommunityResources in Fort St. John, where abroadcast on the PA system encouragedmembers to meet with him. StephanieSeaman, the additional Component 3representative on the provincial executive,toured worksites with Scafe.Locals 312 and 1212 were active, withRusty Blanes touring the area. A number ofnew stewards were recruited. Earlier in theyear, Local 2012 held a meeting at Ootsa Lake, focusingon seasonal workers in their component.An important part of M2M involves making sure theunion’s membership records are up to date. Memberswho have not provided the union with their e-mail ormailing address are encouraged to go to the union’sweb site (www.bcgeu.ca) and fill out the Change ofAddress form to update their file online.

NEWSPresident crossemeet members aWhen BCGEU president Darryl Walkerhits the road to meet with members atworksites, it’s more than just the usual“meet and greet.” He meets membersat a variety of locations and tackles anumber of difficult issues.VICTORIA — BCGEU president Darryl Walker toured worksites in the Victoriaarea. In the photo (l-r): Steve Kitcher (Local 702 Chair, Comp. 7 Executive; DarrylWalker; Lisa Lundgren (Local 702 vice-chair, Comp. 7 Executive).During September and October, Walker was in Victoria,Kamloops and Prince George (see October issue of theProvincial for coverage of his Okanagan visit).VICTORIA — Walker kicked off his tour of Victoriaworksites by taking the first ferry so he could meetmembers at EDS Solutions. He answered questionsabout bargaining, and the need to integrate governmentmembers moving into EDS and a newcollective agreement.Then it’s back to the area office to talk to a group ofstewards and for meetings with staff.The next day he met Component One chair Dean Purdyat the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre,for a tour of the facilities. They met with new recruits,corrections officers and viewed some of the specialhandling cells for difficult prisoners.VICTORIA — President Walker paid a visit to the Garth Homer Society in theVictoria area. Garth Homer provides help to people overcoming developmentaland physical obstables. In the photo (l-r): Kevin Steeple, Walker.It’s a sobering part of the tour, but Walker’s got experienceat this, having worked at the Forensic PsychiatricInstitute and Riverview institutions.At the end of the day, Walker was at the Garth HomerSociety, talking to staff who work with developmentallychallenged adults.“Employees gave a warm welcome to Walker,” saidSuzanne Bessette, chief steward. “Members voicedconcerns around community social services sectorwidelow wages, reduced sick leave benefits and thelack of a short term disability plan — issues they hopeto see improved in the next round of bargaining.”In the evening Walker attended an informal meetingsponsored by the Cross Component Committee.KAMLOOPS — Walker toured Kamloops’ provincial correction facility and spokewith Local 105 vice-chair Dan Carnovale (left) about his members’ concerns.Kamloops — On the next stop on Walker’s road trip,the BCGEU president toured the main library, wheremembers had just overwhelmingly ratified a newcollective agreement.10

s the province tot their worksitesNEWSStaff of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Librarysystem—which includes a dozen branches located incommunities from Lytton in the south to Blue River inthe north—won wage increases of 12.5 per cent plusother improvements in the new four-year contract.In addition to touring the Liquor Distribution Branchwarehouse, the Kamloops Regional Corrections Centre,and the Children’s Circle child care facility, Walker metwith members at the Interior Health Authority.He also met with a number of community leadersincluding the president of the Kamloops Chamber ofCommerce, and touched on a number of importantissues for BCGEU members in local media interviews.KAMLOOPS — Walker toured the main Kamloops library and spoke withmembers about their work and the new four-year contract they recently ratifiedby a 98 per cent margin. Pictured: Local 705 bargaining committee member,Lana Fisher.After flying home to White Rock in late October, Walkerhad just enough time to catch up on local news andchange clothes, before leaving the next day on thefourth leg of his provincial tour.PRINCE GEORGE — The first stop for Walker afterlanding was the Prince George Needle Exchange— which provides vital harm reduction measures, AIDSprevention, nursing and health services to addictedresidents in the city’s downtown core.Walker also visited members at the Nechako Alcoholand Drug facilities, where staff operate outpatient andyouth services, and a day treatment program for adultsstruggling with addictions. The 28 day residential treatmentprogram was closed by the Northern Health Authoritylast July despite growing demand for services.The next day, Walker visited members at AimHi, thePrince George Association for Community Living,which provides services to children, youth, adults, andfamilies — including supported living, employment andfamily support services, life skills, and other programs.Following meetings with community leaders, and localcouncil and school board candidates, Walker attendeda general membership meeting at the area office, andthe annual stewards appreciation banquet.“I’m grateful for the opportunity to meet with ourmembers and hear about their challenges andsuccesses,” said Walker. “I will draw on this experienceas we prepare to enter provincial bargaining in 2010.”PRINCE GEORGE — Walker meets with front-line workers at the NeedleExchange in downtown Prince George, which provides harm reduction andHIV/AIDS prevention services to Prince George residents. Pictured (l-r): SarahJewer, Walker, and Marilyn Barfoot-Kinch.PRINCE GEORGE — Members at Nechako Drug and Alcohol Services facilitiesin Prince George with Walker. Pictured (l-r): Nev Stinson, Melany Carrington,Alvena Havard, Sheena McDermid, Walker, Joff Talbot, and Kathy Starzyk.Photos: Joshua Berson; BCGEU staff11

NEWSCare for seniors at breaking point at Interior Health AuthorityFront-line health workers whocare for seniors in four Okanaganfacilities say they’restressed to the max physically,mentally and emotionallybecause government policiesdon’t allow them to provide the level ofcare that seniors need and deserve.And the B.C. Government and ServiceEmployees’ Union promises it will raisetheir concerns, along with those ofresidents’ families when it makes apresentation to the B.C. Ombudsman’sprobe into seniors care in Victoria.“Our members are under intense pressureevery day to meet the increasingly complexcare needs of seniors in long-term carefacilities without having enough staffingand the necessary resources to do the job,”says BCGEU president Darryl Walker.“It’s reached a real breaking point,” saysWalker, who heard health care workers’ concernsduring a visit to Vernon in September.BCGEU executive member Brenda Brown,who heads the union’s health workerssection, says the crisis was created bygovernment policies that result in seniorsbeing older and more frail when they getinto long-term care.“Seniors’ care needs have skyrocketed intheir complexity,” says Brown, who touredthe Gateby Care Facility in Vernon on Nov.13 and also met separately with residents’families. “But government funding andstaffing levels haven’t kept pace.”Brown says Vernon and Kelowna caregivers constantly raise their concerns with“Seniors care needshave skyrocketed intheir complexity, butgovernment fundingand staffing levelshaven’t kept pace.”managers and the Interior Health Authority.“The IHA says it can’t do anything becausethe Campbell government hasn’t providedthe resources needed to properly care forseniors,” she says.The union has received numerous submissionsfrom members about the care crisis.Walker says these will be presented to B.C.Ombudsman Kim Carter’s probe in November.Carter called the probe because of thevolume of complaints received by her officeabout poor care for seniors.BCGEU represents care givers at the ThreeLinks Care Centre in Kelowna and GatebyCare Facility, Heritage Square, and CreeksideLanding in Vernon.12

NEWSBCGEU continues to make gainsin organizing new work sites“Workers arejoining our unionbecause we’releading the wayin addressingpriority issues.”It’s been a busy time for BCGEUorganizers as more than 400 newmembers have joined the BCGEUsince May.The new members come from avariety of sectors — casinos, health care,community social services, and child care— and they’ve joined for a variety ofreasons. But they chose BCGEU to helpimprove their jobs and make their workplacesbetter.The largest group of new members areemployees at the Gateway Casino inBurnaby. After a two year effort, staffsucceeded in having their votes to jointhe BCGEU counted.Now dealers, slot attendants, dealersupervisors and slot machine supervisorshave more clout to improve wages andworking conditions.“I want to extend a warm welcome to ournew Gateway members and all others whohave joined BCGEU in recent months,”says union president Darryl Walker.“Workers are joining our union becausewe’re leading the way in addressingpriority issues like fairness, job security,health and safety, improved wages,and benefits.”Other groups of new BCGEU membersinclude:• Seven counselling professionals whowork for Cowichan Family Life Associationin Duncan and provide servicesfor children at risk;• Two dozen assisted living workers atHeritage Square in Vernon andPioneer Square in Armstrong who areemployed by Advocare HealthServices to provide contracted outcare and support services at thetwo facilities;• In Quesnel, 20 assisted living workersemployed by inSite Health ServicesInc. at the new Maeford Place facility;• 15 staff employed by the Nisga’aNation’s Child and Family Serviceswho provide a wide range of programsto meet the physical, emotional andcultural well being of Nisga’a childrenand their families in the Nass Valley,Terrace and Prince Rupert;• 20 health care workers and supportstaff who care for dual diagnosispatients, with mental illness anddrug addictions, at the newBurnaby Centre for Mental Healthand Addictions;• Eight counselling professionals whowork for the Langley-based Familyand Youth Services Society who alsoprovide services for children andfamilies at risk;• 14 staff at the Wellesley assisted livingcomplex in Victoria; and• A homeless shelter run by the ActiveSupport Against Poverty HousingSociety, which employs 23 people.Meanwhile BCGEU’s organizing effortswith family child care providers continuesto make headway. To date, close to 1,400home-based child care providers havesigned on as special associate members(SAMs) of BCGEU.Because home-based providers may notbe able to directly certify to become unionmembers immediately, the specialmembership status connects them with alarger organization and the broader childcare movement.13

COMMUNITYBCGEU Labour Institute a offers a dynamicunion education program for activistsn October 17, 53 members and activistsOgathered at Capilano College for an intensive3 day Fall Labour Institute program —a partnership between the BCGEU and theCapilano College Labour Studies program.The program is divided into separate Academic andCampaign streams. The academic stream is aimedat Component Executive members, who take 1 dayof Labour History, 1 day of Economics, and 1 day ofSocial Policy courses.Campaign stream participants learned about thefundamental elements of campaigning, strategies forupcoming elections, planning, campaign communications,and how to engage the public on the doorstep.Members in the Campaigns course heard from guestspeakers – Summer McFayden from the B.C.Federation of Labour “Count Me In”campaign, John Anderson fromACORN, Soren Bech, formerBCGEU communications officer,and Raymond Louie, a Vancouvercity councillor.A highlight of the campaign courseincluded the ‘Labour to Neighbour’event. Campaign participantsvisited members’ homes in theVancouver Fairview constituency,handing out leaflets and talkingto members about union issues,and encouraged them to vote inthe by-election.Roger Street (Local 103): “This course invigoratedmy activist thinking mind. I’ve been engaging myco-workers to vote for change. I’m fired up.”Edna Park (Local 605): “The Campaigns class wasan excellent opportunity to network and shareexperiences and ideas with activists from around theProvince, as we are all working towards change withthe political issues of today.”Rory Smith (Local 1004): A really good 3 days.Starting with an invigorating Labour History, andthen Economics and Social Policy, really gave me asense of where things came from and what needsto change.”BC NDP leader Carole Jameswas the guest speaker onFriday evening.James spoke on pressingprovincial issues and on theimportance of labour’s participationand support — stressing theneed for a labour-friendlygovernment that believes incommunity values.North Vancouver, Oct. 17-19 — BCGEU members attend the Fall 2008 Labour Institute (in no order).Campaigns Participants: Eduardo Aragon (Local 703), Diane Carter (403), James Cavalluzzo (301), PeterClegg (103), MJ Colquhoun (404), Anita Cote (412), Anthony Davies (203), Scott DeLong (401), Davy Dosanjh(312), Michele Freethy (612), Cheri Gagnon (308), Melodie Greco (1705), Patsy Harmston (309), Larry Jandu(304), Paul Komer (408), Shelly Lightfoot (402), Wendy Mah (407), Pobhinder Mann (1203), Chris Mikulasik(311), Yvette Ortiz (304), Darcy Page (1201), Edna Park (605), Angela Reed (305), Brenda Savoie (1205), CarolSchmitz (1702), Pam Schneider (308), Mike Scott (102), Linda Sonmor (1204), Roger Street (103), ChristineThelker (407), Kathy Tones (303), Mark Unger (611), Trudi Versteeg (411). Academic Participants: Dan Baker(1012), Gilles Dore (503), Margie Edmondson (507), Valorie Ellis Peet (505), John Alexander Fedyk (603), SusanneFrancoeur (201), Gayle Furgala (1707), Diane Hamilton (512), Darlene Joaquin (1206), Rory Smith (1004), KevinStaneland (1008), Shalane Syvertsen (406), Kiran Tiwana (304), Donna Verdiel (401), Phil West (1703).14

COMMUNITYNow you can purchase a variety ofBCGEU Wear online, including:4 Hats4 Jackets4 Long-sleeve Shirts4 Pants4 T-shirts1. Go to the BCGEU website (www.bcgeu.ca)and click on the ‘BCGEU Store’ link inthe Main Menu.2. Choose your BCGEU Wear.3. Pay online with a credit card.Want to serve as a steward?Find out more by downloading a‘Steward Election Information Package’ from:www.bcgeu.ca/union_stewardsElections are conducted by a current steward orneutral member. If your workplace doesn’thave a steward, contact your localBCGEU Area Office:www.bcgeu.ca/contact_us4. Wait for items to be delivered to your door.All BCGEU Wear items are union-made in Canada, .and sold through a unionized Canadian firm.15

Samantha McDonough has gained a lot asa steward at the Youth Forensic PsychiatricServices in Burnaby.“Being a steward has increased myconfidence, especially in meetings,” shesaid. “I also take pride in being a secondgeneration steward! My uncle has sharedmany stories about his experiences fromback in the 60’s.”McDonough puts that experience to work:“I have had many positive and challengingexperiences while working as a steward. Ithink the ones that really have stayed withme have been those where I have been ableto give members the support and confidenceto address certain life issues theymay be facing personally and at work.”She also feels that the work of stewardscould be expanded to include moreadvocacy around social justice issues.Delivering good or bad news to memberscomes with the job of being a steward. That’scertainly how Chris Mikulasik, a steward atthe Prince George Association for CommunityLiving, sees it.“I imagine that some members are not happywith the results or the messages I have had totell them. It’s especially difficult when there isno violation of the collective agreement eventhough something is happening that is unfair orappears to be wrong,” he says. “I really don’tlike giving bad news, but sometimes I haveto do it. Other people probably like what I do,especially if I get someone out of trouble orcorrect a mistake made by the employer.”The experience has paid off though, asMikulasik says that being a steward has givenhim a lot of confidence and he’s gotten good attime management so he can help members.Advice for new stewards? “I would say give ita try, but try and find a steward that is willingto mentor you.”16

Sudha Manhas is a new steward at theService B.C. office in Williams Lake. She startedat the end of February of this year but hasalready gotten a handle on the work asteward does.“I have always felt it is important to have asteward representing the worksite becausemembers are unaware of what their contracts oragreements involve,” she said. “Being a stewardhas given me the confidence and knowledge tolearn more about my contract, agreements andrights that I have as a member.”By the sound of it, Manhas has the support ofher fellow workers. “Since becoming steward,members have been very encouraging andsupportive,” she said.What encouragement does Manhas have fornew stewards? “I would advise anyone consideringbecoming a steward to get educated, staypositive and get involved.”“Knowledge is power,” she concludes.Being a steward can be a difficult job fromtime to time, but when members say “thanks,”it makes it a whole lot easier.That’s what Charlene Remer, a steward in theMinistry of Forests in Kamloops has to say.“Members have often commented on whatkind of a person it takes to be a shop steward.They tell me it takes a person who is calm,assertive, a good listener, patient, sympathetic,organized and understanding,” Remer said.“So when they tell me that I’m a good shopsteward it makes me feel great!”Remer offers some unique advice for anyoneinterested in being a steward.“Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb, becausethat is where the fruit is,” she said.Remer is also encouraging the union to be ontop of the need to recruit more stewards, citingthe “baby boomers” who will be retiring inthe near future.17

COMMUNITYWebsites:BCGEU wins9 internationallabour mediaawardsGENERAL EXCELLENCE (Local Unions)FIRST AWARDwww.bcgeu.caVP Visit — BCGEU VP Anthony Dodds visits members in Golden in October.(l-r): Dodds, Paul Komer (408 chair) and NDP MLA Norm Macdonald.BEST DESIGN (Local Unions)FIRST AWARDwww.bcgeu.caBEST CONTENT (Local Unions)THIRD AWARDwww.bcgeu.caPublications:BEST PUBLICATON DESIGN - Magazines(Local Unions)THIRD AWARDThe Provincial“Double Vision” cover, October 2007BEST PHOTOGRAPH (Local Unions)SECOND AWARDThe Provincial“Members Push for Unionized Home Support in Victoria”Joshua BersonNCO BBQ, October 14 — BCGEU vice-presidents Lorene Oikawa and MikeClarke flip burgers for Component 17 members at the union’s barbecue at theNCO Call Centre in Surrey.BEST LABOR HISTORY STORY (Local Unions)HONORABLE MENTIONThe Provincial“Labour Day: A Canadian Tradition”BEST ANALYSIS (Local Unions)SECOND AWARDThe Provincial“Child Care for Sale: Multi-National Seeks to DominateChild Care Sector in Canada”, June 2007Multimedia:LONG VIDEOS (Local Unions)SECOND AWARDBC Highway Maintenance: “You Be the Judge”AUDIO SPOTS (Local Unions)FIRST AWARDLiquor Distribution Branch - “Shop Public”LABOUR TO NEIGHBOUR — Patsy Harmston (Local 309, left) and Davy Dosanjh(Local 312, right), talk with BCGEU member Letty Mills and her husband Colin onthe Mills’ doorstep in Vancouver about issues and political action.PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40010201Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:4911 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. V5G 3W3 .Email: theprovincial@bcgeu.ca18

NEGOTIATIONSBargainingUpdatesArea 01Pre-Bargaining:• Telus Sourcing SolutionsOn-going Bargaining:• Growing Together Child andParent Society• Amica Beechwood• Need Crisis and Information Line• Eagle Bluff Lodge• IMAX Destination TheatresConcluded (Ratified) Bargaining:• Saanich Indian School Board• Douglas Care/Niagara CareCommunity Ltd. NIL/TU,OArea 02Pre-Bargaining: N/AOn-going Bargaining:• North Island Infant DevelopmentSociety (on hold)Concluded (Ratified) Bargaining:• Port Alberni Hostel Society• Vancouver Island Libraries• Port Alberni Family GuidanceAssociation• Dalewood Hotel (Port McNeil)• Haida Hotel (Campbell River)• Island Crisis Care Society (Nanaimo)• North Island Womens ServicesArea 03Pre-Bargaining:• Healing Our Spirit BC AboriginalHIV/AIDS Society• VanCity• Citizen’s BankOn-going Bargaining:• Maxxam Analytics• Amica at Mayfair on the GreenConcluded (Ratified) Bargaining:• Native Education Centre (NEC)• Servomation (Centerplace), BC Place• Everett Rest HomeArea 04Pre-Bargaining: N/AOn-going Bargaining:• Fleetwood Villa• Core Education & Fine Arts Inc.Concluded (Ratified) Bargaining:• IDEXX Laboratories Canada Corp.Area 05Pre-Bargaining:• Interior Savings Credit Union• Children’s Circle Daycare SocietyOn-going Bargaining:• Interior Indian Friendship Centre• Thompson-Nicola Regional DistrictLibrary SystemConcluded (Ratified) Bargaining:N/AArea 06Pre-Bargaining:• Cariboo Regional District• Insite-Maeford PlaceOn-going Bargaining:N/AConcluded (Ratified) Bargaining:N/AArea 07Pre-Bargaining: N/AOn-going Bargaining:• Okanagan Indian Band• Student Union of UBC Okanagan• Dorchester Retirement ResidenceConcluded (Ratified) Bargaining:• Princeton and District CommunitySkills Centre• Creekside ResidenceArea 08No bargaining underwayArea 09Pre-Bargaining: N/AOn-going Bargaining: N/AConcluded (Ratified) Bargaining:• Sunshine Valley Child CareArea 10Pre-Bargaining:• Chetwynd Women’s Resource Society• Nawican Friendship CentreOn-going Bargaining:N/AConcluded (Ratified) Bargaining:N/AArea 11No bargaining underwayArea 12No bargaining underway19

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40010201