Public health care is at risk in the October 19 B.C. election | 6
NEWS
In this together
Wildfire losses mount for individuals and communities | 3
Creating connections
New security officer training takes trauma-informed approach | 5
Leaning in to learning
HEU’s education program looks at ways to reach more members | 8
COLUMNS
Viewpoint
Convention gives members a voice in HEU’s future | 4
President’s Desk
Know before you vote on October 19 | 4
Building a good life
Making time for passion projects keeps member on track | 9
Members set housing priorities
Housing working group offers up practical solutions to housing crisis
WITH the runaway cost of renting or owning a home outstripping the salaries of many people across Canada, health care workers in B.C. are facing an uphill battle.
B.C. Premier David Eby has made policy changes to improve the situation, such as a ban on short-term rentals across most of the province and most recently, a policy that creates forgivable renovation loans for homeowners who create a secondary suite they rent out at a below-market rate.
Eby has also taken some action to protect renters from evictions. Last year, he created a special fund for non-profits to buy older rental buildings – instead of developers – so they can manage the buildings and keep the units available to existing tenants.
But one of his biggest housing commitments was when he ordered 10 of B.C.’s biggest municipalities to build more than 60,000 new housing units by 2028. The plan focuses on low- and middleincome families by mandating that thousands of those units be available at below-market rates.
Given that HEU members are affected by the housing crisis, the union has formed a working group to analyze the needs of its members and push the province and cit-
ies to adopt even stronger policies.
In its first survey of HEU members, the group learned that one in four respondents had lost a home or become housing insecure over the past five years.
The housing working group met four times this May and June to set priorities. They want the province and municipalities to maintain momentum in creating better renter protections and in building more housing stock for lower-income workers.
Nicole Pepper, a clerk at Vancouver General Hospital, is one of the working group members. She’d like to see the province require developers to build more co-op housing.
“I wish there was more available for the working class of health care, everyone deserves to have a roof over their head,” she said.
Nicole’s advocacy stems from her own experience. She and her husband were once homeless for six months. Eventually, they were able to gather enough money for a mortgage to buy a mobile home at a trailer park in Surrey for $85,000.
“I own my home,” she said. “I rent the land that it’s on. But for me, we got really lucky.”
However, that stability is now at risk because the trailer park land
has been sold to a developer.
Working group member Dolie Bulalakaw, a care aide in assisted living, also wants better housing options available to HEU members.
A few years ago, her family was evicted from a large rental home. They were eventually able to buy a townhouse in Burnaby, but the building needs repairs, and now she’s on the hook for $12,000 in strata fees.
“It’s been difficult for us to save money,” she said.
The group also prioritized policy solutions to address members’ housing concerns.
“A survey of HEU members, found that one in four respondents had lost a home or become housing insecure over the past five years.”
One solution is vacancy control, which could limit how much a landlord is allowed to raise rents between one tenant leaving and the next one moving in.
Another is enhanced renter protections that ensure if an existing building is being replaced with a new rental building, tenants don’t lose their housing during the construction phase.
HOUSING MATTERS | HEU members in the union’s new housing working group – Nicole Pepper, Olivia Foss, Dolie Bulalakaw, Cindy Crawford, Ariadna Ceballos Roman and Osorochi Madukorom – want local and provincial governments to create better renter protections and build more housing for lower-income workers.
Caelie Frampton PHOTO
ON THE FRONT COVER: HEU members and leaders joined BC Premier David Eby during his tour of Suncreek Village long-term care home in Surrey in July.
COMMENT
Lynn Bueckert | Secretary-Business Manager
We are on the eve of another B.C. election. And there’s still much more we can do to fix health care and improve the lives of HEU members.
Electing a government that will work with us
LOOKING back over HEU’s last five decades, a clear pattern emerges when it comes to the gains members have made.
And it all starts with the province’s first truly competitive, modernera election in 1972 – the year British Columbians voted in the BC NDP for the first time.
During worker-friendly BC NDP governments – from 1972 to 1975, and again from 1991 to 2001 – HEU members saw major gains in wages, benefits and job security at the bargaining table and through government-led actions.
At the same time, profit-making in health care declined as hospitals, long-term care and community care became part of the public health system.
However, when right-wing Social Credit governments defeated the BC NDP and ruled our province between 1975 and 1991, many members saw wages frozen, jobs cut and other attacks on their rights. Plus, privatizing health care was once again back on the government’s agenda.
Still by 2001, following the 10-year-long BC NDP government, HEU had built a strong facilities subsector collective agreement covering more than 90 per cent of all members.
Moreover, there was a pay equity plan that had already distributed $500 million to members during the previous decade, an occupational health and safety agency, an employment security agreement, and a
health labour adjustment agency.
Then, in the early 2000s the Social Credit Party’s replacement – the BC Liberals – won almost every seat in the legislature. With only two BC NDP opposition members left fighting a radical anti-worker and pro-privatization B.C. Liberal government, HEU members experienced historic rollbacks and job losses.
Thankfully, by 2005, B.C. returned to competitive elections and a more balanced legislature.
Facing a strong BC NDP opposition, from 2005 to 2017, the BC Liberals were forced to scale back their attacks on public health care.
Then, a worker-friendly BC NDP won government in 2017 and then again in 2020, ushering in a renewal of public health care on a scale not seen for two decades.
Now we are on the eve of another B.C. election.
And there’s still much more we can do to fix health care and improve the lives of HEU members.
But, as history has shown, to make the necessary changes to improve public health care, we need a government who will partner with us.
Let’s re-elect a worker-friendly government this fall and keep moving forward.
EIGHT DECADES OF ORGANIZING, STRUGGLE AND SOLIDARITY
HEU turns 80 this year, and we’re marking the milestone with a new book and poster series highlighting inspiring moments of our union’s history. The largeformat book is packed with stories and photos from our archives, and the display-sized posters are the perfect décor for your union office!
Members attending our October convention will get it hot off the press, as part of their delegate package. Working with illustrator Kara Sievewright and labour
historian Robin Folvik, we’ve chosen eight events that speak to HEU members’ long and proud history of advocacy, bravery and resilience. It was tough to choose just eight!
From our union’s hardscrabble roots during the Great Depression, through bargaining gains, strikes, legal and human rights victories and simple acts of solidarity and compassion, the determination and heart of our members shines through in these stories of the past, just as they do today.
NEWS
Wildfire crisis leaves lasting scars
Communities grapple with trauma and loss
“I’M SORRY you can’t go that way; the fire is coming in.”
Leeah Lucas was on her way home from a shift at Fort Nelson Hospital, where she works as a rehabilitation assistant, when she found the road blocked by first-responders.
“I told them I had to get home to my two daughters – my 16-year-old and my nine-year-old, who is autistic.”
Lucas was allowed through, but was given only 15 minutes to evacuate.
“We packed all essential items, took the dogs, cats and chicks, and got out fast. We didn’t know if we would have a home to come back to. I could see the flames coming through the trees, about five kilometers away.”
With both highways closed, a 12-hour drive took the family to Fort St. John where they found refuge at a motel.
The fire that threatened Lucas’ home in May was caused by a tree falling on a power line.
Impacts of climate change, including less mountain snowpack, tinder-dry forest conditions and changing wind patterns, further fuel already extreme conditions.
Last year’s B.C. wildfires, the largest on record, scorched close to 29,000 square kilometers – roughly the size of Belgium.
Summer after summer, susceptible communities wake up to ashes on cars, dark skies, thick billowy plumes of smoke, poor air quality and ongoing evacuation alerts for
YOUR UNION
Leadership update
On June 13, HEU announced the appointment of Lynn Bueckert as secretary-business manager.
She joined HEU five years ago as an occupational health and safety senior advisor. In 2020, she was appointed assistant secretary-business manager.
Bueckert will manage union operations and programs, lead collective bargaining, and serve as HEU’s main spokesperson.
“I’m proud to be part of a team working hard to ensure HEU members are supported, while also advancing health care protections for all British Columbians,” says Bueckert.
weeks on end.
“There is heightened anxiety and feelings of depression, or both, if you’ve experienced loss,” says Ashley Berard. The University of Victoria PhD candidate is researching the social impacts of wildfire disasters on communities and individuals.
Berard has interviewed more than 30 people from Lytton and the Thompson-Okanagan region –many of whom lost their homes and continue to experience physical and mental health impacts.
health resources, challenges with insurance claims, and the inability to afford care for lingering mental health trauma are prevalent.
Fort Nelson Hospital, where Lucas worked, remained temporarily closed after it was evacuated. During emergency closures, members don’t work so they get no compensation –and “that’s hard,” she says.
She was later redeployed to a different community.
Evacuated individuals tell Berard that as summer approaches, they wonder if a wildfire will follow. That re-traumatization is weighty.
While conducting her research, Berard observed recurring themes. Financial distress, lack of community
Welcome new members
The union welcomes 260 new members who made HEU their union of choice in June.
HEU now represents 24 cooks, housekeepers and laundry aides at Oyster Harbour Seniors Community in Ladysmith, and 80 members working as care aides, LPNs and RNs at Cartier House Seniors Community in Coquitlam.
We’re also joined by 146 new members – care aides, housekeepers and RCPs – at Amica Jubilee House in Victoria.
Growing up in northern Manitoba, she recalls, “I lost my home when I was 14 years old due to a forest fire.” With this incident, “I was on edge again.”
“An opportunity exists to boost local community resources, to give out health information or just support mental health, because a lot of the support that people need, there’s barriers to accessing it,” says Berard. Many vulnerable communities are rural or Indigenous and already face lack of access to resources.
As for Lucas, her home escaped the fire, and the family was able to return. “We’re happy that we had a home to come back to,” she says. CLIMATE CHANGE
HUMAN IMPACTS | Wildfires are now a regular part of B.C. summers and that means more and more people are experiencing these events. As a result, financial. social and health concerns are mounting, says researcher.
SHAHEEN SHIVJI
UNION POWER | Workers from Cartier House Seniors Community were granted their certification in June, bringing 80 new members to the HEU family.
Nimfa
Torrente PHOTO
EXPERTS IN YOUR CORNER
A DEDICATED research team supports HEU’s bargaining and policy goals by monitoring, analyzing and responding to workplace, sector and societal policy developments in areas that impact HEU members.
Under the leadership of the director of research Lou Black and with the administrative support of Roshni, Laurie, Darwin, Juliana, Deanna, Lucia and Iulia are subject matter experts who represent HEU on bargaining-related committees, and assist in public policy representations to government and employer bodies.
Betty Valenzuela | Financial Secretary
VIEWPOINT
Convention is our union’s democratic parliament, where delegates debate and vote on resolutions and constitutional amendments to direct HEU’s work.
ONE OF MY FAVOURITE political quotes is John F. Kennedy’s, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
I feel that way about trade unionism because I’m part of something bigger than me and together, in solidarity, we create change.
Being an activist is not asking, “What’s in it for me or what’s my union doing for me?” It’s asking, “How can I get involved to make things better?”
And that’s the goal of HEU’s convention.
It’s our union’s democratic parliament, where delegates debate and vote on resolutions and constitutional amendments to direct HEU’s work between conventions, and elect our governing body, the Provincial Executive (P.E.).
Decisions made at convention impact all HEU members.
Convention is where the future of the union is decided
Changes to our constitution have achieved measures like adding diversity vice-presidents to the P.E., increasing per diems and strike pay, banning dues on overtime, providing supplemental rebates for locals with 500 or fewer members – things that put more money in members’ pockets.
Policy resolutions direct our priorities and support – both inside and outside the union – including our commitment to protect public services, improve seniors’ care, defend against health care privatization, campaign for a living wage, support human rights, lobby governments for safe, clean drinking water in Indigenous communities, and much more.
Change starts with members voicing their hopes and concerns
I attended my first HEU convention in 2008 as a Vancouver General Hospital delegate. Convention was held in a large tent outside a Richmond hotel. I remember it was cold, windy and raining. It was miserable. But coming from a repressive government in the Philippines, it was the first time I enjoyed freedom of speech and freedom of expression. Initially, I was shy to speak, ask questions, challenge information, and disagree with motions debated on the floor. But as my confidence grew, I became more vocal. I never dreamed that 10 years later, I’d become HEU’s financial secretary.
One of HEU’s greatest convention victories was holding the BC NDP to its election promise to repeal Bill 29 and Bill 37, and return contractedout services back into the public sector.
It was 20 years of privatized members and convention delegates collaborating in solidarity to demand justice – something that will benefit HEU members for generations. Convention 2024, here we come!
Barb Nederpel | President
Kevin Falcon and John Rustad were key players in the right-wing Premier Gordon Campbell and Christy Clark B.C. Liberal governments.
IT’S
CRUNCH TIME, folks.
We must re-elect Premier David Eby and his NDP team on October 19. Otherwise, we risk losing all we gained over the past seven years.
And here’s why.
Both leaders of BC United and the B.C. Conservatives have told the media they will divert funds away from public health care. Instead, they plan to funnel taxpayer dollars into the pockets of private care operators.
That means many members will lose their jobs and our public health system will suffer.
It’s hardly surprising.
Just remember when these two leaders – Kevin Falcon and John Rustad – were key players in the right-wing Premier Gordon Campbell and Christy Clark B.C. Liberal governments.
The BC Liberals fired 10,000 HEU members when they privatized services – one in four of our members lost their jobs.
They cut wages by 15 per cent and left many care homes understaffed.
They took $360 million out of health authorities’ budgets, sold off public land earmarked for new health care facilities, and closed or cut back 71 hospitals.
That was then, this is now.
We need to keep moving health care forward
Since 2017, the BC NDP has repaired much of the damage done to health care. That’s why your Provincial Executive has endorsed Premier David Eby’s party in this election.
We must keep moving forward with the BC NDP. Their priority is public care where every dollar goes directly to patient care not to profit.
And with a supportive government partner, we can turn our vision of public health care into reality. A system where all health care workers can hold down good family-supporting jobs that they find fulfilling.
The first step is pledging to vote this fall.
Your vote can make a big difference
There will be many close races across B.C. where just a handful of votes could see worker-friendly candidates elected.
Every HEU member is counting on you.
If you have not already pledged your vote, please go to heuvotes.ca right now.
If you have already taken the pledge for public health care, I thank you!
When all the ballots have been counted, let’s make sure we elect a government who respects workers, supports public health care, and is committed to making life better for our members.
Let’s get it done on October 19.
Brenda Whitehall PHOTO
BUILDING RELATIONS
Making healthcare safer for everyone
SUKHMANJOT Kaur’s job is to ensure a safe care environment for patients and workers, but it goes beyond what an average security job would entail.
As a relational security officer (RSO) in the Lower Mainland, she takes a trauma-informed approach, which involves recognizing trauma-based reactions and behaviour, and using different approaches to de-escalate.
“I’ve worked in security before this and didn’t have a traumainformed practice,” says Kaur.
“Now, I have a better understanding of the trauma injuries people can have and how they can be triggered.”
RSOs, like Kaur, are part of a new security model implemented at 26 sites across the province. The model aims to reduce violence and psychological injury to workers and patients and create a safer and healthier work environment.
“I can’t stress enough how much of a different approach to security this is. It changes the whole dynamic, and I think it keeps everyone safer.”
With this specialized skill set, Kaur can anticipate, intervene and de-escalate tense situations before they become aggressive.
“I can’t stress enough how much of a different approach to security this is,” says Kaur. “It changes the whole dynamic, and I think it keeps everyone safer.”
As part of the training, RSOs
YOUR UNION
Victory in PHSA
This spring, the union won a settlement dealing with a longstanding grievance around shift premium pay on overtime, if the overtime shift has been “called out” to fill.
On behalf of HEU members working for the Provincial Health Services Authority, the union argued that working a doubleshift was not an extension of a straight-time shift, but rather a separate shift that’s eligible for shift premiums.
For example: if a member worked an eight-hour day shift, followed by an overtime evening
learn about Indigenous cultural safety and anti-Indigenous racism, which follows recommendations from the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Action Plan and the In Plain Sight report to establish a health care system in B.C. that is culturally safe and free of Indigenous-specific racism.
Kaur says she now has a better understanding of Indigenousspecific racism in health care and the trauma injuries that some Indigenous people may have from past health care interactions.
“Hospitals need to be safe for everyone,” says Kaur. “Now that I know the history of denying Indigenous people the care they need, and the racism they have faced in the health care system, I’m better able to offer support.”
Kaur says she’s also learned a lot about mental health and how to help people feel more at ease. She knows to observe body language and to introduce herself to try to create a personal connection.
“Building a relationship with a person helps them to feel more comfortable and calmer,” she says. “We should all keep this in mind for all of our interactions – this doesn’t only have a use in the hospital.”
One of the highlights of this training for Kaur is how she has brought this into her life outside her job.
“What I’ve learned, I share with others in my life,” she says. “We all have some kind of trauma from our past. By adopting a traumainformed approach, we can help ourselves as we help others.”
SARA ROZELL
shift – that’s been “called out” – then the evening shift is considered a second shift that’s entitled to shift premium pay.
However, if the shift is a short period to complete a task that’s already started (like a care aide finishing a resident bath), it’s considered a shift extension and would only accrue premiums if the original shift had them.
The union referred to Article 21.12 and Article 22 in the facilities subsector collective agreement in its submission to the Labour Relations Board.
Check with a shop steward if you have any questions.
Sandeep Kau PHOTO
LEADING WITH EMPATHY | Sukhmanjot Kaur is one of hundreds of new relational security officers hired across 26 facilities taking a traumainformed approach to safety.
MARAMING SALAMAT! | Thanks to the HEU members and friends who dropped by as we celebrated Filipino Heritage Month at Burnaby’s Pinoy Festival.
TOGETHER, we can win on October 19
Public health care is at stake in this B.C. election
The next provincial election is scheduled for October 19.
As always, the outcome will have critical consequences for our public health care system and for HEU members.
Voters will choose between the NDP and one of two parties with a right-wing privatization agenda: either the John Rustad-led B.C. Conservatives or Kevin Falcon’s BC United Party.
Both Kevin Falcon and John Rustad were part of B.C. Liberal governments who gutted health care, cut wages and fired 10,000 HEU members. Falcon was a cabinet minister from 2001 onwards, while Rustad was elected in 2005 and joined Christy Clark’s cabinet in 2013.
“Elections matter because elections have consequences,” said HEU president Barb Nederpel. “The 2001 election began 16 years of cuts, privatization and firings under the BC Liberals, with devastating consequences. But electing the NDP in 2017 allowed us to begin the process of regaining what was lost. There’s much more work to do – but only if the NDP is re-elected again.”
For voters used to the BC Liberals as B.C.’s right-wing party, this election offers a potentially confusing landscape.
BC United and the Conservatives may be unfamiliar, but they both evolved directly from the BC Liberals. BC United came into being when the Liberals decided to rebrand themselves.
The Conservatives had been a fringe party for
decades until four B.C. Liberal MLAs defected to take it over.
“Both Kevin Falcon and John Rustad are trying desperately to run from their ruinous record as BC Liberals,” said Betty Valenzuela, HEU financial secretary. “But they cannot hide from their support for every B.C. Liberal decision to cut, privatize and fire workers.
“Worse, both Rustad and Falcon continue to promise cuts and privatization, clearly demonstrating they are BC Liberals through and through.”
Kevin Falcon has said that “our health system has to be open to innovation and change, we have to embrace it, not be afraid of it.” He has also said, “I can tell you, when I was health minister, we had private clinics delivering a lot
COMPARING THE BC LIBERAL AND BC NDP RECORDS
John Rustad and Kevin Falcon’s BC Liberal record
Enacted healthcare privatization Bills 29 and 94
Fired 10,000 HEU members
Cut wages by 15 per cent
Closed or cut back 71 hospitals
Cut $360 million from hospitals
Health care budget cut by six per cent overall in real terms
David Eby and John Horgan’s BC NDP record
Repealed healthcare privatization Bills 29 and 94
Hired 38,000 new health care workers since 2017
Hired 7,000 new care aides
Brought 5,000 members back into the public system
Increased wages
Six new hospitals underway
17 hospitals being expanded
Nearly $6 billion invested in seniors’ care
When thousands of HEU members were fired by the BC Liberal government in 2002, HEU stood strong, re-organizing members and campaigning tirelessly for public health care. Today more than 5,000 hospital workers are again valued members of the public health care team.
of the patient services.”
The B.C. Conservatives have promised to “allow choice and competition in the delivery of health care” and to “unleash the power of private-sector innovation.” Rustad has also said he would scrap the NDP’s housing plan, which threatens to make life even less affordable for families struggling to make ends meet.
The language Rustad and Falcon are using today is almost identical to the language the BC Liberals used in the early 2000s to justify the harm they inflicted on our public health care system, on patients and on workers.
The disappearance of the familiar B.C. Liberal brand has led to a major shift in voters’ intentions, with BC United losing support to the Conservatives. Recent polling has shown the Conservatives growing from five per cent to more than 35 per cent, while United has dropped from about one third of decided voters to 10 per cent. If Rustad’s Conservatives continue to steal votes from BC United, they could put themselves in a position to form government.
“We have the opportunity to re-elect an NDP government and build on the gains we have made since 2017,” says Lynn Bueckert, HEU’s secretarybusiness manager. “Or we can see all that progress put at risk with another B.C. Liberal-style government that will cut, privatize and deprive workers of the good family-supporting jobs they need and deserve.
“For members who experienced the traumas of B.C. Liberal rule firsthand, it’s critical we sound the alarm to friends, family and co-workers. And we owe it to our sisters and brothers who lost their jobs, their homes and sometimes more to ensure no one is subjected to such callous treatment again. The stakes couldn’t be higher in October; let’s make sure HEU voices are heard loud and clear at the ballot box.”
WE CAN’T AFFORD TO LET THEM PRIVATIZE HEALTH CARE AGAIN!
“A B.C. Conservative government would increase the reliance on private medical clinics.” - CBC News, July 18, 2024
“B.C. needs to look at European models that are a blend of public and private health care.” - Kelowna Capital News, July 9, 2023
“The solution is to allow the private sector into the health care system.” - Energeticcity.ca, June 29, 2023
“BC United health-care plan would use private health providers.”
- Global BC, June 26, 2024
“When I was Health Minister, we had private clinics delivering a lot of the patient services.” - Vancolour, June 13, 2022
“I do not have any objection to people using their own money.” - National Post, June 24, 2009
THE HUMAN COST OF PRIVATIZING CARE – Bill 29
“Bill 29 ruined people’s lives ... And the people who don’t know that pain, they don’t understand the way we have.” - Harjeet Dhami, HEU member fired from Renfrew Care Centre, 2002
When John Rustad and Kevin Falcon’s BC Liberal government privatized more than 10,000 health care workers’ jobs in the early 2000s, it had a devastating impact on HEU members.
VIEW HEU’S SIX-MINUTE VIDEO to learn about the decade-and-a-half struggle to bring these workers back into public health care.
John Rustad | BC Conservatives
Kevin Falcon | BC United
MEMBER DEVELOPMENT
Changes to union education underway
HEU’s groundbreaking education program aims to engage and involve more members
EARLIER this year, HEU reached out to members to find out how the union’s education program can better serve their needs.
About 4,000 members responded to an online survey, while others shared their experiences at inperson focus groups.
More than 3,000 of the respondents had never taken an HEU workshop.
“That tells us that members are interested,” says HEU education director Juli Rees. “So, we need to find out what the barriers to participation are.”
Reasons members gave for not taking part in workshops include not being aware of what courses are offered, financial barriers, a complex application process, and a lack of support from their locals.
“HEU has been a trailblazer in providing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility workshops.”
For the members who had attended workshops, most said that the core training – shop steward and occupational health and safety classes, local executive leadership training, and human rights in the workplace – set them up for success in their work and union roles.
And for some members, the
skills and leadership training also support their goals outside the workplace.
In 2022, HEU member Maryann Pyne was approached to run for school trustee in her Surrey community.
“Although I did not secure the position, my participation in the union played a significant role in my decision to stand for election,” she says.
A scheduling clerk with the Provincial Health Services Authority, Pyne has taken five HEU workshops, all of which she found helpful in her campaign –and inspiring. “Prior to joining the union, it was not an aspiration to pursue a career in politics.”
HEU is working to extend its education program outreach, sharing workshop information in social media and regular member emails. And new topics are in the works.
Public speaking classes are scheduled for the fall. Workshops aimed at members in newly certified locals are being considered.
While in-person learning is preferred by most, members would like to see online options continue, to include those who can’t travel due to household responsibilities.
Also underway are discussions to find solutions for quicker reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. Applications are being
NEWSBITES
Benefits board elections rescheduled
Board elections for the memberrun Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) benefits provider have been rescheduled to take place August 23 to September 3, after the previous election, started in June, was cancelled due to irregularities.
HEU and other unions are asking members to support three labour-endorsed candidates: Dr. Chuanyi (Johnny) Nie and Dr. Patricia Gerber in the Health Care Professional category, and Jaime Matten in the Organizational
Member category.
“This is the only not-for-profit health insurance provider in B.C., and it’s crucial that board members remain committed to a service model that prioritizes people over profits,” says HEU president Barb Nederpel.
Members who voted in June will need to vote again in the new election. This will be an online vote, and should take only a few moments of time.
HEU members in the facilities and community health subsectors are PBC members and eligible to vote.
| Making workshops more accessible is key to the changes. Online workshops, reducing financial and administrative barriers and other measures to improve the education experience are in the works.
revised with attention to clear language, and will be available online.
The union’s program is based on a popular education approach pioneered by Brazilian educator Paulo Freire, which emphasizes social transformation and group learning.
“HEU has been a trailblazer in providing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility workshops,” Rees says.
Pyne says her first workshop, Anti-Racism and Bystander Training, “heightened my awareness of the challenges individuals face, particularly in the workplace,
and the various forms of oppression rooted in racism.”
Learners with disabilities also face challenges to inclusion in education.
Rees emphasizes the redesign of workshops is for maximum learner engagement. For virtual workshops, accessible presentations include features for screen readers, captioning, and transcription.
Accessibility improvements include one-time doctor’s notes for accommodation, ergonomic chairs, and clear visuals.
“Our goal is to make a place for everybody,” says Rees.
Get registered to vote
October 19 is a critical provincial election!
When we vote, we help choose a government who will shape our future for the next four years.
To vote in B.C., you must be a Canadian citizen, 18 years or older, a B.C. resident for the past six months, and not disqualified from voting. Registering is easy by phone 1-800-661-8683, email, fax, mail or in-person.
Details on the Elections BC website: elections.bc.ca/2024-provincial-election/register-to-vote.
Celebrate HEU Day
We’ve come a long way, baby! HEU is turning 80 years old on October 13.
As B.C.’s oldest and biggest health care union, HEU has proudly secured groundbreaking improvements to working and caring conditions; defended public services; and championed human rights, social justice, and pay equity.
Help us celebrate HEU Day by hosting a local event October 13 with a party, BBQ or cake. Be sure to email photos to heu@heu.org.
SHAHEEN SHIVJI
MEMBER FOCUSED
Juli Rees PHOTO
THE DOMINO EFFECT
It all started with a visit from an HEU president.
“It was about 10 years ago and I wasn’t satisfied with the way things were going for our local,” says Marie Marshall, lead shop steward and an executive member of the Hazelton Local. “I asked HEU’s thenpresident Victor Elkins to visit, and after that we started to get invited to participate in union activities that we previously did not know about.”
Central to those activities was HEU’s education program, adds Marshall. She saw how different members accessed education or training. Consequently, this prompted these same members to participate more fully in the union.
From that point on, local building and activism took off.
Through contract enforcement, forging better working relations with managers and making sure new members are brought into the local, Marshall has seen growth in the local that has spread from Wrinch Memorial Hospital to other worksites.
“When members became more interested, especially if they ended up coming to us about a concern or a grievance and saw how the result positively impacted them, they became more involved,” says Marshall. “And then they became shop stewards. And then they went away for training. It’s kind of had a domino effect.”
NEIL MONCKTON
New pay standards promised for care aides
The federal and B.C. government have announced $232 million in funding over five years to support standard compensation for care aides in publicly funded long-term care and assisted living.
“This will go a long way toward improving access to proper, unrushed seniors’ care,” says HEU secretary-business manager Lynn Bueckert. “With this investment, for the first time in over 20 years, we will once again have a provincial standard for wages and
An HEU members since 2008, Barb Owen’s recipe for health and happiness is to always make time to do what you love.
Bringing joy to life every day
FOR Barb Owen, finding time to do what you love is not about squeezing it into your schedule; it’s about recognizing that doing things that bring us joy is crucial to our health, happiness, and quality of life.
Barb has been an HEU member since 2008 when she started as a carpenter at Royal Columbian Hospital (RCH). In 2022, she became a dedicated shop steward and also serves as a chairperson and an FBA bargaining committee member. Despite her busy schedule, she always makes time for life’s pleasures.
An accomplished and dedicated runner, Barb began running and competing in triathlons years ago before graduating to ultramarathons, where she would run extreme courses such as a 217 km trek across Death Valley.
Every day at 4:00 a.m., you can find Barb tying up her laces and setting off on her typical 10 km pre-work run.
“I feel like it’s an insurance policy,” she said when asked how she motivates herself each morning. “If I do that one thing every morning, everything else is going to fall into place and give me the help and wellness to get through the rest of my day.”
Currently, Barb’s morning runs are supporting her in her training for her next race, the Rubber Ducky – a half marathon around Burnaby Lake.
After work, you can bet that Barb will be down in her workshop – which she calls her happy place – working on one of her other passions.
“The time in the workshop at the end of the day, that’s like my reward for doing all the things I need to do – to then do something I like.”
Previously, Barb worked as a millwright and a carpenter.
Did we mention that she built her workshop?
“If I do that one thing every morning, everything else is going to fall into place and give me the help and wellness to get through the rest of my day.”
Barb is currently building a teardrop trailer from scratch that she will take on a trip across Canada.
She reminds us that making time for the things we love is not a luxury, but a necessity. Her dedication to what she loves enriches every aspect of her life. May we all find our own passions and make time for them, no matter how hectic our days may be.
MAÏA SAMPSON
benefits for care aides.”
In the last several years, the BC NDP government has implemented measures to improve seniors’ care, but continued fragmentation has made this difficult.
“This funding advances the BC NDP’s 2020 election promise to restore the standards that had been dismantled by the previous B.C. Liberal government,” says Bueckert.
“HEU continues to advocate that Premier Eby’s government fulfill its commitment and extend provincial compensation standards to all HEU members in this sector.”
Joshua Berson PHOTO
Minister Adrian Dix, along with Canada’s
Mark Holland, unveils $232 million in additional
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HEU members at the Suncreek Village complex care facility in Surrey joined the union in 2020, and quickly grew to be a lively and vibrant local.
Rienzie Weerasingher has worked as a cook at Suncreek Village since 2009, and has 35 years of experience cooking in countries around the world. A local shop steward, Rienzie says he enjoys creating different meals for residents’ needs and tastes, and catering special events at the facility.
Pinder Bilin, a registered nurse, says she appreciates Suncreek’s resident and familycentered approach. As local vice-chair, she works to ensure policies are followed and members are given the time to do their jobs because “proper care comes from proper working conditions.”
Nardia Hamilton-Brown is a recreation aide and human resources assistant. As lead shop steward, she’s proud to be part of making her workplace better. “I help support the staff and build morale. A member is a member, and I try to bring everyone together and develop good relationships.”
HEU PEOPLE
RETIREMENTS
Retired in June, Rowena Ang worked in food services for more than 20 years at Royal Columbian Hospital.
“Rowena was a strong advocate for her co-workers and a steward for many years through all the contract-flipping,” says a co-worker. “She fought hard so we could have a pension.”
“I loved working with my colleagues, who became friends,” says Rowena. “I’m going to miss the laughs and good times. I’d like to thank everyone for everything you have done for me over the years. I am grateful for the opportunity, and I wish the best for everyone.”
Rowena plans on travelling and visiting with her grandkids, family and friends.
After more than 33 years, Liz Carruthers retired from Royal Columbian Hospital, where she worked as a care aide in medical imaging.
Liz was always involved in her union, but recently became local secretary and attended HEU’s 2022 convention.
Outside of work, Liz is involved in education rallies and is a supporter of the Wild Salmon Defenders Alliance.
“I will miss meeting the patients and working with the staff,” says Liz. “I really liked the team work.”
Liz plans to volunteer for the NDP, travel to Scotland, and get back to painting.
Long-time employee Shelley Cordocedo is retiring from Lions Gate Hospital after more than 42 years of service. She worked in linen services, nutrition services, and as a nursing unit assistant.
After going back to school, Shelley worked as an LPN. She finished her career as a clerk in the post-anesthesia care unit.
“I liked helping staff and patients,” says Shelley. “Every day was a new experience, and I was constantly learning. I will miss my amazing co-workers.”
Shelley plans to move to the Okanagan Valley, and become a “snowbird,” spending winters in a warmer climate.
Recently retired from Sechelt Hospital, Maria-Nera Moreno worked for more than 12 years as a medical device reprocessing technician.
“I liked assembling and wrapping surgical instruments,” says MariaNera. “It’s like Christmas, but I was wrapping gifts that saved lives. I am very proud of my job knowing that I was a part of that ‘saving lives’ mission. It felt rewarding.”
She says she’ll miss the giggles shared with co-workers, potluck lunches, get-togethers, and fun at the year-end staff party. “We worked hard, and partied hard as well.”
Maria-Nera is looking forward to gardening, being more active in her church choir, and traveling with her husband. “My plans are endless.”
After 35 years as a care aide, Shelley Wilson retired from The Gardens at Qualicum Beach.
Shelley held many local positions, served on numerous bargaining committees, and attended many HEU workshops and conventions.
She was vocal about the horrendous conditions for the residents where she worked. “I essentially talked myself out of one job because the facility’s license was revoked,” she says. “But staff went on to better jobs and the residents had much better living conditions. We had to fight hard to gain that back, and the fight is not over.”
Shelley plans to enjoy her greenhouse and her free time, and looks forward to not having to follow a daily alarm clock.
IN MEMORIAM
Longtime activist Tracey Augustine passed away in June after 18 years of service. She worked as an activity worker, then a care aide in mental health at the Nanaimo Regional Hospital, before joining the HEU staff.
Tracey held many local positions, was an OH&S steward, and served on numerous Provincial Executive subcommittees. She also attended many workshops, conferences and conventions.
“Tracey did not shy away from taking on any issue with employers,” says a co-worker. “Her honesty, hard work and dedication earned her respect from fellow workers and the employer. Her presence and commitment will be missed by everyone she worked with.”
Sadly, union brother Arvid Barada suddenly passed away in June. He worked as a care aide at Malaspina Care Residence for more than 13 years.
Arvid was active in the union, serving his local as shop steward, conductor and warden. He was dedicated and was always taking care of his fellow union brothers, sisters and friends.
“Arvid was an incredible source of friendship and knowledge to those who had the privilege to work with him,” says a co-worker. “His humour was unparalleled, and you could always count on him to put a smile on your face after a hard shift. He will be missed deeply by all of us.”
Equity matters
Did you know that HEU has six equity standing committees? Working with HEU’s equity officer, they provide outreach and advocacy to HEU members, and work in solidarity with other social justice groups.
To learn more, call 1.800.663.5813 to speak with HEU’s equity officer Lennie Dolinski.
Ethnic Diversity • Indigenous Peoples Pink Triangle • People with Disabilities • 2-Spirit, Women and Non-Binary • Young Workers
“In
EDITOR
Neil Monckton
MANAGING EDITOR
Elaine Littmann
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Brenda Whitehall
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PRINTING
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BARB NEDERPEL
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LYNN BUECKERT
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BETTY VALENZUELA
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BILL MCMULLAN 1st Vice-President
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Fraser
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DIANE TOMEI
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Interior
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LISA CREMA
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Vancouver Coastal
MARIA LUGS
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IAN SMITH
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Vancouver Island
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Regional Vice-President
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Ethnic Diversity
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Pink Triangle
LISA KREUT
Diversity Vice-President 2-Spirit, Women and Non-Binary
CHRISTINE EDGECOMBE Diversity Vice-President People with Disabilities
SEYDA YALCIN Diversity Vice-President Young Workers
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HEU is a member of the Canadian Association of
On October 19, let’s vote for health care!
The
B.C.
election this October is important for HEU members
Working together these last seven years, we’ve made gains for HEU members and patients, residents and clients. But, after the upcoming election, all this progress could be undone.
LET’S STAND TOGETHER and VOTE FOR HEALTH CARE!
Fill out and return the pledge card included with this Guardian, or sign online at www.heuvotes.ca/pledge
Authorized by Hospital Employees’ Union, registered sponsor under the Election Act, 604-438-5000
