convention 2014
Members honoured for activism
Louella Vincent
community support worker, WHR Lower Mainland An HEU member since 1992, Louella is serving her fifth elected term on the P.E. She has been a member of HEU’s community social services bargaining committee, and has served on HEU’s equal opportunities, political action and support workers subcommittees and HEU’s seniors’ care and living wage campaigns. Louella has also represented HEU on the B.C. Fed’s human rights
“Your union, your leaders, your activists and your members will always have a special place in my heart,” he said. “There is not a union in this country that has put up the fight you have to protect public health care.”
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On the final day of convention, outgoing B.C. Federation of Labour president Jim Sinclair received no less than eight standing ovations for his leadership over the past 15 years, and his support for HEU during that time.
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A packed Equity Night celebration on the third day of convention, sponsored by HEU’s five equity standing committees, featured Katari Taiko drummers (right) Bhangra dancers, henna tattoos, fabulous food, door prizes and more.
committee member. Mike served on the FBA bargaining committee in 2012 and 2014, and has participated on the trades and maintenance subcommittee.
A parting gift
Sinclair also thanked HEU for fighting Bill 29 all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. “Because of you, there are now laws in Canada that say every working person has the right to join a union and bargain a collective agreement. Thank you for that.”
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Convention gavels were awarded to members at Sunridge Place in Duncan and Inglewood Care Centre in West Vancouver for their outstanding leadership in the face of layoffs and contracting out. Both groups of workers are employed by the subcontractor, CareCorp. In June 2014, Sunridge contracted out the work of about 185 HEU members, who quickly organized and recertified with HEU in an August vote. During the organizing drive, members Valonna Martin, Daphne Schertzer and Laurie Leerholm were all fired. But they were reinstated after HEU challenged the dismissals at the Labour Relations Board.
In November 2013, about 300 Inglewood workers voted to join HEU. CareCorp has broken promises to increase pay, has issued incorrect paycheques, and has failed to address staffing levels and workload. But HEU members – Jhovie Porganan, Susan Kendrick, Josephine Ramel-Marquez, Elsa Rada and Victoria Harper – are leaders among a group of HEU members that continue to fight for better treatment from CareCorp. The employer pushed for a decertification vote, and the union filed an unfair labour practice with the Labour Relations Board. HEU is currently in the submission process to support our claim. To commemorate HEU’s 70th anniversary, a special convention plaque was awarded to the Vancouver General Hospital local for its role in founding HEU. The plaque reads: “In 1944, women and men in two unions at Vancouver General Hospital united to form what is now the 46,000 member strong Hospital Employees’ Union.” Other awards were presented to Sister Ivonne Santizo (HEU Social Justice), for her strong activism for immigrant workers; Sister Maggie Phinney (HEU disAbility Rights) for her founding work in creating the union’s Blue Poppy campaign; and the late-Sister Carol Bunch (Mary LaPlante Sisterhood) for her efforts to promote women’s issues in the union, community and trade union movement.
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Congratulations to the following HEU members and locals who were honoured for their outstanding activism during the past two years.
Before leaving the podium, Sinclair presented HEU with a framed Vancouver Times front page story from July 18, 1965, which announced Ottawa’s funding for provincial medicare programs. It had hung in his office throughout his tenure as B.C. Fed president.
committee, women’s committee, and LGBT working group, and on CUPE National’s child care committee.
John Fraser
dietary aide, Powell River Health Care Workers John became a member of HEU in 2004. He was a member of the first Sodexo bargaining committee and currently serves as local chair. He has held many positions on his executive and is now in his third consecutive term as regional vice-president. John has served on HEU’s support workers, OH&S, men’s and antiprivatization subcommittees, and has represented HEU on CUPE National’s OH&S committee.
Leonora Calingasan
health care assistant, St. Vincent’s An HEU member since 1994, Leonora has been the secretarytreasurer of her local for the past eight years. This is her first term on the P.E. Leonora has served in many local executive positions, and in 2014, co-chaired HEU’s patient care subcommittee. VANCOUVER ISLAND
Bill McMullan
residential support worker, Kardel Bill is now serving a second term on the P.E. as regional vice-president. Bill became an HEU member in 2003. On his local executive, he’s currently a shop steward and senior trustee-elect. He is on
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the labour-management committee for Kardel local, and has served on his local’s OH&S committee. Bill has also served on the equal opportunities and environment P.E. subcommittees.
Barb Biley
med steno/cook, Comox An HEU member since 2001, Barb was re-elected for the second time as regional vicepresident. Barb has been a shop steward on her local for the past 10 years. A former local chair and chief shop steward, she has held various positions, including secretary, trustee and grievance committee member. Barb has also served on HEU’s anti-privatization and trades and maintenance subcommittees.
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