Member-at-Large candidate statements

B C T F W I N T E R R A BY- E L E C T I O N S CANDIDATE FOR MEMBER-AT-LARGE THE LAST TWO-PLUS YEARS have been the most challenging of my career, like so many of our members. It truly is in the difficult times when our collective voice and solidarity are needed most.

Throughout my involvement, I’ve been offered opportunities to learn from colleagues and to listen to their stories.

Their voices, in any part of the province the work has taken me, are what I value. The ones that challenge our thinking, ask us to wonder if we have biases or question why we’ve always done it that way, are not only needed, but have always been a part of the BCTF. Those voices, if we listen, invite us to stretch.

Not so long ago, when debates raged at AGMs over divesting from tobacco and firearms in our pension plan, it was the persistence of those voices that caused that shift. We must continue to recognize and listen to all the voices within our membership. That is how we grow, change, and move forward … together.

I want to add my voice to the Executive Committee. I hope you believe that voice would be a positive addition to the team. I ask you to consider supporting me with your vote.

BIOGRAPHY

KEVIN EPP OKANAGAN SKAHA

Kevin has been active in the BCTF since 1994, including LR, IMS, Nominating Chair, and Local President, both from 2008 to 2012 and again from 2019 to present.

BCTF WINTER RA JANAURY 28–29, 2022—CANDIDATES FOR MEMBER-AT-LARGE

B C T F W I N T E R R A BY- E L E C T I O N S CANDIDATE FOR MEMBER-AT-LARGE KAIJA WANTS TO SERVE on the BCTF as a Member-at-Large to learn more about union processes and help heal the rift she sees developing between the Executive and the members she works with in school.

She’s raised two sons as a single parent and has navigated both the gifted and neurodiverse channels in West Vancouver and Surrey schools.

Spoiler alert: both paths currently take a terrible toll on parents and children alike.

Underfunding public education is a direct and prolonged attack on the physical and mental health of children, parents, and staff, and the colonial designation of public and private schools intentionally enforces inequality.

Kaija believes that reconciliation incorporates changes in our legal and institutional frameworks, and that collaboration instead of competition is the most stable, productive, effective, and inclusive way forward.

BIOGRAPHY Kaija Farstad started teaching in Surrey 15 years ago. Bilingual, she taught early French immersion before becoming a teacher-librarian, where she participates in the mentor-mentee program and serves on the SSBOY and SSNNFBOY committees.

KAIJA FARSTAD SURREY

twitter.com/KaijaF

BCTF WINTER RA JANAURY 28–29, 2022—CANDIDATES FOR MEMBER-AT-LARGE

B C T F W I N T E R R A BY- E L E C T I O N S CANDIDATE FOR MEMBER-AT-LARGE I AM A FIRST-GENERATION racialized woman, living on the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations, I am committed to decolonization in all that I do. More than ever, COVID-19 has shown us that we need each other. As a responsive leader, I listen to members and use my strong communication skills to advocate that the employer does everything possible to protect our members and students.

Provincially, as a member of the WLC/ Bargaining Committee and president of the Anti-Oppression Educators’ Collective PSA, I collaborate with colleague’s province-wide to design resources for members and advocate for greater structural supports. This is also my third term representing all workers of colour at the BC Federation of Labour.

I co-lead our local bargaining team, I use these negotiating skills to resolve issues for teachers locally and provincially. Bargaining has also strengthened my passion for upholding our collective agreement.

As a teacher and local table officer, my focus is ensuring that systems are in place that support and empower each individual member and student.

Equity and inclusion are a framework for my advocacy. I want to engage our members and empower our union. I look forward to working for you!

SHANEE PRASAD BURNABY

BIOGRAPHY Provincial: WLC/BAC, AOEC President, Ad Hoc Committee for Inclusion, CASJ, three Racism Issue Sessions, BCFED: Workers of Colour Representative, facilitator Local: First VP, Bargaining Co-lead, LR, numerous committees Educator: Secondary special education, social studies, instructional assistant (adult education) shaneeprasad.wordpress.com facebook.com/groups/168123180759364

BCTF WINTER RA JANAURY 28–29, 2022—CANDIDATES FOR MEMBER-AT-LARGE

B C T F W I N T E R R A BY- E L E C T I O N S CANDIDATE FOR MEMBER-AT-LARGE THE LAST TWO YEARS have been eclipsed by COVID-19 and incredibly hard on teachers as we have attempted to retain some semblance of normality for public school students.

This already difficult job has been compounded by affordability issues, the housing crisis, and the climate emergency. The Federation’s role is complex, as we must not only take into account those issues, continue to improve working conditions for members, but also look internally to decolonize practices.

I have sought out training opportunities to enable me to better understand and navigate these complex issues.

These have included attending CLC Winter School, BC Labour Law Reviews, Summer Conference, FIT, and FLI. This training is augmented by a Master of Arts (language and literacy), Bachelor of Education, and Bachelor of Arts (political science and philosophy).

Twice, I have been the lead negotiator at the local table. I have extensive experience in local negotiations, difficult employers, and I have defended the collective agreement through the grievance and arbitration process numerous times.

WINONA WALDRON GREATER VICTORIA

I have worked hard as the local president to represent the interests of teachers in Victoria. With your support, I am ready to bring my training, education, and experience to the provincial table as a Member-at-Large.

BIOGRAPHY CTF: AGM delegate, Bargaining Conference panelist, Women’s Symposium presenter, Daughters of the Vote facilitator BCTF: WIN facilitator, WLC/BAC, Local Rep, AGM delegate GVTA: President, Bargaining Chair, Contract Chair, Aboriginal Nations Education Council, Staff Rep facebook.com/WinonaWaldronBCTF twitter.com/winonawaldron

BCTF WINTER RA JANAURY 28–29, 2022—CANDIDATES FOR MEMBER-AT-LARGE