VOLUME 19 | Issue #1 Spring 2024

The publication for members of MoveUP, The Movement of United Professionals

Use your voice. Make it count.

ALSO INSIDE

Pre-Convention Call
Mental Health & Safety
Election Readiness
Ed Broadbent Legacy
David Black Retrospective
CONTENTS In This Issue

3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
BY GRAEME HUTCHISON

4 TRANSLATIONS

7 FEELING YOUNGER? OUR YOUTH

ACTION COMMITTEE THINKS SO!

8 PRE-CONVENTION CALL:
2024 MOVEUP CONVENTION

10 GETTING YOU SET FOR THE

MOVEUP LEADERSHIP ELECTION 14
12 THANK YOU MOVEUP MEMBERS Every Union Member A Voter
FOR YOUR SOLIDARITY!

14 EVERY WORKER A UNION

MEMBER, EVERY UNION
MEMBER A VOTER

16 POWER PIONEERS CONNECTING

BC HYDRO MEMBERS PAST
AND PRESENT

17 MOVEUP MEMBERS AT WORK

AND AT PLAY

20

SHONA’S STORIES:
MEET BILL LAFLIN
22
Mental Health
21 SHONA’S STORIES:
MEET CHARLENE DELMAESTRO

22 HEALTH & SAFETY CENTRE

BRINGING MENTAL HEALTH
ACTION DIRECTLY TO
THE WORKPLACE

25 REFRAMING MY VIEWS: WHY

SEX WORKER RIGHTS MATTER

26 BOOK REVIEW: SEEKING

SOCIAL DEMOCRACY

28 DAVID BLACK RETROSPECTIVE:

LOOKING BACK ON A DECADE 28
AS MOVEUP PRESIDENT
10 Years as MoveUP President
 President’s Message
MoveUP, the Movement of United Professionals, is Local 378 of the
Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union and affiliated with
the British Columbia Federation of Labour, and the Canadian Labour
Congress. We are also affiliated with UNI Global Union, IndustriALL,
and Public Services International through our national union.
Executive Board Members
President: Graeme Hutchison
Secretary-Treasurer: Lori Mayhew
Vice-Presidents: Rysa Kronebusch (Utilities), Christy Slusarenko
(Combined Units), Annette Toth (ICBC)
Utilities – BC Hydro Group: Anderson Charles, Calvin Jonas
ICBC: Jeffrey Bryant, Brenda Chu, Bryan Finstad, Brian Martens,
Dimitri Ossinsky
Utilities – Fortis Group: Norm Stickelmann
Combined Units: Safar Alikhani, Hani Dakkak, Erik G.,
Dawn Lentsch
Director, Operations
Tony Geluch
Communications, Campaigns & Research
Communications Director: Norman Gludovatz
Communications Officer: Daniel Fung
Research Officer: Noah Berson
Arbitration Representative
Brian Nelson
Senior Union Representatives
Cheryl Popeniuk, Kevin Smyth
Union Representatives
Phillip Bargen, Nathan Beausoleil, Anny Chen, Sara Colliss,
Ward Edgar, Yudon Garie, Trevor Hansen, Ronnie Ho, Ayesha
Khan, Shawn Lakusta, Mike Novak, Javed Saheb, Cathy Royle,
Daniel Storms, Alina Teymory, Richard Van Grol, Paul Voykin,
April Young
Director, Executive Administration
Karen Caston
Administrative Assistant, Executive
Michelle Mihaichuk
Administrative & Office Staff
Administrative Work Leader: Jenell Schmale
Kory Berikoff, Heather Brommeland, Lisa Jeffery, Sonja
Kreuzkamp-McGowan, Shelley Martin, Harj Parmar, Leila Perez,
Kathryn Prinz, Colleen Reddington, Violet Shorty, Kim Smith

I
Membership & Finance: t seems not long ago we were reflecting on 2023 and, in the blink of
Director, Finance: Barbara Liang
Sarina Nannar, Pardeep Singh, Marilyn Vassell an eye, we’re already almost a quarter of the way through 2024. We
Job Evaluation Appeals Representative have hit the ground running to start the new year because we know just
Vivian Ho how much busier it’s going to get in a few months. We have our President,
Workers Compensation Appeals Representative Secretary-Treasurer and Executive Board elections coming up in June, and
Barb Gibson
our triennial Convention taking place in September where we will elect our
Health & Welfare Trust Administrator
Yasmin Carroll
new Vice-Presidents. While these elections take place, we will continue the
Director, Human Resources and Organizational Development
day-to-day work of supporting you in your workplaces.
Ram Atwal For those of us in BC, this is also a provincial election year and, of course,
Headquartered on stolen land on the traditional, ancestral territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm we’re also keeping an eye on the possibility of a federal election happening
(Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)
and qiqéyt (Qayqayt) First Nations. at any point too. Political action and elections, both within our union,
provincially, and federally, will be the big theme this year.
People often wonder what being politically active means. It means you
The Local Voice is the official magazine published for the
members of MoveUP. ISBN 1918-9753 COPE 378 Voice want to use your voice to help make your union and your community a
Letters to the editor are welcome but may be edited for brevity better place.
and clarity. Please contact MoveUP for permission to reprint
articles, graphics, or photographs.
This issue of the Local Voice contains
Address all correspondence to: information on how you can get involved
MoveUP Communications both in our union’s upcoming election, and
Suite 301 - 4501 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 0E5 what role you can play in helping elect our
Phone: 604-299-0378 | Toll Free Line: 1-800-665-6838
Fax: 604-299-8211 next provincial leaders. I urge all of you to
Visit MoveUP’s website at MoveUPTogether.ca take the time to find out how you can get
or contact us via email at communications@moveuptogether.ca involved and engaged. We all have a voice Graeme Hutchison
Editors: Daniel Fung, Norman Gludovatz
Contributors: Joshua Berson, Shona Dion, Ros Leblanc,
and an important role to play. Let’s make the President, MoveUP
Dawn Lentsch, Dimitri Ossinsky, Stephen von Sychowski best use of it.
Design and Layout: Dansk Design Group

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 | 3

Translated
President's
Message
from
Graeme
Hutchison

4 | VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 MOVEUP Local Voice

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 | 5
Translated
President's
Message
from
Graeme
Hutchison

6 | VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 MOVEUP Local Voice

 Feeling Younger? YOUTH
ACTION
Our Youth Action Committee Thinks So! COMMITTEE
BY DIMITRI OSSINSKY, CO-CHAIR, YOUTH ACTION COMMITTEE

O
ur Youth Action Committee is a great place for
young workers to get involved with their union
and to connect with other members, and now
we are expanding to include even more members.
We have recently opened up our committee’s age
eligibility to members 35 and under (the previous age
limit was 30 and under). Changing the age requirement
was something the committee was passionate about
because we know that a lot of young workers join their
workplaces in their late 20s or early 30s.
We wanted to better align with our membership
demographics and ensure members have an entry
point into their union. We recognize we have a lot of
members who want to get engaged but aren’t sure how
to start and that is a gap we want to fill.
Our committee strives to meet members
where they are and open pathways for them within
MoveUP. Whether you want to go into union leadership,
learn about becoming a job steward, grow your labour
knowledge or just connect with other members, we
welcome you to join.
Our committee will be hosting a variety of events
and creating opportunities for all our members. We will
have lots of educational opportunities for members to
learn about the labour movement and empower them
to make change in their workplaces.
We will have both in-house and labour-affiliated Photos: Members
opportunities to learn about upholding collective agree- of MoveUP's
ment language, health and safety in the workplace, Youth Action
organizing and more. We will also be attending events
Committee take
together like visiting and supporting picket lines,
labour affiliated events, volunteer opportunities for our part in a variety
committee members, and social events. of engagement
The best part about being involved with our and social events.
committee is not just the opportunities available but the The committee
connections you will make along the way with other now welcomes all
MoveUP members. Building friendships and networking
members who are
is the true meaning of solidarity. Often, it’s not what
you know but knowing who to ask when you need to age 35 and under.
know. We strive to open doors and empower all our
members when they face challenges or need support
advocating for issues they care about.
2024 will be an exciting year for our committee
and we hope to see you get involved.
Interesting in joining the
Youth Action Committee?
Send an email to
yac@moveuptogether.ca

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 | 7

CONVENTION
Pre-Convention Call:
2024 2024 MoveUP Convention

E
very three years MoveUP holds a three-day
convention to determine policy and political
direction, consider changes to our union’s
to convention even if they are not planning to attend as
constitution, and elect the vice-presidents. Our
a delegate. Here is how it works:
constitution defines convention as “the supreme
decision-making body of the union.”
The 2024 convention will be held in Vancouver
from September 12 to 14 (with meetings of delegates
from equity caucuses to be held on September 11). In
mid-June, potential delegates will receive notice of
convention along with a form that can be used to express
interest in being a delegate to convention.
The rules for delegate entitlements are laid
out in the constitution, which is available
on the MoveUP website. Your executive
councillors will assist in conducting local
delegate elections. Convention is a great
opportunity to learn more about your
union and have a say in how it runs.
Members interested in running for the
executive board will have until June 3,
2024 to submit a nomination form. The
president and secretary-treasurer, along
with other board members, are elected
via one-member-one-vote system, with
constituencies electing their particular
board reps. All members will get the chance to vote for
these positions via electronic balloting. Vice-presidents
will be elected at convention by delegates.
SUBMITTING POLICY RESOLUTIONS
Members can also submit their own policy resolutions
1. Identify the issue or policy that you want MoveUP
to adopt.
2. Determine the action you would like your union
to take. This can be as simple as endorsing a
policy or can involve your union taking action
such as forming a committee, holding an event, or
adopting a major policy change.
3. Draft a succinct resolution that briefly gives
background on the issue and clearly defines the
action you would like MoveUP to take.
4. Define the action/policy at the end of the
resolution in 1-2 sentences.
5. All resolutions must be sent to the executive
board, c/o Karen Caston, Director of Executive
Administration, at kcaston@moveuptogether.ca.
All resolutions must be received by June 14, 2024.
If there are any issues with any resolutions that
you submit, someone from our union office will
contact you.

WHEN: September 12 to 14
WHERE: Vancouver, BC

8 | VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 MOVEUP Local Voice


DRAFTING A RESOLUTION
Submitting a resolution may seem complicated,
but it really is not. It’s all about defining an issue and
proposing a solution you would like your union to take.
For example, if you feel like every member should
receive an ice cream cone over the summer to help
fend off heat exhaustion, your resolution may look
something like this:
For example, if you feel like every member should
receive an ice cream cone over the summer to help
fend off heat exhaustion, your resolution may look
something like this:
AN EXAMPLE:
Name: (Insert your name)
Workplace: Delicious Ice Cream Company
Whereas, summers in Vancouver can be extremely hot
with temperatures in the 30s;
Whereas, heat exhaustion is a serious health concern;
and
Whereas, ice cream has been proven to boost worker
morale and effectively combat heat exhaustion.
Therefore be it resolved, MoveUP will provide all
members with one ice cream cone each summer; and
Therefore be it further resolved, MoveUP will create
a committee to study the added benefit of rainbow
sprinkles.
MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 | 9
CONVENTION
2024
WHAT HAPPENS TO A RESOLUTION Photo, above:
ONCE IT IS SUBMITTED?
Group photo
Once a resolution has been submitted and of delegates at
reviewed to ensure there are no technical issues, all
MoveUP's last
resolutions will go to a committee that looks through
all the submissions and puts them in priority order in convention in 2021.
advance of convention. All submitted resolutions will be
published and available for all delegates and members
to view on MoveUP’s website.
Resolutions that hit the convention floor will be
debated and voted upon by the delegates. Delegates
can choose to vote in support of or against a resolution,
or in some cases they can refer a resolution back to a
committee with modifications.
Resolutions that do not hit the convention floor, or
are referred back to a committee for further instructions
but do not return to the floor by the end of convention,
will be sent to MoveUP’s executive council to debate at
a later time during the course of the three-year term.
HOW DO I BECOME A DELEGATE TO
CONVENTION?
Delegates to convention are assigned based on the
number of members that fall under an executive council
(EC) area. MoveUP executive board members and
executive councillors receive an automatic invitation to
convention. If a particular EC area has more delegate
spots than just for the executive councillors, then job
stewards are eligible to apply to attend. If there are still
spots without a delegate, members from that area may
submit their intention to fill the delegate spot.
To learn more about convention eligibility and
representation, see Article 12.3 of MoveUP’s constitution
available on MoveUP’s website.
2024
Getting You Set for the
ELECTION MoveUP Leadership Election

This June, all MoveUP members who are in good standing

will have the ability to exercise their democratic right to
elect our leadership group for the next three-year term
ending in Fall 2027.
There will be elections held for the positions of president,
secretary-treasurer, as well as for executive board
positions. MoveUP members who are good standing can
submit their nomination to run for an eligible position,
although you are limited to running for just one spot
For example, if you choose to run for president, you
cannot concurrently run for secretary-treasurer or
another executive board position.
All members in good standing can cast a vote for
president and secretary-treasurer, respectively, as well
as vote for the board member(s) in the constituency that
they belong to.
Information on how to submit a nomination, as well
as how to vote in the MoveUP election, can be found at
MoveUPTogether.ca/election2024.
Here is some helpful advice to help you prepare for
our union’s upcoming elections to ensure fair and
transparent access for all.

Tips for candidates

• Keep apprised of deadlines. Give yourself extra time
to submit all your required documentation so that, if
something is missing or there is an error, our staff can
provide you with information on how to correct the
issue with enough time before the deadline.
• In addition to needing to be a member in good
standing to run for a position, your nominators must
also be in good standing. You may want to have extra
nominators just in case.
• In addition to your candidate papers, you have
the option of submitting a headshot photo and a
biography to be printed in the Candidate’s Guide
that will be made available to all MoveUP members.
Please note that your biography has a strict 150-word
limit and will be run as-is. In other words, MoveUP
will only print what you provide and will not make any
edits or corrections for grammar or spelling.
• Candidates are permitted to request contact
information for members in their constituency who
are eligible to cast a vote for the respective position
you are running for. Candidates will be required to
sign a confidentiality agreement form.
• Candidates, including incumbents, must not
mispresent their communiqués to members as
being a union communiqué. This includes not
using any MoveUP branding or emulating MoveUP’s
bulletin formats in your communications pieces.
Misrepresenting your position may result in a
disqualification of your candidacy. As a candidate,
you are speaking only on your own behalf when
communicating with other MoveUP members.

10 | VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 MOVEUP Local Voice

 2024
ELECTION

Sign up online to vote.

It's easy!

VOTING DEADLINE
Tips for voters
4:30 P.M., Monday,
• Make sure you have your Member Portal account set up. Visit our
website at MoveUPTogether.ca and follow the links to setting up July 15, 2024
your Member Portal account if you have not yet already done so. You All votes must be
should also log in as soon as possible to make sure your information is electronically submitted
correct, including your workplace location. If your workplace location
by 4:30 p.m.
is incorrect in the Member Portal, it may prevent you from being able
to vote for the candidate(s) in your constituency area.
• Mark down the voting days and make sure you cast your vote before Election Timeline:
the closing date. Voting opens on June 24 at 8:30 a.m. PT and closes
on July 15 at 4:30 p.m. PT.
• Check to make sure you are a member in good standing. This will VOTING:
apply mostly to those members who are on leave where, as a result, June 24 (8:30 a.m. PT)
your employer is not automatically remitting any dues to MoveUP.
Voting Opens
July 15 (4:30 p.m. PT)
Voting Closes

MoveUPTogether.ca/election2024

MoveUPTogether.ca

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 | 11

SOLIDARITY Thank You MoveUP Members for Your Solidarity!

On January 22 and 23,

after reaching an impasse in their
bargaining efforts, members of CUPE
4500 who work at Coast Mountain
Bus Company (CMBC) went on a full
strike which resulted in a shutdown
of all bus services and SeaBus in the
Lower Mainland.
As these CUPE 4500 members
share workplaces with many of our
MoveUP members who also work at
CMBC, this meant that for those two
days our members were also out on
the picket line in solidarity with their
fellow union members at CMBC.
Although this dispute did not
involve our members directly, our
union was incredibly proud to
see the show of solidarity that our
MoveUP members demonstrated
with the CUPE 4500 members
standing side-by-side with them on
their picket lines especially in not-
so-pleasant weather conditions.

12 | VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 MOVEUP Local

MOVEUP Local Voice
 SOLIDARITY

We also saw MoveUP

members from other bargaining
units, as well as members of our
leadership team, stop by all the
different picket sites throughout
the two-day job action. They were
there demonstrating their support
for their fellow union members
who were seeking a contract that
respects their work and reflects the
value that they bring.
MoveUP members’ show of
solidarity did not go unnoticed
by the members of CUPE 4500,
CUPE’s senior leadership, and the
labour movement in BC overall.
Thanks in part to the support of our
members, CUPE 4500 and CMBC
were able to reach an agreement
in February on a new deal.
Thank you to all of you
for standing up with your
fellow union members and
demonstrating the power
and effectiveness of union
solidarity!

MOVEUP Local Voice

MOVEUP VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 || 13
13
 Every Worker A Union Member,
VOTE! Every Union Member A Voter
BY STEPHEN VON SYCHOWSKI, PRESIDENT OF THE VANCOUVER & DISTRICT LABOUR COUNCIL

Photo, left: Former BC Premier John Horgan (centre) Photo, right: Stephen Von
poses for a picture with MoveUP VP Christy Slusarenko Sychowski is president of
(left), Board Member Safar Alikhani, and Camille the the Vancouver & District
dog during a campaign stop in 2020. Labour Council

L
ater this year, British Columbians will have
the opportunity to determine who will
lead our province for the next four years.
The choices are already clear, with only three
parties showing potential to win significant
seats this fall: the BC NDP, BC United, and the
BC Conservative Party.
My involvement in political activism started
in 2000/2001, which meant that it coincided
with the beginning of sixteen years of BC Liberal
government. Those years were filled with rallies
and protests, picket lines, petitions, and marches.
It cannot be stated too strongly; the BC Liberal
Party oversaw an actively, aggressively anti-
worker government.
This was a government which tore up collective
agreements, and gutted workers rights and entitlements
for union and non-union alike. It was a government which
destroyed good jobs and family sustaining livelihoods, and
suppressed wages across the board. Lowest minimum
wage in the country, highest child poverty, and some of
the worst child labour laws are all dubious distinctions
that the BC Liberals have to their name.
Importantly, this was also a government which
included both BC United leader Kevin Falcon, and BC
Conservative leader John Rustad within its ranks. It’s no
surprise that both parties are led by former BC Liberals,
they are two sides of the same coin. They represent the
wealthy, powerful, and connected in our province.
Everything we as workers have gained, and
everything we aspire to – living wages, robust public
services, well-funded healthcare, strong employment
standards, safety and workers’ compensation – are
things that the 1% believe cut into their bottom line.
Under BC United, or the BC Conservatives, they will all
be in the crosshairs.
Many say that BC United would represent a huge
leap backward to the bad old days of the BC Liberals,
and this is undoubtedly true. Meanwhile, the BC
Conservatives, and their flirtation with conspiracy
theories, bigotry, and the far-right, represents an even
more extremist vision for the province. We have serious
challenges to face in BC, but our choice is to continue
to walk forward in facing them together, or to move
backwards either at a gallop or a sprint with either
BCUP, or the Conservatives.

14 | VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 MOVEUP Local Voice

 VOTE!

With the BC NDP in government, we have won organization. The labour movement needs to make Photo. left top:
single-step certification, making it far easier for workers sure working people are engaged politically. We need BC NDP MLAs,
to exercise their charter right to form a union. We’ve to organize and mobilize ourselves to win. And at the including Labour
secured the highest minimum wage in Canada, paid end of the day, it’s up to us. Working people have the Minister Harry
sick days and domestic violence leave for all workers, numbers, and can ensure the election of forward- Bains (centre
and other improvements to worker rights. We’ve seen thinking, progressive, pro-worker representatives simply with fist raised),
the ICBC dumpster fire extinguished, and that valuable by showing up and voting. attending a Labour
public asset being brought back into strong standing. But it won’t happen on its own, and there’s no Day event with
And, crucially, we’ve seen respect for collective shortcut. So now is the time to get involved, in the workers in 2023.
bargaining rights and even the repatriation of many union, in your riding association, and in your local
workers who were contracted out by the BC Liberals. labour council. Labour councils can and should be Photo, left bottom:
Perhaps most of all, we’ve had a government that hubs for worker political action and, as predominantly BC Premier David
listens to working people, in stark contrast to the volunteer organizations, they need your engagement Eby (left) chatting
closed doors of the Liberal era. It hasn’t been perfect, to do the work. Let’s make our slogan every worker a with members
and no government ever will be. There’s still much union member, every union member a voter! of MoveUP's
more to do. Incidentally, it’s the labour movement’s leadership team at
job to keep on pushing, no matters who’s in office, to Labour Day in 2023.
ensure the job gets done. But we can’t push forward
if we’re back in defensive mode, fighting to hold onto Photo, right: Former
what we have. Let’s make our slogan BC Premier John
Come campaign time, the bosses’ parties will have every worker a union member, Horgan poses
plenty of money in their coffers from their wealthy every union member a voter! for a selfie with a
supporters. The only solution to big money is big supporter during a
campaign stop
in 2020.

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 | 15

 POWER
Power Pioneers Connecting BC Hydro
PIONEERS Members Past and Present
BY ROS LEBLANC

Power Pioneers doing

good work in their
communities

T
he Power Pioneers are all about having fun, Endowment for medical genetics and research. These
staying connected with each other and giving funds were raised through the annual Small is Mighty
back to their communities. From summer picnics, campaign in the spring (previously known as Jeans
barbeques, and Christmas lunches to raising funds for Day and Jean Up), the annual Giving Campaign in the
BC Children’s Hospital and other local charities, Power fall that also supports the BC Hydro Employee Giving
Pioneers is a fun group with a strong sense of purpose. Campaign, 50-50 sales, and other initiatives throughout
the year. You will see Power Pioneers volunteering
WHO CAN JOIN?
and selling tickets at BC Hydro events such as the BC
If you have worked for BC Hydro or any affiliated
Hydro Hockey Tournament and the BC Hydro Safety
companies (for example, Accenture), you and your
Rodeos. Branches support their own local charities
spouse are welcome, and you do not have to be retired
and members have the opportunity to participate in
to become a member. The cost to join is $10 per person
our annual Volunteer Hours program that directs funds
per year and once you are a member you will receive
raised back to local non-profits and charities in their
the provincial e-newsletters as well as your local branch
communities.
news so you can keep updated on events and activities
province-wide and in your area. Often members join COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS, HERITAGE
just to attend a Christmas lunch and the rest is history! FAIRS AND SCIENCE FAIRS
SINCE INCEPTION Power Pioneers support and participate in these
Power Pioneers
HAVING FUN
initiatives, attending the events, and selecting deserving
have raised a Power Pioneers has 1800-plus members in 15
students for a monetary award and certificate each year.
total of regions across the province with 13 active branches.
Each branch has a leadership team who organize

$1.7 their own get-togethers, such as lunches, picnics, and

tours, as well as participating in provincial activities and If you are nearing retirement or already retired,
Power Pioneers is a great way to keep in touch. If
million fundraisers. Every two years there is a jamboree for all
members. In 2022, the jamboree was held at Harrison you have questions, contact Ros LeBlanc, Provincial
for Hot Springs Resort, and in September 2024 we will be President, at roslppm19@gmail.com.
BC Children’s cruising to Alaska.
Hospital
GIVING BACK To join, visit their website at powerpioneers.com
Since our inception, the Power Pioneers have
raised a total of $1.7 million for BC Children’s Hospital,
including (as of March 2023) the amazing milestone of
$1 million for the Power Pioneers Ed Turner Memorial

16 | VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 MOVEUP Local Voice

 PHOTO
MoveUP Members at Work and at Play GALLERY

Being a MoveUP member means

being part of a community.
We work together, but we also
have fun and support each other.

This past fall and

winter offered plenty
of opportunities
for our members
to gather.

We had many
fun social events
including movie
outings and
hockey games.

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 | 17

PHOTO
GALLERY MoveUP Members at Work and at Play

We visited many
members at their
workplaces and
listened to their
stories about work
and how they
connected with
our union.

We welcomed
many new
job stewards
for training
sessions, as
well as held
outings for our
many different
committees.

18 | VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 MOVEUP Local Voice

 PHOTO
MoveUP Members at Work and at Play GALLERY

We're looking forward to making

more fun memories both in and out
of the workplace throughout 2024!

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 | 19

SHONA'S
Shona’s Stories:
STORIES Meet Bill Laflin
Shona Dion is a MoveUP job steward and an executive councillor who works
at LiUNA Local 1611.
She has a keen interest in discovering more about her fellow members
and will be sharing more of her collected stories in future editions.
Shona participated in MoveUP’s Member Journalism Course in 2023.
“Reach out and bring them in.”
F
or Bill Laflin, these guiding words
help him counter the sense of
isolation that he feels many
MoveUP members who work at
BC Hydro experience. It’s easy to
understand why considering there are
nearly 3,000 MoveUP members who
work at BC Hydro and their workplaces
are spread out due to geography, job
categories, and work locations.
Based in the East Kootenays,
Bill doesn’t see his fellow members
regularly which presents a challenge
because, as a job steward and
executive councillor, he wants
members to know who he is and to
help people access the appropriate
resources of our union.
Bill sees job stewards as a pathway
to connecting with our union and
to understand the importance of
facilitating the transfer of knowledge
between the membership and the union office.
When I met Bill while facilitating a Job Steward 2
course last fall, he spoke to me about the importance
of hard-won benefits and how he appreciated the
chance to advise a father about family leave as many
men do not realize how critically important that time is
for a young family.
“I grew up with a sibling in a single parent
household,” he reflected, revealing to me
that his mom worked for the hospital in the
dietary/housekeeping department. “Thank
God mom’s job was a union position.
20
BY SHONA DION
“We were not impoverished, but there were no
extras. That single working person wage supported
our family. The benefits provided for our dental and
eyeglasses. It was one of the few jobs that a woman
could support a family on.”
As our conversation continued, I realized how
Bill’s views in his professional work reflected his views
of our union.
“It doesn’t take much to realize that the impacts
of climate change are profound,” said Bill, who works
as a professional forester for BC Hydro. “Everything is
interconnected in the forest ecology.”
Given his extensive work history in the industry,
Bill is a wealth of knowledge. We broached subjects
including the 100-year cycle of pine forests, the
20-year cycle of fires, cumulative drought, insects
including the mountain pine beetle, and the danger of
the monoculture of plants.
“To combat environment disasters, we need
balance and diversity,” explained Bill, echoing the
same views he shared about union life. “I believe that
the strength of a union is in its diversity of opinion.
Diversity in my opinion has two important values — it
provides options which may have never been voiced
and it will dampen the extremes.”
Our conversation would circle back to talking
about our union and its value in the workplace, and
Bill’s desire for members to feel included.
“Personal connection is beneficial for both the
union and the individual,” said Bill. “The union becomes
stronger as a consequence of an increased diversity of
opinion and the individual will develop a more tangible
tie to the union.”
I enjoyed my conversations with Bill immensely,
and I encourage our members to sit down and have a
chat with Bill. You won’t regret it!
| VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 MOVEUP Local Voice
 Shona’s Stories:
Meet Charlene Delmaestro
“I go to fire calls for my therapy. I don’t have too much of a
social life because that’s what fire is for me.”
G
iven the high-stress environment that first
responders deal with, particularly firefighters,
this statement may seem strange at first. But for
Charlene Delmaestro, you could say she was destined
for this life since she was young.
The call to be a firefighter came for her at the tender
age of five-years old. Her father was a Vancouver bus
driver and, on one fateful night, he happened to pass by
a house fire. He would end up rescuing all-but-one of
the residents from that fire.
“I decided I was going to become a firefighter,” said
Charlene, as she recounted that life-altering moment to
me. “My grandfather told me that I could do anything if
I put my mind to it and I was gonna do it”.
Charlene is not only a fellow member of MoveUP,
but we served together on the Construction Industry
Affiliated Trade Unions (CIATU) bargaining committee.
MoveUP represents workers who work at offices within
CIATU. I work at LiUNA Local 1611 (also known as
Construction & Specialized Workers Union Local 1611),
while Charleen works for the Construction & Specialized
Workers Medical and Benefit Plan of BC.
Outside of her day job, Charlene also happens
to be a volunteer firefighter. During our most recent
bargaining round, for the first time, First Responders
Leave was added to the agreement. This was a
significant development for Charlene as it brought
both her worlds together.
“Having the new language in there gives me a
cushion,” remarked Charlene about the new addition
to our collective agreement. “Many times, I would not
respond to a call in the night because I was worried it
would impact my day job. Knowing I have protection on
those big calls to stay means a lot”.
For Charlene, firefighting isn’t just another volunteer
gig. She feels it is an extension of herself.
“I know that I was meant to do this my whole
life,” revealed Charlene. “It doesn’t feel like
work, it feels like I’m just being me.”
Firefighting isn’t the only volunteer task she takes
on. Charlene also happens to be a job steward for our
MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 | 21
SHONA'S
STORIES
BY SHONA DION
union. With so many responsibilities,
I asked her how she juggles all the
different roles that she takes on.
“Sometimes one of the “hats”
suffer,” Charlene explained. “I waited
to go back to firefighting when my
children were little because I wanted
to give them all of my time.
“When the kids got older, I
knew that they would support me
stepping back into the fire role.
I work full-time and then from
5 p.m. to 5 a.m. I’m on-call with my
department and on weekends. I’m
pretty good at compartmentalizing.
I can switch between roles fairly
easily and I don’t think they impact
each other too much.”
While firefighting may have
been a calling since childhood, for
Charlene her union life also brings
her meaning.
“Being part of something
bigger is significant to me,” said
Charlene. “When members need
back up, support, or clarification
of the collective agreement, I want
to help.”
She also went on to talk a
little about our shared time at the
bargaining table as members of our
bargaining committee.
“I found bargaining draining but
also rewarding,” she said. “I wanted
to be a part of the process [to
know] what goes on behind the scenes and know that
everything was negotiated with the best effort possible
for the membership”.
I am grateful for all the hats Charlene wears and for
the opportunity to learn from, and work alongside her,
on my first bargaining committee experience. To see
firsthand how new language can instantly affect a fellow
member’s well-being is an enlightening experience.
MENTAL
Health & Safety Centre Bringing Mental Health
HEALTH Action Directly to the Workplace
WARNING: This story discusses the issues of depression, suicide and mental health.
Naleena Gounder
O
Photo, left: Naleena ver the last decade or so, mental health
Gounder is the awareness has become much more mainstream.
Initiatives such as #BellLetsTalk which first
Director of the
launched in 2010, though not without criticism given
Mental Health
the seeming disconnect between the initiative and Bell’s
Program at the treatment of its own workers, has helped Canadians
BCFED Health & gain a bigger picture of mental health challenges. It
Safety Centre has helped us move past the antiquated notion that
depression is just “feeling sad” and that people can just
Photo, right: simply power through and move on.
It has also encouraged legions of people to share
Naleena shows off
their own experiences of declines in mental health
some of the printed in hopes of inspiring others, or to offer comfort for
materials from the people so they know they are not alone. MoveUP Vice-
BCFED Health & President Christy Slusarenko, among others, has bravely
Safety Centre shared her story of battling through depression and
how she almost took her own life as a result. That story
is available by scanning the QR code in the sidebar.
moveuptogether.ca/the-latest/addressing-mental-health-and-
the-loss-of-members-of-our-family/
Without question, there are now many resources
available directly for people to connect with, such as
the national mental health crisis hotline (9-8-8) which
was launched late last year, the United Way and bc211.
ca, the Canadian Mental Health Association, Foundry
BC, the Courtnall Society for Mental Health, among
others, in addition to employers who offer an Employee
& Family Assistance Program (EFAP).
22
However, ensuring employers are doing everything
they can to properly address the mental health
concerns of their workers directly in the workplace
remains a challenge.
That’s where the BC Federation of Labour (BCFED)
Health & Safety Centre comes in.
Naleena Gounder is the Director of the Mental
Health Program at the BCFED Health & Safety Centre,
which operates independently from the BCFED although
they are sibling organizations. While the BCFED’s focus
is on policymaking, lobbying, and advocacy, the Health
& Safety Centre’s focus is on worker-centric training.
“Our mission is to reduce injury, illness, and
death in the workplace, and we believe we can
do this by providing training,” explained Naleena.
“We let workers know what their rights and
responsibilities are, and how to move forward
with issues like incident investigations and
strategies to increase the effectiveness of their
own safety committees.”
The Mental Health Program launched in December
2020, which was when Naleena came on board to
be the program’s director. In fact, the Health & Safety
Centre had decided to split into three separate streams
at the time – their traditional Occupational Health &
Safety stream, a Community Education stream, along
with the Mental Health stream.
| VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 MOVEUP Local Voice
 MENTAL
HEALTH

National Suicide Crisis Helpline

Officially launched in November 2023, the National Suicide Crisis
Helpline allows people across Canada to call or text 9-8-8 for help
when they need it. The service offers judgement free, trauma
informed, and culturally affirming support to anyone who is
contemplating suicide, or is worried about someone who may
be contemplating suicide.

The service will connect you with a trained responder, is offered

in both English and French, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week, 365 days a year.

You can learn more at 988.ca.

The move was made because of the expanding scope of what was
being covered by the Health & Safety Centre, and they felt there was
a very specific need to focus on mental health matters. At the same
time, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting isolation
for many people because of lockdowns and the need for physical
distancing brought mental health concerns back to the forefront for
many people, especially workers.
“My work history is actually in the mental healthcare field, so I think
it’s always been an issue, but it’s been coming more and more to the
forefront,” said Naleena. “It seemed like, in the media, the focus was
always about bullying and harassment, and then with COVID, all our
mental health took additional hits with all the changes. Learn more at 988.ca

“This was a long time in the making, and it just so happened

that things lined up in 2020.”

The training that the Health & Safety Centre provides is worker-
centric, and the main focus is on how to keep workers safe. Their
training talks to workers and helps them know what the actions are
they can take in their workplace to ensure their mental health concerns
are addressed.
“We actually train anybody – unionized workers, non-unionized
workers, and employers – not just on awareness, but also action,” said
Naleena. “We let people know what the health and safety regulations
are, and about their rights and responsibilities within those. We show
people how to find those regulations, and discuss nuances.”

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 | 23

MENTAL
Health & Safety Centre Bringing Mental Health
HEALTH Action Directly to the Workplace (cont.)
What are some of those issues that arise that
would have a mental health impact? The first one that
immediately comes to mind, of course, is bullying and
harassment.
“Violence should not be part of anyone’s
workplace, and bullying and harassment should
not be part of anyone’s workplace, so we train
on how to recognize it and what to do about it,”
said Naleena.
What is another issue that often comes up that
many of us can relate to?
“Workload, definitely,” revealed Naleena. “If the
workload is too much for you, you do have the
responsibility and the right to let your employer know
what’s going on for you because you want to work
safely and efficiently and take care of yourself.”
Workplace instability is yet another issue that might
come up, something that Naleena describes as not
precisely bullying and harassment but could potentially
be a precursor to it.
“We see that a lot in industries that are, for example,
historically dominated by one gender. When a variety of
new workers come in, the atmosphere can be tough.”
The training provided through the Mental Health
Program has become so popular that they are getting
many requests from employers who want to train their
leadership team, and then come back again asking for
training for their staff as well.
In addition to the bigger picture training provided,
they also provide specific training on Mental Health First
Aid (MHFA). This training may be of particular interest
for those people who want to support their colleagues
in the workplace and know what immediate steps they
can take if they spot someone that appears to be dealing
with mental health distress.
“In that course we train people on the signs and
symptoms of mental health and declining well-being
and what to do about it,” said
Naleena. “People often call mental
health the ‘invisible illness,’ and
it’s actually not. You’ll notice in
Want to learn more about depression and anxiety that there
are a lot of physical manifestations.
bringing these workshops
to your workplace?
Visit healthandsafetybc.ca
or email ohsadmin@bcfed.ca
for more information.
24
People might complain of aches and pains. They may
seem like they’re preoccupied, or maybe had poor sleep.
There is actually a lot of physical, tangible stuff that we
can see.”
There are also certain types of jobs, such as in
healthcare workers or first responders, where workers
are put into scenarios where they may have to face more
traumatic events, including death. Other industries such
as retail, hospitality, construction, and others, have seen
an unprecedented increase in drug toxicity deaths.
“We discuss suicide risk assessment. We also talk
about psychotic episodes. Psychotic episodes are those
episodes where people lose touch with reality, and so
it’s hard to distinguish from what’s reality for us versus
what’s reality for that person. They may be hearing or
seeing things that other people don’t.
“Once a worksite takes the Mental Health
First Aid training, we can come in to coach
and/or consult on how to bring MHFA into the
workplace. MHFA and labour relationship is still
a new realm, and so we can help demystify some
of that ‘stickiness.’”
For workers, or for our members who want to
suggest mental health training for their workplace to their
employer as well as to access the wealth of information
available from the BCFED Health & Safety Centre, the
best place to start is by visiting healthandsafetybc.ca.
“We have an incredible group of talented folks
like facilitators, coordinators, admin, and accounting,
who work to make course bookings easy, and course
delivery accessible and current,” said Naleena. “If people
go to our site, we have a list of our course descriptions
as well as our public calendar. We’ve got resources.
If they have any other questions, if they want to chat
about what course they should take or what they can
bring back to their committee or leadership, they can
contact us.
“We also offer conference presentations or
workshops, consultations, and coaching sessions.
Reach out to us any time and our amazing team can help
tailor a program that is specific to your organization’s
unique needs.”
| VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 MOVEUP Local Voice
 Reframing My Views: SEX
WORKER
Why Sex Worker Rights Matter RIGHTS
BY DAWN LENTSCH, MOVEUP EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER

I got involved, and stay involved,

because I believe if I can make a

difference for just one person, the time

spent towards successful results is

worth it. – Dawn Lentsch

W
hen MoveUP became the first known union in
Canada to publicly declare its support for the
decriminalization of sex work in 2019, many of
our members had questions. I was one of them. It took
me a long time to understand why anyone would want
to support the decriminalization of sex work. I grew up
believing nobody would choose to do that kind of work if
they had better options available.
I also didn’t understand the restrictions, vulnerabilities,
stigma, and limitations that sex workers experience just by
choosing their occupation. Today, I know that this ignorant
and naïve mindset only perpetuates the systemic barriers
and unsafe labour practices these workers experience.
My activism has given me the opportunity to learn why
decriminalization of sex workers matters, and why as
union leaders we should be striving for better and safer
working conditions for all.
I work as an Administrative Assistant at Teamsters
Local Union No. 155. I’ve been working for unions since
becoming a COPE 15* member in 2008, and I credit my
union with multiple achievements met through my adult
life. For ten long months prior to my membership, I was
homeless and had to rely on the charity of friends after
I left a bad relationship. I was fortunate to pull through
a hard time because I had friends I could rely on. Sex
workers have very few supportive structures accessible
because their work has been criminalized.
I got involved, and stay involved, because I believe
if I can make a difference for just one person, the time
spent towards successful results is worth it. That’s not
to say mistakes or detours are not met along the way –
sometimes this can even yield better results – it’s just not
apparent in the beginning of a journey.
The pursuit of decriminalization has a long history.
Many of our current laws came from Britain as part of
Canada’s Confederation in 1867. Legal developments
intending to limit public nuisance and protect from sex and
human trafficking were made in 1892, 1947, 1972, 1985, 1988,
and finally in 2014. In 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada
ruled three prostitution prohibitions unconstitutional
because they contravened the right to liberty and security.
However, a subsequent reform (Bill C-36) to the Criminal
Code introduced by the Stephen Harper government in
2014 essentially left sex workers in this vulnerable position
with little to no recourse for support.
Sex worker allies and advocates, including MoveUP,
have been challenging parliament to uphold the 2013
Supreme Court decision since. To date, however, those
efforts have not yet proved successful. Last fall, the Ontario
Superior Court dismissed a case calling to strike down the
harmful provisions of the Protection of Communities and
Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA)** with Justice Goldstein
declaring:
“…the offences minimally impair the Charter rights of
sex workers.” Photo, above:
While that challenge was dismissed, it is not the Dawn Lentsch is a
end of the discussion. Sex workers aim to be treated as
MoveUP Executive
persons and I disagree to say that it’s okay that the Charter
rights of sex workers is violated, but it’s okay because it’s Board member.
only ‘minimal’. If a Justice were to say Labour’s ‘Right to She works for
Associate’ was violated, but it was okay if it allowed for Teamsters
more capital into the country, that would also be wrong.
Sex workers choose their profession; they deserve to have Local 155.
the freedoms every other worker enjoys.
Continuing the fight to strike down the harmful
provisions of the PCEPA is just one of the ongoing
efforts being made by allies, but there are others as
well. Bill S-224†, introduced in 2023, is yet another
attack on the rights of sex workers. Advocates and allies
are now petitioning to stop Bill S-224. Please visit the
Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform website at
sexworklawreform.com for the latest updates and sign
the petition to stop Bill S-224.

* COPE 15 was a local of the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union (COPE SEPB), representing members working in credit unions,
insurance services, transporting and shipping, and trade union offices. COPE 15 merged with MoveUP (then known as COPE 378) in 2010.
** From sexworklawreform.com: "In 2013, the SCC [Supreme Court of Canada] in Bedford v. Canada deemed three prostitution prohibitions
unconstitutional because they caused harm to sex workers and contravened their rights to liberty and security. In 2014, the government swiftly
created a set of laws under the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA) that reproduce those same harms, and also aim to
eradicate sex work."
† From sexworklawreform.com: "Bill S-224 will make it easier for courts to convict people without evidence of exploitation and without proving
a “threat to safety”. This will exacerbate the conflation of sex work and sexual exploitation, casting the net of criminalization far too wide and
further endangering sex workers and their support networks.

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 | 25

ED
BROADBENT Book Review: Seeking Social Democracy
Editor’s note: This story was written and completed just
prior to the untimely passing of Ed Broadbent on Thursday,
January 11, 2024. Ed was 87 years old and, as you will see
in this book review and in reading Ed’s memoir, leaves
behind a legacy as a champion of justice and equality that
won’t soon be forgotten. He will be missed.
P
olitics can be one of the most challenging areas to
immerse yourself in. It’s often seen as the arena of
the affluent and the intellectual elite – regardless
of which side of the political spectrum you land on –
and a realm that’s reserved for insiders.
But given the importance that politics and decisions
made at every level of government play in our everyday
lives, especially as workers, demystifying the political
process is critical. That’s why democratic institutions,
such as unions like ours, make it a core function to
educate members about the importance of getting out
to vote and getting involved with candidates and parties
that share our values and can affect real progressive
change if elected.
That’s also why books such as Ed Broadbent’s new
book, Seeking Social Democracy: Seven Decades in
the Fight for Equality,
published in 2023 by ECW
Press, offers incredibly
Seeking Social Democracy is available for
valuable insight and a
purchase through the Broadbent Institute.
Visit seekingsocialdemocracy.ca
or scan the QR code above.
26
guiding map for anybody who wants to understand
what getting involved in politics means.
The book provides readers insight into the
challenges that exist even for elected officials wishing
to affect change. It also providers readers with an
opportunity for reflection and prompts them to
begin thinking about how they can start getting more
engaged in politics with the next federal election
looming.
(Editor’s note: The next federal election will be on or
before October 20, 2025. British Columbians will be
heading to the polls later this year for our provincial
election on or before October 19, 2024).
Ed Broadbent led the federal NDP from 1975 to
1989. The son of an autoworker, Broadbent was a
university professor before winning his first election to
the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament
for Oshawa, a seat he held from 1968 through 1990
which encompasses his time as NDP leader. He also sat
as the Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre from
2004 to early 2006.
But you don’t have to know Broadbent, or even have
a particular interest in Canadian federal politics history,
to find value from this book, which is also co-authored
by Frances Abele, Jonathan Sas., and Luke Savage.
Of course, having those prerequisites will certainly
add to your enjoyment of the book. However, there is
| VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 MOVEUP Local Voice

also an unlikely audience that might be able to find a
unique insight when consuming this book with little pre-
existing context, and that is those who are newcomers
to politics and wondering how or why to get involved.
As the book progresses, Broadbent not only talks
about his own personal story and how and why he got
into politics but examines the many different reasons
that led him down the path he took as a social democrat.
Broadbent delves into many topic areas not in
first-person but in Q&A format with his co-writers as
interviewers, an effective mechanism that gives readers
a direct look at Broadbent’s thought process and analysis
in the critical decisions he has made throughout his
career. Among the topics the book dives into includes
the mythology behind free-market fanaticism, the way
capitalism leads to a feeling of permanent discontent, and
the importance of the trade union movement in politics.
The book also probes Broadbent’s thoughts on what
it was like to work in the minority parliament from 1972
to 1974.
At the time, the federal NDP held the balance of
power in the government led by Pierre Elliott Trudeau
and the Liberal Party. History has since repeated several
times following in the subsequent years following that
same approach, with the NDP being able to push for
numerous progressive policies as a result.
Broadbent’s overarching message, and it is one that
will resonate regardless of whether you’re a long-time
participant in politics or a newcomer searching for a
way in, is that listening to the needs and concerns of
regular people is paramount if you are to affect any
change that will help make peoples’ lives better.
In looking at all the issues and rights that Broadbent
has fought for it becomes clear that, as a social
democrat, he understands that individual freedom
is only possible with a foundation of equality. That
means ensuring government lives up to its fundamental
MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 | 27
ED
BROADBENT
role in delivering the programs that are essential and
cherished to Canadians such as health care, education Photo, left: (from
and childcare, and social housing among others, and left to right)
ensuring it’s not left up to market forces to provide. Ed Broadbent,
Broadbent’s approach to politics stands out Jonathan Sas,
especially now in a time when people are increasingly Frances Abele,
divided along partisan lines and constantly bombarded and Luke Savage
with populist rhetoric that focuses more on identity during a book
politics rather than honest policy debate. launch panel in
Regardless of your level of political engagement or Vancouver in
interest, Seeking Social Democracy offers a guide for November 2023
how to create a better society that focuses on the needs moderated by
of regular people as told by the man considered in some
media personality
circles as the best Prime Minister Canada never had.
Mo Amir (right)
Frances Abele is Distinguished Research Professor
and Chancellor’s professor emerita in the School of Photo, right:
Public Policy and Administration at Carleton University.
Ed Broadbent
Her research interest includes Indigenous-state
speaking to
relations, federal policy, northern political economy,
an audience
and community development, education and training.
She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2022. during his book
launch event in
Jonathan Sas has worked in senior policy and
Vancouver in
political roles in government, think tanks, and the
November 2023
labour movement. Among the roles he has held include
Director of Research at the Broadbent Institute, and
Director of Communications at the BC
Federation of Labour.
Luke Savage is a seasoned writer of
politics, labour, philosophy and political
cultures. His articles have appeared in
Jacobin Magazine, The Atlantic, The
Washington Post, and The Guardian
among others. He is the author of
The Dead Center: Reflections on
Liberalism and Democracy After the
End of History.
 THANK
YOU
David Black Retrospective:
DAVID Looking Back on a Decade as MoveUP President

2018 2022

In June 2022, after serving over 10 years in our union’s top

position as president, David Black made the challenging
decision to begin transition towards eventual retirement.

F
or the casual observer, the world, and that it made the most sense for our union to
timing may have seemed move forward with a fresh leader.
peculiar considering David “In the Spring of 2022, I had to start to think ‘did I really
had just been acclaimed to the want to do three more years with the national union?’”
position the previous summer revealed David. “I decided quite quickly I didn’t want to
for his fifth term. do that. My kids were just starting high school at the time,
2006 For those who know the and I didn’t want to be taken away from my kids.
intricacies of our union’s “It was important to me to see a smoother
constitution, however, the transition. I worked with Lori Mayhew for a long time
timing of the move was very carefully considered. It and knew that, as per our constitution, she would be
was timed to ensure that our union could maximize the filling in while I was drawing down my time bank. It was,
benefit of having a transfer of knowledge occur from and continues to be, important to me to be available
DAVID BLACK the current president, before the formal end of their to the next president, to our current president Graeme
term, to the next leadership group. Hutchison, and any future presidents in case they need
“When Ron Tuckwood lost the election, he lost to me for anything.”
Jerri New. It had been quite a contentious election,” Stepping down mid-term also meant there was
David recalled, referencing the election for president little to no opportunity for our union and our members
years that took place in our union in 1999. “As far as I know, to give David a proper sendoff at the time, which was
as president Jerri and Ron never talked again after that. rather unfortunate given the many years of dedicated
“When Andy Ross beat Jerri New, again it was a service David has provided to our union.
very contentious election. Jerri was still our national It also wasn’t exactly smooth sailing for David on
David was president at the time, and I was the vice-president of the a personal level after he stepped away. About 10 days
first elected as national union. So, I had to act as a bridge somewhat after his last day working as president, he suffered a
president in 2011. between Andy Ross and Jerri New.” gallbladder attack which would result in him spending
At the time, These past experiences for David helped solidify the better part of the next five months in and out of the
our union was his decision to step down when he did, something he hospital.
transitioning to felt was needed to ensure a smooth path forward for Fortunately, now, with those health concerns
a new election our union. He had already come to a decision not to largely behind him, we get that opportunity to reflect
schedule. He would run again for an additional term as our national union’s with David on his time in our union’s top leadership post
be the successful president, a position he had held since June 2016. The and what he hopes to see for the future of our union
candidate for COVID-19 pandemic helped reaffirm in his mind that moving forward.
president for four
change was coming both within our union and in our
more election
cycles: 2012, 2015,
2018, and 2021.
28 | VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 MOVEUP Local Voice
 THANK
YOU
DAVID

2021

2014 2015

2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022

2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021

From picket lines

LOCAL VOICE: When you first became MoveUP
president, did you ever envision it would be a position
you would hold for 10 years?
DAVID BLACK: No, I certainly didn’t. When I became a
MoveUP member, Ron Tuckwood was the president at
the time. I think he was in the second of three terms, so
he had a total of nine years. That seemed like a very long
time for our union. He was followed by Jerri New who
did six years, and then Andy Ross who did six years. So,
it seemed like six years was the normal amount of time
for a president of our union.
LV: What was the first day as president like for you?
DB: It was a bit overwhelming. I worked quite closely
with Andy, my predecessor, for a long time so I thought
I knew what the job was. But I quickly realized that you
don’t actually know the job until you start doing it. A
lot of the things that I had to get involved with were a
lot more complicated and a lot more nuanced than it
appeared from the outside. So, it took me quite a while
before I began to feel comfortable in the job.
LV: How did being MoveUP president help you grow?
DB: I think, for me, what I brought to the role is the
idea that I’m not going to be the smartest person in
the room. It’s important to surround yourself with the
smartest people in the room and then to take their
advice. That’s what was really important to me.
When I had a chance to hire someone, I wanted to bring
in a skill set and perspective that I didn’t necessarily
bring so that they would challenge my own thinking
and challenge the thinking of other people. You don’t
want to just surround yourself with ‘yes’ people,
because then they’ll just amplify your own strengths but
also amplify your weaknesses and that doesn’t serve the
organization. It’s good to have a bit of tension around
ideas and around skill set.
MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 | 29
LV: What did you find was the biggest difference
to protests to Pride
between campaigning for the president’s position
parades, David
versus being the president?
immersed himself in
DB: I’m fortunate I had a lot of political background
all parts of our union
before this, and so I realized that you don’t want to
throughout his
promise something to the members that you can’t tenure as president.
deliver. One of the perennial problems at ICBC has
been workload. It was a problem when I started at ICBC Photo, above right:
back in the mid-1990s, and it continues to be a problem The very first serious
today in the mid-2000s. labour dispute David
I know that for many people at ICBC it’s the most was involved in
important issue, and I know that people who are when he became
campaigning for the ICBC (MoveUP executive) board president was at
BCAA Emergency
positions or for vice-president, or even president or-
Road Services. It's
secretary-treasurer, get asked ‘what are you going to
something he will
do about the ICBC workload?’ Well, honestly, in those
always remember.
elected positions you don’t actually have a lot of
power to control the ICBC workload. You can try
and set up committees. You can try and raise it as
a profile for ICBC management. But, at the end of
the day, it’s their call. It's ICBC management who
gets to decide what the workload is.
So, people say, ‘well, you’ve got to promise that
you’re going to solve workload.’ I know I can’t
promise that because that’s not something I can
deliver. And I didn’t want to promise something I
couldn’t deliver.
So, it was always very important to me in all my
elections that I wanted to make sure what I was
presenting to the members was something that
was achievable and so that if elected, I could
start working on those things right away.
2018
 THANK
YOU
David Black Retrospective:
DAVID Looking Back on a Decade as MoveUP President (cont.)
2011
LV: What was the hardest part about stepping away?
Photo, above: DB: The hardest part of stepping away were the
David Black people. I really enjoyed all the folks I worked with.
shaking his
I enjoyed celebrating their victories and working
through the challenges that our union faced with
hands with his
them together. I miss working with our members. I
predecessor, miss visiting our members. I miss finding out about
Andy Ross, after the very interesting work that our members do serving
officially signing the people of British Columbia.
his papers Going on site visits was always one of my most favourite
things, as a president but also as a vice-president or
to become
board member, because I got to go to different parts
president in 2011 of the province and see different operations about how
the work that our members do contributes to the well-
being of our province and for the people who live here.
LV: What makes a good union president?
DB: It’s always important that a good president
listens. You’re representing 14,000 members
across British Columbia, across different
2014 industries, in different regions of the province, at
different stages of their careers, and you bring
your own experience and your own views to the
role. But it’s important to hear what the other
members are thinking and what’s important to
the other members so that when you’re making
decisions or when you’re charting a course of
action, you can be cognizant of those things.
Obviously, you can’t make all of the people
happy all of the time, but it’s important that
you’re at least aware of what the members want. The
only way to do that is by listening.
"...the strength
LV: If you had to pick one highlight of the time you
of the union
spent as president, what would it be?
really is in the DB: Probably the first serious labour dispute, that
happened while I was president, at BCAA Emergency
membership."
Road Services (in 2015). It was a very long dispute,
– David Black but the strength of those members saw us through to
victory at the end of the day.
30
2019
There were other ones after that, but that was the first
one that really stuck with me and really moved me. It
reinforced that the strength of the union isn’t in the
president. The strength of the union isn’t in the elected
officers. The strength of the union isn’t even in the staff.
All of those things are important, but the strength of the
union really is in the membership.
Our members at BCAA Emergency Road Services were
rock solid through that and that’s what got us the victory.
LV: What do you hope for the future of MoveUP?
DB: We did a lot of strategic planning work in the time
that I was president. I had a vision, and I think the various
executive boards shared some of that vision, about
reorienting our union from what was traditionally called
a ‘service union’ to more of an ‘organizing union.’
That was something I thought was critical for our
success and our sustainability as a union going
forward. I would like to think, and hope, that the
current leadership and future leadership are going to
continue on that work.
We don’t have the resources at MoveUP that some of
the larger unions have in British Columbia, but what
we do have is a very good staff. We have very good,
elected folks who are committed to the mission and
are very skillful and intelligent. The advantage it gave
us over those other big unions is that we’re a lot
more nimble so we could change and we could alter
ourselves and chart a new direction easier than those
larger unions could.
For me, that was important for us in terms of maintaining
our sustainability as a union. A union is either growing
or dying. Just being the same is another form of dying,
in my view. If you’re not growing, then you really have
to look at what your mission is. What is the best value
proposition that you’re providing your members? And
that is something that needs to be reviewed constantly
by leadership – both the staff leadership and the elected
leadership – going forward.
| VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 MOVEUP Local Voice
 THANK
YOU
DAVID

2022

2019

LV: Our upcoming election will be the first time a new
president gets elected from the general membership
in over a decade. What advice do you have for the next
full-time president of MoveUP?
DB: MoveUP is a democratic organization, and
we can see from what’s going on in the US that
democracy is actually quite fragile and needs to be
honoured and nurtured.
Debate is healthy and should be encouraged, but once a
decision is made by the appropriate body, whether that
be the members, Council, the Board, an officer or staff,
it’s important that everyone gets behind that decision to
move the union forward.
Democracy isn’t just debating and arguing, it’s also
agreeing to abide by decisions that you might not have
originally agreed with.
2018
But, right now, I’ve got three kids in high school.
They’re taking up an awful lot of time. In this past year,
I’ve coached two different lacrosse teams and I’m "I’m looking at
travelling around.
different ways
What I will say to the members is that, as well as being
incredibly fortunate to be able to have done this role that I could still
and worked with all the people over these years, the contribute. I
pension plan that I’m currently enjoying is absolutely
always would
invaluable. I know not all of our members at MoveUP
have the same good, defined benefit pension plan love to continue
that I do, but it’s something that we should be working to help MoveUP
towards getting for all of our members, protecting it for
if my services are
all of our members that do have it, and improving our
pension and retirement plans for all of our members. something that
I didn’t appreciate it when I started at ICBC in the mid- the leadership
1990s. I thought it was just basically a forced savings
plan. But here I am almost 30 years later and it’s probably wants to utilize."

LV: Is there a message you want to leave with our the best thing that’s happened to me. – David Black
MoveUP members?
DB: It really gave me a lot of personal fulfillment to make
that transition from ICBC employee to a MoveUP activist,
and then finally MoveUP president. I am so grateful to
all our members for giving me that opportunity, to all 2007
of the people I got to work with over the years in the
union leadership – other stewards, other executive
councillors, other board members and officers of the
union – and then all of the wonderful staff that I had a
chance to work with in my time at OTEU, OPEIU, COPE,
and then finally MoveUP.
LV: What’s next for David Black?
DB: My wife still reminds me that I’m not old, I’m still
young, and I need to do some work. I’m looking at
different ways that I could still contribute. I would
love to continue to help MoveUP if my services are
something that the leadership wants to utilize. I’m
looking at other things that I can do to help the general
labour movement or politics or my community.

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 19 Issue #1 Spring 2024 | 31

 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA MoveUPTogether @MoveUPTogether moveuptogether moveuptogetherca

RETURN UNDELIVERABLE PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 41267023

CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO:
SUITE 301-4501 KINGSWAY,
BURNABY, BC V5H 0E5