CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT

DARRYL WALKER

Brothers and Sisters,
In the three years since our last convention much has changed, in our union and the province. One thing however has not changed! We continue to fight for workers’ rights. Big business and the political right remain determined to remove labour from the debate and we must not allow this to happen.

At convention, we will review and evaluate our accomplishments, decide what has worked and what we must change. We will come together to debate and decide on key initiatives, policy changes and future directions. It has been my pleasure and honour to serve as your President these last three years and it’s my desire to seek a second term. We have struggles ahead but together we can succeed. I am asking for your support to continue as your President.

A bit about the last three years. Since our last convention, we have organized more members than any other union. We have built a financial base that allows us to defend and protect the rights of our members. Balanced budgets have allowed the Defence Fund to continue to grow and facilitated our owning the majority of our offices around the province. Members can truly call their Area Offices home and feel proud to host events.

We have made succession planning a priority within staff and activists ranks. It is important that we have individuals ready to step up and into roles as others move to retirement. The needs of our members are primary in this regard and only by providing opportunities to gain experience can this be fulfilled. Stewards, OHS committee members, joint committee members and bargaining committee members are the backbone of our union and ongoing training in these areas is essential. We continue to review and renew our educational packages.

Our members want more involvement in communities and I support this wholeheartedly! Our union is well respected around the province, whether it’s workerslooking for a union, environmental groups or social justice organizations looking for partnerships or local politicians wanting to discuss a specific issue, the BCGEU has become BC’s Go To Union.

Visits around the province include local politicians, First Nations representatives, and small businesses. Through our Cross Component Committees and local activists we attend most community events. Our members are proud of our accomplishments and are heard to say: “That’s my union”.

The environment remains a key piece of our platform and we are working with the BC Federation of Labour and environmental groups to promote the protection of good union jobs as our economy transitions to a green economy. We organized a major conference “Jobs, Justice and Climate” last year and will follow up with conferences over the next few years which support green initiatives. Beyond our borders, we are involved with labour and environmental groups from Oregon, Washington and California on the Western Climate Initiative. We are pressing governments and business to set and live within emission levels so that carbon targets can be attained and stabilized. On the home front, we continue to monitor and reduce our carbon footprint.

A number of key structural issues were identified at our 2008 Convention. The needs of equity seeking members and activists was key to this work. A committee has spent the last three years talking to members around the province on equity representation, regional representation and the roles of elected officers of the union.

We have heard from our membership and the result will be some exciting, new ideas that will come to the convention floor this year. We continue to look for ways to increase opportunities for women in the union. We have expanded the role of the young workers committee and sought guidance from the committee on enhanced communications so that we can reach out to young workers. If we are to continue to grow the movement we must make room for and support the needs of women, equity seeking members and young workers.

Outreach to member activists has been a priority for my office. We have achieved the beginnings of this through Regional Conferences. Sessions in Prince George and Kamloops have been very successful and more are planned. By bringing together local activists along with senior elected leadership, we have been able to identify and debate issues important to local communities. In this way we tap into our grass roots and become more relevant. We are also taking campaigns such as “Our Forests, Our Future” and the seniors’ campaign around the province.

As I review decisions made at our last convention and look back on promises made, I am proud of the work we have done. We celebrate our history through a new book to be released soon. Our methods of corresponding with our members continues to be reviewed and renewed.

We have made worksite visits an absolute priority and are close to achieving a visit to every worksite on an annual basis. This along with member-to-member and workplace leadership will certainly strengthen our relationship with our members.

Three years ago we had a Liberal government at the top of the polls. Today we have two parties with new leaders. There is a good deal of hope for our future. The next provincial election will be huge for our union/our members. We need to be ready to identify our needs to politicians from all parties and to support those that can deliver on our needs. We can and should make a difference.

Lastly, we have a huge challenge in 2012 bargaining. It is our turn. In 2010 the majority of our members accepted zeroes. We were told we needed to be part of the solution, that it was our part of getting through the downturn. Well, we did our part and now it’s our turn. We have been cut, laid off, downsized, privatized, work force adjusted…you name it. 2012 Is Our Turn.

I ask for your continued support as I seek re-election and I thank you for all you have done.

In Solidarity,
Darryl Walker

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