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CANDIDATE FOR VICE PRESIDENT

MIKE NUYENS

Listening, Learning, Leading

Sisters and Brothers,

I have served as BCGEU Operational Services Component Chair and on the Provincial Executive for the past 13 years. I am now asking for your support as a candidate for the position of BCGEU Vice President.

In my working life, I am a Machine Operator for a contractor in the Privatized Highways sector in Kelowna. My career – and Union activism – started at the Ministry of Highways back in the mid 1980’s. I was very quickly elected shop steward when I kept asking the question – what is going to happen to us through the upcoming privatization?

I was elected onto the local executive in 1988 and then into the local chairperson position in 1990. In the interval, I was also elected chairperson of my local highways bargaining committee in the Okanagan. I have enjoyed every challenge these roles brought.

In 1998, I was elected into the position of Chairperson of the Operational Services Component, component 10, and I have served in that position since 1998. I was also elected into the position of Highways Bargaining Council Chairperson, a council that represents over 3000 full-time and auxiliary members.

Holding these key positions challenged me to deal with many complex situations largely triggered by some very aggressive employers and changing Ministry policies designed to weaken a critical public service.

These positions also gave me some awesome opportunities to serve on the following committees and that experience will only help to strengthen my ability to be a strong voice for you as your Vice President:

  • Provincial Executive
  • P.E. Finance Committee
  • Chair of Component Chairs Steering Committee
  • Chair of Officers Benefits Committee
  • Member of NUPGE Highways Working Committee
  • Trustee on BCGEU Pension Board
  • Member of Highways Bargaining Council
  • Chairperson of the Highways Bargaining Council
  • Member on BCGEU Structure Review Committee
  • Bargaining Committee member
  • Lead Elected Person on Highways Bid Process
  • Member of Tri-Party Committee on Highways
  • Member of Successorship Committee
  • Member of the Education Committee
  • Member of the Child and Family Care Committee
  • Train the Trainer in OSH
  • Member of Constitution and Structure Committee
  • Member of Resolution Committee

I have sat on numerous other committees, working groups, and attended many training sessions throughout the Union. And in every instance I have worked tirelessly on behalf of our members in Component Ten and for every member of this Union.

Being a member of the Highways sector, we have faced many challenges. In 2002 we were the first sector of the Union that were told to open up our collective agreements and give back 8 per cent of our contract value plus other flexibility issues or lose our jobs. My members gave their support to proceed with negotiations and with their help we managed to minimize the impacts and secure a 10 year job security clause.

I still remember that Sunday afternoon as I drove from Kelowna to Kamloops to sign the first of many collective agreements to protect our highways workers across the Province. I remember the call I received from George Heyman giving me the Union’s full support in that difficult decision. I was completely overwhelmed by the fact that my president took the time on a Sunday to reach out to help and to listen to my concerns. That is what a Union should be – there for our members when they need us the most.

In 2004 the BCGEU made the bold decision to develop and submit a bid to take over a highways maintenance contract area. I was fortunate enough to be the lead elected person involved in the entire process, and I was appointed a Director of the company formed to make the bid.

During this process, I was inspired by the support that was given to this innovative project by my peers in other components as they committed their support to help fund the project. I had the opportunity of meeting and talking to all the components executives and countless members throughout the project.

I will never forget how I felt when the Provincial Executive, your leaders, gave me and the team the thumbs up to proceed with the bid. I was moved. I was humbled. And I was proud to be a member of the BCGEU.

I have the drive, determination and creativity to represent members throughout this diverse and complex Union. My pledge as Vice President is to get out to worksites. To Listen. To Learn. To be Accessible as a Vice President, not locked up at headquarters. I pledge to be your voice on the issues that matter most to you and your co-workers.

For those of you who know me, you will know that I have strong family values. We have raised two young men that mean the world to me. They have also challenged me with some great life experiences!

I have also been married to my childhood sweetheart for almost 28 years. We were both born and raised in our little town called Lake Country. My partner’s unwavering support has allowed me to be dedicated to the BCGEU for all these years. She is my Rock. She is my Strength. She is my source of support when I need someone to listen to me. And I want to be yours.

Over the last 13 years on the Provincial Executive, I have Listened, Learned and Led in the Union. I have proudly served with three great Presidents, two strong trade Union Treasurers, plus many other tremendous Activists and Staff of this great Union.

I understand the Union, I know the Union, and I want to offer my skills and knowledge in service of the Union.

Highways may be in my blood; however this great Union is my soul. I humbly ask for your vote as Vice President, and look forward to representing you and all BCGEU members in the years to come.

In Solidarity,
Mike Nuyens

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