CANDIDATE FOR VICE PRESIDENT

I was a founding member of the Fraser Valley District Labour Council.  I have acted as an advocate not only for those in my bargaining unit, but in any local or worksite that looked for assistance.

From all of this background I bring extensive knowledge and commitment to the table. I understand the structure of the Union, and know what needs to change and also how to accomplish that. Because I believe that it’s not enough to demand change; you need to know how to work within the existing channels to achieve your goals. You have to know how to work with our activists.

That’s why I’m excited by the new roles and responsibilities of the Vice Presidents.  These critical positions have been underutilized for far too long. The VPs need to be a visible force out working with the membership. They need to report back to the Provincial Executive on their experiences, and put forward recommendations on the next steps. And then the VPs need to follow through.

Specifically, the VPs need to be out across the province working with the members in workshops like the Basic Stewards and Advanced Stewards courses, Bargaining workshops, and all leadership conferences, not only as participants but as facilitators. They should be training the members and so demonstrate that our leadership works right alongside with them.

The VPs need to value our Young Workers and our seasoned ones as well. After all we cannot have seasoned activists unless they first become active. Especially in these times of economic downsizing we need to recruit new activists continually or we will fail to deliver our union message.

Young workers are a developing resource that requires time and investment. We need to use new mediums of communication to capture their attention. And then we need to act on what they say.

For example, I remember my first Convention with the BCGEU. It was held at UBC and the all-candidates Bear Pit was in the pub. Because I was only 17, I had to sit outside the door on the steps to listen. A mentor of mine came by and asked why I was not inside, and I told him it was because
I was too young.

That man was the great Tom Kozar, and as trade unionists, we all stand in his shadow.  Because of who he was, and his abiding belief that all members matter equally, Tom worked to ensure that the exclusion of young workers would never happen again.

Tom believed in all-member inclusion, in the transparency of union processes, and in a personal commitment to the union.  He acted on his beliefs and values. And, brothers and sisters, that is what I would aspire to as well.

So where do I see these VP positions? I’d like to see these positions working with the Directors of the Union, and that would include areas such as Bargaining, Human Resources, member to member, Advocacy, Education, Servicing, and political Campaigns.

They would not just work with but be considered a full participant in all these areas. They would take their direction from the Provincial Executive, and receive necessary support and feedback to ensure their assignments are appropriate and in keeping with the direction of the Union and PE.

I know that the BCGEU is a strong union that makes a real difference in our worksites and communities. I also believe it can accomplish so much more. I hope that you will give me the opportunity to prove that.

In Solidairity,
Richard Schaeffer

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