Pacific Rim Regional Executive – 2023 Election Results

I have been a nurse for 15 years, about half of those years working in a small community Hospice in Parksville. I am proud to be an LPN. I came to nursing after raising five kids and a previous career in technical communications. I have a Master’s Degree in English, teaching experience, and a pre-nursing work history which includes writing and editing for industry. 

I have been the Pac Rim Communication Secretary for four years and I really enjoy how this role provides the supportive framework for helping members. As your Comm Sec, I strive to get information out to you in a timely way and make your interactions with the union as easy as possible. Often, I am the first contact point for new or newly-involved members, and I try to ensure this is a positive experience by being a welcoming and helpful colleague. 

One of my goals has been to encourage BCNU to become more accessible to all members by providing many access points, using technology appropriately (text messages!), enabling multiple routes for connection, and allowing for different communication and connection styles (eg. both online and in-person forums, both big groups and smaller meetings, in settings that feel friendly for all different kinds of people). I hope you will support me to continue in this role for another three years.

Biography

For the past two years, I have had the honor of serving as the Lobbying Coordinator for our region. In this role, I have passionately represented our nurses and have been a fierce advocate for our interests. I have had the privilege of meeting with local, provincial, and federal government representatives to ensure that our voices are heard, and our concerns are acknowledged. I’ve seen change occur both in response to the public facing rallies we have held and in the quieter conversations with our representatives.

Throughout my tenure as Lobbying Coordinator, I have fought for improved working conditions, fair compensation, and increased mental health supports. I firmly believe that the well-being of nurses directly impacts the quality of care we provide to our patients, and I have made it my mission to champion these causes on your behalf.

In my career outside the union, I have proudly worked as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, Cowichan District Hospital, and now at Dufferin Place in Nanaimo. Prior to nursing I obtained a degree in Political Science and worked for a non-profit utilizing my skills in fundraising and lobbying. My current role is as a Clinical Nurse Educator for Mental Health and Substance Use within Long-Term Care. Having worked in different care areas and in different worksites, I have seen first-hand the highs and lows within the profession. Working environment makes a difference. Until every nurse has a safe and supportive workplace, our advocacy will not be done.

In my efforts to improve our profession, I have collaborated with nurses from various specialties in order to empower them to share their concerns and aspirations. By fostering strong relationships with fellow healthcare professionals and community stakeholders, I have worked hand in hand with our allies to support our cause.

Statement of Objectives

If elected as Lobbying Coordinator, I will continue to work tirelessly to amplify our voices and fight for the issues that matter most to us. I am committed to continued advocacy for fair wages, safe staffing levels, and accessible professional development opportunities. I firmly believe that by standing together, we can create a brighter future for nursing in our region.

As your Lobbying Coordinator, I will engage in open and transparent communication. I will actively seek your input, ideas, and concerns, ensuring that our collective voice guides my advocacy efforts. Together, we can effect positive change and shape the future of nursing in our region.

I kindly ask for your support and trust in electing me as your Lobbying Coordinator. Let us unite, inspire, and empower one another as we strive for a stronger, more respected nursing profession. Together, we will build a better future for ourselves, our colleagues, and the patients we care for.

Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to working tirelessly on behalf of our union and the incredible nurses we represent.

Michael Woywitka is a third-year RN working in the PACU at CDH. Currently, Michael is the Young Nurses Network rep for Pacific Rim, alongside being a steward and a spare on the CDH JOHSC. Michael also held numerous positions during nursing school, including: the BCNU class representative; joint VIU-NIC Nursing Curriculum class liaison; and Western Regional Director for the Canadian Nursing Student Association. 

Michael has developed a passion for politics during his nursing career and realizes the importance of a nurse's voice during policy creation; Michael plans on listening to members' nursing concerns and bringing these forward to MLAs as the Pacific Rim Lobbyist. For example, nurses were recently promised nurse-to-patient ratios without an implementation date; Michael plans to meet Pacific Rim MLAs to ensure they follow through with their promise in a timely manner. Other objectives Michael include improving LPN to RN bridge programs and developing better schedules to benefit work-life balance.

As the idiom "a closed mouth doesn't get fed" implies, the negative working conditions and high rates of burnout within nursing will only improve when nurses speak up and their concerns are heard. Vote Michael Woywitka as your Pacific Rim Lobbyist to ensure our voices are heard.

Fellow members, 

It is with great pleasure that I submit my name in this 2023 election campaign as Mental Health Representative for the Pacific Rim Region. 

I have a passion to not only advocate for my patients but for my colleagues and friends. Mental health is at what I would argue to be an “all time low” within our profession. I see this day in and day out because I work directly at the bedside like you. I have only been working for a few years, but I have been witness to psychological injuries to new nurses and those whom I look towards for mentorship. It is time we speak up and speak loudly to demand to work in an environment that is free from mental health injures.

An environment free from mental health injuries would include, adequate staffing, appropriate resources and respectful interactions and communication. We are currently navigating a health care system that is under unprecedented staffing shortages and over capacity work sites. Together we attempt to spread the message through our union to the public, and most specifically to our patients that we care. Recently, I have had many days that have been morally distressing due to all of these instances combined. 

While I cannot be the magic wand, I do believe I have something to offer. I am willing to learn about all of the resources BCNU has to offer us and I will support and advocate for the dissemination of that info at a regional level. 

It is a great honour to considered for this position and if elected I give my promise to do all that I can for you. I know that all of you provide exceptional care to our patients and you deserve that care in return.

With gratitude, 

Perry Assu

I have been an RN since 2007 and I have always worked in the mental health and substance use sector of healthcare. I have been a direct patient care nurse, a clinical nurse educator and now a clinical coordinator. I am a local steward, formerly held the Mental Health Representative position in Pac Rim, sat on my local JOHSC, led a violence campaign at SJGH and I have been able to build relationships within all my roles and always support individuals where they are at. I know first hand about the mental health issues our members are facing in the workplace. I am a strong advocate for improvements to support nurses mental health at work. Mental Health is health. I am passionate about the CSA Psychological Health and Safety Standards and supporting nurses to use these standards for their own activism locally, regionally and provincially to make positive changes in their workplace.I have strong knowledge of the Mental Health System and I feel ready to continue the advocacy work and commitment BCNU made with the Mental Health System Reform (Improved Care for Patients, Improved Safety for Nurses and Accessible Mental Health Supports). https://www.bcnu.org/a-safe-workplace/mental-health-strategy 
I hope you will vote for me to continue with this activism work I am passionate about and want to do. 

It is an honor to again accept the nomination of my peers to the position of Occupational Health and Safety Representative for the Pacific Rim Region. Knowing well, the responsibilities of this role, I am prepared to continue the work of the Region to ensure the health and safety of our members.
Having the experience of the past 9 years in this role, I am aware of the priorities when it comes to safe work environments. With more than 20 years as an active Joint Occupational Health and Safety Steward, I am familiar with the process of fighting for your fundamental rights as active members.
We have achieved some very important gains in this recently ratified collective agreement, but we have so much more to do. For the past three years COVID 19 has captured our attention, now we need to focus our attention on workers having ready access to appropriate PPE, to know that all available resources are made available when required or necessary; that violence in the workplace is addressed and that safety plans are in place to ensure worker safety. Our priority must continue to be ensuring safe work environments and to ensure Psychological Health and Safety for all members.
If re-elected to this role, my focus will be to establish strong working relationships with both members and employers, working collaboratively to ensure resolution of safety concerns. I will commit to working with individual Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee members to build on their strength and confidence. Together we will continue to address the health, safety and well-being of our members.
Experience makes the difference – Vote Gerrie Miller for OH&S

My name is Julie Peters and I’m an LPN running for the position of OH&S Respresentative for BCNU. Advocating for workers rights and safety has become a passion of mine since being a Nurse and a Site Steward, I currently am the employee co-chair on my JOHS Committee where I’ve successfully been able to bring about positive change in my workplace by studying data and offering solutions to reduce worker injuries. My work as a Nurse has been primarily in Mental Health, I was inspired to be part of change after seeing the high rates of injuries sustained by violence in my workplace and wanted to be part of making healthcare safer for Nurses.

Working alongside other BCNU OH&S reps during my time on the JOHS Committee has been an enriching experience, I’ve learnt a lot from this team of passionate people with a common goal of creating safer workplaces for Nurses and would be thrilled to be part of it. I am a dedicated advocate and am able to be effective when having difficult conversations. If elected, I will present your OH&S concerns with professionalism and actively be part of pursuing solutions. Thank you for reading this and for taking part in this democratic process by casting your vote. Take care & stay safe.

Josh Collins is your current professional responsibility advocate and has been in this position since July of 2022. He has been a nurse now for 12 years, working in many different hospitals and specializing in ICU and ER. For the past 2 years, he has been working in the MHSU field. Throughout his career, he has faced numerous professional practice concerns and sought the advice of BCNU. Josh then decided to join the Nurse’s Union; it was the perfect match to pursue the PR Advocate role. Throughout his incumbency, Josh has successfully challenged complex cases, many Pre concern’s and supported many members through consultation.
Although ratification of our recent contract has ended; many of the practice concerns we face as nurses still remain. Josh is not blind to the new and ongoing problems that are still prevalent in many work sites. 
Josh has taken part in educating new nurses through the New Graduate Learning Program seminars. He considers education to be an important part of his job. His goal is to educate members so that when they face workplace challenges they understand their professional rights. 
If given the opportunity, Josh will continue to support and collaborate with each member that brings forward professional practice concerns. Josh is looking forward to educating members about the professional practice process across the Pacific Rim.

My name is Kelley Charters and am running for re-election as the Regional Council Member of the Pacific Rim Region.

I have been a Registered Nurse for 20 years, having trained in Ontario, and practiced in Alberta and BC. I first became involved in the BCNU in 2008, attending my first meeting because like many Nurses I was upset about my working conditions and want to figure out a way to make things better. I was inspired by the values of BCNU and grassroot solidarity. The BCNU gave me a voice and I quickly took on various roles in the union to support my colleagues. 

Over the years I have held such roles as, Full Time Steward at Nanaimo Regional District Hospital, Steward At Large, Regional OH&S Representative, and Steward Liaison. In 2013, I spearhead the successful CDMR campaign, the longest in BCNU history, resulting in 26 nurses being returned to NRGH, and preventing similar cuts from happening provincial. 

In 2022 I had the privilege of being elected as your Regional Council Member. This last year has been the most challenging, but also the most rewarding of my career. I believe that I have fulfilled this role with transparency, accountability, and integrity. 

The working conditions Nurses face are worse than ever. We need strong leadership with proven success, to stand up to our employers against disrespect, exploitation, and abuse. I have the passion, dedication, and assertiveness needed and I’m not afraid to speak up for what is right. I will continue to work tirelessly to have nurses once again treated with respect. 

As I tell my kids, I’m a Nurse for the Nurses!

My name is Marcia Wright and I am currently your BCNU Pacific Rim Regional Treasurer. I graduated from Malaspina University-College with my BScN in 2002. I have both acute care and community experience. I worked at NRGH in medical and perinatal nursing for over 20 years. I have been a Public Health nurse for 2 years. I have been an active BCNU steward since 2007 and have been involved in creating and revising many regional policies and by-laws. BCNU has provided me opportunities and education in various professional areas during my 20 years as a member. I am a leader, with skilled communication and the ability to see all sides of an issue. I recently supported the Electronic Health Record roll out at Victoria General Hospital, West Coast General Hospital and Cowichan District Hospital. 

I have extensive volunteer experience. Raising four active children has afforded me the opportunity to serve on various non-profit and sports related boards in the community. I served on the board of a local sports association as their treasurer, requiring me to become proficient with a computer based accounting program, budgeting and maintaining the online registration database; I have organized many sports tournaments enabling me to develop skills in resolving and mitigating conflicts, scheduling, coordinating, budgeting and financial reporting. As my children have grown and gained independence I am now able to focus on professional development and have the time to dedicate to the membership of BCNU.

I come to this position with open eyes and drive. Real world experience has left me with a deep appreciation for the complexities of the position; and the tools to serve the membership well. I am familiar and proficient with all the computer programs associated with this role. 

My passion for this union has led me to share three of my core principles; transparency, responsibility and accuracy. As Regional Treasurer I will represent all nurses and advocate for an appropriate level of BCNU funding in order to support regional objectives. I will maintain accurate records of accounts and will present a complete and accurate quarterly financial report. I will ensure that all funds are spent in the best interests of the membership. I commit to maintain proper financial systems that comply with BCNU policies and our shared strategic direction. I will use my skills in critical thinking, communication and problem solving in conjunction with the Regional Executive to meet the needs of our members. 

- [ ] Kelly Woywitka has been a steward over 17 years. Kelly is currently the Steward Liaison for Pacific Rim in her third term. Kelly has successfully completed the Labour Relations training at Saunders University and uses this training daily. Kelly works hard and represents members effectively to ensure a fair representation.Kelly looks forward to your vote of confidence to continue as Steward Liaison for Pacific Rim.