South Fraser Valley Regional Executive – 2023 Election Results

Catherine Clutchey is a proud nurse of 19 years. With a background in both the NICU and Public Health she has spent the past 15 years representing her colleagues as a Steward. She has held Regional Executive Positions and has been the Regional Member Educator. She was also the inaugural Chair of the Young Nurses Network in it's early years. 

Catherine is not only knowledgeable in the Collective Agreement and it's enforcement and interpretation, but also health and safety, disability management and the professional responsibility process. 

Catherine's strengths include organization, technology use, verbal and written communication and member engagement. She prides herself in her ability to work well with a team and has extensive experience with mentorship within the union. 

The objectives she wishes to prioritize if elected include:
-Encourage grassroots union activism; member driven, not top-down
-Increase basic unionism education for all nurses
-Provide equal opportunities for all members to be involved in their union
-Use of technology to advance the Union's ability to reach membership
-Create a welcoming and inclusive team within local union activists
-Improve accessibility of union stewards and executives to the membership they represent
-Provide mentorship and successorship planning within leadership positions

Catherine Clutchey remains dedicated to the BCNU members of the South Fraser Valley Region and hopes to be elected as Communications Secretary. 

My name is Sara Kilburn. I have been a dedicated nurse for the past 13 years working at Irene Thomas hospice (Delta Hospital).

I became involved with the union over the past several years and have enjoyed my time as a steward on the delta hospital team. In my past as a member of the bargaining committee for my worksite I was able to be a leader to bring forth the issues that my members were passionate about throughout contract negotiations. I continue to be advocate for a better future for nurses. 

If elected, my objectives are:

-To rally our members and promote education to our government leaders to support and work with us for better health care

-To support regional equity and human rights caucus/group  representatives and committees

-To work collaboratively with members to advocate for safe patient care ratios 

Please vote for me as a lobby coordinator!

My name is Meea Mann. I am currently a registered nurse, patient care coordinator at Surrey Memorial Hospital Critical Care Unit. I have been in the role of patient care coordinator since 2014. Prior to that I worked as bedside nurse and ICU outreach nurse at SMH ICU. I have also had the opportunity to do travel nursing in the U.S.A. 

Working in these roles I have been fortunate to learn and grow both professionally as well as personally. As a PCC, I enjoy being a support person, resource and mentor to staff, as well as a point person for patients and family. Being in this role I have gained valuable experience navigating situations/topics that can be sensitive, difficult and at times conflict causing. 

To me respect, open communication, compassion and integrity are very important qualities that can break barriers and help heal and build better rapport and relationships. I have found that many tense situations can be eased and sometimes defused simply by showing respect and compassion. I have experienced this time and again dealing with patients, families, and staff as well. 

Outside of work I like all things to do with interior decorating and design. I have helped many family and friends with this. I also enjoy going on short hikes/ nature walks as well as quality time with family and friends.

I am running for the BCNU position of Regional Lobby Coordinator. I feel that I am a good candidate to represent BCNU in this position because I feel very passionate about advocating for our members shared concerns, for positive change, better, safer conditions for our patients as well as for our members. I have gained excellent communication and critical thinking skills as an RN and PCC. I also personally place a lot of value on creating good relationships, team building and collaboration. I believe that these qualities are vital to this role. 

During the Covid pandemic pre-existing issues of staffing shortages and unsafe workloads became an undeniable issue and cause for serious safety concerns. As the world lived through this tragic, life altering time, hospitals across the world struggled with extreme shortages of staff, resources, and life saving equipment. Unfortunately the standard and quality of healthcare suffered tremendously. It was not okay. Like many others, this experience has left me deeply affected. It was during this time that I was moved to take action at the level I could, and brought these concerns forward to my leadership. For help with this matter and another matter I reached out to the union for help. I am so grateful that I did, because some positive changes happened with the help of our union. 

In the past I have not been well informed about union matters. It seemed complicated and heard people complain and say they don’t help anyway. For the most part I didn’t understand and wasn’t interested in learning. Today I hear this sentiment echoed by some of my colleagues and I feel compelled to find ways to change this view of our union.

Today, I feel much differently about the union. I now see it as “our union”. The members union, and I would like to find ways to get more members engaged and feeling that it is “our union”. A sense of support to and from our union. I would like to see more members feel connected to our union and a sense of trust that our union is here for them. Breaking barriers, better and stronger together.

Ruben is a nurse at Lamgley Memorial Hospital. As as steward for the last 7 years, he has advocated for the members of LMH and South Fraser Valley Region. He has also addressed Psychological Health and Safety concerns working in collaboration with Occupational Health and Safety representative. He sits on the Joint Occupational Health and Safety (JOHS) of LMH. As a JOHS respresentative for BCNU, addressing OH&S issues helps with the mental health of nurses.His JOHS experience has helped address some issues for the region. Though not perfect, he believes that there's still a lot of work to be done to address the Mental Health wellness of nurses.His objective is to hold the employer accountable to a higher standard for the psychological health and safety of nurses. Ruben would like to continue to advocate for the OH&S and Mental Health concerns nurses face everyday, for our region.

Title: Bio for Mental Health Representative at British Columbia Nurses Union along with Objective/Vision and Goals
Introduction: I, Sunil Munjaral, am a passionate advocate for mental health and a dedicated British Columbia Nurses Union member. With learning as a union steward, I possess the experience and knowledge necessary to serve as the Mental Health Representative within the union. I am committed to improving the well-being of nurses and addressing mental health challenges within the profession, [Your Name] is poised to make a significant impact in this crucial role. 
Professional Background: I have been an active member of the British Columbia Nurses Union for several years, consistently working to safeguard the rights and well-being of fellow nurses. As a union steward, I have demonstrated advocating for fair working conditions and resolving workplace conflicts. This experience has provided valuable insights into the challenges nurses face, particularly in mental health. 
Mental Health Advocacy: Recognizing the pressing need to address mental health concerns within nursing, I have consistently championed mental health initiatives through active participation in workshops, conferences, and educational programs. I have developed a comprehensive understanding of the mental health landscape and the specific needs of nurses in this regard. This knowledge, coupled with my empathetic nature and crystal-clear communication skills, has equipped them with the tools to foster a supportive and inclusive environment for nurses. I am working with Dil Diyan Community Services and working to launch the first online platform in North America to offer peer support to everyone at no cost. (www.theddg.ca)
Vision and Goals: As the Mental Health Representative at the British Columbia Nurses Union, I envision a future where mental health is prioritized and nurtured within the nursing community. I am committed to advocating for accessible mental health resources, including counseling services(language-specific), support groups, and wellness programs. By collaborating with stakeholders and engaging in open dialogue, I aim to promote mental health awareness, destigmatize seeking help, and develop initiatives that address the unique challenges faced by nurses. 
Plan of Action: The main goal is, to advocate for increased mental health resources. I will work tirelessly to secure funding and resources to enhance the mental health services available to nurses. This will involve engaging with government bodies (As per Regional Chair’s approval), healthcare institutions, and external organizations to build partnerships and secure the necessary support. 
Promoting mental health education and training: I recognize the importance of equipping nurses with the knowledge and skills to support their own mental well-being and that of their colleagues. Nurses will strive to implement comprehensive mental health training programs tailored specifically to the nursing profession. I believe in Creating a culture of openness and support, I aim to foster an environment where nurses feel comfortable discussing their mental health concerns without fear of judgment or repercussions. This will involve implementing policies that prioritize mental health, creating peer support networks, and promoting self-care practices. 
Conclusion: With a generous background as a union steward and a deep commitment to mental health advocacy, I am the ideal candidate for the position
Website: https://www.theddg.ca/

My name is Sukhjit Kaur. I am an International Educated Nurse from India and immigrated to Canada in 2010 with my family. I have been working at SMH NICU since 2015. I became an activist in 2017 and I have been part of the SFV Regional Executive team since 2021 and covers the regional Occupational Health and Safety portfolio. I am the Regional Human Rights and Equity Caucus Rep for Mosaic of Color since 2021. I have provided coverage for interim Regional Council Members and full-time Steward positions.
Goal
I believe knowledge is power and is the only way to bring positive changes, hence my goal is to empower our members with knowledge, resources, and the right to a safe workplace.
Highlights of Work
• During my term as OHS Executive, I have recruited many JOHSC reps to advocate for a safe workplace.
• I have promoted incident reporting and effective JOHSC investigations.
• With the help of my executive team and the BCNU Health and Safety team, I provided templates for Hazard Reporting to encourage members to report important safety concerns.
• Successful Pink shirt day campaign with the employer co-chair to address bullying and harassment at workplaces.
• Successful use of 21-day letter intervention at my worksite and other JOHSC Committees in the region.
• Actively engaged with WorkSafeBC prevention officer to raise health and safety concerns at SFV region.
• Arranged numerous lunches and learns at multiple worksites to promote awareness and encourage reporting.
• Arranged OHS and Mental Health events for members to share success stories and struggles.
• With the team effort of our committee, we were able to negotiate weekly designated times for investigations. It is a big success for BCNU JOHSC members to be able to participate in investigations and reach out/support our members in a timely manner.
• Done multiple presentations at various BCNU events to promote reporting, addressing fatigue, and psychological health issues.

Work in Progress
• Promotion of Reporting Campaign with the help of the BCNU Health and Safety Team by making the best use of lanyard reporting cards.
• Organizing Mental Health events to promote Psychological Health and Safety. 
• Proposed a Regional JOHSC basic day to promote education on the right to have a safe workplace, the right to participate, and the right to refuse unsafe work.

I believe strongly in Education and liaison with other team players to achieve better outcomes for our members. As a leader, I strongly believe in leading by example and following the same path which I preach. I always advocate and actively work for the betterment of our members. I believe I am an ideal candidate for this position given my experience and future vision in Occupational Health and Safety. I'm excited by all the challenges inherent in the position and look forward to the opportunities it brings. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions, Thank you for your vote.

My name is Tash Minwalla. I have been a steward since 2015 and I have served as a JOHSC representative since 2015 as well. Among these positions, I have also been a lobby coordinator in the South Fraser Valley Region. During my time as a lobby coordinator, I was an advocate for inclusion of nurses in the BC's PTSD Legislation and Violence Against Nurses. These are my two main successes and where my passion and interest in OH&S has developed. My experience has revealed that keeping nurses safe in the workplace is the key reason for me to run for this particular position. 

A safe workplace is not only a basic right, but a necessity when working in stressful environments to reduce and abolish any risk of injury, physical or emotional. 
As a Regional OH&S representative, I will take the lead on occupational health and safety related matters and will work in collaboration with the OH&S and Mental Health Executive council members on both OH&S and mental health initiatives in our region. I believe that it is important for me to develop working relationships with WorkSafe BC prevention officers, in order to advance safety concerns in our region. I plan to work with the enhanced disability management representative to bring awareness to the Return to Work and Duty to Accommodate processes. 

As the BCNU Regional OH&S representative, I am determined to maintain positive and respectful communications with members, the regional executive team, and most importantly with the provincial OH&S and Mental Health Executive council members. 
I am aware of the work and dedication needed for provincial OH&S campaigns, and am willing to work towards the betterment and safety of our nurses. As the future of healthcare, we need to speak up and make our voices heard to government officials. This includes recruiting more JOHSC representatives to help us demand improvements from the BC Government for health and safety, at the local level.

Joint occupational health and safety committees are the foundation of safety in the workplace and I will ensure the employer will uphold the new language around sharing safety information with BCNU around respectful workplace, bullying, harassment, and discrimination. 

In addition, I will be transparent and accountable for the time spent on union activities, as nurses have a right to know how their dues are being spent. 
With a strong background in advocacy and over 15 years of nursing experience, I am committed to providing leadership, mentoring, and support for the well-being of our BCNU Members. I will continue to support individual members, note their concerns, and generate reports that aim to mitigate these issues.

Let me empower YOU to create a safe future for US all.

My Name is Carmelita Mangoyob to most known as Carmen. I am the current PR-advocate for South Fraser Valley since 2019. I am a registered nurse of British Columbia since 2009. I have been practicing since then. I am also a site steward for Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH) for 5years. 
During my steward role, I handled mostly PRPs (Professional Responsibility Process). PRP always interest me for I know that competence and accountability is the backbone of a confident nurse. Strong and effective nurses need to have all the tools and skills to deliver patient care successfully. Nurses need support to achieve positive outcomes for their clients. Employers are equally responsible in achieving the most current and researched base knowledge to provide patients with holistic care. Nurses need to be reminded and encouraged to be vocal in seeking awareness and be vigilant to make sure the employers take pro-active supportive actions in equipping nurses to care for clients that are increasing acute and complex. 
I would like to seek re-election into the role to continue advocating for nurses. The past 3 years have given me the opportunity to gain experience and apply the contract language. I learned Article 59 and Appendix KK by experience and through the collaboration of BCNU professional practice department and Fraser Health. 

My objective is to continue raising awareness to nurses that employers are equally responsible in achieving excellent and effective provision of safe patient care therefore, both parties need to collaborate in all aspect such with knowledge, skills, and tools. 

My name is Glesy Banton-Victoria, I am a Filipino-Canadian registered nurse, married to an ICU nurse, and mom of 2 sons.  I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Victoria in 2001. While studying nursing, I worked at Royal Columbia Hospital as a care aide to help pay for my studies and gain experience working in healthcare. I also worked as a home support worker for a quadriplegic patient on nights and weekends during nursing school. I started working as an RN at St. Paul's Hospital in Cardiac in 2002 and in ER in 2004 after obtaining my ER specialty from BCIT. In 2007, I moved to the 2nd busiest ER in the country, Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH). I have been working as a PCC in SMH pediatric emergency department since 2013. I also obtained my pediatric emergency nursing specialty certification from BCIT in 2019.

I have seen first-hand the impact of working with short staffing levels, high patient volumes with acutely ill-patients. This has taken a toll on us as nurses. I have experienced bedside nursing in this province go from bad to worse over the last few years. I am a very hard working person and if elected as Regional Council member, I intend to bring my strong work ethic to the role. I will be accountable to the membership above and beyond full-time work that is required of this role. I intend to be present in your worksites and visible to you as members. I will listen to your concerns and experiences and bring those forward at the provincial level. I am a very passionate advocate with 21 hard-earned years as a frontline nurse. If elected, my priorities will be:
o Safe staffing levels
o Improved mental health supports for nurses
o More education support for LPNs to bridge to RN
o Expedited upskilling and registration process for internationally educated nurses to work in BC

In addition, as part of the elected Council of the BCNU, I would like to see:
o Increased transparency for regional expenditures of our hard-earned dues
o More accountability for regional budget allocations and accounting for time spent on union activities
o Encourage development of open dialogue with members regarding future member engagement activities in the region
o Term limits – this is not a retirement plan
o Development of a software platform that will allow for dialogue amongst union members, stewards and our staff in a safe open forum 

I have provided leadership at the frontline for a decade in PEDS ER facilitating collaborative relationships and providing the best patient care to over 215 patients/day, while fostering a team environment where staff could thrive.  I am hard-working, driven and passionate.  I am ready to help create positive change in this region and in this union. I am a strong advocate and will work tirelessly to serve the members of the South Fraser Valley Region. Lets begin breaking barriers and building our future of nursing together!  Together, let us build a better union!

In Solidarity,
Glesy 

I am Peggy Holton, Site Leader at Surrey Memorial Hospital and casual in Emergency. I have had an incredible 40-year journey in healthcare. My roots started in rural Saskatchewan, then grew and reached urban settings. I have specialties in Emergency, ICU and Family Birthing. Throughout my career, my goal has always been to make a DIFFERENCE. This goal has been my focus when I was presented with opportunities including: 
• being on the Saskatchewan Palliative Care Board 
• working on the Canadian Palliative Care Task force to develop and disseminate Palliative standards across Canada 
• worked with Federal Government to implement the End of Life EI benefits that are now in place for all Canadians 

I spent 12 years in the role of VP on Heartland Health board, allowing me to use my experience and knowledge to influence health care changes that had positive outcomes. I had the opportunity to present to Fyke Commission, as well as the Romanow report -identifying challenges and improvement opportunities to create a sustainable health care system for the future. 

Most recently, in my role as Lobby Coordinator for SFVR, I have listened to nurses express concerns including working short & professional liability. I met with Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, discussing key issues being faced by our members. We had a robust conversation regarding importance of accountability with new Federal funding agreements. As Lobby Coordinator, I had the opportunity to present at a forum discussing environmental changes and impact to health care workers. Sharing nurses’ personal stories was impactful, as well as speaking with Premier Eby and Health Minister Dix about some of the real-time issues being experienced in our region. 

I have observed the resiliency of nurses over my career. Unfortunately, pandemic, environmental changes and overdose crisis have tested this resilience over the last 3 years. It’s my goal to create a health care system that provides quality, eliminates waste and is sustainable for the future. This will require highly motivated members, from all levels, working in a safe and supported environment. 

We must retain nurses that are currently working and recruit those who have left. I am more determined than ever to advocate for the inclusion of “grassroots” nurses in these discussions, planning and decision-making to create a system that works. Nurses know the answers - without us hospitals and programs will cease to exist. 
Nurses want and deserve: Respect, Job Satisfaction, Safe workplaces and Continuing Education. 
As your Regional Council member, I will continue to LISTEN to you. I will HEAR your concerns and WORK COLLECTIVELY to find creative SOLUTIONS. I will ELEVATE our region’s issues and concerns to the provincial table, breaking barriers and building our futures. I am FRONTLINE and I am READY for action. 

I am as passionate now, as I was when I first started as a nurse. We cannot afford to go backwards this election, we must create change and build a union that nurses can be proud of. To be stronger. To make us proud to be nurses. 

Hello, my name is WALTER, a Registered Nurse from Surrey Memorial Hospital.  I am formally announcing my filing of candidacy and express my intention to run for re-election as a member for the REGIONAL COUNCIL and Co-Chair for the South Fraser Valley Region.

If I will be given the opportunity to serve you once more, I will continue to focus on the following:

• To make YOU, my colleagues as my NUMBER ONE priority by supporting a democratic, member-centric BCNU, thus making me your VOICE in the council.

• To ensure the consistent practice of INCLUSIVITY, and promoting the concepts of DIVERSITY and belongingness at all levels in our union.

• To ensure that nurses’ concerns are heard and acted upon consistently by key decision makers in all Health Authorities and within our union.      

• To advocate for work-life balance, making this as my PRIORITY for the next bargaining.

• To be proactive in lending support to members in addressing issues in their specific worksites.

• To ensure that our STEWARDS continue to be empowered with knowledge and skill through training and education.   Assisting them on how they should represent the membership, whereby their conduct and engagement are manifested through professionalism and responsible leadership when in the performance of their function.  Also, by being present and always accessible to respond to members’ queries, concerns and work incidences in a consistent and timely manner.

• To advocate mentorship and development programs ensuring the path for future leaders in BCNU.

• To ensure that transparency is ascertained at all levels of the union and to foster a trusting relationship amongst our union leadership in the region and union, as a whole.

• To ensure that the REGIONAL EXECUTIVES perform at an accountable degree at all times to foster team work.

As what I have mentioned above, I will passionately put my energy and all the works to support the membership of the South Fraser Valley Region.  Like what I’ve been doing, I’ll continue to be present in your areas, dropping-by to say hello, receptive to small talks regarding contract interpretation, and always available to listen to the concerns of members.

Again, my name is WALTER – a man of ACTION, results driven, and my commitment to serve is unwavering!

Thank you for your support and TOGETHER, we can make a difference.

I have been an RN and BCNU member for 15 years with experience ranging from emergency nursing to critical care to infection control to public health to outpatient care. I am currently a site steward and a co-chair of a JOHS committee. As my exposure to union affairs has increased over the years, I firmly believe that change is needed. 

I was previously employed in the taxation department of a federal government agency and I also ran my own small business. Fortunately, these experiences grant me with financial and budgeting proficiencies which are essential for a successful treasurer.

Members, including myself, have taken an increasing interest in the financial climate of our union, however the accessibility to this information remains vague. All avenues to retrieve information about the finances within the region have been met with various roadblocks. It is the time for a new regional leadership team to break these barriers and build our future together. 

As the regional treasurer, my priorities will include providing true transparency in the delivery of financial status reports so that members are aware of how their union dollars are being spent. I want to build trust in the membership by openly providing details of how the regional budget spending is determined and how it is actually spent. My goal is convey to our region’s members that their elected leaders have the membership’s best interest as a top priority.

I have been a registered nurse at Surrey Memorial Hospital since 2013. I have a BSN from BCIT, and a BSc in Microbiology from the University of Victoria. 

When I was new grad, I started working on a medical unit until I was displaced. From there, I moved to a surgical unit and have been there ever since. This experience is what piqued my interest in BCNU. 

As regional treasurer, I have created balanced budgets and provided a strong voice for fiscal responsibility. In addition, I have planned and executed member outreach events and provided support wherever needed. I have shown that I am competent in this role with my strong computer skills, resourcefulness, and a willingness to learn new things. 

As a union activist, I have advocated for members through both steward and occupational health and safety work. As a steward, I have provided information and education for members, in addition to advocating for members in meetings with management. As a member of the joint occupational health and safety committee, I have promoted nurses’ safety by being an unwavering voice at the table. 

I hope to continue to represent and advocate for members for the next three years.

Thank you for your vote!

My name is Jaswinder, but I go by Jassi. I have been an RN since 2007 and became active in the union pretty early on. I officially became a steward in 2014. I have experience as the PRF steward, been on JOSHC since 2017 and recently have been the interim Steward Liaison for SFVR for over a year and a half. At the 2022 Provincial Bargaining Conference, I was voted to be on the PJAC for Acute care. During my last year as the interim Steward Liaison, I have helped oversee the steward elections and have successfully recruited and appointed over a dozen new stewards for SFVR! I have worked with the Regional Executive to plan and organize many meetings, drop ins, lunch and learns and education sessions for our 6000 plus members in SFVR. With my years as a steward at SMH, I am able to bring a historical and on the front line view to the executive team. I have participated in Provincial Steward Liaison educational days. I also created a new educational day called Intro to Activism for our stewards and unit reps. If I am elected as Steward Liaison I plan to continue to cultivate a robust steward team and actively engage members as much as possible.