"You all know the constant battles we have had with the Liberal government to ensure public services are maintained. We need a new government in British Columbia." - Darryl Walker, BCGEU president.
Vancouver (21 June 2011) - Darryl Walker was re-elected to the position of President of the British Columbia Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) by a vote of the members attending the union's 48th Constitutional Convention. Walker was first elected as President in 2008 and will now serve until 2014. Walker is an activity worker from the B.C. Forensic Psychiatric Hospital and previously served as BCGEU vice-president for nine years. He has a long history of activism in the union, the labour movement and the broader community.
The convention highlighted the hard work of the members in bargaining, organizing and campaigns. Specifically, the All Together Now! campaign was showcased, with BCGEU/NUPGE Champions 4 Change taking over convention floor in the union's first-ever flash mob. As delegates got up and danced, they were presented a video showing off many of the volunteers and supporters who worked so hard on the campaign for public services and tax fairness over the last year.
Walker also addressed the upcoming challenges facing the union as preparations begin for 184 collective agreements set to expire in 2012. Many of these 260,000 members have been affected by the BC Liberal government's two year wage freeze.
While the union has not finalized its bargaining proposals, Walker said in a speech to convention delegates, "When we go to the bargaining table next year, the BCGEU will not accept zeros."
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
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