Canada’s unions protect vulnerable workers

Name: Maria “Bootz” Estella

Occupation: Constituency Assistant to Mabel Elmore (MLA for Vancouver-Kensington)

Union: BCGEU

Her name is Maria, but everyone calls her ‘Bootz.’ Since coming to Canada from the Philippines, Bootz worked in a number of non-union positions but now enjoys membership in the BC Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU) as a Constituency Assistant to Mabel Elmore, the MLA for Vancouver-Kensington.

Bootz works outreach to the Filipino community in the riding, informing people of their rights as workers. “Filipino workers, and the whole community actually, aren’t very aware of the benefits of being a union member,” she says. For her a union provides a “workplace that’s safe and that is safe from any bullying of workers.”

Bootz was raising in a union environment in the Phillpines and knows first hand the power of working people when they organize and come together. “Unions are very progressive and protective for workers,” says Bootz. And that’s not just something that is good for workers, it’s good for employers as well. “”If employees are happy in the workplace, they are happy to work, and are more productive.”
Comparing her time in non-union workplaces, Bootz says it’s night and day. “You are suppressed, you’re always scared to say anything.” According to her, in non-union workplaces where there are benefits, employers can prevent workers from exercising those benefits if they so choose because workers are afraid of loosing their jobs. “It’s a very clear difference.”

But those concerns disappear with a union-bargained collective agreement. She says that the collective agreement is more than just words on paper. “For me it’s protection for workers. Not just for one person, but the whole group.”

Bootz knows that for new Canadians it can be scary thinking about starting or joining a union in your workplace, but she urges people not to worry. “I always encourage people to be in unions,” she says. “In Canada you are safe, there is equality, you can express what you want to say, and you can join a union – and there’s always help.”

For more information about joining BCGEU, call 604-882-0111 or visit www.bcgeu.ca.