Diversity, representation and leadership
Name: Larry Jandu
Occupation: Community Social Services
Union: BCGUE
The benefits of union membership were clear to Larry Jandu when he first joined the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) 16 years ago. “Diversity, fair representation, and leadership of the union – That’s what I have valued most about being a member of the BCGEU,” says Larry, a community social services worker.
Larry adds that by having a union represent you and your coworkers, everybody has a say in your workplace conditions. “When you are a member of a union, workers’ rights, human rights, and fairness are protected,” says Larry. “I would say that the main reason people would want to join a union, however, is because of representation and collective bargaining.”
Having a collective agreement with your employer means your rights as an employee, wages, and working conditions are clearly outlined and are established with the participation of employees. “A collective agreement is a legally-binding agreement that ensures fairness for all workers, not just a select few,” says Larry.
Without a collective agreement, you have little or no say in addressing workplace issues like how pay raises are applied, seniority, scheduling provisions, job security, fairness, respect, favouritism, working conditions, or your workload.
In a unionized workplace, working conditions and workers’ rights are clearly spelled out in their collective agreements. This is particularly important for union members who are new immigrants or young workers, says Larry. “The BCGEU always engages with its members, letting them know about the services available and informing them of their rights.”
The BCGEU offers its members training in a wide range of educational opportunities, including training in employment standards, workplace leadership, human rights, and occupational health and safety. Larry understands how valuable this education has been to him over the years, both for personal and professional growth. “One of the most useful training sessions I participated in was the Shop Steward course. It helped me deal with and better understand labour/management relations, and as a result this helps me effectively take care of my members’ issues.”
“Being a BCGEU member, I have had the opportunity to become a leader at my workplace and in my local,” says Larry, who was elected as Chair of his Local over four years ago. “Helping out other BCGEU members in my field has been a really rewarding experience for me.”
In addition to helping their members in the workplace, the BCGEU is very active in the community. “There is so much diversity within the BCGEU, which is a direct reflection of the diverse cultures in our communities,” says Larry, adding, “It is important for our members to know that BCGEU is part of their community and is very involved.”