Union strength is in the numbers

Name: Nicole Sun

Occupation: Care Aide

Union: BCGEU

Nicole Sun has only been on the job at Westminster House for just over two years, but being a member of the BCGEU has already had a positive impact on her life, and it doesn’t hurt that she really likes her job. “Taking care of residents, I really like that about my job. Really! There are a couple of residents that are especially fun to take care of.”

For Nicole, being a member has meant job security and protection in an industry she is still new to. “The union really helps us to improve our wages and benefits.”

While she’s still a temporary full time member of the Westminster House team, her goal is to work her way up to a permanent position. She knows that if the union wasn’t there, she wouldn’t have a secure path to a better position in the future. “I know that if I work hard and keep at it, I can move ahead,” says Nicole. “The union makes everything fair.”

The rules that help ensure things are fair are all contained in their negotiated collective agreement; a document that Nicole admits can be complicated sometimes. “But the union helps explain things,” says Nicole. “It’s nice to have the agreement, and I have people to talk to if I have a question, it’s good”

With the members in bargaining for a new contract, Nicole feels confident with the BCGEU in her corner and through union meetings she’s also more informed, “It’s really nice to know what’s going on in our future.”

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