Young man fights apathy by becoming steward

Name: Paul Sanghera

Union: BCGEU

Paul recently joined the BCGEU, but has been active in the labour movement for 5 years.

He’s active in the union because he believes it has the power to effect change due to solidarity in numbers.

It allows for equality in all aspects of the job including: wage and promotions; not to mention that unionized employees make more money.

The most important advantage to having a membership is everything is done fairly; there is an avenue to dispute something you think is unfair.

They provide a shift in power to the employees and help in providing a safe and equal workplace.

In Paul’s workplace, the union has negotiated benefits, better working conditions through an Occupation Health and safety committee, wages and a grievance procedure.

They now have a voice at work through a joint labour management committee and are treated equally by management.

He got involved because he started to noticed that a lot of his coworkers who worked in the evenings with him did not have representation.

Paul decided to step up and become a shop steward to help his coworkers when other stewards ended their shift and went home in the afternoons.

It was important to Paul to get involved because apathy is one of the most dangerous things in the labour movement.

As a young worker, he feels they are the new and upcoming leaders in unions and should learn as much as possible to gain knowledge and experience.

Paul has participated in bargaining for a new collective agreement and the beginners shop steward course.

When asked to describe the union using one word, he says “effectual”!