PROTECTING

OUR
MEMBERS

VOLUME 16 | Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021

The publication for members of MoveUP, The Movement of United Professionals

Our members at public

transit were fortunate not
avoid layoffs during the
pandemic thanks to our The Driving Public campaign to support
efforts to campaign for
PROTECTING
OUR
Protect, Defend, Build, and Change:
fixing public car insurance is an example
government funding, but MEMBERS Our of
Fight is Getting
a response Harder
to a threat from external and
layoffs were unavoidable
in other industries such as political forces, specifically the private
car rentals and casinos. insurance industry and the BC Liberals.
PROTE
Too often we find ourselves at the bargaining table facing back on that each time. We know how tough it is to be on the
many of our employers with far more resources and research than picket line, especially going up against employers that have deeper ME
we have. Moving forward, negotiating is going to get even harder pockets. We owe it to our members to be as prepared as possible
and we will need more resources to protect what we have. and explore as many avenues as possible and, for that, we need to
We need resources to better equip our members to fight for invest in those resources and not shortchange ourselves.
what they deserve Restructuring our finances to work better
Our members are our best resource. There is no question When our union first established its constitution, and set its
about that. We have dedicated leaders and incredibly talented membership dues, it made sense at the time. But, as our world
staff, but when push comes to shove it is the collective strength ofchanges, we need to adapt, or we risk falling further behind.
our members that mobilizes their colleagues in their workplaces Over the last couple of years our senior leadership – your
to stand up for one another. president, secretary-treasurer, and vice-presidents, along with
We owe it to each and every one of you to equip our members the Constitution & Bylaws Committee – have taken the time to
as best as we possibly can, not only to fight off the challenges that
meticulously review our processes and recommend actions that
we face today but to anticipate and prepare for the challenges that can help us be more flexible in our finances while still maintaining
are to come. a stable defence fund that can be used to protect members as
We need the ability to invest in further member education so needed during times of labour dispute.
we can develop the next group of activists and leaders for this What they all realized was that modernizing our finances is
union. We need the ability to invest in further staff resources so essential for the long-term health of our union and will put us in a
we can be better at communication, better at research, better at position of strength when representing our members rather than
bargaining, and better at member engagement. having to constantly play defence. Over these past three years, we have seen some
If there is one overarching lesson that we have learned over The pandemic has also taught us that we need to prepare
major labourfordisputes including strikes at
the past generation, it is that labour disputes are not won solely on
the future. This includes, should we be hit by bigger labour disputes
Westminster Savings and VantageOne, as well as
the picket line. In order to put pressure on employers, to push for in the future, having a plan to ensure there is always enough money
gains for our members, and to prevent rollbacks and cuts, we need in the defence fund to protect all our members.an employer-imposed
Our leadership lockout at Kelowna Cabs.
to devote our efforts to coming up with innovative, creative tactics.
has worked hard to create a plan that makes sense for our union,
Going on strike and withholding labour is always going to focuses strictly Our
on ensuring a healthy defence fund, and has a
members at public
be a last resort tactic at our disposal, but we can’t expect to fall

T
minimal impact on members.
transithe fightfortunate
were ahead of usnot is going to be harder Hotel has been met with harsh attacks by their
and we will need to be ready to protect respective employers.
MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 | 9
avoid ourlayoffs duringItthe
members. is not an exaggeration More shockingly, the hotels took federal
Layoffs became a to say that unionized
pandemic our have been under government money (Canada Emergency
thanks toworkers The Driving Public campaign to suppo
major concern in attack for quite some time, even as the effects Wage Subsidy program) that is meant to
efforts to campaign for
of the COVID-19 pandemic on workers has ensure companies retain their workers, and fixing public car insurance is an exam
many industries government
helped a whole funding, but
new generation rediscover the then still followed through on layoffs after
during the COVID-19 importance receiving the cash. of a response to a threat from external
layoffs wereand value of unions.
unavoidable
pandemic. Our Anti-union hostility from big business We have not been immune to attacks
ininterests
other industries such as
and conservative-minded governments political forces, specifically the private
Like many other unions, we have seen our
union had members along with and
theircasinos.
significant financial backing members come under attack in various ways–
car rentals insurance industry and the BC Liberal
in the casino and remains a threat for everything. Our wages, mostly from employers during labour disputes,
car rental industries pensions, benefits, and even our jobs will but not always.
become increasingly at risk. One of our more recent campaigns –
particularly affected, The often
recent we thwarted union drive at Driving
Too find ourselves at the Public table
bargaining – was to fight against
facing back theonthreat
that each time. We know how tough it is to b
and were fortunate Amazon earlier this year, and the sheer volume of privatization at ICBC which would have
many of our employers with far more resources and research than picket line, especially going up against employers that hav
of underhanded tactics that they stooped to, destroyed 5,000 of our members’ jobs. We
to narrowly avoid pockets.
we have. Moving
demonstrates forward,
that there negotiating
is no depth to whichis going
had a tojobget even
dispute harder
that lasted nearly a yearWe at owe it to our members to be as prepared as
layoffs at public and we willwill
employers needsinkmore
– or resources
spend – totoavoidprotect what we have.
Westminster and explore
Savings Credit Union in 2019 as many avenues as possible and, for that, w
transit thanks to Wehaving
needunions organize to
resources andbetter
protectequip
the rights
our members to fight
that essentially forin theinvest
resulted loss ofin that
those resources and not shortchange ourselves.
our campaign of workers. bargaining unit.
what they deserve
Even at workplaces where unions are well- Restructuring our finances to work better
For much of the first half of 2021, we
that pushed for Our members
established, employersare are our best looking
constantly resource.were There is noinquestion
engaged a lengthy labourWhen disputeour union first established its constitution, a
government funding. about
for ways that. We their
to attack have dedicated
workers leaders
and drain and Kelowna
their with incrediblyCabstalented membership
where the employer had dues, it made sense at the time. But, as o
staff, but when push comes to shove it is the collective strength of changes,
union’s resources. The fight by unionized hotel locked out our members and went on record
we need to adapt, or we risk falling further behi
workers
our against that
members massive
mobilizes the Hilton
layoffs attheir at oneinpoint
colleagues theirstating their goal was to
workplaces get rid
Over the last couple of years our senior leadershi
Vancouver Metrotown and Pacific Gateway of the union.
to stand up for one another. president, secretary-treasurer, and vice-presidents, al
We owe it to each and every8 | one of you
VOLUME to equip
16 Issue our members
#2 Summer/Fall 2021 the Local
MOVEUP Constitution
Voice & Bylaws Committee – have taken th
as best as we possibly can, not only to fight off the challenges that meticulously review our processes and recommend ac

Breaking Barriers we face today but to anticipate and prepare for the challenges that can help us be more flexible in our finances while still ma
are to come. a stable defence fund that can be used to protect me
We need the ability to invest in further member education so needed during times of labour dispute.
we can develop the next group of activists and leaders for this What they all realized was that modernizing our fi
union. We need the ability to invest in further staff resources so essential for the long-term health of our union and will p
we can be better at communication, better at research, better at position of strength when representing our members ra
bargaining, and better at member engagement. having to constantly play defence.
If there is one overarching lesson that we have learned over The pandemic has also taught us that we need to pr
the past generation, it is that labour disputes are not won solely on the future. This includes, should we be hit by bigger labou
the picket line. In order to put pressure on employers, to push for in the future, having a plan to ensure there is always enoug
gains for our members, and to prevent rollbacks and cuts, we need in the defence fund to protect all our members. Our le
to devote our efforts to coming up with innovative, creative tactics. has worked hard to create a plan that makes sense for o
Going on strike and withholding labour is always going to focuses strictly on ensuring a healthy defence fund, a
be a last resort tactic at our disposal, but we can’t expect to fall minimal impact on members. ALSO INSIDE
MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 | 9
The Fight to Protect Members
Behind the Scenes at Convention
Annual Financial Report 2020
Election Candidate Bios
Mental Health
CONTENTS In This Issue

3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
By David Black

4 TRANSLATIONS

6 MOVEUP CHILDREN
EASTER ARTWORK GALLERY

8 PROTECT, DEFEND, BUILD,

AND CHANGE: OUR FIGHT
IS GETTING HARDER

10 CASTON AND CREW:

A BEHIND-THE-SCENES
LOOK AT THE MAKING
OF CONVENTION
8
Protect, Defend, Build,and Change
12 LESSONS LEARNED IN
TRANSLINK’S HACK ATTACK

14 LOOKING BACK AT THE

2021 FEDERAL NDP
CONVENTION

15 UNITED WAY FEEDING

COMMUNITIES THROUGH
THE PANDEMIC AND BEYOND

16 SHARING MY
MENTAL HEALTH STORY 15
17 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT United Way Feeding Communities
2020 RT
rt INSE
ial Repo
Financ
Annual

25 2021 GENERAL ELECTION

CANDIDATE GUIDE Page 17
FOR MEMBERS FINANCIAL REPORT

l
Annuacial
F in a n
Repor
t
d Fina
Audite to Dec. 31,
for
ncials 20
20
20 20 Page 25
Jan. 1
MOVEUP
ELECTION
INFORMATION
INS ERT
ort 202 0
l Rep
Fina ncia
Ann ual

| 17
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 President’s Message
MoveUP, the Movement of United Professionals, is Local 378
of the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union
and affiliated with the British Columbia Federation of Labour,
and the Canadian Labour Congress. We are also affiliated
with UNI Global Union, IndustriALL, and Public Services
International through our national union.
MoveUP Executive Board Members:
President: David Black
Secretary-Treasurer: Lori Mayhew
Vice-Presidents: Rysa Kronebusch (Utilities), Christy Slusarenko
(Combined Units), Annette Toth (ICBC)
Utilities – BC Hydro Group: Anderson Charles, Calvin Jonas
ICBC: Brenda Chu, Colin Clark, Bryan Finstad, Brian Martens,
Gunter Seifert
Utilities – Fortis Group: Michael Carr
Combined Units: Safar Alikhani, Hani Dakkak, Graeme Hutchison,
Milena Kollay
MoveUP Communications, Campaigns & Research:
Communications Director: Norman Gludovatz
Communications Officer: Daniel Fung
MoveUP Arbitration Representative:
Brian Nelson
MoveUP Senior Union Representatives:
Cheryl Popeniuk, Kevin Smyth
MoveUP Union Representatives
Nathan Beausoleil, Caitlin Davidson-King, Yudon Garie,
Tony Geluch, Caitlin Gilroy, Trevor Hansen, Cathy Hirani,
Shawn Lakusta, Cindy A. Lee, Mike Novak, Kelly Quinn,
Javed Saheb, Parm Sandhar, Alina Teymory, Scott Wilcox,
April Young
Director, Executive Administration:
Karen Caston
MoveUP Administrative & Office Staff:
Sarah Hall, Administrative Work Leader
Joanne Banfield, Kim Chartier, Elaine Chilman, Lisa Jeffery,
Kirstyn Mallory, Shelley Martin, Michelle Mihaichuk, Harj Parmar,
Kathryn Prinz, Violet Shorty, Kim Smith

I
MoveUP Financial Staff:
Director, Finance: Barbara Liang n just a few short weeks, delegates from across our union will
Sarina Nannar, Pardeep Singh, Marilyn Vassell be gathering at our triennial Convention from October 28 to 30.
Occupational Health & Safety & WCB Appeals: Convention is our opportunity to review all that we have achieved
Niki Schnurr
over the last three years and is a time of renewal for our union. None
Health & Welfare Trust Administrator: of us expected when we last gathered in 2018 that more than half of
Yasmin Carroll
the time would be spent in a global pandemic. This global pandemic
Human Resources and Organizational Development Director:
Ram Atwal has taught us a lot, but mostly that sticking with our old status quo is
no longer an option. Over these last few years the ugly parts of our
Headquartered on stolen land on the traditional, ancestral territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm
(Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) country’s past and present have been especially spotlighted – from anti-
and qiqéyt (Qayqayt) First Nations. Black violence to anti-Asian racism to the continued revelation of just
how purely evil the Indian residential school system was and how its
damaging effects live on today. In the labour movement, we continue
The Local Voice is the official magazine published for the
members of MoveUP. ISBN 1918-9753 COPE 378 Voice to see how further emboldened and well-financed corporate interests
Letters to the editor are welcome but may be edited for brevity and austerity-guided governments are. Sadly, they will do whatever it
and clarity. Please contact MoveUP for permission to reprint
articles, graphics, or photographs.
takes to attack working people and the unions that fight for them. For us
Address all correspondence to: to protect members we need to ensure
MoveUP Communications that we have the resources we need to
Suite 301 - 4501 Kingsway, Burnaby, B.C. V5H 0E5 battle back against these attacks. In our
Phone: 604-299-0378 | Toll Free Line: 1-800-665-6838
Fax: 604-299-8211 union and in our communities we must
Visit MoveUP’s website at MoveUPTogether.ca understand that changes are needed,
or contact us via email at communications@moveuptogether.ca we must call for change, and we must
Editors: Daniel Fung, Norman Gludovatz
embrace change. That is the only path David Black
Contributors: Joshua Berson, Rysa Kronebusch, Lori Mayhew,
Lena Shillington, Crissy Spady forward. That is the path we must take President, MoveUP
if we truly want to break barriers.

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 | 3

4 | VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 MOVEUP Local Voice
MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 | 5
MEMBERS &
FAMILY MoveUP Children Easter Artwork Gallery

Over the Easter long weekend, our Events & contest. Here are some of the amazing
Social Planning Committee reached out to submissions we received. We would like to
members to encourage the children in their thank the following members for submitting
lives to take part in a colouring and artwork artwork from the children in their lives.

Thank you to the following

MoveUP members!
Gulyandar B. – BC Hydro
Ramona B. – ICBC
Cressida B. – BC Hydro
Simone B. – Coast Mountain Bus Company
Ashley C. – Coastal Community Insurance Services
Vikash C. – ICBC
Melissa D. – Sheet Metal #280 Benefit Plan
Aidan Falk – ICBC
Raheleh G. – ICBC
Kristin H. – Coastal Community Credit Union
Simrit J. – ICBC
Jennifer J. – ICBC
Lisa K. – FortisBC
Debbie L. – Teamsters 155
Vanessa L. – Coast Mountain Bus Company
Amelia L. – ICBC
Karin L. – BC Hydro
Jade L. – ICBC
Laura M. – CUPE 728
Marcy M. – BC Hydro
Brian M. – ICBC
Jennifer M. – BCGEU
Devon M. – Island Savings Credit Union
Michelle M. – ICBC
Edward M. – BCGEU
Holden M. – BC Hydro
Vikas N. – TransLink
Kathy O. – Coastal Community Credit Union
Laura P. – BC Hydro
Ramya R. – ICBC
Stephanie R. – ICBC
Jeremy R. – ICBC
Selma S. – ICBC
Travis S. – ICBC
Rachel S. – ICBC
Eleonor T. – ICBC
Rosewyn T. – ICBC
Rosemarie T. – Enterprise
Lisa W. – CUPE 403
Sabrina W. – ICBC
Brittany W. – BC Hydro
Stephanie W. – ICBC
Devon Y. – Coastal Community Credit Union
Jeff Y. – ICBC
Kathryn Z. – ICBC

6 | VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 MOVEUP Local Voice

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 | 7
PROTECTING
OUR
Protect, Defend, Build, and Change:
MEMBERS Our Fight is Getting Harder

Over these past three years, we have seen some

major labour disputes including strikes at
Westminster Savings and VantageOne, as well as
an employer-imposed lockout at Kelowna Cabs.

T
he fight ahead of us is going to be harder Hotel has been met with harsh attacks by their
and we will need to be ready to protect respective employers.
our members. It is not an exaggeration More shockingly, the hotels took federal
Layoffs became a to say that unionized workers have been under government money (Canada Emergency
major concern in attack for quite some time, even as the effects Wage Subsidy program) that is meant to
of the COVID-19 pandemic on workers has ensure companies retain their workers, and
many industries helped a whole new generation rediscover the then still followed through on layoffs after
during the COVID-19 importance and value of unions. receiving the cash.
pandemic. Our Anti-union hostility from big business We have not been immune to attacks
interests and conservative-minded governments Like many other unions, we have seen our
union had members along with their significant financial backing members come under attack in various ways–
in the casino and remains a threat for everything. Our wages, mostly from employers during labour disputes,
car rental industries pensions, benefits, and even our jobs will but not always.
become increasingly at risk. One of our more recent campaigns –
particularly affected, The recent thwarted union drive at Driving Public – was to fight against the threat
and were fortunate Amazon earlier this year, and the sheer volume of privatization at ICBC which would have
to narrowly avoid of underhanded tactics that they stooped to, destroyed 5,000 of our members’ jobs. We
demonstrates that there is no depth to which had a job dispute that lasted nearly a year at
layoffs at public employers will sink – or spend – to avoid Westminster Savings Credit Union in 2019
transit thanks to having unions organize and protect the rights that essentially resulted in the loss of that
our campaign of workers. bargaining unit.
Even at workplaces where unions are well- For much of the first half of 2021, we
that pushed for established, employers are constantly looking were engaged in a lengthy labour dispute
government funding. for ways to attack their workers and drain their with Kelowna Cabs where the employer had
union’s resources. The fight by unionized hotel locked out our members and went on record
workers against massive layoffs at the Hilton at one point stating their goal was to get rid
Vancouver Metrotown and Pacific Gateway of the union.

8 | VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 MOVEUP Local Voice

 PROTECTING
OUR
MEMBERS

Our members at public

transit were fortunate to
avoid layoffs during the
pandemic thanks to our The Driving Public campaign to support
efforts to campaign for fixing public car insurance is an example
government funding, but
of a response to a threat from external and
layoffs were unavoidable
in other industries such as political forces, specifically the private
car rentals and casinos. insurance industry and the BC Liberals.

Too often we find ourselves at the bargaining table facing back on that each time. We know how tough it is to be on the
employers with far more resources and research than we have. picket line, especially going up against employers that have deeper
Moving forward, negotiating is going to get even harder and we pockets. We owe it to our members to be as prepared as possible
will need more resources to protect what we have. and explore as many avenues as possible and, for that, we need to
We need resources to better equip our members to fight for invest in those resources and not shortchange ourselves.
what they deserve Restructuring our finances to work better
Our members are our best resource. There is no question When our union first established its constitution, and set its
about that. We have dedicated leaders and incredibly talented membership dues, it made sense at the time. But, as our world
staff, but when push comes to shove it is the collective strength of changes, we need to adapt, or we risk falling further behind.
our members that mobilizes their colleagues in their workplaces Over the last couple of years our senior leadership – your
to stand up for one another. president, secretary-treasurer, and vice-presidents, along with
We owe it to each and every one of you to equip our members the Constitution & Bylaws Committee – have taken the time to
as best as we possibly can, not only to fight off the challenges that meticulously review our processes and recommend actions that
we face today but to anticipate and prepare for the challenges that can help us be more flexible in our finances while still maintaining
are to come. a stable defence fund that can be used to protect members as
We need the ability to invest in further member education so needed during times of labour dispute.
we can develop the next group of activists and leaders for this What they all realized was that modernizing our finances is
union. We need the ability to invest in further staff resources so essential for the long-term health of our union and will put us in a
we can be better at communication, better at research, better at position of strength when representing our members rather than
bargaining, and better at member engagement. having to constantly play defence.
If there is one overarching lesson that we have learned over The pandemic has also taught us that we need to prepare for
the past generation, it is that labour disputes are not won solely on the future. This includes, should we be hit by bigger labour disputes
the picket line. In order to put pressure on employers, to push for in the future, having a plan to ensure there is always enough money
gains for our members, and to prevent rollbacks and cuts, we need in the defence fund to protect all our members. Our leadership
to devote our efforts to coming up with innovative, creative tactics. has worked hard to create a plan that makes sense for our union,
Going on strike and withholding labour is always going to focuses strictly on ensuring a healthy defence fund, and has a
be a last resort tactic at our disposal, but we can’t expect to fall minimal impact on members.

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 | 9

CONVENTION
Caston and Crew: A Behind-The-Scenes Look
2021 at the Making of Convention
Learn more about our upcoming Convention at MoveUPTogether.ca/convention2021

Karen over the years at our Conventions

starting from our first in 2007 to our
most recent in 2018. This year will be
MoveUP's eighth Convention.

I
n just a few short months, barring any unforeseen Karen. “Usually that happened every three years, but it
complications that arise from our province’s pandemic might have been more often.
recovery plans, members from across our union “They would choose five to eight big locations to
will finally have a chance to gather not just in general make sure it allowed people from outlying areas to
but for our union’s triennial Convention to be held in come to a bigger city. Unfortunately, they were not very
downtown Vancouver. well-attended and sometimes we wouldn’t even get
Of the over 200-plus potential delegates that have quorum at all the meetings combined. It just became an
an opportunity to attend Convention, some will be exercise in futility and frustration so we stopped doing
returning delegates who have had multiple conventions that and went to a convention format.”
“One of the under their belt while many others will be newcomers At every Convention there are moments that stand
things I and first-timers. When it comes to a veteran presence, out and speakers to take inspiration from. Delegates
however, the first name that comes to mind is Karen who attended our 2018 Convention marvelled at the
love about
Caston, MoveUP’s Director of Executive Administration, speech delivered by Nahanni Fontaine, an Indigenous
Convention who has been with our union for 32 years. woman and the NDP MLA representing St. John’s,
is seeing the “This will be my eighth Convention,” said Karen, Manitoba. Nahanni had the entire audience hanging
referring to our 2021 event. “I’ve been a part of each on her every word as she talked about the racism and
excitement on one since we started doing conventions.” violence she faced growing up and her work of bringing
the delegates’ MoveUP’s constitution requires our union to hold a international attention to the issue of murdered and
convention every three years. The very first Convention missing Indigenous women and girls, Indigenous and
faces when took place back in 2007. The math whizzes out there police relations, and women in politics.
they come, and will be quick to point out those numbers don’t quite add Nahanni, and speakers like her over the last 14 years,
up, but Karen’s got an explanation for that. have made for memorable moments for our delegates.
they see people
“Back then, we did both a constitutional convention For Karen, when pressed to pick one Convention that
from their and a policy convention, so we were having a convention stands out above the rest, it would have to be the very
bargaining unit every 18 months,” she recalled. “The policy convention first one in 2007.
was smaller.” “I remember being very nervous, but very optimistic,”
that they would In fact, Karen can remember a time before said Karen. “We worked really, really hard. There were
never have Convention became the decision-making body. The mistakes. There were glitches all over the place, but we
reason why our union made the move towards holding went with the flow. I think it came off very well.
involvement conventions was because the past practice of trying to “For a lot of the delegates that attended, it was a
with unless it hold regional meetings was inefficient, ineffective, and preview into the new direction our union was going
quite costly. in. It gave them an opportunity to have a voice where
was something
“Our executive would travel around the province maybe they didn’t feel they had much of one before.
like this.” and that’s where the voting would be done,” explained To have delegates coming in from all over the province

10 | VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 MOVEUP Local Voice

 CONVENTION
2021

Join us!8 to 30
October 2 THE CO-COORDINATORS
Karen will be the first to admit that Convention is a
production of many, but there are two individuals she wants
to particularly note: Shelley Martin and Yudon Garie.
Both have, over the years at different Conventions, been co-
coordinators working side-by-side with Karen to put on the
event. Yudon, who worked with Karen at the 2018 Convention,
has since transitioned to being a union representative for
MoveUP. Shelley will be the one working closely with Karen
to make this year’s event run smoothly.
“We’re each other’s shoulder to cry on. We’re each other’s
patters on the back. Everything we do, we do with the
knowledge of the other. That’s the only way we make it work.”

was very exciting for a lot of people. It allowed them to do some THE TYPICAL CONVENTION DAY
networking, put faces to names, and it just grew from there.
When Convention is in full swing, most delegates might not
“One of the things I love about Convention is seeing the
excitement on the delegates’ faces when they come, and they see Karen and her fellow co-coordinator in the spotlight,
see people from their bargaining unit that they would never have but their presence is definitely felt. For Karen, each day of
involvement with unless it was something like this.”
Convention starts early and ends late and there is rarely a
This year’s Convention, which takes place October 28 to
30, will have its own unique flavour and will be one of the first dull moment in between.
opportunities for people to gather in quite some time. And while,
A typical Convention day sees her downstairs in the
as always, it will be a whirlwind three days for staff and delegates
alike, Karen admits she already has part of her mind gearing up makeshift Convention office by 6:30 a.m. and she will keep
for 2024. going until just before dinner unless there is an evening
“I’m always thinking as I’m listening to table officers and
meeting called to discuss a change in programming. When
delegates speak, 'how can we do this differently? How can we
do this better?'" said Karen. “I don’t think I have a period of time she does have some spare moments, she enjoys mingling
where I’m not thinking about Convention. I love it. I’m so thankful with the delegates and hearing about their experience in
I have the role I have in Convention.
“The work on it never stops. All of those things the delegates
the moment.
talk about as takeaways reminds me of why we work so hard to
make this happen.”
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
One of Karen’s favourite Convention moments happened
at the first one in 2007 and it wasn’t part of any official
agenda. Rather, it was a surprise she arranged for then-
Communications Director Mike Bruce who happened to be
celebrating a birthday.
“I arranged for the hotel to make him a birthday cake and
they brought it in and sang for him and he cried. He still says
to me to this day he remembers the birthday cake. For me,
it was just a small, easy thing to arrange, but for him it was
such a big deal.”
MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 | 11
CYBERATTACK Lessons Learned in TransLink’s Hack Attack

T
he idea of being “hacked” online can be a very It almost seems unfathomable when
personal one, and often can be a cause for
embarrassment. you consider the resources, especially in
We have all read stories of, or perhaps know IT security, of these large institutions that
personally, victims of a computer virus or some form
of online hack attempt. The effects can vary quite a bit. are falling prey. Our members who work at
It could be little more than a minor inconvenience that TransLink, unfortunately, got a first-hand
is resolved by a trip to your local computer expert, or it
might be a larger issue that affects everything from your
look at what happens when a large institution
banking to your credit information. becomes the target of a hacking attempt.
But in this era, it is not just individuals who are falling
victims of being hacked and extorted. Over the last It was first reported back in early December that
years, we have heard of large institutions – including TransLink had been targeted by a ransomware attack,
medical labs and universities – falling victim to online which accessed their information and threatened to
hacking and being extorted for ransom money. publish information online. TransLink was able to restore

12 | VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 MOVEUP Local Voice

 CYBERATTACK

its systems without giving in to the ransom demand As the situation played out, our union
with virtually no disruption to their service as far as the
pubic was concerned. devoted efforts to relay as much information
to our affected members as possible and
If you were just a transit user, you may
worked to resolve any issues they had
have noticed several days where you were
resulting from the cyberattack.
unable to use your credit or debit card, as
“It was a very fluid situation,” recalled Parm. “We
well as features such as real-time GPS being
were talking to the employer almost every other day
unavailable. But the transportation systems and we were communicating out to the membership
themselves kept running as normal. For our based on what information we were getting from the
employer.
members who worked behind-the-scenes, “That was one of the frustrating things. The
however, it was not business as usual. employer was not providing us with a lot of information
about what had happened and what was implicated,
“People were worried. People were looking for partly because they didn’t know themselves until
answers. People were scared about their personal, they went in there. That was frustrating for our
financial matters,” said MoveUP union representative membership, but as soon as we got information,
Parm Sandhar back in March. “The whole IT we were passing it along via bulletins.”
infrastructure went down so they weren’t able to do In reflecting on this situation, one of the main
emails. They weren’t able to go onto their computers takeaways for Parm that he hopes to share with
and work on their programs. It was a pretty wide, all of our members, not only at TransLink but in
expansive attack.” any industry, is that we need to be more vigilant
Parm indicated that the impact was not just felt in in our online activities and recognize that these
the workplace but for a lot of workers on a personal situations are going to happen again, and we have
level as well. The cyberattack resulted in issues with to be prepared for them.
payments, including underpayment as well as vacation
and overtime being miscalculated for TransLink “It just shows me how vulnerable we are
members. All this happened just before the holiday and more of this is going to happen in the
season as well adding an extra strain for many members
who were also dealing with other concerns related to future, not less,” said Parm. “This is the new
the COVID-19 pandemic. wave of information technology and people
TransLink’s then-CEO, Kevin Desmond, who
stepped away from his position in February after are getting sophisticated and finding out how
announcing back in October 2020 he would be doing to attack governments and organizations.
so, had glowing words to describe the staff who helped
to manage the situation and mitigate the fallout.
We will probably see more of this type of
“The cyber ransomware attack on TransLink’s stuff in the future.”
systems in early December required an all-hands-on-
deck response from initial containment through systems *Business Technology Services
recovery,” Desmond told MoveUP back in late January. (not to be confused with the K-pop
“Key employees, especially in the BTS* department, band with the same acronym)
were instrumental in our response, and worked very
long days and nights, over weekends and the holidays,
to help us gain control of a very challenging situation.
“We were fortunate that we had an effective
emergency management structure to support our rapid
response. But truly, it is another reminder to me of the
incredible skill and commitment our employees display
time and time again.”

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 | 13

NDP
CONVENTION Looking Back at the 2021 Federal NDP Convention
BY LORI MAYHEW & RYSA KRONEBUSCH, POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS

Back in mid-April, the Canada's New Democratic

Party (NDP) finally held its Convention which had

been delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 2021

W
ith the country still gripped by the pandemic, the Several hundred resolutions were submitted
event was conducted entirely online. Although ahead of Convention from NDP members and labour
technical glitches did cause much consternation organizations ahead of the event although only
among delegates representing electoral ridings and 16, including two emergency resolutions, would
unions across the country, the behind-the-scenes staff ultimately hit the floor to be debated and voted upon
(unionized members of COPE Local 225) deserve full by the delegates.
respect for their work to keep things running under very
stressful, demanding, and thankless circumstances.

The resolutions that did get debated and were passed by • Addressing the need for high-speed internet in rural,
delegates at Convention included: remote and Indigenous communities including
the development of a publicly-owned telecom to
• Establishing a wealth tax that includes a marginal
provide high-speed internet for all Canadians;
tax rate of 80% to annual personal income over $1
• Adopting and implementing an intersectional,
million, and applying a 1% annual ultra-wealth tax to
well-funded national action plan on gender-based
fortunes over $20 million;
violence; and
• Raising the federal minimum wage to $20/hour;
• Amending the NDP constitution to allow for more
• Making long-term care part of Canada’s universal
representative union member participation at
health care, removing the profit-motive, and
Convention and on Federal Council.
improving working conditions for front-line staff;
• Legislating employer-paid sick days for all workers; The two emergency resolutions that were debated and
• A green recovery for Canada that would include passed were:
investing in the next generation of low-carbon
• Addressing the issue of Canada’s long-term care
jobs, investing in reducing emissions, and creating
deaths being among the worst in the world by
jobs with investments in transit and community
supporting the establishment of binding national
infrastructures;
standards in Canada’s long-term care sector; and
• Ensuring clean water in Indigenous communities
• Urging the federal government to take stronger
including immediately addressing the boil water
actions to tackle anti-Asian racism in all its forms,
advisories in Indigenous communities;
including individual and systemic racism, by pushing
• Combatting racism through the creation of a
for the inclusion of anti-Asian racism in the National
Federal Anti-Racism Act and dedicating resources
Anti-Racism Strategy.
to the prosecution of hate crimes and increased
education and training regarding the realities of Resolutions that did not get debated, including
systemic racism;
ones on critical issues such as cancelling student debt,
• Demonstrating international solidarity with Indian
decriminalizing sex work, and re-establishing a crown
farmers;
corporation for domestic pharmaceutical production,
• Advancing justice and peace in Israel-Palestine
including ending trade and economic cooperation
will be referred back to the NDP Federal Council.
with illegal settlements and suspending the bilateral NDP leader Jagmeet Singh also received a
trade of all arms and related materials with the State resounding vote of approval to continue in his role with
of Israel until Palestinian rights are upheld; 87 per cent of delegates voting not to open a leadership
• Adopting and implementing the calls for justice from review at this time.
the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing
and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls;

14 | VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 MOVEUP Local Voice

 United Way Feeding Communities through GIVING
The Pandemic and Beyond BACK
BY LENA SHILLINGTON, UNITED WAY OF THE LOWER MAINLAND

Learn more about the United Way or

donate online by visiting uwbc.ca

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, United Way has been mobilizing unions, community partners, DURING COVID-19...
businesses, and residents across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley to ensure everyone has the
food they need. In 2021 we’re getting ready to take these efforts across the province.
152 United Way
Food Hubs
have delivered almost:
Why? Because in 2020, one in seven During the COVID-19 pandemic the
Canadians (or almost 15%) lived in a 152 United Way Food Hubs have delivered
household where there was food insecurity almost 4 million meals, almost half a million 4 million
in the past 30 days. For families with grocery hampers, and almost 70,000 meals
children, it’s nearly one in five households. grocery vouchers.

Food insecurity happens when a household has Access to food is a basic human right. United half a million
inadequate access to food. It has a tremendous negative Way is growing its Food Security initiative across grocery hampers
impact on physical and mental health, relationships, British Columbia to include the Lower Mainland and
social isolation, and maintaining employment. For Fraser Valley to the Southern Interior and Central and
United Way, working on food security with our partners Northern Vancouver Island. Funding for these Food 70,000
is one way we strengthen vital connections. Hubs is made possible through the generous support grocery
Over the past year United Way partnered with non- of United Way donors, partners like MoveUP and the vouchers
profits, unions, schools, and faith-based organizations to Province of British Columbia.
implement 152 Food Hubs in the Lower Mainland, Fraser Well-fed children, families, seniors, and individuals
Valley, and Sea to Sky Corridor. These hubs provided means healthier, stronger, happier, more connected
groceries, food hampers, prepared meals, and gift cards communities — and that is something that we can all
to residents facing food insecurity. contribute to and benefit from.
As we take this work across the province, we’re
building Regional Community Food Hubs so we can
increase food security in more communities. These
Regional Community Food Hubs increase access to
culturally relevant and nutritious food, food literacy
and wellness programming, and wrap-around services
such as mental health support, employment services,
childcare, and others.

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 | 15

MENTAL
HEALTH Sharing My Mental Health Story
BY CRISSY SPADY

EDITOR’S PREFACE:
Back in March, MoveUP Vice-President Christy Slusarenko made the brave, yet tough, decision to share her story about
her past struggles with mental health after learning of the recent deaths of two of our members. Christy believed that
if her story helped even one member know there is support, it would be worth it.
Christy’s story generated lots of supportive and positive feedback from our members who thanked her for sharing
her story, including from Crissy who was inspired to share her story as well with MoveUP’s members with the same
thought that if it could help even one person, it would be worth it.
Crissy’s story appears below, while Christy’s story can be found by scanning the QR code below.

WARNING: THIS STORY DISCUSSES THEMES OF DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE.

Photos, left to right:

Crissy Spady; Crissy
with her husband
Brad; Crissy’s
daughter, Courtney,
and grandson,
Emmersen; Crissy’s
son, Chad

M
y struggle with mental health began six months What stopped me from following through were
after having my first child at 28. They referred my two kids and my parents. Funnily, to this day when
to it as postpartum depression but, for me, it I look back, my husband’s feelings or his reaction to
was the beginning of years of struggling with day-to- what I may do never affected my decision not to follow
day life and the things, good and bad, that life throws through. I still have issues and sometimes I have great
at you. days…. other days are very dark. The difference is today,
I took medication for a while, but then got pregnant through counselling and medication, I have gained the
when my daughter was nine months old, so I stopped tools to deal with my depression, allowing me to live a
my medication. I had my second child at 30, which full and productive life. I spent seven weeks in treatment
If you, or seemed to escalate the depression. I struggled for years for which I’m forever grateful.
someone and took the medications prescribed, but nothing really Today, I have an amazing support system both
you know, is seemed to help or make me feel “better” or “normal” for personally and at work. My relationship with my husband
any length of time. is stronger than ever and my relationships with my adult
experiencing children are healthy. I have a beautiful grandson who
My life seemed to be a roller coaster ride with
these thoughts, emotional breakdowns and self-isolation. I tried to be turned one-year-old in July and am beyond thankful I’ll
please call 8-1-1 happy but it was short-lived and while on the outside I be able to be the best gramma to him that I can.
seemed happy, internally the war just didn’t stop. I take medication daily to deal with life and have
any time of day
I struggled to be the mom I wanted to be. I finally accepted that the reason I feel good on most
or night for help struggled to be the friend I wanted to be, and I days is because of the medication–it’s working. In the
navigating the definitely struggled to be a wife to my husband. I even past, whenever I started to feel good, I would stop my
struggled going to work regularly and, even now, have medication and go down the rabbit hole again. Today I
mental health
my really bad days and have to have time off to sort accept the fact that I’ll have to be on the medication for
system. You can things out mentally. the rest of my life. It’s part of who I am, and I am neither
also visit bc211. Eventually, my depression took me to into addiction. ashamed nor embarrassed.
ca for resources
For years I was just trying to get rid of the pain and the I’m not ashamed of my past or my past struggles–
voices inside my head. I just wanted to live life, a good they have made me who I am today. I think I’m a pretty
on mental life. I had many months of true darkness and had my good person. If asked about my past or my absences at
health support. escape route fully planned out. Being unsuccessful at work, I tell the truth–partly because I’m an open book
the attempt was not an option for me so I knew when I and partly because I don’t want anyone to feel or go
was ready, I would be successful and all the pain would through what I’ve gone through. If I’m honest about it, it
be gone. might just help someone.

16 | VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 MOVEUP Local Voice

 Annual Financial Report INSERT

Annual
Financial
Report
Audited Financials for
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2020
20 20

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 | 17 Annual Financial Report 2020 INSERT
 Message from your Secretary-Treasurer

Message from
your Secretary-
Treasurer
Lori Mayhew

T
his issue of the Local Voice presents the audited We maintained our Driving Public campaign up to the end
financial report for 2020 and provides you with an of the provincial election. We supported our members
accounting of how your dues are working for you. at VantageOne Credit Union through their job action in
Since I was first elected as Secretary-Treasurer in 1999, this the fall, and just as the year ended we found ourselves
has been the most unpredictable year that I can ever recall working hard to support our members at Kelowna Cabs
because of the ever-changing impact of the COVID-19 in their fight against a very anti-union employer.
pandemic. Our office building remains a good investment for us
Overall, despite the pandemic affecting many of as commercial real estate in Metro Vancouver continues
our members’ jobs, our membership levels remained to appreciate in value despite the recent downturn in
mostly steady. We made the decision to waive the the economy due to COVID-19. MoveUP meetings and
minimum dues requirement for members who were training sessions, 2020 notwithstanding, had been held
laid off as a result of the pandemic, allowing them to on-site, which allowed us to meet in-person with more
remain in good standing with our union and still have members and plan bigger courses and events. As I write
proper representation from us while their primary this, the provincial re-opening plan has been announced
source of income was disrupted. Many of the planned and we are able to plan for these again.
meetings and events that we budgeted for in 2020 were As always, my thanks go to out to the Audit
cancelled due to restrictions on in-person gatherings. Committee for their work on behalf of our members,
However, this did not prevent us from running numerous as well as to Barbara Liang, our Director, Finance, and
campaigns directly to support our members who were her team in the Membership and Finance Department
particularly hit hard by the pandemic. especially throughout the last year-and-a-half under
Early on in the pandemic, when the world shut down, tremendously difficult circumstances brought on by the
the stock markets tumbled. This had a direct impact COVID-19 pandemic.
on our defence fund, causing it to fall below $15M and
triggering increased contributions for two months until
the markets recovered and the fund came back above
that trigger point. You can see in the following charts that
it came back quite strongly by the end of the year.
Despite the pandemic, we continued to speak up for Lori Mayhew
our members in ways in addition to the bargaining table.
Secretary-Treasurer, MoveUP

INSERT Annual Financial Report 2020 18 | VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 MOVEUP Local Voice
 MoveUP Defence Fund 2010-2020

$24,000,000

$22,000,000

$20,000,000

$18,000,000
Balance in fund

$16,000,000

$14,000,000

$12,000,000

$10,000,000

$8,000,000

$6,000,000
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Year

T
he defence fund is often the most interesting one While these events made a dent in our fund, we have
for MoveUP members. This is the fund that protects a deep and abiding obligation to stand strong with our
you if you ever have to take job action in order members during strikes and lockouts. This is also the
to protect your rights and benefits. Our defence fund right move strategically. This means we won’t shy away
remains one of the largest defence funds, per capita, of from a fight. We will stand strong with our members
any Canadian union that we are aware of. during strikes and lockouts. Each fight we take on and
The market drop in March caused our defence fund win sends a clear message to all other employers that
to drop to its lowest level in quite a number of years and MoveUP will last one day longer than they can. This was
triggered a period of increased contributions. However, tested in 2020 as we saw a brief job action at VantageOne
the market rallied quickly and our investments gained Credit Union in the fall and another at Kelowna Cabs that
more than they had initially lost. Arbitrations, which are started just at the end of the year.
paid for by the defence fund, were paused in the first few
months of the pandemic as both sides tried to figure out
how to run them remotely.

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 | 19 Annual Financial Report 2020 INSERT
 MoveUP General Fund 2010-2020

$5,000,000

$4,500,000

$4,000,000

$3,500,000

$3,000,000
General fund

$2,500,000

$2,000,000

$1,500,000

$1,000,000

$500,000

$0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Year

T
he day-to-day operations of
MoveUP are largely funded
by our union’s general fund.
As a result, it has a higher demand
than the defence fund. A record-
high in 2006 started declining over
time for a variety of reasons, not
the least of which was the union’s
inability to pay for big ticket legal
expenses like arbitrations from the
defence fund. Since moving those
costs to the defence fund, the
general fund has been stabilizing
and recovering over the last
few years and we have seen an
increase in each of the past four
years of this fund.
The general fund contains
several reserves into which funds
are allocated. Those reserves can
only be used for their intended
purposes. The reserves include
the member protection reserve
and the carbon offset reserve.

INSERT Annual Financial Report 2020 20 | VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 MOVEUP Local Voice
 Financial Statements

MoveUP
Consolidated Statement
of Financial Position 2020 The next pages include financial
ASSETS 2020 2019 statements for:
Current assets • Consolidated Statement of
Cash & short term deposits $ 661,272 $ 550,028 Financial Position 2020
Temporary investments 17,967,902 16,919,941 • Defence Fund Statement of
Accounts receivable 505,928 500,909 Financial Position 2020
Prepaid expenses 113,563 127,962 • General Fund Statement of
$ 19,248,665 $ 18,098,840 Financial Position 2020
Property & equipment 15,541,812 16,014,257 • Office Employees’ Building Ltd.
Interfund balances 944,036 944,036 Statement of Financial Position 2020
TOTAL ASSETS $ 35,734,513 $ 35,057,133

LIABILITIES
MoveUP
Current liabilities
Defence Fund Statement
Accounts payable & accrued $ 1,784,915 $ 1,929,695
of Financial Position 2020
liabilities
Current portion of 222,866 217,071 ASSETS 2020 2019
mortgage payable
Current assets
Long-term debt 9,105,880 9,395,853
Cash & short term deposits $ 33,997 $ 38,776
$ 11,113,661 $ 11,536,119
Temporary investments 17,008,080 16,010,608
Mortgage payable 5,895,920 6,009,193
Accounts receivable 192 192
Interfund balances 944,036 944,036
Current portion of 9,307,792 9,602,714
TOTAL LIABILITIES $ 17,953,617 $ 18,495,848 interfund balances
TOTAL ASSETS $ 26,350,061 $ 25,652,290
NET ASSETS
Unrestricted $ (9,859,005) $ (10,715,973) LIABILITIES
Internally restricted 932,992 1,202,793
Current liabilities
reserves
Accounts payable & $ 21,138 $ 19,790
Restricted for the 17,223,043 16,236,647
accrued liabilities
defence fund
Long-term debt 9,105,880 9,395,853
Investment in property 9,423,130 9,788,091
& equipment TOTAL LIABILITIES $ 9,127,018 $ 9,415,643
Restricted for the education 60,736 49,727
& training fund NET ASSETS
$ 17,780,896 $ 16,561,285 Restricted for the 17,223,043 16,236,647
TOTAL LIABILITIES & $ 35,734,513 $ 35,057,133 defence fund
NET ASSETS TOTAL LIABILITIES & $ 26,350,061 $ 25,652,290
NET ASSETS

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 | 21 Annual Financial Report 2020 INSERT
 Financial Statements

MoveUP MoveUP
General Fund Statement Office Employees’ Building Ltd. Statement
of Financial Position 2020 of Financial Position 2020

ASSETS 2020 2019 ASSETS 2020 2019

Current assets Current assets
Cash & short term $ 274,579 $ 286,927 Cash & short term $ 303,770 $ 186,276
deposits deposits
Temporary investments 948,010 897,655 Accounts receivable 67,224 8,352
Accounts receivable 438,512 492,365 Prepaid expenses 16,316 20,596
Prepaid expenses 97,247 107,365 $ 387,310 $ 215,224
Current portion of 2,884,932 2,848,196 Property & equipment 15,541,812 16,014,252
interfund balances TOTAL ASSETS $ 15,929,122 $ 16,229,476
$ 4,643,280 $ 4,632,508
Interfund balances 944,036 944,036
LIABILITIES
TOTAL ASSETS $ 5,587,316 $ 5,576,544
Current liabilities
Accounts payable & $ 96,891 $ 104,157
LIABILITIES accrued liabilities
Current liabilities Current portion of 222,866 217,071
Accounts payable & 1,666,891 1,805,747 mortgage payable
accrued liabilities Advances from MoveUP 12,192,717 12,450,909
TOTAL LIABILITIES $ 1,666,891 $ 1,805,747 $ 12,512,474 $ 12,772,137
Mortgage payable 5,895,920 6,009,193
NET ASSETS Loan payable 944,036 944,036

Unrestricted $ 2,987,433 $ 2,568,004 TOTAL LIABILITIES $ 19,352,430 $ 19,725,366

Internally restricted 932,992 1,202,793

reserves NET ASSETS
$ 3,920,425 $ 3,770,797 Capital stock $ 5 $ 5
Deficit (3,423,313) (3,495,895)
TOTAL LIABILITIES & $ 5,587,316 $ 5,576,544 $ (3,423,308) $ (3,495,890)
NET ASSETS TOTAL LIABILITIES & $ 15,929,122 $ 16,229,476
NET ASSETS

INSERT Annual Financial Report 2020 22 | VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 MOVEUP Local Voice
 Operating Expenses

MoveUP
General Fund
Operating Expenses 2020

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES 2020

Collective agreement management 1,951,671
Legal & grievances 185,132
Bargaining & strike 266,152
Member education 52,218
Member maintenance 231,539
$ 2,686,712 Union Government

COMMUNICATIONS $ 339,174

ORGANIZING $ 248,916
Administration Membership
Services
ADMINISTRATION
Staff holidays & leaves 989,155
Office administration support 944,274
Services & supplies 202,011 13%
Staff benefits 1,053,062
Office furniture & equipment leases 358,810 27%
Office rent & occupancy costs 1,382,042
Finance department salaries 384,262
Audit fees
Staff education
33,964
24,583
54%
$ 5,372,163

UNION GOVERNMENT
Disbursements from reserves 505,569
Executive council 69,479
Conventions 33,871 3%
Executive board 393,826 Organizing
Member meetings 82,272
Committees 92,608 3%
Honoraria 26,659
Communications
Donations 51,779
Elections 3,352
$ 1,259,415
TOTAL $ 9,906,380

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 | 23 Annual Financial Report 2020 INSERT
 Meet the Finance Team

Lori Mayhew,
Secretary-Treasurer
The Secretary-Treasurer is the Chief
Financial Officer for the union.

Lori Mayhew
Secretary-Treasurer

Barbara Liang, CPA, CGA

Director, Finance
The Director, Finance position was created in 2005
and is held by a Certified Professional Accountant.

Barbara Liang
Director, Finance

Membership and
Finance Department
MoveUP staff assist the Secretary-Treasurer
and Director, Finance in the day-to-day
financial operations, including accounts
payable and receivable and data management.

Pardeep Singh Sarina Nannar Marilyn Vassell

Accounting Analyst AP/Payroll Membership

According to the MoveUP constitution, the MoveUP executive

board shall be responsible for appointing an independent May 10, 2021

auditor to review the union’s books and accounts. The The Audit Committee
Canadian Office & Professional Employees' Union - Local 378 (dba MoveUP)
executive board is also responsible for publishing and 301 - 4501 Kingsway
Burnaby, BC V5H 0E5

generally distributing to the executive council and Dear Committee Members:

We have been engaged to audit the consolidated financial statements of Canadian Office & Professional
membership an overview of the auditor’s reports. Employees' Union - Local 378 (dba MoveUP) ("the Local") as at December 31, 2020 and for the year then ended.

CAS 260 Communication With Those Charged With Governance requires that we communicate with you matters
that are significant to our engagement. One such matter is relationships between the Local and its related entities or
persons in financial reporting oversight roles at the Local and MNP LLP and any affiliates (“MNP”) that, in our
These statements are contained in this report. professional judgment, may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence. In determining which relationships
to report, the Standard requires us to consider relevant rules and related interpretations prescribed by the
appropriate professional accounting body and applicable legislation, covering such matters as:

(a) Holding a financial interest, either directly or indirectly, in a client;

(b) Holding a position, either directly or indirectly, that gives the right or responsibility to exert significant
influence over the financial or accounting policies of a client or a related entity;
(c) Personal or business relationships of immediate family, close relatives, partners or retired partners, either
directly or indirectly, with a client or a related entity;
(d) Economic dependence on a client; and
(e) Provision of non-assurance services in addition to the audit engagement.

If you have any questions about your We are not aware of any relationship between the Local and MNP that, in our professional judgment, may
reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, which have occurred from January 1, 2020 to May 10, 2021.

union’s finances, contact your local We hereby confirm that MNP is independent with respect to the Local within the meaning of the Code of
Professional Conduct of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia as of May 10, 2021.

This report is intended solely for the use of the Audit Committee, management and others within the Local and

MoveUP councillor or the union office. should not be used for any other purposes.

We look forward to discussing with you the matters addressed in this letter as well as other matters that may be of
interest to you at our upcoming meeting. We will be prepared to answer any questions you may have regarding our
independence as well as other matters.

MOVEUP Sincerely,

Suite 301 - 4501 Kingsway,

Burnaby, B.C. V5H 0E5 Chartered Professional Accountants

encls.

ACCOUNTING › CONSULTING › TAX

601 - 205 NEWPORT DR, PORT MOODY BC, V3H 5C9
T: (604) 949-2088 F: (604) 949-0509 MNP.ca

INSERT Annual Financial Report 2020 24 | VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 MOVEUP Local Voice
 Election Candidate Guide INSERT

2021 GENERAL ELECTION

Candidate Guide
for Members

MoveUPTogether.ca/election2021

MoveUP president, secretary-treasurer, and Executive Board

executive board members will be elected for The executive board is responsible for the ongoing
operation of our union and shall make recommendations
a three-year term in the 2021 elections. to, and report to, the MoveUP executive council. Executive
Visit MoveUPTogether.ca/election2021 for board members meet monthly in addition to attending
executive council meetings. They remain employed by
more information. their regular employer but may be booked off to attend to
business on behalf of our union as required.
President Members at ICBC, and at Utilities - BC Hydro Group, have
The president sits on the executive board and executive more than one executive board member. When there are
council, serving as chair for both, and oversees the day-to- more candidates than there are elected positions, you
day operations of the organization and staff. The position of can vote for all the executive board positions available for
president is open to a vote of the entire membership. The your unit. Members who work in all other bargaining units
president is a full-time position. – Utilities - Fortis Group, Combined - Transit, Combined
- Finance/Insurance, Combined - Shipping/Transport/
Manufacturing, Combined - Labour, and Combined -
Secretary-Treasurer Miscellaneous – can elect one executive board member
The secretary-treasurer is responsible for managing our from the category for their workplace. If there is only one
union’s finances. The position of secretary-treasurer is open candidate, that candidate is considered acclaimed. Please
to a vote of the entire membership. The secretary-treasurer is check MoveUPTogether.ca/election2021/constituencies
a full-time position. for specific information on constituencies.

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 | 25 Candidate Guide – Election 2021 INSERT
 Election Candidate Guide INSERT
2021 GENERAL ELECTION | Candidate Guide for Members

Table of Contents Voting Deadline

Biographies are supplied directly by candidates and are not 4:30 PM, Monday,
edited in any way. The word limit is 150. Biographies that
exceed 150 words have been cut off at the 150-word mark.
August 30, 2021
All votes must be electroni-
27 Candidates for: cally submitted by 4:30 p.m.
PRESIDENT

27 Candidates for:
SECRETARY-TREASURER Election Timeline:
28 Candidates for Executive Board:
UTILITIES – BC HYDRO GROUP VOTING:
29 Candidates for Executive Board:
August 9 (8:30 a.m.)
COMBINED – FINANCE/INSURANCE Voting Opens
August 30 (4:30 p.m.)
29 Candidates for Executive Board: Voting Closes
COMBINED – SHIPPING/
TRANSPORT/MANUFACTURING ELECTION RESULTS
ANNOUNCED:
30 Candidates for Executive Board:
ICBC August 31
INSTALLATION OF
31 Candidates for Executive Board: OFFICERS:
COMBINED – TRANSIT
By September 15
31 Candidates for Executive Board: Election of Vice-Presidents
UTILITIES – FORTIS GROUP (from successful executive
31 Candidates for Executive Board: board candidates)
COMBINED – LABOUR October 30

31 Candidates for Executive Board:

COMBINED – MISCELLANEOUS

MoveUPTogether.ca/election2021

INSERT Candidate Guide – Election 2021 26 | VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 MOVEUP Local Voice
 TO VOTE
Voting is conducted electronically through the Member Portal.
You can vote from your computer, tablet, or your smartphone.

q To vote, go to MoveUPTogether.ca and click on the box in the top right corner labeled ‘Member
Portal.’ You can also get there directly by going to memberportal.moveuptogether.ca.
q Sign in to the member portal with your member ID. (If you have not registered yet for the member
portal, see instructions below).
q Once you are in the member portal, click on the ‘Click here to vote’ button and follow the instructions
on the online ballot.
q Once your online ballot has been submitted, you will see a confirmation on your screen and you will receive an email confirmation
with your receipt number.

VOTER
REGISTERING FOR THE MEMBER PORTAL CONFIDENTIALITY
If you have not signed in to the Member Portal before, you will need to register by 4:30 p.m. IS PROTECTED
on August 5 following these easy steps so you are able to vote: Your receipt number is
• STEP 1: On the Member Portal page, click on the ‘Sign Up Now’ button which appears automatically emailed to you
below the ‘First Time Here?’ text. and is confidential. There is no
way to link your name to the
• STEP 2 – Complete the information required. Once the form is fully completed, click on
receipt number. This guarantees
‘Register’ and you are ready to vote. the confidentiality of your vote.
You will need your membership number which was sent to you when you first joined
MoveUP. If you do not have your membership number, please contact our Membership
Department at: membership@moveuptogether.ca.
All members in good standing who have registered on the Member Portal will be forwarded
to the voting company to ensure they will be directed to the electronic ballot in the Member MoveUP, the Movement
Portal. That is why it is essential that you register on the Member Portal by the deadline date
of United Professionals
listed above or you will not be able to vote.
Suite 301-4501 Kingsway,
ELECTION RESULTS Burnaby, B.C. V5H 0E5
Phone: 604-299-0378
The MoveUP returning officer will announce the results of the election on the day after
Toll Free: 1-800-665-6838
voting has closed.
Fax: 604-299-8211

Candidates for MoveUP EXECUTIVE BOARD

PRESIDENT SECRETARY-TREASURER

David BLACK Lori MAYHEW

This candidate has been acclaimed. This candidate has been acclaimed.

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 | 27 Candidate Guide – Election 2021 INSERT
Candidates for MoveUP EXECUTIVE BOARD

UTILITIES – BC HYDRO GROUP FOUR CANDIDATES: VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN THREE

Rysa Anderson
KRONEBUSCH CHARLES
Rysa Kronebusch: currently Anderson Charles has been a
serves as our Executive Board MoveUP member since 2006. He
member and is seeking your sup- began his career with Accenture
port for re-election. and is now a Business Account
Rysa is also the Vice President of Representative at BC Hydro. He
our Utility group, which includes became a Job Steward in 2007.
not only BC Hydro but also, Anderson is a fearless advocate
PowerTech, Fortis BC, Fortis BC for working people everywhere.
Customer Service, SNC Lavalin He is a thoughtful and trusted
Constructors (Pacific) Inc., GE mentor to fellow stewards and
Renewables, Aecon, Columbia colleagues. His passion for fair-
Hydro Constructors Ltd. and just recently the BC Infrastructure ness, increased diversity and meaningful equity has propelled
Benefits (BCIB). him from steward to Executive Councillor, and recently to the
A wealth of knowledge, experience a solution and inclusive based Executive Board for BC Hydro and Powertech members.
approach, Rysa will continue to be a strong advocate and voice Anderson serves on multiple committees within our union, in-
for you. cluding our national Canada Equity Council, and the Workers of
Rysa has over the past three years, as your VP, advocated for your Colour Caucus with the BC Federation of Labour.
jobs while working with government to achieve their goal of car- Anderson is a skilled, dedicated, and effective leader at
bon neutrality by 2030. MoveUP. He has a life-long commitment to progressive values
With BC Hydro and PowerTech bargaining just around the corner, and creating a member driven union, qualities critical for our
we need Rysa’s leadership, her experience and ability to be your long-term success. Anderson is seeking your support for re-
voice at the bargaining table. election to the MoveUP Executive Board.
Re-elect Rysa, who will continue to help our union Move
Forward.

Calvin JONAS Rajesh SINGH

Calvin Jonas has served our With a total work experience of
membership continuously as a over 25 years in various man-
Job Steward since 2006, while agement and non-management
also serving as an Executive capacities, Rajesh has spent 10
Councilor from 2006-2011 & of those years working at ABS
2017-2019. He was a board and BC Hydro. Through his time
member from 2011-2015 and at (BC Hydro) Rajesh has been
again from 2019 to date. A past known for his out-spoken and
chair of our Audit and Environ- confident personality. His prob-
ment Committees, he has also lem-solving and creative think-
been on the Education Com- ing abilities make him a valu-
mittee, and currently sits on able candidate for the position
the Environment and Electoral of Executive Board Member- BC
Committees. Calvin was member of the bargaining teams Hydro. He has been a job steward and successfully represented
for our two most recent Collective Agreements with BC members in grievance meetings at various stages. and is cur-
Hydro - the last set of negotiations having been unusually rently a third term Executive Councillor. Rajesh represented
long and difficult. union members as part of the last bargaining committee.
Asked why he is seeking re-election to the board, Calvin said The role of the Executive Board Member is to represent the
“I’ve always been passionate about fairness, transparency and views, concerns, and needs of the BC Hydro members in the
accountability in all my work for the union, and in seeking union. He is one who is sensitive to the needs of his members
best possible outcomes for our members during grievances and responsive enough to present them in an effective manner.
with the employer. But in this time of unprecedented change In this union election, vote for
more is needed.
The last 18 months have taken, and

INSERT Candidate Guide – Election 2021 28 | VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 MOVEUP Local Voice
 Candidates for MoveUP EXECUTIVE BOARD

COMBINED – FINANCE/INSURANCE TWO CANDIDATES: VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN ONE

Graeme Natalie
HUTCHISON HOEDEL
Graeme has had the honour of Natalie started with BCAA 20
serving on the executive board years ago where she has worked
for the last 6 years representing both in the call centre and ad-
the Combined Finance\Insur- min. It was during the BCAA
ance Group. He also represents Lockout in 2015 that Natalie be-
the interests of MoveUp on the came familiar with union activ-
executive of the Fraser Valley ism and saw what an incredible
Labour Council. union we have. During those six
Graeme holds a BSc in Com- months she experienced a lot
puting and holds various post- of personal growth, gained a lot
graduate teaching and profes- of strength and decided to be-
sional qualifications and has also completed numerous labour come a job steward.
education courses during his time on the MoveUP board. Since then, Natalie has strengthened her knowledge by at-
Graeme has been very outspoken on various issues over the last tending numerous training seminars and conventions. She
6 years and is not afraid to speak up and represent the interests serves as Executive Councillor, on the Women and Gender
of the members. He was actively involved in the Westminster Rights Committee, as a delegate to the New Westminster and
Savings dispute supporting the members on the picket line. District Labour Council and as a member of the Officer Com-
He has actively represented the membership on various labour pensation Committee. In her spare time, she is working hard
events and wants to ensure each member’s dues are used at pursuing a degree in Labour Studies at BCIT and Athabasca
wisely and that every penny is well spent and accountable. University.
Graeme is excited about the opportunity to continue repre- Natalie is a fierce advocate for her colleagues at BCAA and is a
senting the interests of passionate player in the labour movement!

COMBINED-SHIPPING/TRANSPORTATION/MANUFACTURING TWO CANDIDATES: VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN ONE

Jill FORSYTHE No bio or photo received.

Since 2016, Jill Forsythe has been with Kruger Products L.P.
working in various union positions. This afforded her the op-
portunity to familiarize herself with Kruger’s membership du-
ties. Currently she is the area’s Executive Councilor and one of
Kruger’s Job Stewards.
Her collaborative approach provides positive motivation to both
internal and external clients as does her proactive “can do” at-
titude. With over 20 years of extensive experience in C-level ad-
ministrative support, she has served as a relationship builder and
liaison to the public, board. Previous to Kruger, for over 15 years,
she worked with numerous boards. (see LinkedIn)
Her inquisitive nature and ability to communicate opens dia-
logue and brainstorms solutions. Her goal is to bring connection
and community by ensuring transparency. Her work approach focuses on collaboration and
support; doing what is possible to elevate the collective. Hani
DAKKAK

TO VOTE
To vote, go to MoveUPTogether.ca
and click on the box in the top right
corner labeled ‘Member Portal.’

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 | 29 Candidate Guide – Election 2021 INSERT
Candidates for MoveUP EXECUTIVE BOARD

ICBC SEVEN CANDIDATES: VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN SIX

Bryan FINSTAD Dimitri

Bryan Finstad started with ICBC
in 1997 and works as a Support OSSINSKY
& Recovery Specialist at Guild- My mom brought me to Canada
ford Corporate Centre (GCC). He from Ukraine when I was seven.
is well recognized as a dedicated She fought tirelessly to give me
and outspoken activist. Bryan has a better life. This country has
served two terms on our Execu- given me so many opportuni-
tive Board. He also volunteers as ties. I want everyone, no matter
a harassment advisor, is the who they are, to be given those
worker co-chair for his site OHS same chances.
Committee and is the Chair of My platform has three key ide-
the Trust for our LTD plan. als: upholding our democracy,
Bryan was a key contributor in respecting intersectionality, and
the 2019 bargaining where we achieved significant improve- fighting vigorously for each member. My priorities include better
ments for our members. Bryan brings his extensive experience wages, expanded psychological benefits, and improved member
and analytical mind to all his work with our union, including engagement. This union should run bottom-up not top-down.
Constitution & Bylaws (Co-Chair), Audit (Chair), Education, Hu- My qualifications include over two years as a job steward and
man Rights & Multicultural, Events & Social Planning, and Advi- executive council member. I am also expected to receive a Cer-
sory Committee. tificate in Workplace Rights from Simon Fraser University this fall.
Bryan resides in Langley with his family of five. With his proven In 2018 all ICBC executive board members got elected from
track record as a leader and mentor, Bryan is proud to stand for one “team” of candidates. It serves no benefit to you to be
re-election with the team for Lead ICBC 2021. represented by the same people with the same positions.
The only team I’m on is yours.

Annette TOTH Brenda CHU

Annette Toth has been with ICBC Brenda Chu joined ICBC in 2016.
for over 16 years, starting in driv- She is a Claims Specialist at the
er licensing and is now a Claims Burnaby Claim Centre. Brenda
Specialist. Her background in was first elected to the Execu-
both divisions of ICBC has been tive Board in 2018, quickly prov-
instrumental in her success as a ing to be a dedicated and au-
three-term member of the Exec- thentic leader within our union.
utive Board and as our Vice Presi- Brenda is deeply committed to
dent for the ICBC unit since 2013. supporting her fellow members
With over three decades of expe- and to advancing the issues that
rience as an activist, negotiator face working people.
and labour leader, Annette con- She serves as the job evalua-
tinues to make the issues facing tion officer and on several com-
ICBC members her number one priority. Her thoughtful leader- mittees including Constitution & Bylaws, Education, Human
ship and strategic mind will be critical for success at the bar- Rights & Multicultural, Electoral and as a Trustee for the BC
gaining table in 2022. Annette is our National Vice President Federation of Labour. On her site OH&S committee, Brenda
and a Trustee for our Pension Plan. is resolute in protecting the health and safety of coworkers
Annette serves on multiple committees with our union includ- through this pandemic.
ing Human Rights and Multicultural, Education, and Events and Brenda holds a J.D. and was a solicitor in Hong Kong before
Social Planning, to name a few. joining ICBC. She is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Annette resides in Victoria with her partner Al. She is proud to Brenda resides in Burnaby with her husband their son. She is
stand for reelection with Lead ICBC 2021. proud to stand for re-election as part of Lead ICBC 2021

Brian MARTENS
Brian started at ICBC in 2006 at the Telephone Claims Department. He has held various positions
throughout ICBC and currently works as a Claims Adjuster Commercial at the Surrey Claim Center.
Brian became a job steward in 2008, has served three terms as an Executive Councillor, and two
on our Executive Board. He is a Trustee on both our pension and LTD plans. He also sits on multiple
MoveUP committees including Education, Constitution and Bylaws, and the Advisory Committee.
Brian has championed many innovative changes at MoveUP, ensuring our union remains relevant and
valuable to our members. He is an accomplished facilitator for MoveUP and the BC Fed Health and
Safety Centre.
Brian resides in Langley with his wife and daughter. As a recognized leader in health and safety, hu-
man rights and labour education, Brian is proud to seek re-election for the Executive Board with Lead
ICBC 2021.

INSERT Candidate Guide – Election 2021 30 | VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 MOVEUP Local Voice
 Candidates for MoveUP EXECUTIVE BOARD

ICBC (CONTINUED)

Sheela KUMAR Gunter SEIFERT

Sheela Kumar joined ICBC in 2016 Gunter Seifert joined ICBC in
as a Client Service Representative at 2015 and works as a Call Center
Head Office. She now works at the Coordinator at Head office. From
Surrey DLO as a Client Service Rep- the start of his career with ICBC,
resentative. Sheela is a thoughtful Gunter has made a significant
and dedicated job steward, an ad- and lasting contribution to our
vocate for working people. union and is known to be a fear-
Sheela was first elected to less leader when advocating for
MoveUP’s Executive Council 5 years our members.
ago. Since then, she has been an For the past three years, Gunter
active member of many commit- has served as an elected Execu-
tees including Youth Action, Human tive Board member and was an
Rights and Multicultural, and OH&S. integral part of the 2019 bargain-
Sheela also serves on our National Union’s Canada Equity Council, ing process with ICBC. Without question, Gunter is a commit-
where she is a recognized voice for young workers, women, racial- ted leader within our union. He is the co-chair of our Human
ized people and the 2SLGBTQIA community. Rights and Multicultural committee, as well serves on the BC
A kind and passionate individual, Sheela has a proven track re- Federation of Labour’s Human Rights Committee and is the
cord of standing up for the rights of our members. She is Fluent chair of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Caucus.
in Hindi and French. Sheela resides in Surrey with her husband Gunter is a motivated, dynamic and passionate advocate within
and two kittens. She is proud to stand for election to the Execu- MoveUP. He lives in North Vancouver with his partner Kyle and
tive Board as part of Lead ICBC 2021. is proud to seek re-election to the Executive Board as part of
Lead ICBC 2021.

COMBINED – TRANSIT UTILITIES – FORTIS GROUP

Safar ALIKHANI Norm STICKELMANN

This candidate has been acclaimed. This candidate has been acclaimed.

COMBINED – LABOUR COMBINED – MISCELLANEOUS

Dawn LENTSCH Christy SLUSARENKO

This candidate has been acclaimed. This candidate has been acclaimed.

MOVEUP Local Voice VOLUME 16 Issue #2 Summer/Fall 2021 | 31 Candidate Guide – Election 2021 INSERT
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