2018 Year in Review!

with Sarah and Shelley at the Memorial March

As I continue on this incredibly unpredictable path in the labour movement, looking back on 2018 gives me some time to reflect on the past year. It was also the year of a lot of "firsts" without my dad, which is still weird. Last year, I committed to write more about the things I attend, mostly for me so I can look back and remember what happened over the course of the year. So without further ado - here was my 2018!

January

With members of the first AUCE 1 bargaining committee

• Italian Film Festival - I saw 6 films at the IFF. It was a great way to connect me to my dad as I was getting used to life without him. I was pleasantly surprised how good the movies were. I will be attending this year's festival starting this weekend - I have 6 tickets booked this time as well. Forza Italia!
• City on Edge Exhibit at the Museum of Vancouver - this was an exhibit about the history of protest in the city of Vancouver. There were so many photos and videos from protests from back in the day. They also had memorabilia from VMREU (CUPE 15) and a twitter feed of current activists. One evening they invited some of my friends to recount the tales of various labour disputes in the city. We heard from Aliza Nevarie from CUPE 391 to talk about the 2007 strike in the city, Glen Hansman from the BCTF to speak about the last teachers' dispute, Donisa Bernardo to talk about HEU's 2004 strike and we heard tales of the 4 month bus strike of 2001. It was so great to have a worker centric exhibit on at the Museum of Vancouver. 
• March On Vancouver - a year after attending the Women's March in Seattle in 2017, attending the march in Vancouver was a much different experience. It was cold and very wet but that didn't stop Vancouverites from coming out to support the event. The speakers were diverse, and I'm looking forward to the 2019 version on January 19th. 
• CUPE 2950 Meeting with UBC President Santa Ono - we met with President Ono to advocate for our members. 
• Reel Causes - Luk'Luk'I - my friend Dionne invited me to attend a screening of Luk'Luk'I. This was an organization I had never heard of - they partner with Canadian filmmakers and progressive organizations to screen films and foster dialogue about social justice issues. This film was a blend of sci-fi and documentary based in the DTES during the 2010 Olympics. 
• AUCE History Project - our local embarked on an extensive history project that has may components. In 2017, we funded a co-op student to accession our historical materials at the UBC Library. In 2018, we were successful in obtaining grant funding to digitize those records to make them available to British Columbians. We also partnered with the BC Labour Heritage Centre and commissioned a bronze plaque to commemorate the historic win for maternity benefits in the local. The coolest thing was bringing together 5 members of the original bargaining committee to film them telling the story how were were organized and the experience of negotiating our first contract.

February

At the Memorial March on Febraury 14th - Women's Warrior Song

• Beginning with the 1970s: GLUT Exhibit at Belkin Gallery - this exhibit focused on reading as a form of resistance. There was a reimagined replication of the Vancouver Women's Bookstore of the 70s, a variety of photos, sculptures and textiles. I always forget that the Belkin is there and it's free! 
• Black History Month events - I attended a few films as part of the Black History Film Fest. I saw Whose Streets about the murder of Michael Brown and the aftermath in Ferguson, MO. I also saw Tell Them We Are Rising a documentary about historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). We also attended an evening with Scruffmouth at VPL where he performed some of his spoken word pieces.
• Renewable Cities - Urban Climate Change - my friend Erin and I went downtown to attend an event put on by Renewable Cities, an organization that promotes, researched and engages community on urban climate change issues. The keynote speaker was our Environment Minister (and my MLA) George Heyman.
• Cultural Inheritances, Justice for Colton and the Women's Memorial March - I wrote extensively about all of these events. Starting at the Aboriginal Students Centre at Douglas College in New West, I found myself in a circle with professors, students, community members to hear from Amber Dean, about her research about settler colonialism and the difficulty of inheritances. Later that evening she was speaking at SFU with the organizers of the February 14th Women's Memorial March. The next day was the Justice for Colten vigil to protest the racist and blatantly unfair criminal justice system in this country. I remember feeling very disappointed that I did not see more people I knew at this event and very grateful to share space with family members and activists from indigenous communities expressing their rage. I have no idea what to do, I just showed up to listen and show support. Finally, I met up with Sarah and Ronnie (the dog) to participate in the annual Women's Memorial March on the DTES, in support and remembrance of the indigenous missing women and girls. No flags and banners, speakers, songs, and support. Shelley also let me bang her drum which was pretty cool.
• Throne Speech - anytime I can see our friends in the BCNDP shine in government is a privilege. Our values being spoken by the lieutenant governor is pretty awesome. 
• Kdocs Film Festival - this was cool. I saw three diverse documentaries  - Birth of a Family, which was about the reunion of separated family members (due to the Sixties Scoop), Workers Voices - about garment workers in Bangladesh and finally Delores, about Delores Huerta, legendary organizer in the states.
• Let's Talk Reconciliation VPL - an evening with my friend Kyla's friend Jools Koostachin, a filmmaker, former indigenous storyteller in residence at VPL who took us on an interesting journey of various films and facilitated discussion on reconciliation. 
• My Dad Wrote a Porno - wait, this sounds weird Karen. Well because it is! MDWAP is hilarious and one of my favourite podcasts that just makes me laugh out loud. I've had to pull the car over a couple of times because I was laughing so hard. They were coming to Seattle so we road tripped down and spent the evening laughing our faces off!
• Welcome to the New World of Work: Thriving or Surviving - SFU hosted a conference about the future of work, I couldn't go but I went to the keynote event with Ann Marie Slaughter and Van Jones. 

March

With CUPE Metro sisters at IWD in Surrey

• CUPE National All Committee's Meeting (Ottawa) - spent a few days in Ottawa as the co-chair of the CUPE National Library Workers' Committee. It's always nice to connect with our friends from across the country. While we were there CUPE 2424 went on strike so a few of us went down to Carleton and walked the line at 7am before our meetings started. The strike lasted 4 weeks and the members were able to fight off concessions and save their pension plan. 
• International Women's Day - CUPE Metro - this year we were in Surrey. It's always great to spend time with my sisters and this year was awesome. I ate lunch with this young mom and her 2 year old son. Her two year old son took a liking to me and proceeded to show me he could read! At 2! It was awesome and he knew what the words meant as well. We had Vanessa Richards come and lead us in song and he took my hand and walked into the circle while his mom had some time to eat.
• Women's Film Fest - wow I saw a lot of films this year...anyway, my friend Dionne invited me to come with her to watch a series of short films on the theme of resistance followed up by a Q and A who starred none other than our good friend Sarah Bjorknas!
• Bottom Line Conference - this was my first time attending the Canadian Mental Health Association's annual conference and it was amazing. I learned so much and captured it in detail on this blog. You can read about Day One and Day Two. I got to bring greetings on behalf of the BC Fed which was cool. 
• BCTF AGM - I love attending the BCTF AGM. It's so different from our convention, it's interesting to hear the debate on the floor as well as how they do business.
• Poverty Reduction Plan Focus Group - Aliza and I ran a focus group of library workers to make a submission to government about the importance of libraries and the services delivered by our members to any new poverty reduction legislation. It was awesome and I am very proud of the work we did to ensure government heard our members' voices. 
• UNITE HERE 40 - it was awesome to attend the swearing in of the new executive of UNITEHERE 40 which saw the election of the first Chinese-Canadian woman as leader of a union in BC - Zailda Chan.
• Meeting Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh - my friend Harp invited me to an event in Surrey to meet Jagmeet Singh. It was pretty cool - we had a nice conversation about federal support for libraries, the CFLAs report on reconciliation and access to internet.

April

With the CUPE crew at Labor Notes in Chicago

• Anita Hill: Gender, Race and Power in the Academy - had the awesome opportunity to hear from the Anita Hill at UBC. 
• Labor Notes Conference - definitely the highlight of my year. It was the union rah rah I needed. I needed to be around progressive trade unionists, I needed to be around intersectional feminists, I needed to be around people who constantly brought in a class analysis, and I needed to be around people who are truly looking out for the greater good, not just their next election. It was also fun to spend my birthday in Chicago - we went to dinner, and a blues bar. It was an inspiring 3 days in Chicago and I can't wait to attend the one in 2020. 
• UBC Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre Opening - it was an honour to attend the opening of the IRSHDC where Professor Ono issued UBC's official apology for their complicity in the residential school system. 
• CUPE BC Convention - it's always a highlight to attend our annual convention. Highlights were having the premier and 22 members of caucus attend, hearing members share their stories on the floor and the equity night. 
• Coop Radio - my friend Kathy invited me to come and share my experience at Labor Notes on Union Made on Coop Radio. So fun!
• HSA Convention - again, attending another union's convention is so interesting. Minister of Health Adrian Dix wrote a poem for the HSA membership about their contributions to healthcare and that was cool. Also, Val is a great chair.
• Day of Mourning - awesome to have the labour movement more involved in the planning of the Vancouver event. We brought the coffins out and it was a stunning visual and while we have a labour friendly government and a great Labour Minister, more needs to be done to ensure the safety of workers so that everyone returns home safe and sound at the end of the day.

May 

Graphic recording of our session at the BCLA conference

• On the Line Book Launch - no one could have predicted the success of this book. An excellent overview of the history of the labour movement in BC - a must read for any history buff or trade unionist!
• BCIRA Dinner about the future of the arbitration model in BC - I love these nerdy legal events - I always learn a lot and it's really important for me to understand context and systems. Plus I got to meet Don Munroe! 
• Fed Officers meeting with Premier Horgan - a quick visit to Victoria to meet with Premier Horgan. I also snuck in a visit to Camosun College where my pal Erin showed me around campus. 
• Crossroads Conference - this was a fun event where progressives from around the city of Vancouver got together to engage in dialogue about the city we want. Candidates from most parties attended to hear from citizens. 
• BC Library Association Conference - always a highlight. I moderated a session that starred CUPE members who are champions of democracy. We also got to promote our submission for the poverty reduction plan and were the only voice of the library sector who submitted. Minister Rob Fleming spoke at the conference, the first time in a long long time where a sitting cabinet minister addressed the library community. 
• BC Civil Liberties Association Dinner - this dinner celebrates various achievements in journalism, legal advocacy, and human rights. 
• Convocation - this was the first year I volunteered for UBC convocation. I haven't worn robes since my own graduation in 2003 so this was pretty cool. I was at the ceremony for the Kinesiology where was my job was to stand at the bottom of the stairs to catch anyone who slipped.
• Lindsay comes to visit - my good pal Lindsay returns comes to visit from London and we bounce around the city hanging out. 
• CUPE BC Kamloops School - so fun to bring greetings on behalf of the executive board to a whole whack of CUPE activists. It was fun to talk about the importance of the union family. I remember staying up late with a few members and staff, listening to what they see as challenges in their communities and their hopes of dreams for a brighter future. Cue cheesy music....

June

Ginger Goodwin's grave

• CUPE National Trustees Meeting (Ottawa) - and I'm back in Ottawa for our annual trustees meetings. It was great to get to know Luc, our newest trustee from CUPE 5500 (OC Transpo). I wandered down to Labreton Flats and saw the Holocaust Memorial for the first time.It was also nice to meet up with Jarrah where we took in the new Ottawa Art Gallery and went for our traditional Sweet Jesus ice creams. I also went to the Bank of Canada Museum for the first time and learned a ton about the history of money. Oh and I watched the results of the Ontario election with T-Jarz.
• Proportional Representation event in Fairview - this was a great community event where almost 200 people showed up on a beautiful sunny day to talk electoral reform. I especially valued Green MLA Sonia Furstenau's insight into the issue.
• Gays of Our Lives - Trish and I went and supported our pals in the Vancouver Mens Chorus for their show the "Gays of Our Lives." There were a couple of moving sections - one song about Little Sisters bookshop on Davie and a song about Matthew Shepherd. 
• Admin Planning Victoria and a road trip to Cumberland - Our admin group met in Victoria for a day and a half for our annual meeting. I had a day between this meeting and the Miners Memorial so I had the chance to catch up with my friend Kim, then stopped at the trellis bridge in Shawnigan Lake, went for a visit to Vancouver Island University where my friend Deborah took me around campus and then into Courtenay for the Miners Memorial. 
• Miners Memorial - I had so much commemorating the 100th anniversary of Ginger's Goodwin's murder. I took in everything I could. I went on a worker's history walking tour of Cumberland, made buttons with Professor Mark Leir before his lecture ofn labour history in the area, went to an evening event that was all about songs of the workers, laid a flower with Joey on Ginger Goodwin's grave on behalf of the BC Labour Heritage Centre, took part on the re-enactment of the funeral procession, helped with the CUPE 556 BBQ in the park, chilled with my pals VIDC at their campsite, and hung out with Michelle and Ian where they took me around their town. It was so much fun!
• It's a Brown New World Now What? - Shanee and I went and head from Dr. Kamal Al-Soyalee about his research and observations on a browner workforce and what that means for the future of work. 
• Bard on the Beach - thanks to Trish, I saw all 4 plays at Bard this year. I really enjoyed all of them - loved Lysistrata, and Timon of Athens, liked As you Like It and Macbeth. 

July

Glen Hansman (BCTF), me, Minister Fleming and Minister Mark at the CMEC meeting

• Saltspring - I went to Saltspring for the first time ever. And now I want to go back and see more of the Gulf Islands!
• Council of Ministers of Education Canada dinner event - from my facebook post, this was awesome.
• Tonight I attended an evening event for the Council of Ministers of Education Canada - cabinet ministers (both K-12 and post-secondary), senior bureaucrats and other education partners (including Glen and I). The group had just spent the day at UBC strategizing on reconciliation and the indigenization of public education in Canada.
• It was such a great opportunity to connect with folks I would never have the opportunity to meet otherwise. I spent time talking to representatives from BCASBO (Sec-Treasurers from the School Districts), BCSTA (School Board trustees), Minister David Eggen from Alberta and his Chief of Staff (we met him at the CUPE education conference a few years ago), Superintendents, DMs from various AvEd ministries from across the country and more. It was also nice to see Professor Ono, President of UBC in a difference context for both him and I.
• My dinner companion, who is a senior bureaucrat from the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Education, talked about the importance of inclusion in decision making in higher ed and why it's necessary to have all voices at the table when developing and implementing strategies and policies. We also talked about the role of universities in our cities/communities. We talked about breaking down silos in higher ed to partner on projects, research and innovation in ways that would foster collaboration rather than competition.
• The keynote speech was delivered by Professor Ono, who talked at length about how crucial it is to incorporate, fund and support mental health literacy from ECE to PhD. He drew upon his own struggles with depression and suicidal ideations to demonstrate the necessity of creating a culture where it's ok to ask for help. Too many young people are taking their lives and he challenged the room to adopt the Okanagan Charter and ensure that our institutions and workplaces have robust mental health programs in place to support all faculty, staff and students.
• This is another example of what happens when we elect progressive governments. We get a seat at the table, we get to be in the room and people listen. They ask questions to understand not to antagonize.

• CUPE 2950 BBQ - I always love our local's annual event - we always get over 500 members attending.
• Les Mis - viva la revolution! Who doesn't love watching this intense musical about poverty, pain, war and love? It was hard not to sing along...
• Corpse Flower at Bloedel - the stinky corpse flower bloomed (only happens once every 10 years) so we had to go check it out. The smell was gone but Uncle Fester was a sight to behold!
• Port Moody BBQ Fest - the goof troop trekked out to PoMo to experience rib fest - what a great way to spend a summer day!
• Who Gets Left Out Decision Making dialogue - this was hosted by SFU's dialogue cohort where we looked at decision making from an inclusion lens. The discourse was framed by the 5 dimensions of dialogue - conversation (listen, talk, share w/ intentionality), inquiry (content and underlying thoughts and motivations), creating shared meaning, collective meditation and participation. 
• CUPE BC Think Tank - Harrison - our annual meetings in Harrison were productive (I think). Nothing out of the ordinary just the opportunity to advance our action plan. 
• Brooklyn 99 Trivia - Steph and I got our asses kicked at trivia but had a blast - NINE NINE!

August

CUPE BC out in full force at the Vancouver Pride Parade

• Summer fun:
• Broken - documentary about Simone Orlando, a former principal dancer of Ballet BC who had to quit when she suffered from a debilitating hip injury (replacement) in her early 30s. It really showed how important it could be for dancers to unionize so that they could have extended health benefits for both prevention and treatment. She's now the artistic director of Ballet Kelowna. 
• Powell Street Festival - Sarah and I went down to the Japanese-Canadian festival to take in cultural performances, an exhibit on Hiroshima, and food. 
• Harmony Arts Festival - West Van's arts festival - we walked around, saw some interesting indigenous art. 
• Lisa Beare Community Picnic - Pitt Meadows - went and supported my favourite MLA and caught up with Fiona. 
• Cannery Museum - I'd never been to the Cannery Museum in Richmond so I spent a couple of hours there. I took the canning tour and wandered around the site. Then I went and read my book on a park bench in Garry Point. 
• TUTS - 42nd Street - Doug gifted Trish and I tickets to see 42nd Street. The cool part is that we knew a few of the cast members from singalong. 
• Michael Franti - Trish and Karen again - so fun! I had never seen him in person and he sure puts of a fun show! Lots of jumping. 
• PNE - I Love the 90s - Tanya and I got our 90s on and relived our high school years by seeing Salt N Pepa, C&C Music Factory, All 4 One and Young MC. 
• Vancouver Pride Parade - great to be part of the CUPE BC contingent for the Vancouver Pride Parade. We marched, danced and strutted down Robson and Denman Streets. 
• Operation Solidarity Walking Tour - the Labour Heritage Centre put together a bunch of programming to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Operation Solidarity. This walking tour led by Rod Mickleburgh allowed us to walk the path the activists walked in 1983. We were also treated to performances from the Troika Collective where they reenacted some of the scenes from the time - we really got a great flavour of what it was like. Very cool. 
• CUPE National Library Workers Meeting (Ottawa) - I was able to participate in the Ottawa Pride Parade with the CUPE contingent. It's much smaller than Vancouver's and the CUPE entry was the most political, and drew a number of cheers for the "sex ed saves lives" banner. 
• Surprise road trip to New York! My very good friend Meghan lives in Ottawa and I try and stay an extra day or two to stay with her and her family each time I go. This time we lucked out and our friend Amy who lives in Berlin happened to be in upstate New York at the same time I was in town so we drove the 2 hours down and met up for lunch! It was awesome! 

September 

Labour Day at the PNE with the Premier, no big...

• Labour Day at the PNE - I got to spend Labour Day at the PNE with our union friends. Premier Horgan addressed the crowd and it was fun to be part of the contingent of labour leaders to bring greetings on behalf of our unions. 
• Whitecaps Union Night - again another awesome opportunity to attend a Whitecaps game and then head out to the back of the net where the game ball was with other leaders from the labour movement. I have to say it was quite scary to stand behind the net while the players shoot - they kick hard. 
• IMAGINE - great first day at UBC. Reminded me of my first day at UBC 19 years ago! I met the UBC HR Management Club, the social justice centre, the UBC NDP crew (and David Eby), UBC Pride Collective. I also wasted a bunch of Hector Bremner's time so he couldn't speak to other potential voters. Heh. 
• Degrassi Rio Theatre - Joey Jeremiah and Caitlin Ryan came to host a screening of School's Out and we all sang Everybody Wants Something. 
• Rosemary Brown Conference - Michele and I ventured down to the annual Rosemary Brown Conference that looked at women in politics. We heard from various speakers from all levels of government and saw Ellen Woodsworth receive the Rosemary Brown Award for Women.
• Municipal Election events
• Kennedy Stewart Launch - 
• One City Launch
• Trish's Citizenship Ceremony - Trish FINALLY becomes Canadian!! It was cool - we sat in the peanut gallery, and watched a whole whack of new citizens receive their papers. It was great! 
• Presentation to the PSEC Bargaining Academy - I was asked to be a guest speaker at the Public Sector Employers' Council's Strategic Bargaining Academy for employer side negotiators. I entitled my presentation "A Millenial Leader's Observations About the Future of the Labour Movement." I got to tell my story about my path to senior leadership in the union and how generational differences in approaches to politics labour relations could and will change the labour movement. Then I was on a panel of folks who had just gone through bargaining in various sectors themselves. It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun and a rare opportunity to connect with folks from the other side.
• Disability Alliance of BC Fall Fling event - This was a chance to celebrate the retirement of Jane Dyson, a long time disability rights activist and Executive Director of the Disability Alliance of BC. 
• Events at VPL:
• Opening Floors 8 and 9 at the Central Branch of VPL - CUPE BC made a contribution to the capital campaign to open the 8th and 9th floors of the VPL. It was so great to see the space which includes a beautiful rooftop garden, a theatre and multiple meeting rooms. Kyla gave a great speech at the opening too!
• Vancouver International Film Festival - I saw a number of films this year - Bathtubs Over Broadway, Impulso, Bluenote Records: Beyond the Notes, Quiet Killing, Love and Bullets, and United Skates

October

After the Operation Solidarity walking tour

• Kamloopa - definitely a highlight. A story centered on, written, and acted by indigenous women who are reconnecting with their ancestors, homelands and stories. It was poignant, hilarious at times, hard to watch at times and relaxed. 
• UBC Safety Day - the first time in years UBC put Safety Day on. It was great to have a full day of programming and the most important part for me was presenting an award that was created in honour of one of our local's long serving executive members to an outstanding worker rep. I got to present it to a brother from CUPE 116 who knew and worked with our member. Such an honour. 
• Operation Solidarity Film and Panel: It Seemed Anything Was Possible - a great evening to watch the 1984 film It Seemed Anything Was Possible and then hear from the folks in the film, reflecting on what's happened since, 35 years later.
• Kennedy Stewart Women's meeting - Anita hosted an evening for progressive women to meet Kennedy Stewart, our now mayor! I met Kim Elliott from Rabble and Libby Davies! We talked about libraries and history and operation solidarity. It was a hoot!
• Vancouver Writers Fest - I've been volunteering with the VWF for over 10 years. This year was the first year under a new artistic director and it was incredible. The programming was more diverse, inclusive and intersectional. They had lined up a sponsor so that the festival could be more accessible - Saturday was full of free programming. 
• Herstory in Focus - Downtown Eastside Women's Centre - this is a fundraiser our local has been supporting. The women of the DEWC create fashions and then show them off in a fashion show at the Vancouver Art Gallery - it's an incredible night of empowerment, resiliency and creativity! 
• Presentation for the UBC Human Resources Management Club - I was part of a panel for students who are studying HR at the Sauder School of Business to talk to them about careers in union side labour relations. 

November

With my local at the BC Fed covnention

• CUPE National Sector Conference - Again I wrote about this in significant detail. Day one, day two and day three. 
• UBC Remembrance Day - this was the first year I attended the ceremony at UBC. We were invited to lay a wreath and it was a great experience. The UBC Opera sang from an opera set in WWI and we heard from various campus leaders.
• Joshua Redman - got to see one of my all time faves at the Chan Centre - the event started with a short lecture about the context of the type of jazz they were playing. 
• Migrant Workers Centre AGM/Migrant Workers' Conference - one of those special moments when you are inspired and heartened and lucky that you were there. I learned a lot about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and how the labour movement could support and partner with great organizations like the Migrant Workers Centre.
• BC Fed Convention - again always a highlight. Premier Horgan addressed the convention. We had an electric speech from Tracey Prezeau from the IBEW on the effects of Janus on the US labour movement. We heard from Jagmeet Singh, had tributes to Irene and Aaron who decided not to reoffer, elected new leadership in Laird Cronk and Sussanne Skidmore, an incredible women's forum, a great lunch and learn about the Be More Than A Bystander program and a rally for CUPW. 

December

Right after the convention I was at a CUPW rally in front of my MP's office on Broadway. Then it was a wind down at the local before going off for a couple of weeks.

My aunt Pina passed away a couple of weeks ago and that sucks, big time. I will miss her big smile and wicked sense of humour. I got to spend time with my mom in Portland last week which was fun. Tonight I will spend a quiet night in for NYE, mostly because I'm cheap and in need of some couch time (binging Cheers right now).