Fraser Valley Regional Executive – 2023 Election Results

My name is Stella Jacura and I have put my name forward in the running to be your Regional Communications Secretary. 

I am a licensed practical nurse at Abbotsford Regional Hospital. I reside in Chilliwack, with my teenage son, French Bulldog and kitten. I am a lover of tattoos, books, and a self-proclaimed nerd. 

I am currently your Communications Secretary on the Regional Executive, and have been for the past 1.5 years. I am also a steward for the region, and was formally the Mental Health Representative for 2.5 years. 

I have a strong knowledge of the Collective Agreement as I have been a steward in this region and am always helping members and other stewards. I have also recently mentored other new stewards and executives as they come into their roles. 

I would be honoured if you would give me the opportunity to continue to be your Regional Communications Secretary for the Fraser Valley region! 

Hi my name is Lily Osekre registered nurse at Abbotsford community dialysis unit. I have been a steward for the last 5 years and currently in the lobby coordinator role. I love the job I do and enjoy all the challenges and fulfilment it comes with it 

I have experienced the role and I will be a good fit so please vote for me. 

Thank you 

I graduated with a BSN on the Dean's list of distinguished students from UFV in 2000. I have worked in areas of Med/Surg, maternity, psychiatry/tertiary and research in Fraser Health and Interior Health Authorities. I currently work at Chilliwack General Hospital on a tertiary mental health unit.

I have been a union activist and a familiar face in the Fraser Valley region since 2010. My long-standing role as a Member Educator has allowed me to engage, connect and support members as they begin their journey of stewardship and activism. This has been my most fulfilling role with the union. In addition, I have served as an interim Treasurer and MH rep on the regional exec team for the past several years. 

I live in Chilliwack with my family and enjoy an active lifestyle.

I am asking for your support in continuing with my role as a Mental Health representative as this combines my career as a MH nurse and an activist with BCNU. 

As a bedside nurse for the past 6 years, I know how important it is to have a safe and healthy workplace. I have worked in a variety of areas of nursing and have personally seen the detrimental effects that unaddressed safety concerns cause. I do not believe nurses should ever have to fear for their safety or worry about if they will make it home that night due to an incident at work. That’s where I believe Occupational Health and Safety work and advocacy is so important. As the OHS rep for the FV region for the past year, I have worked with so many amazing members who have been brave enough to stand up and advocate for a safer work environment. These members keep me inspired to keep fighting the good fight and work towards a safer workplace for everyone. Throughout my time in the role, I have gained valuable experience and training that in addition to my years at the bedside I believe make me a worthy member to be considered for this position. As also the regular Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee member at ARH, I believe I could really make a difference for the safety of the nurses in the FV region. Thank you for your consideration and stay safe!

I am a dedicated Registered Nurse currently serving at Abbotsford Regional Hospital, bringing eight years of valuable experience across various acute care settings as well as in the community. When I'm not caring for patients, you can often find me embarking on outdoor adventures with my faithful pup, Griffin, or seeking out new venues for live music. I also have an unwavering passion for trivia nights, where I enjoy engaging my mind and connecting with others.

Beyond my role as a nurse, I actively serve as a Steward in the region, consistently striving to be a strong voice and advocate for the units I work with. Recently, I ran for a position on the Bargaining Committee, an experience that reignited my commitment to supporting and addressing member concerns across different care areas. This journey solidified my steadfast belief that nurses deserve the utmost respect and recognition as the bedrock of our healthcare system. I am driven to ensure that they have a seat at the table to effect positive change.

As a frontline nurse, I intimately understand the unique challenges facing our profession today. I personally experience the frustration and distress that can arise from working under demanding conditions, inadequate staffing, and heavy workloads. For me, safe patient care, safe staffing, and safe working conditions are non-negotiable member rights. These essential elements not only safeguard the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of nurses but also protect the integrity of our healthcare system. I am fully committed to being a resolute advocate, lending my voice and working tirelessly to support the professional experiences of our members.

I would be deeply honored to assume the role of Professional Responsibility Advocate for the Fraser Valley Region, as it would allow me the opportunity to serve with passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment. 

I am Parveen Gill your active Regional Council Member for the Fraser Valley. I am humbling requesting your vote in the upcoming election to continue working for you, our nurses, our collective voice. 

As a former LPN then an RN, I have worked many areas of nursing including acute care, rehabilitation, residential, palliative and community care to working with vulnerable children and adults with disabilities and mental health concerns in their home and community settings. Through these diverse opportunities it is apparent that nurses are the most versatile, unique, and essential part of the health care system.

Although the past 3 years were met with adversary, I have remained committed and resilient. I have worked hard to create a strong union presence in the Fraser Valley, fostering grassroots activism while pivoting member outreach in a positive direction. We have established a solid Regional Executive team who have become a familiar, reliable, and responsive group of activists that are committed to breaking barriers and building a positive future in nursing.

I continue to remain committed to working relentlessly with honesty and integrity each step of the way while upholding the mission and values of our union. I will continue to be your voice at the Provincial level and consistently demonstrate a strong union presence throughout the region; guided by respect, transparency, and accountability. Together we will continue to make positive and influential change.

I look forward to receiving your support during this re-election. Voting period opens June 19th at noon and closes on June 23rd at noon.

My name is Joanne Hamberg and I am running for the Fraser Valley Regional Chair. I have 30 years nursing experience including 11 in leadership positions (clinical nurse educator and patient care coordinator). My work experience includes working in mental health, medicine, pediatrics, and the post covid recovery clinic. I have 28 years union activist experience including nine in regional executive roles (steward liaison and treasurer). I also have experience as Full Time Steward backfill, PRF Co-Chair, Essential Services Chair, and Workplace Job Action Committee member. In addition, I have been a voting delegate at convention, created and submitted bylaw changes and resolutions to convention, co-led the campaign - "Children Deserve Safe Care" which lobbied for mental health services for youth, and recently started the Pre-retirement Working Group in my region.

If elected I will:

Promote transparency

Be accountable to the membership for my time via a log accessible to all members

Inform membership on regional activities and council updates through regular report outs at regional meetings and via email bulletins

Be visible in the worksites by doing frequent walkabouts, so I can hear member concerns firsthand

Meet regularly with the Full Time Stewards and Steward At Large

Interpret and uphold the collective agreements

Listen to concerns and address them in a timely manner

Uphold fiduciary responsibility for regional funds.

Furthermore, I pledge and promise to:

Advocate for term limits for Regional Chairs and Provincial Executive positions

Advocate for all nurses to be included in the New Grad Program

Advocate for LPN's to be included in the specialty training quality differential

Collaborate with the Steward Liaison to grow the steward team

Encourage all nurses through education and assistance to use the processes available (grievance, PRF) to address issues of workload, working short, and safety.

As an experienced activist and leader, I have the qualifications, skills, and experience required to fulfill the Regional Chair role. I have the experience you can trust and I will make sure your voices are heard.

As your Regional Chair, I will work hard for you, for us, and for this profession. I invite you to vote for me, Joanne Hamberg, for Fraser Valley Regional Chair. Thank You!

Hi my name is Jeevan Sandhu. I am a nurse in the Maternity unit at Abbotsford Regional Hospital. I am seeking re-election for the regional Treasurer position. I believe that I am a strong advocate for nursing and will work hard to continue to ensure the voices of all nurses are heard.

With a passion for safe workplaces, safe staffing and the overall nursing profession. I have brought forward many safety, staffing and practice concerns under the collective agreement. I have worked with many individuals over the years regarding these important key aspects in nursing that need to remain an importance going forward to ensure safe working environment for all.

I have been a strong advocate for nurses around the FV region through submitting grievances as well as supporting others through the process. Supporting members through group grievances or individual grievances has truly made the workplace a safer environment for our nurses, staff as well as patients and visitors.

I reside in the Fraser Valley Region with my husband and two children, and have been an active member of the union as a steward and regional executive member. I enjoy engaging and networking with members and providing information and guidance through various union activities. I also have previous experience in computer informatics as well as having the honour of being your regional treasurer in the last term. 

I would love to continue as your regional treasurer and be given the opportunity to continue to serve the nurses of the FV with a commitment to advocating for safe workplaces and safe staffing, and increase BCNU member engagement for the region.

Sincerely,
Jeevan Sandhu, RN 

Hello,
My name is Louisa Tillack. I have been LPN since 2008 working out of Mission Hospital for most of that time. I am the current Fraser Valley Steward Liaison.

It has been my pleasure to meet with many members over the last 3 years at Regional Meetings, Mini Regionals, Connects, Education Meetings, through Ratification, at work and in the community. It is great to meet with members. It is important to hear challenges and wins our nurses experience. To be able to assist our members is and has always been my goal.

As the Steward Liaison I have been involved in working with our stewards, It is rewarding to see stewards grow in their ability to advocate for others. 

If elected I will focus my efforts it recruiting and mentoring steward teams in the Fraser Valley.