More than 800 delegates elected 26 Provincial Executive (PE) members at HEU’s 35th biennial convention in Vancouver held November 2 - 6.
HEU president Barb Nederpel and financial secretary Betty Valenzuela were re-elected to their fifth terms in office.
"Looking forward, we want HEU to be the best it can be. Let's give members the tools and resources to succeed, set the example, and build this union as a place where members thrive and grow," says Nederpel. "And we need to be ready to stand up to anyone in Victoria that tries to take health care backwards."
"We are the strongest, most resilient union I know. And we became strong by standing up against injustices, fighting for equity and leaving nobody behind," Valenzuela says. Noting that more than 40 per cent of convention delegates were attending for the first time, she adds, "When I look around this room, I see our future is already here."
Delegates also re-elected 1st vice-president Bill McMullan (Kardel local). Lisa Kreut (Vancouver General local) was elected 2nd vice-president, and Christopher Batting (Prince George local) was elected 3rd vice-president.
Ola Burgon (Queen’s Park local), elected last year as senior trustee-elect, will serve as senior trustee for the next two years. Ranjit Uppal (PHSA Amalgamated local) was elected as senior trustee-elect, and Belina Fernandez (Victoria General local) was elected as trustee.
Lynn Bueckert, who was ratified by convention delegates at the 2024 biennial convention, continues to sit on the PE in her role as secretary-business manager.
Diversity Vice-Presidents
Ethnic Diversity
Cora Mojica (VGH local)
Indigenous Peoples
Lynn Serhan (Armstrong local)
People With Disabilities
Jovito Espinoza (PHSA Amalgamated local)
Pink Triangle
Darlene Bown (Island Health/RJH local)
2-Spirit and Women and Non-Binary
Karrie McCaig (Noric House local)
Young Workers
Leanne La Guardia (PHSA Amalgamated local)
Older Workers
Louella Vincent (WHR Lower Mainland Local)
Regional Vice-Presidents
Fraser
Bonnie Hammermeister (Surrey local)
MJ Brown (Surrey local)
Shivonne St. Pierre (Menno Home local)
Interior
Janet Boisvert (Arrow Lakes Local)
Baljit Sandhu (Vernon local)
Kim McIlravey (100 Mile local)
North
Tammy Meise (Prince George local)
Kori Evans (Prince Rupert local)
Vancouver Coastal
Maria Lugs (Richmond local)
Brandon Houston (St Paul's local)
Ethel Purugganan (Normandy local)
Vancouver Island
Anna Caldwell (Victoria General local)
Jenni Sholdice (Cumberland Local)
Two alternates were also elected for each Diversity Vice-President and Regional Vice-President position, and eight alternates for the PE at-large positions.