Transcript:
My mother wasn’t always protected by a union. As a matter of fact, my Mother had never heard of the word ‘union’ until she began working at Burnaby Hospital and joined the Fraser Health Authority Union.
At first, she was unsure as to what the benefits were of being a union member, but with the help of her managers and coworkers, she quickly understood what it meant to be a part of the union. Being a part of a union means feeling safe at work and having the right to refuse unsafe labor. The union helps foster an inclusive workplace by preventing interpersonal racism and discrimination. This is especially important in the present-day climate, where anti-Asian sentiment threatens the values of equity and inclusion that are vital to the contemporary workplace.
I remember a particular instance when my Mother was faced with unfair treatment in the workplace, the union provided her with the help she needed through counselling services and enrollment in the gradual return to work program. Furthermore, the weekly check-ins provided by the union were a tremendous help during her coping and transition to a new workplace.
The union not only protects workers, but also helps them thrive and reach their full potential. The union helps to promote lifelong learning by offering accessible continuing education programs and conferences led by leading professionals in the industry. Ultimately, the union gives workers the freedom to grow and develop as professionals. This is especially important in the midst of an ever-changing job market in the 21st century.
Over the course of my mothers working career, the union has provided her with a plethora of invaluable experiences and resources, not only to help her reach success as a healthcare worker, but also to help her grow as a person. For the above reasons, having the option of joining a union is one of my utmost priorities when venturing into the workplace after graduating university.
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