Prince George resident Sussanne Skidmore was elected executive vice president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) on Saturday.
Skidmore, a long-time active member of the public sector union, previously served as chair of BCGEU local 1211 in Prince George. She joined the union as an administrative employee with the B.C. Ministry of Justice.
"I just felt like it was time to step up to a new level in my activism," Skidmore said. "I just felt very passionate about the direction the union is moving in."
Skidmore was elected at the union's convention in Vancouver, along with president Stephanie Smith, treasurer Paul Finch and executive vice presidents Mike Nuyens, Mike Clarke and Brenda Brown. A total of 14 candidates put their names forth for the executive positions, according to a release by the union.
Skidmore said public and private sector unions are facing pressure from employers on wages and working conditions.
"All unions, currently in Canada, are under attack," Skidmore said. "We speak for all workers, not just our members. We are out there fighting for higher wage, better working conditions... for all Canadians."
The BCGEU represents 67,000 members working in provincial public services, health care, community services, municipal governments, post-secondary institutions and other sectors.
