My name is Joseph Sebastian and I am taking this opportunity to announce my candidacy to be your union president. I have been a Medical Radiation Technologist for over 15 years and a VGH union steward for over 10 years. My experience working on the frontlines and advocating for members’ rights has given me invaluable knowledge and perspective that has helped me understand what has frustrated members. This experience has also helped me understand what the most effective solutions would be to address the root problems. The basic definition of a labour union is “ An organization of workers formed for the purpose of advancing its members interests in respect to wages, benefits and working conditions”. I made the decision to run for president based on a growing sentiment that the goals of the union leaders are increasingly disconnected from the goals of its members. I would like to reverse this trend. You, the member, must ask yourself two basic questions. First, does the candidate understand the issues that affect the average member? And second, does the candidate have an effective plan for meaningful change? If you give me the privilege to represent you as your president, my focus will be: 1) Increasing awareness and protecting members’ rights, including those injured at work. Fundamental to member rights would be for wages to keep up with the cost of living, as they do with other health care professionals. 2) Making sure that we work in a more transparent environment by demanding accountability, with regular updates, so you could judge for yourself the effectiveness of your union. 3) Resolving grievances professionally, legally and in a timely manner. Right now grievances can drag on for years. 4) Getting a strike mandate sooner than later and to have a majority go on strike with at least 51% of the union. I’m asking for your vote because we must go beyond the campaigns and empty speeches to strengthen our union to act in the best interest of all its members. I will work tirelessly towards this goal if elected. In the coming weeks prior to our annual 2014 convention, I will provide more details about my platform for a more effective and inclusive union. Follow me on Facebook at Joseph Sebastian 2014
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 05:12:30 +0000