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Members of the Professional Employees Association
Find out more about their exciting careers and contributions to BC by clicking below Brian Chow, Engineer
Job Title: Chief Engineer, Ministry of Forests and Range
Job Description: The Chief Engineer is the Ministry’s senior engineering specialist dedicated to the development of engineering standards of practice, relating to forest roads and structures, for the ministry and utilized by the forest industry. The position develops and recommends engineering standards, policies, and procedures, and provides executive engineering advice, reports and analyses, and provides input on administration related to the forest road system.
Union involvement: I’ve sat on Bargaining Teams, Policy Review Committees, Grants & Donations Committees, and the Association Executive. I’ve been extensively involved with the GLP Chapter’s Executive, which I currently sit on, and the strategic planning activities of that Chapter.
Why are you involved with the Union? I have been directly involved with the union for over 10 years in varying capacities. I got involved because I wanted to make changes within the PEA. As the PEA is the representative of the Government Licensed Professionals (GLP) Chapter to which I belong, I wanted to improve upon the representation for the membership.
Why do you think Unions are important to Professionals? As public servants our roles and responsibilities are often different than professionals in the private sector. We are foresters, engineers, geoscientists, geologists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, veterinarians etc. but we are not specialists in the area of labour relations. Due to the size and nature of government, it is important to the members of the GLP to have representation with our employer by professional specialists in their field (of labour relations) who can focus solely on the complexities of labour relations and look after the collective and individual interests of the membership in the context of collective bargaining and administration.
What is the value of a Union to any employee? A union is charged with the responsibility of representing the collective and individual interests of its members. A union will represent the members in collective bargaining. A union will represent individual members to ensure that their rights, as provided for in the collective agreement, are protected. A union focuses their labour relations expertise on improving the working conditions, compensation and benefits for its members.
What do you think is in the future for BC? I love this province. As much as I have enjoyed visiting other areas of the world, I can say that it is a pleasure to return to BC. British Columbia’s future is bright and although we are in an economic blight, this too shall pass and we shall be prosperous again.
What is the value of Professionals to BC? A licensed professional is someone who has specialized training and experience in a particular field and has been granted ability to practice in a specified profession by a recognized licensing body. A professional upholds and protects the public interest in carrying out their activities as their primary priority. A professional is accountable to their profession.
What does the phrase Professionals Making a Difference in BC mean to you? Most civil service professionals are “invisible” to the public. Professionals in the public service, in the provision of their expertise, provide tremendous value to the people of the province. Civil service licensed professionals contribute in virtually every aspect of government service to the public – professionals are involved in education, health care, contribute to the development and sustainability of economic drivers of the province in the tourism and resource sectors, ensure the safety of public infrastructure such as highways, and work to protect the environment – all in service to the public of BC. I have had the privilege of working with many dedicated professionals within the public service who are similarly passionate about their professions and the province of BC. Many contribute hours of personal unpaid time in their dedication to get the job done right. Most civil service professionals are “invisible” to the public. I suggest that without licensed professionals, the provincial economy would grind to a halt and the environment would be in serious jeopardy.
Allan Chapman, River Forecaster
Job Title: Head, British Columbia River Forecast Centre, Ministry of Environment
Job Description: I supervise and guide a small group of professionals and technicians to provide flood and water-supply forecasts for rivers and communities across British Columbia to ensure public safety.
Union involvement: I am the PEA “Local Representative” for the Water Stewardship Division of the Ministry of Environment, providing PEA assistance and liaison to about 30 professional staff members.
Why are you involved with the Union? I have been the PEA Local Rep for the Water Stewardship for about 5 years. I undertook the responsibility because I believe it is important that professionals at the working level have a strong and active connection to their union. It is my role is to provide that local face and connection to the PEA for my professional work colleagues.
Why do you think Unions are important to Professionals? Our roles and responsibilities as professionals are unique in the Public Service. Our union is important to ensure that our employer recognizes and understands the uniqueness of roles and responsibilities possessed by professional employees.
What is the value of a Union to any employee? A union provides a single voice to speak for the rights of the group, to represent the collective interests of the members, and to provide the kinds of benefits and protections that people have obtained through collective unionization over the decades that they wouldn’t have achieved as single entities. People are stronger as members of a family or group than as individuals.
What do you think is in the future for BC? The future for BC can only be brilliant. We enjoy one of the most extraordinary places on earth.
What is the value of Professionals to BC? I think our value is that we provide highly specialized knowledge obtained through specific, focused, university education – knowledge that got developed and honed through many years of guided work experience before we had the right to be referred to as a Professional by our licensing body. We are unique in the Public Service in this regard.
What does the phrase Professionals Making a Difference in BC mean to you? These are people who I know to work around the clock and put their personal lives on hold for days and weeks when needed, to ensure that to the absolute best of their abilities that people in British Columbia are protected. These are people who at any hour of the day or night provide the warnings necessary to evacuate people and close roads and highways when necessary; people who stand on the banks of dangerous flooding rivers guiding the installation of flood emergency works to protect communities; people who work with communities across BC to help with flood protection. The Professionals I work with go “above and beyond” the call of duty. And the people and communities of British Columbia are safer as a result.
Lynn McCaughey, Career Educator
Job Title: Career Educator, University of Victoria, Cooperative Education Program and Career Services
Job Description: To coach students and new graduates in the process of developing the skills needed to manage their career across their life span.
Union involvement: I have been involved with the PEA as a local rep twice, and currently sit on the Executive of the UVic Chapter. I also serve the union as a member on the Education Committee and Scholarships and Bursaries Committee. I represent the PEA on an on-campus committee as well.
Why are you involved with the Union? I believe in giving back. I think that it is important to support the group that supports us. Ongoing support and encouraging the growth of a union is critical to its viability.
Why do you think Unions are important to Professionals? I think that unions are important to professionals because we are in a unique position, often performing work on behalf of clients who need a high level of training. Due to our level of commitment to our work, we are very much in need of the structure and consistency offered by a unionized environment.
What is the value of a Union to any employee? A union provides the structure, consistency, fairness and protection that all employees need. All employees need a voice and representation at the bargaining table. Employees need expertise when working with their employer to achieve a successful agreement. The union provides the expertise in bargaining and the knowledge of the market to help employees achieve workable agreements with their employers.
What do you think is in the future for BC? I think that the future in BC is likely to be adversely impacted by initiatives that reduce service to our most vulnerable populations. I think it is important for everyone’s future to use their voice and their energy to protect what we have and prevent further erosion.
What is the value of Professionals to BC? The value of professionals is that they offer expertise, knowledge and skills to enhance the quality of life of a wide range of clients.
What does the phrase Professionals Making a Difference in BC mean to you? It means that British Columbians are benefiting from the dedication and expertise of a well-rounded, committed group of people who are focused on the needs of their client group.
Rostam Yazdani, Engineer
Job Title: Head, Digital Image Services (DIS) Unit.
Job Description: I manage, maintain, and develop new technology for the Province of BC Digital Image Warehouse and provide online Internet access for a very large volume of geographic digital imagery (40 TB) stored in the warehouse. The digital imagery includes aerial photos and satellite imagery in a variety of formats and accuracy.
I’ve been a Local Rep for over 7 years, attended 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2009 PEA Convention, and was recently elected as Chapter Executive.
Why are you involved with the Union? I believe that our Union is the organization that can support professionals in achieving their employment objectives.
Why do you think Unions are important to Professionals? They’re important so we have a strong voice in dealing with employers, bargaining new contracts, and executing job action.
What is the value of a Union to any employee? It’s a great support that people can rely on while they are employed and provide help when needed.
What do you think is in the future for BC? With increasing demand for natural resources such as minerals, wood, natural gas, and water, BC will have a bright future.
What is the value of Professionals to BC? Professionals are the brain power for new development and keep BC in the race against other regions.
What does the phrase Professionals Making a Difference in BC mean to you? This states that the work of professionals is very valuable to the well being of BC and the work they do is valuable, forward-thinking, and innovative.
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