2021 Government Licensed Professionals (GLP) Bargaining Committee Elections Candidate List and Profiles
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2021 Government Licensed Professionals (GLP) Bargaining Committee Elections Candidate List and Profiles
Name: Joshua Andrews
Profession: Agrologist
Functional Title of Current Position: Nutrient Management Agrologist
Current Work Location: Abbotsford
Current Home Location: Burnaby
1. Please outline your previous experience with the PEA and other unions.
I have been part of the PEA for the past 2.5 years and have always kept up to date with PEA news
and activities. Recently I have decided to get involved in order to represent the concerns of younger
professionals in the bargaining process. In the past, I attempted to unionize my previous workplace
which I saw as the viable way to secure better pay and working conditions for my colleagues and
myself.
2. Please outline any offices and official duties in serving external organizations
which you consider relevant to your candidacy as a GLP Bargaining Committee
member.
I have recently served as their communications chair of a committee for the B.C. Institute of
Agrologists (BCIA). The goal of the committee was to advertise and engage with other BCIA
members on professional development, news, and progress made by BCIA as it worked with the
province on the Professional Governance Act. I have also served on the executive committee of my
university's agronomy grad student association, which involved meeting with my peers and working to
improve the working and educational conditions for graduate students in my department.
3. Why are you interested in being on the Bargaining Committee? What do you see
as the most important goals and objectives in this round of bargaining?
I believe that I can help improve the benefits and conditions of PEA members and that the needs and
concerns of younger professionals need to be represented in the bargaining process. I believe the
most important goals for the next round of bargaining will be to preserve the inclusion of OSS, lock in
3% annual pay increase for all employees, add in the ability for all employees to work from home at
least on a part-time basis in the future, and ending the practice of hiring from eligibility lists.
1Name: Trevor Demerse
Profession: Professional Engineer
Functional Title of Current Position: Traffic Operations Engineer
Current Work Location: Coquitlam
Current Home Location: Vancouver
1. Please outline your previous experience with the PEA and other unions.
As a member, I joined the PEA right out of university when I was hired as an EIT in 2015.
I am currently a member of the Career Laddering Committee and attended Conference in 2019. I was
also fortunate to be included in the GLP Engagement Leader Training held in 2018.
2. Please outline any offices and official duties in serving external organizations
which you consider relevant to your candidacy as a GLP Bargaining Committee
member.
I do not currently hold any offices or official duties with any external organizations.
3. Why are you interested in being on the Bargaining Committee? What do you see
as the most important goals and objectives in this round of bargaining?
Above all else I believe in real steps taken to improve equity in our government and professions. The
elimination of discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, race, + must be foundational to all
PEA actions/policies.
I am fortunate to have professional relationships with two former Committee members. Their
descriptions of the experience show it's a unique opportunity with challenge and reward in equal
measure.
I see the challenges facing GLP members and want to contribute an improved position, even if only in
a small way, as long as it's something that can be built on long term. I'm interested in examining what
we might consider to see movement on our key challenges of wage equity with broader industry and
recruitment/retention of top talent.
I'd like to see serious consideration of Career Laddering, parity with the BCGEU in how RRAs are
2included in STIIP, Sub Pay, etc., and ways to increase compensation.
Low base pay dramatically impacts young members. For example, by having so many compensation
"add ons" (RRAs, OSS), when applying for a mortgage members may have issues getting anything
beyond base pay considered income. This affects capacity for building equity and lasting financial
security and I'd like to see action.
The government relies on licensed professionals to provide sound judgement that leads to a safe,
sustainable and stable province. In return, we are looking for our own stability in compensation and
team structure. I hope to play my part to advocate for nothing less.
3Name: Tyler Dergousoff
Profession: Forester
Functional Title of Current Position: Practices Forester
Current Work Location: Prince George
Current Home Location: Prince George
1. Please outline your previous experience with the PEA and other unions.
I am a new (introduced issues that have been brought up by workers including mental health support, family/care
giving support and ensuring safe work spaces/accommodation. I would also expect that wages will be
a concern with the rising cost of living, especially high housing costs across the province.
5Name: Frank Kohlberger
Profession: Professional Forester
Functional Title of Current Position: Indigenous Relations Liaison
Current Work Location: Kamloops
Current Home Location: Kamloops
1. Please outline your previous experience with the PEA and other unions.
Participated in three previous rounds of GLP bargaining; was PEA President for 10 yrs; Was PEA
vice president; Have been a GLP Chapter Executive member for about 20 yrs; Have been a PEA
Executive member for about 20 yrs; Have been on many GLP and PEA working committees over 20+
yrs.
2. Please outline any offices and official duties in serving external organizations
which you consider relevant to your candidacy as a GLP Bargaining Committee
member.
Board member of a community theatre non-profit society for over 8 yrs; Volunteer work for various
groups in two Canadian provinces, including but not limited to: heart and stroke foundation, Cariboo
marathon, St. Joseph's hospital, mental health and suicide prevention, etc.
3. Why are you interested in being on the Bargaining Committee? What do you see
as the most important goals and objectives in this round of bargaining?
I have a passion for serving GLP members, and my extensive experience with the GLP and PEA,
including previous rounds of bargaining, will be beneficial in getting the best agreement possible.
6Name: Edmond Margawang
Profession: Pharmacist
Functional Title of Current Position: Pharmacist
Current Work Location: Victoria
Current Home Location: Victoria
1. Please outline your previous experience with the PEA and other unions.
I have been actively involved with the PEA in the past five years, serving as the local representative
for the Victoria MCFD and Health, on the GLP bargaining committee in 2018-2019, and most recently
I served in the GLP executive since 2019. I have had the pleasure of working with my local members,
other GLP professions, PEA staff and GLP executives and learned about many of the employment
problems facing our membership and about the diversity of the professionals that make up our GLP
chapter.
2. Please outline any offices and official duties in serving external organizations
which you consider relevant to your candidacy as a GLP Bargaining Committee
member.
I have served as a member of the College of Pharmacists of BC Community Practice Committee, a
member of The BC Ministry of Health Residential Care sub-committee, and a member of The
Diabetes Canada Diabetes 360 working groups.
3. Why are you interested in being on the Bargaining Committee? What do you see
as the most important goals and objectives in this round of bargaining?
If I’m nominated to the Bargaining Committee, it will be my obligation to represent and fight for the
best possible contract for all members of the GLP chapter. I am committed to do everything in my
power to ensure that the GLP chapter members receive a fair contract. I am also committed to
engage all GLP members in negotiations and to communicate with a strong, unified voice to push the
Public Service Agency (the Employer) for a fair contract.
There are many bargaining issues that are important to me, including a fair wage increase, seeking
financial gains fairly for all professions, improving the hiring process of GLP members, continuing to
7push for Career Laddering options to support the development of our members, continuing our fights
for the creation of explicit Scientific Integrity and transparency policies, improving benefits and leaves,
and strengthening our contract languages.
8Name: Jamie Rupar Gilliatt
Profession: Professional Engineer
Functional Title of Current Position: Senior Structures & Roads Engineer
Current Work Location: Vernon
Current Home Location: Vernon
1. Please outline your previous experience with the PEA and other unions.
I sat on the Resolution Committee and attended the 2018 AGM. I also attended the 2019 Convention
and participated in several bargaining calls for the 16th GLP Collective Agreement.
2. Please outline any offices and official duties in serving external organizations
which you consider relevant to your candidacy as a GLP Bargaining Committee
member.
N/A
3. Why are you interested in being on the Bargaining Committee? What do you see
as the most important goals and objectives in this round of bargaining?
I am interested in trying to achieve better working conditions and compensation for government
employees. Provincial Government employees contribute to the well being of the province, I would
like to create a work environment and compensation package that attracts and retains high
performing employees for the benefit of the province. I have a young family and understand the
current issues with affordability and the costs of raising a family. I would like to represent my peers
and the interests of other members at the bargaining table.
9Name: Rafiullah Sahibzada
Profession: Agrologist
Functional Title of Current Position: Environmental Protection Officer
Current Work Location: Williams Lake
Current Home Location: Williams Lake
1. Please outline your previous experience with the PEA and other unions.
I only have experience with PEA and BCGEU. I feel the unions are working for the employer as they
always take what the employer present. In my opinion the unions need to take a stance on issues
brought to the table.
2. Please outline any offices and official duties in serving external organizations
which you consider relevant to your candidacy as a GLP Bargaining Committee
member.
I have been involved with the BCIA in various capacities. I was Vice President, President, and Past
President of the Central Interior Branch. I have been serving on Credential Committee from 2018.
3. Why are you interested in being on the Bargaining Committee? What do you see
as the most important goals and objectives in this round of bargaining?
I am interested in being on the Bargaining Committee because there is some work needed to bring
equality in treatment of various employee grids. In the natural resource sectors, employees working
on the same position with different degrees are treated differently in terms of pay. Which I feel is
discrimination based on education. I would like to learn and contribute to the bargaining activities with
the employer. I would like to work on a pay system that will have auto increase in the form of annual
increments after reaching ones current pay grid.
10Name: Marc Schuffert
Profession: Agrologist
Functional Title of Current Position: Range Officer
Current Work Location: Smithers
Current Home Location: Smithers
1. Please outline your previous experience with the PEA and other unions.
I enjoy serving the PEA in my role as local rep, which I have been doing since about 2008 (can't
remember exactly, it's certainly been a few years). Attending local rep training sessions has been
very valuable. I always enjoy the interactions with my fellow local PEA members - though sometimes
I'm disappointed about the lack of involvement by other members. Furthermore, I have attended
several "PEA Education Conferences" which I have always found to be very engaging and
encouraging. In the last round of collective bargaining I served on the Bargaining Committee, which
has given me a much better understanding of the bargaining process and our collective agreement. I
had the opportunity to attend the CLC Winter School twice so far - the first time I took basic
bargaining committee training and this year I attended the virtual Winter School, taking "Parliamentary
Procedure and Public Speaking". Both times I have learned a lot and look forward to putting these
learning into actions. This year I have also signed up to attend the virtual PEA Convention.
2. Please outline any offices and official duties in serving external organizations
which you consider relevant to your candidacy as a GLP Bargaining Committee
member.
For many years I have been the "Director West" for the Caribou Central Interior (CCI) Branch of the
BC Institute of Agrologists. As the director I was active in organizing regular Professional
Development opportunities for other Agrologists in the area. I greatly enjoyed planning those sessions
and encouraging people to attend. From 2013 to 2017 I served as Councilor at the BC Institute of
Agrologists. I considered it an honor to serve in this role and learned a lot about the institute - it's
mandate, how it is run, as well as some of the challenges of holding effective meetings. Currently I
am the "President Elect" for the CCI Branch and look forward to stepping into the President position
this fall. I have served on a variety of boards (e.g. NWIPC, Smithers United Church, Special
Olympics, and others), which has given me insights in different organizational structures. Most
recently I joined the FLNRORD Diversity and Inclusion Working Group.
113. Why are you interested in being on the Bargaining Committee? What do you see
as the most important goals and objectives in this round of bargaining?
Even though my experiences being on the Bargaining Committee for the last round of bargaining has
left me with mixed emotions, I think those experiences will serve me well in being on the Bargaining
Committee again in this round of bargaining. Many of the proposals that we brought forward three
years ago, which were all based on input by the broader membership, still remain unresolved.
Especially the work of the committees that were established in response to Letters of Commitment
(Career Laddering, Professional Reliance, Scientific Integrity) will need to be incorporated in this
round of bargaining. Wages and working conditions - particularly now during and after the Covid 19
Pandemic - will certainly have high priority, whereby a Career Laddering Program might provide GLP
members the ability to access higher grid levels without having to compete for positions.
As I did last time, I would be excited to provide a northern perspective on the GLP Bargaining
Committee, while representing the interests of all members. I certainly have experienced how
demanding the work of the Bargaining Committee can be, yet consider it an opportunity to work
towards the best possible outcome for all members.
In my opinion the most important goal in this (and likely every) round of collective bargaining is to
achieve a fair and reasonable settlement - fair and reasonable in the eyes of the majority of the
members; realizing that we'll never be able to achieve all our objectives, we should try to avoid having
to make concessions.
12Name: Brendan Scorrar
Profession: Geoscientist
Functional Title of Current Position: Mines Inspector - Permitting
Current Work Location: Kamloops
Current Home Location: Kamloops
1. Please outline your previous experience with the PEA and other unions.
I attended the bargaining information meeting 3 years ago and the GLP AGM in 2019.
2. Please outline any offices and official duties in serving external organizations
which you consider relevant to your candidacy as a GLP Bargaining Committee
member.
I don't have any experience serving any external organizations.
3. Why are you interested in being on the Bargaining Committee? What do you see
as the most important goals and objectives in this round of bargaining?
I want to make sure that the bargaining committee hears the perspective of someone new to a union
and new to government. I want to bring a fresh set of eyes to bargaining and try to find creative
solutions, rather than spending time repeating the same process as last time. I think the most
important goals of this round of bargaining should be to highlight the importance of Professionals, the
rigorous standards we are held to, and the increasing reliance on professionals in the public sector
and to use this in increase our compensation in terms of salary, and other benefits like training,
career advancement, and other benefits.
13Name: Nadia Skokun
Profession: Professional Forester
Functional Title of Current Position: Land and Resource Specialist
Current Work Location: Fort St. John
Current Home Location: Fort St. John
1. Please outline your previous experience with the PEA and other unions.
I have been a PEA member since 2006 and I have contacted PEA when clarification is required on
parts of the agreement. All the employees that I have supervised have been part of the BCGEU and
have had to understand the agreement and it's intent, provide guidance to new employees, and be
knowable of all changes and be aware of the current BCGEU staff representative in the office. I have
also provided advice to staff who were thinking about joining PEA from BCGEU.
2. Please outline any offices and official duties in serving external organizations
which you consider relevant to your candidacy as a GLP Bargaining Committee
member.
I am currently leading a group of PEA members to seek improvements to Appendix H for members
who participate on TEAMS (wildfire and EMBC). I have contacted affected PEA members to seek
input and involvement. My first duty is to write a letter (briefing note) to my local MLA and to provide
the letter to other PEA members to send the same letter to their local MLAs. I will do my best to seek
much needed improvements to Appendix H to ensure equality for PEA members working in
emergency situations.
3. Why are you interested in being on the Bargaining Committee? What do you see
as the most important goals and objectives in this round of bargaining?
I have a strong desire to get the best agreement for PEA members. I think my work with
improvements to Appendix H will help with bargaining. The most important goals and objectives are
those of the members. I'd like to bargain for what is important to the members. It would be great to get
improvements to the agreement that will benefit most members. However, getting raises to match the
increase in cost of living and job security is always important.
14Name: Jeff Stone
Profession: Forester
Functional Title of Current Position: Stand Development Modelling Research Scientist
Current Work Location: Kamloops
Current Home Location: Kamloops
1. Please outline your previous experience with the PEA and other unions.
As part of the bargaining committee, I would bring my experiences as a GLP member of the
bargaining committee for the past 2 rounds of bargaining and my current experience as a member of
the joint PEA/PSA committee looking at career laddering. Other PEA experiences include
representing members at PEA AGMs, attending PEA educational conferences, and attending GLP
AGMs over the past 2 decades . In my initial experience with the PEA in the 1990's I was a non-
executive member of the PEA policy review committee.
2. Please outline any offices and official duties in serving external organizations
which you consider relevant to your candidacy as a GLP Bargaining Committee
member.
Bringing different perspectives into a bargaining team is important. I have been on boards of various
environmental and sports related organizations but relevant directly to bargaining, as a board
member and president of the BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops, I experienced and gain insight into
bargaining from the employer side.
3. Why are you interested in being on the Bargaining Committee? What do you see
as the most important goals and objectives in this round of bargaining?
My interest in being on the bargaining committee has been to ensure that the PEA/PSA contract
creates a work environment that is fair to and respectful of all GLP members.
While bargaining committee members will have their ideas around the most important goals and
objectives, it is more important for the bargaining committee to listen to the membership about what
they feel are the most important goals and objectives and use that knowledge to develop an initial
balanced bargaining proposal and appropriate responses during the bargaining process.
Nevertheless, if I have to state a couple of goals that I feel are important they would be (1) ensure a
salary increase appropriate to increasing living costs regardless of deficits related to Covid-19, (2) get
15a foothold in the contract with respect to career laddering. On career laddering, the ability to move up
within a position can be both a positive for the employee and the employer, (3) and make sure the
employer knows that they should value their professionals.
16Name: Allison Westin
Profession: Geoscientist and Agrologist
Functional Title of Current Position: Land and Resource Specialist
Current Work Location: Surrey, BC
Current Home Location: Coquitlam, BC
1. Please outline your previous experience with the PEA and other unions.
I recently became a member of PEA in late 2020, a few months after my professional standing for
agrology changed from "articling" to "professional"
- I had no formal introduction to the union.
Other unions: I belonged to BCGEU when I was a Professional Geoscientist, GIT, and AAg working in
the Provincial Government, before being included in PEA when I received my PAg. Prior to BCGEU I
was part of CUPE Local 3338 and was present during negotiations of Unit 6's replacement collective
agreement in 2017.
2. Please outline any offices and official duties in serving external organizations
which you consider relevant to your candidacy as a GLP Bargaining Committee
member.
I have been, and continue to be, a volunteer member of Engineers and Geoscientists BC Tri-City
Branch executive, serving since January 2013 in various positions including terms as chair, vice-
chair, secretary, and currently as EIT/GIT outreach coordinator.
3. Why are you interested in being on the Bargaining Committee? What do you see
as the most important goals and objectives in this round of bargaining?
1. The current agreement neither adequately reflects the economic challenges faced by members
handcuffed to physical offices in high cost of living environments nor the career advancement
challenges faced by members in more rural settings. Goal: cost of living adjustment (COLA) &
promoting flexible work arrangements.
172. New members: The creation of new LSO positions should be standardized to the benchmark (BM)
criteria and pass a review process before creation of the position.
Goal: formal review process for new PEA positions
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