JACQUELINE ZILKIE - SENIOR TRUSTEE
Local: Kaslo (Victorian Community Health Centre)
Job: Licensed practical nurse
A union activist for about 17 years, Jacqueline is currently the chairperson of her local and has held several positions on her local executive during that time. She has also served two full terms and a partial term on the P.E. and has been involved in HEU’s nursing team.
Jacqueline became active in her local because “I was seeing so many injustices and so much unfairness in the workplace. I wanted to advocate for members, particularly those who weren’t comfortable speaking up for themselves. That was also what inspired me to become a shop steward. The thing that has inspired my activism most of all is my deep belief in quality public health care. It’s something I’ve fought for ever since becoming a health care worker. And it’s what I want for everyone.”
WINSTON CLARKE - SENIOR TRUSTEE-ELECT
Local: Surrey (Surrey – Czorny Alzheimer Centre)
Job: Maintenance worker V
Winston is new to the P.E. but has been active in HEU for about 15 years. He is currently trustee of his local and, over the years, has held several positions on his local executive.
Winston says he always had an interest in the union, as both his parents were union members, but he didn’t start to get involved until he became a full-time worker. “Along the way, there were always things that peaked my interest, but my first real involvement came through strike action in the '90s. I became a shop steward because there weren’t enough stewards from maintenance and our executive needed some help, so I volunteered.”
CAROL KENZIE - TRUSTEE
Local: Kelowna (Reids Corner, Kelowna Warehouse)
Job: Purchasing assistant
An activist since 1988, Carol has served on the P.E. since 2006. She is currently trustee of her local and has held several positions on her local executive.
It wasn’t until the mid-90s that she became a shop steward, she says. “It was the ‘woman thing.’ I had two small kids and wanted to become more involved, but couldn’t find the time for it. Once my girls got a little older and were in school, I felt I could take more time for myself. I chose to spend that time on union activism.”