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In this compelling oral history former BCGEU Director, Gary Steeves, recalls his formative years, the occupation of Tranquille residential institution in Kamloops and 25 years of his union's remarkable evolution. Told in his charming 'East Coaster' style, Brother Steeves relates experiences in both political and union worlds. As a representative with a mere four months on the job, Gary facilitated the month-long Tranquille Occupation during 1983's province-wide Solidarity protests. Step by…

Diane Wood spent many years as a union activist starting in Duncan where she organized the School District clerical workers and led her first strike. She then moved to North-east BC where she began her activism in the BCGEU. She was active in Operation Solidarity having personally experienced termination without cause as a result of the government's draconian Bill 3. Wood was elected as Treasurer of the BCGEU in 1987 and continued in the roll until 2005. As well as being a tireless champion…

Born in Newfoundland, David Gellately made his way to B.C. in the early 1970s. He became a provincial government employee in northern B.C. and an activist in his union, the BCGEU. David was elected as Regional Vice President for northwestern B.C. and was at the master bargaining table during the negotiations in 1983 when the province came close to a general strike during Operation Solidarity. When he became a staff member of the union he lived and worked in Terrace, Kamloops and Prince…

Darryl Walker, of the BC Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU), served as Provincial Vice President (1999 to 2008) and President (2008 to 2014). In this interview Walker describes his working-class background and his introduction to unions and social justice organizations in Canada and England. He was mentored by former BCGEU Presidents John Shields and George Heyman, and speaks about his experiences with public sector bargaining, strikes and protests. In 2018, Walker was elected…

Cliff Andstein is a seasoned activist with over 30 years' experience in the trade union movement. He moved to BC as a young man, leaving his home province of New Brunswick where he had encountered the dangers of working as a high rigger. While pursuing further education in Vancouver, he briefly worked as an instructor at BCIT where he was a member of the BCGEU. He was then hired by BCGEU General Secretary John Fryer, joining a group of bright young staff people who worked with the elected…

This interview covers the intense period in 1983 when Operation Solidarity and the Solidarity Coalition brought the province to the brink of a general strike. As President of the BC Federation of Labour, Art Kube was central to the formation of Operation Solidarity, its organizational structure, finances and strategies. In the interview, Kube explores the differences between labour and community groups. He offers a unique perspective to the events that took place and some behind-the-scenes…