Several members of SWITCH BC’s Board of Directors met with staff to share the history of the organization and to look ahead at the projects and programs underway that will support health care workers across B.C.

Board Chair Roberta Ellis invited Lynn Bueckert, Sharon Torgerson, David Durning, and Robert Hulyk to a staff meeting. Lynn, a member of Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU) and representing the Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) on the board, shared an overview of the history of collective bargaining, and helped the team better understand the difference between unions and bargaining associations.

David, a member of Health Sciences Association (HSA) and of the FBA, gave an overview of the history of SWITCH BC and why having all board partners together making consensus decisions is the most efficient way to get occupational health and safety resources and programs to health workers. David’s experience working on multiple projects across the health sector over the past few decades has been invaluable to the work of SWITCH BC.

Sharon, representing the employers, explained, from the employer perspective, that SWITCH BC’s work to support JOHS committee health and safety work, to prepare workers for violence in the workplace, and to support psychological safety is vital because all these efforts support retention and recruitment – at a time when more health staff is needed throughout the system.

Rob, from Doctors of BC, shared that while their organization advises other advocacy groups, this is the first time they’ve been a full partner, making decisions to support workplace health and safety in collaboration with partners across the whole health sector. This ensures that physicians are seen as part of a full health care team, providing care and services in the system.

Hearing from board directors helped inspire staff, gave them further context to the needs within the system, and confirmed that the unique governance of SWITCH BC is essential to provide support for committed employers and empowered workers to impact change.