Steven Raphael is a PIPSC member and has been a First Nation Health Authority (FNHA) worker since 2011. He has been part of the PIPSC union community for 4 years and works with nurses, health managers, and medical office assistants to connect them to the networks of care they need.

“Sometimes there is a lot of stress for nurses trying to get access to medical records, so when I’m helping to troubleshoot a problem in our records system, I try to use positive language to help nurses feel like they’ve had a “win” in their day,” he says.

Through his work, Steven helps improve access to electronic clinical documentation systems, like Panorama Health Records, that help get British Columbians the care they need. Panorama gives nurses in BC communities direct access to individuals’ public health records. Steven’s work is important because he ensures healthcare providers get timely access to correct healthcare data for the individuals they care for.

He is proud of the relationships he has developed with nurses and healthcare providers at different First Nations health services organizations. Grassroots-level relationships are what drive positive change most in the communities Steven works with. He is also proud of the connections he has developed with stakeholders at the FNHA, and with provincial-level partners. Without these strong relationships, Steven says that developing better healthcare systems for First Nations wouldn’t be possible.

“Working with nurses and health managers directly as well as medical office assistants, those are all relationships. Without those relationships you don’t get buy-in and they don’t get that support, so it’s important.”

As a community member, dad and public service worker, Steven knows that community is at the center of good healthcare.

“It’s about the circle of care. The client is in the middle of that circle, and the healthcare providers focus on that inner circle, the client. I get to be a part of that,” he says.

Strong union support is a big part of making the healthcare circle work. Unions make sure that workers like Steven are able to get the support they need to deliver important services that impact patient care. During the pandemic, a big part of that was making sure Steven and his coworkers had what they needed to work and assist healthcare providers from home.

“If I had the same job offered to me, if I would do this exact same work for the exact same pay but not have the union benefit plan, I wouldn’t do it. This union has supported me, but it has also supported my employer,” he says. “I’m proud to be a PIPSC member because I’ve experienced their support directly.”

In 2013, Steven’s wife was diagnosed with cancer. Because of this, Steven’s employer and union came together to make sure he had everything he needed to continue being able to work while also looking after his wife and four daughters.

“It was thanks to the family support leave with PIPSC that I was able to leverage that time and support my family during that cancer fight,” he says.

Steven’s wife, Rochelle, passed away in 2019 after fighting cancer bravely for six years. 

“Without union, hospice and other support from family, we probably wouldn’t have been so successful in keeping our lives together,” he added. “The union really helped me change my working hours, allowed me time to get my kids to school, walk with my youngest and support them in grieving the loss of their mom.”

Steven has experienced the healthcare system inside and out, and he knows how much hard work and dedication goes into creating a system that helps and supports families in times of need.

His primary goal is to ensure healthcare services continue to be developed by First Nations people for First Nations people, and as a union we stand by him. PIPSC will be there to support important public servants like Steven who make a difference in people’s lives every day. 

Amrit Boese is a research biologist with the Public Health Agency of Canada. She started her journey in science when she did her undergraduate degree in zoology. In her twenties, she worked at the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in Winnipeg where she did research on SARS.

She later did her doctoral studies on prion disease, which led to her work today with Dr. Darwyn Kobasa at the NML. Her work now focuses on studying special pathogens in Canada and around the world.

Her job is important to Canadians and, surprisingly, reminds her a little bit of what she wanted to be as a kid, an astronaut!

“When I was a child my dream job was to be an astronaut, and it’s interesting because I’ve heard people say that working at the level 4 microbiology lab is like ‘putting on an astronaut's suit.’”

She’s proud to be a Canadian scientist because biologists like her provide groundbreaking studies that contribute to important initiatives like vaccine development during pandemic crises.

In the past, Amrit has worked on the Zika outbreak as part of an emergency response team, and she has worked on the Ebola virus in variant sequencing. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck Canada, she became deeply involved in sequencing the first clinical isolate. 

“There is never a dull moment when you work with special pathogens. The last ten years have shown several viral outbreaks including Zika, SARS-COV-2, there was the Ebola outbreak in 2014 to 2016 – there are ongoing outbreaks and those are the pathogens we work with, so there is never a dull moment.” Amrit says. “You’re always learning!”

Amrit's not just proud of her work as a scientist – she's also proud of being a mom. She knows that being a working mother is not always easy, but she feels it's important to show other women in science that they can have successful careers and be great mothers at the same time.

“It’s been quite challenging to stay on as a scientist during the pandemic. There was a big loss of women and I completely understand it. It was already a problem before the pandemic, but it made it much harder to hang on being a scientist.”

Being a PIPSC member, Amrit is grateful for the robust family leave that she can use when she needs it to help look after her family. She is also proud of the active collective bargaining that PIPSC does to ensure she and her family have the best mental health care possible, which was especially important throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

She says that science is a demanding career and it can be hard to keep up with everything, but being a member of PIPSC helps her feel more supported in her career.

“I’m most proud in my career for having made it through having children and staying in a scientist role without becoming part of the leaky pipeline.”

The “leaky pipeline” is the phenomenon of women leaving science careers at a higher rate than men, and it’s something that Amrit feels passionate about changing. As a scientist and a mom, Amrit encourages other young women in science to never give up on their dreams, both in their work and their family lives.

“If you’re delaying having children because you’re worried about getting tenure or you’re worried about one morepaper, or one more grant, I would say to just do it, and everything will fall into place.”

Looking into the future, Amrit hopes all women in science will feel supported at work. Job security is more important than ever to ensure all people, no matter their gender, can contribute incredible ideas to different fields of study because “we need all kinds of voices in science.”

Rene Lerat, Singing Bird Woman, has been a nurse for 12 years, and she’s passionate about making a difference in northern communities. She grew up on a reserve in Saskatchewan, and took her nursing training on the reserve. After completing her degree, she moved to Regina and started working in northern Manitoba, where she fell in love with nursing. 

“We get to educate and help people build healthier lifestyles,” she says.  

Growing up, Lerat wanted to be a dentist—either that or a grizzly bear! Working as a nurse now, she understands how her dreams as a child compare to what she does today, caring for and healing people in different communities. 

“Health care as a whole is important to every single person because at any point in our lives we’re going to need health care, a nurse to listen to us to hear your story and even to advocate for us in moments of vulnerability,” she says. 

Rene is proud to work in what she considers the “diamond of nursing,” a term that nurses use to describe working in remote areas, where their scope of practice is larger.  She provides emergency and primary care services to remote and northern communities. She says that it’s an incredibly rewarding experience, and that nurses have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of those they serve.

“The most challenging part of our job is the responsibility,” she says. “And I think culturally appropriate care is a must.” 

Northern communities struggle with access to health care, especially Indigenous communities, which struggle with systemic discrimination in the healthcare system. The work of isolated nurses in small communities is integral. Sometimes, nurses like Rene may be the only health professionals available for someone in crisis. 

Together, she and her colleagues had to deliver a baby because the mother was too dilated to be air-evacuated to a central hospital. “Most pregnant women will leave the community two weeks before birth to make sure they have access to integrated care,” she says. 

Rene still sees that healthy baby she helped deliver, and continues to provide healthcare services like vaccinations and primary care to him and the rest of his community. 

Working through COVID-19 only called on nurses like Rene more to support people and communities most at-risk during emergency situations. The threat of burnout and overwork were looming during the height of the pandemic, but Rene says that she is grateful for the leave benefits PIPSC negotiated, so nurses are able to take the time they need to care for themselves. 

“Being a PIPSC member means you’re part of a community. We fight together in solidarity for pay and leave … and to feel supported overall.” 

PIPSC helps support nurses to make sure wages are competitive and benefits packages are robust, so northern communities can maintain the essential nursing services they deserve. Rene added that she would like to see more nurses servicing northern communities, to help lift up what often feels like a falling system. 

“Health care can sometimes feel like it’s crumbling, so advocating for more nurses to come up to an area where we are already working at minimum could definitely improve our environment.”

Rene also stressed the importance of health care remaining part of the public service, and fighting back against the privatization of healthcare services that often leave vulnerable communities to fall through the cracks. 

“Private health access would further burden the communities I support, and that is the last thing that Indigenous people need. I think we need to widen our public sector of health care and ensure that public access is there to ensure everyone is able to see the dentist they want or the physiotherapist that they want.” 

This is why Rene says it’s so important to be part of a strong union. “A strong union – behind closed doors – fights those battles for us.” 

PIPSC is dedicated to protecting our members, and pushing for better work standards, so people like Rene can do the good work of protecting Canadians when and where they need her the most.

Marion Gillespie is an IT project team lead at the Department of National Defence's Dockyards location in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She has been with the department since 2004, and in her current role since 2017. Working with a team of seven project managers, Marion is responsible for overseeing IT projects that support the Canadian Armed Forces.

Although working in IT is a far cry from what she wanted to be as a child – a singer – Marion loves what she does today. Her six years of vocal training in high school and university helped prepare her for her role at the “centre stage” of her team. For her, presenting in meetings and leading other project managers comes second-nature.

Marion grew up in Dartmouth, and went to both Mount St. Vincent University and Mount Allison University. She spent three years as an au pair in Bermuda before returning to Canada to complete a college diploma in public relations. Later on, she transitioned into IT leadership. Her favourite part of the job is the colourful people she gets to work with every day.

“There are a multitude of personalities in DND,” she says. “It's the people – the environment that we're in – that really makes the job.”

The IT Project department within Base Information Services (BIS), supports the Canadian Forces, Navy, Army and Air Force in a multitude of IT projects that provide and support communications to their units throughout Canada and other parts of the world.

“We provide IT services and support to our national defence members in SMC Halifax. You have air force, you have navy, you have army. And there is always something IT-related that they may need, which in turn supports Canadians world wide,” she says.

Information technology teams play a pivotal role in ensuring that the Canadian Forces have the tools and information they need to do their job effectively.

“Having strong IT is essential for navy ships, communications and planning. They need to be able to communicate and have the desired networks that they require to perform their duties,” Marion says.

Our IT professionals are working hard to support our military. Marion Gillespie and her team are just one example of the many IT professionals who contribute to keeping our country safe. Marion is proud to be able to support those who serve our country.

She is also a proud member of PIPSC.

“Why I'm proud to be a PIPSC member is the solidarity with team members,” Marion concludes. “You always feel like you're not alone.”

As a wife and mother of twins, Marion values the work-life balance that PIPSC helps to provide. “It's been so important, especially as we return to work in a post-pandemic world,” she says.

One summer, Marion had to take time off to look after her children full-time. Being able to take family leave, which ensured Marion continued to receive a portion of her salary, and protected her job until she returned to work, meant everything to her.

“The family-related leave has been so important as a working mom over the years,” she says. “PIPSC has been huge in allowing me to feel that I am secure in the work that I do, and I will be given the time that I need to help with my children. Especially leave with income averaging.”

Without the wins that PIPSC has ensured through collective bargaining over the years, Marion says she’s not sure where her workplace would be. “Without the strength of PIPSC, we wouldn’t be where we are today in regards to leave, health care, and other important benefits,” she says.

As the world begins to recover from the pandemic, Marion is worried about the economic repercussions it could have, like budget cuts and supply-chain issues that would prevent their department from getting the equipment and tools they need.

“Professionally, I worry that we have to pay for this pandemic at some point. But we know that we would have PIPSC backing us if we ever had to face budget cuts or layoffs.”

Now that her children have grown up, they too have entered into promising careers in the public service, where Marion knows their jobs and rights, with the help of a tireless union, will always be protected.

Hezhao Ji is a scientist who works to understand and combat HIV/AIDS resistance, a critical research area with life-saving implications for people infected with HIV/AIDS. As a boy growing up in China, he always wanted to be a scientist, so for him, the work he does every day is a dream come true. 

Hezhao taught microbiology and immunology for seven years in China, before coming to Canada in 2002 to complete his PhD in medical microbiology and infectious diseases. In 2007, he started working as a research scientist for the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

“Now I’m working in the national laboratory for HIV genetics, which is sort of a natural fit for me. I’m very happy to have the opportunity to continue my research career,” he says. “In my lab we do HIV drug resistance testing and we support research programs on HIV drug resistance.” 

During the COVID pandemic, Hezhao’s research has shifted to focus on SARS-COV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. His work on COVID-19 has been critical in helping to better understand the pandemic in Canada and how the virus evolves over time at a global level. His research serves all Canadians, and his work is an important part of the fight against HIV/AIDS and COVID-19.

“When you are infected with COVID, you want to know how effective a new drug may be, or how you can prevent new infections, how the virus changes over time, or how the vaccine is effective on new strains of the virus,” he says. “My research focus is relevant to those issues.” 

Hezhao is a scientist, but he is also a husband, a father and a hobbyist. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing, sports, badminton and small home renovations. These activities help him to relax and recharge outside of the lab.

Despite the demands of his work, Hezhao finds time for the things that matter to him. He is motivated by the difference his research can make in the lives of Canadians, and he is dedicated to his work as a scientist. 

As a PIPSC member, Hezhao finds comfort in the support PIPSC provides. He knows that the union is always fighting for fair collective agreements and an improved work environment. With the support of PIPSC, Hezhao can continue doing the life-saving work he was meant to do.

“I can see PIPSC is working hard to benefit our members. I believe that PIPSC is always there, helping us to get more scientific freedom, which is important for scientists.”

Hezhao is a strong advocate for science and believes that it is the key to solving many of the world’s problems. As we progress through the COVID-19 pandemic, Hezhao wants to stress the importance of science-based decision making.

“As a scientist, I hope the government will pay more attention to science, support science, and support science-based decision making,” he says.

He believes that science-based decision making will help us be better prepared for another pandemic in the future. Hezhao also believes that the government should invest more in science and technology. This will help us develop new ways to combat diseases and improve quality of life for Canadians.

He is most proud of how his work helps to progress the research area that he works in, and how it impacts his Canadian stakeholders. All of the work that Hezhao does serves Canadians in research and service. And PIPSC is here to defend the public science that we all count on.

“Being part of a union you feel safe … PIPSC is like our extended professional family,” he says.

We represent over 18,000 scientists, researchers and engineers just like Hezhao. Each of our members helps to protect Canadians in a unique way, whether it’s through supporting rail safety, or researching solutions for vaccines.

As our scientists, researchers and engineers work tirelessly to serve Canadians, we work to protect and defend them. Thanks to researchers like Hezhao, we are one step closer to living in a world without HIV/AIDS or COVID-19.

Hugo has been active in the union for over ten years. He is now a steward and delegate for the PIPSC CS group and has been engaged in many projects and campaigns. He believes that there are a variety of ways of being involved and supporting the union, sometimes it’s even as simple as speaking up about what you need in your workplace.

“Our union is not a company that provides services. Our union is an organization that is there for us and it’s driven by the engagement of members,” he says. “By getting involved at different levels, we can stay close to our members. We can ensure that the decisions and actions taken by the union are based on what members want. But, this takes all our engagement.”

Hugo is passionate about meeting the needs of fellow union members – providing information, advocating in the workplace, giving training and encouraging everyone to make their voices heard.

“I’m most proud of my work as a steward to make sure every person is having a good experience,” he says. “When the members are happy and having a good work experience they can have a bigger impact on improving the public service.”

“We can make a difference in the lives of individuals. As a result, we can make a difference in government systems to make workplaces safer and better for every worker,” he says.

Hugo studied Computer Engineering at the University of Sherbrooke before becoming a computer systems analyst at Environment and Climate Change Canada in Montreal. As a child, Hugo was always interested in the latest technologies and developments in engineering which eventually formed his career path and passion.

As a High Performance Computing Application Supervisor, Hugo works on digital models that predict, amongst other things, the paths of forest fires and the concentration of air pollutants. This data is essential for evidence-based decision making that saves peoples’ lives.

In a lot of ways, Hugo sees how the advocacy work he does with the union has a domino effect that ripples from coast to
coast to coast.

“A better Canada has more equity and justice. It means providing people with access to important resources without leaving their pockets empty,” he says. “We don’t just represent our members, but we represent a good portion of the population that has similar issues.”

When we fight for our pensions, we are also fighting for retirement security for all people in Canada. When we push for fair contracts, we are raising the bar for all workers. When we take a stand for pharmacare, it’s in solidarity with workers without health benefits.

Unions must be a part of the movements that improve human rights and the rights of all workers. The strength of our union is found in members like Hugo who stand up for workers’ issues and who make a difference in the everyday lives of people across Canada.
 

Samah Henein came to Canada 30 years ago from Egypt with a BA in Commerce to have a better life. She wanted the job security that the public service offered, but also wanted to work somewhere she could learn, grow and have balance in her life. Samah applied as an auditor with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in 2005.

“The union makes the workplace a better place. There is more satisfaction with the employee, work conflicts get resolved faster, the union provides tools and resources to workers so they know their rights. The union fights for employees to get a good collective agreement and empowers them to do better,” Samah says.

Growing up, Samah witnessed her mother face dozens of challenges in her factory workplace. Her mom had to fight for equitable promotions and better working conditions. Watching her mother fight for equality and fairness throughout her life inspired Samah to speak up for herself and her coworkers at the CRA. This was one of the main reasons she decided to become a PIPSC steward.

“It’s important to empower people who are not able to voice their concerns and issues and to give them the resources they need to succeed,” she says.

Since starting her union work with PIPSC, Samah has made lasting changes in her workplace. She helped a member suffering violence at home to seek support and look after their well-being by taking time off from work. She won a grievance that earned a member a promotion, and helped another colleague change a leave type from unpaid to paid because of health reasons.

Most of all, Samah says she is proud that her coworkers can have a healthy work-life balance knowing that they are never alone when their job becomes challenging.

“We need to listen to members and ensure they are heard, for example if they have requests for accommodations,” she says.

At the CRA, Samah works in the Scientific Research Experimental Development division. In her role as a Financial Reviewer, she works with Canadian businesses who perform their research and development in Canada.

This work helps stimulate the economy and increase financial support for people in Canada. Her work in the public service doesn’t end with her contributions to her local union, she helps empower Canadian workers and businesses every day.

“I work with brilliant scientists and strong teams,” she says. “We are there to support businesses and they know we are accurate, timely and fair supporting their rights as well.” Samah is proud of the work she does to support Canadian businesses and her union work supporting her colleagues’ rights. She’s has been involved in the union for five years and is now the vice-chair of the Prairies/Northwest Territories Region and an important member of the PIPSC Human Rights and Diversity Committee. She makes sure members’ voices are heard.

“We are here to protect people’s rights. This year, the union negotiated our contract in an efficient way and fought against outsourcing while also fighting to support people going through grievances,” she said. “PIPSC makes sure that our workplace is safe and healthy.”

A union is its members, and it’s people like Samah that make a union strong. Despite our important accomplishments this year, Samah said she believes there is more work to be done together as a union to make changes across the country and within our union.

“A better Canada is where everyone matters equally,” she says. “PIPSC can be the vehicle for fairness and equality that we need to see everywhere.”

Eric Hortop is a steward and bargaining team member who works to make a positive change in our public service.

After graduating with a Master’s degree in mathematics, Eric took a job with Statistics Canada where he strives to improve public data and research for people in Canada. As a member of the PIPSC RE Group bargaining team, he has been fighting for scientific integrity, gender-inclusive language and other human rights issues that affect him and his colleagues every day. He continues to push this work forward in consultations with the employer.

“There are a lot of great things about being a PIPSC member and working nationally on these projects,” he says. “As a curious person, you get to find out how everything works and fits together in the government, human resources and group executives.”

Eric says he believes PIPSC can change the agenda, and that members can push to successfully put scientific integrity top of mind for Canadians.

“Seeing the Office of the Chief Science Advisor get set up after PIPSC pushed for it was a very proud moment,” he says. “It shows just how much PIPSC can accomplish.”

There is a craft to statistics that many Canadians don’t get to see behind the scenes, but for Eric, this is the most important work to him – providing quality research for our most crucial conversations. Accurate data allows our government to make important decisions about top-of-mind public issues.

“We’re here to make sure the privacy and security of Canadians are protected,” he says. “If you imagine a giant data table with health information about Canadians, no one wants to be that one person who is singled out because of a sensitive health condition. We make sure that Canadians have trusted information while keeping their privacy protected.”

As the saying goes – if it’s important, measure it! Statistics Canada’s mandate is to protect and improve the data so that everyone from researchers to business owners can use it to plan for success. Whether you’re a CEO or an undergrad student, you’re getting the same data.

Specifically, Eric works on statistical infrastructure projects that demonstrate how different programs and spending can impact general health, the environment and education over time. Our public service needs people like Eric who work hard to provide unbiased, quality data that informs our most important decision-making.

“More than ever, Canadians need a neutral source of data, gathered well and consistently and done by a trusted agency to give people the tools they need to understand issues and take part in public conversations,” he says.

Although Eric loves being a part of these complex projects guarding Canadian data quality, he is most proud of his work with new members in the union. Within PIPSC, stewards like Eric ensure a safe and positive work environment so that members across the country have the tools they need to build a stronger, more equitable Canada.

“I enjoy teaching and mentoring to share hard-won knowledge to new recruits, partners and other researchers,” he says. “It gives us a look at how Canadians can thrive and live better.”

Michelle saw baby guppies in her childhood aquarium and immediately fell in love with biology. After attending university to study science, Michelle was hired to work in the Experimental Lakes Area and kicked off her career in environmental studies and fieldwork.

After a successful career working as a laboratory technician, Michelle loves spending time with her family, travelling and being outdoors, so pursuing a career where she got to spend most of her days canoeing for water samples and scuba diving was a dream come true. Before her current position, she also worked in Manitoba’s virology lab testing for measles, mumps and rubella, along with other viruses.

If women weren’t as well represented in biology, Michelle says she may never have decided to go to university. As the first person in her family to earn a degree, she said that continuing to improve women’s representation in STEM is essential to empowering women and girls.

“I feel very grateful to work as part of a union because it shows to me the value in the advocacy of the union.”

This year, PIPSC bargained a historic win of 10 paid days of leave for survivors and victims of domestic violence, as well as a parental leave top-up of five weeks when both parents work for the federal public service. Michelle says that these important wins could never have been made possible without the advocacy of the union and the united efforts of women at the bargaining table.

“We have a long way to go in terms of Indigenous rights, women’s rights and the rights of the other,” Michelle says. 

“A better Canada is one where we realize we are all in this together.”

With amazing members like Michelle working to improve our communities and advocate for women’s rights, PIPSC will continue to make a difference in shaping a stronger Canada.

Today, Michelle works as a research biologist at the Canadian Grain Commission. On a daily basis, she helps establish and maintain science-based standards of quality for Canadian grain sold nationally and abroad.

“I use science to help farmers sell their grain. The testing I do is critical,” she says. “I’ve always tried to make a positive difference in my community that I hope will have a ripple
effect around the world.”

Michelle isn’t just an important part of the lives of Canadian farmers, but she’s also an important leader in her workplace and union. Michelle is an active, contributing member of the PIPSC Women in Science (WiS) taskforce that works to improve
equity and inclusion policies in public science.

“With respect to the WiS taskforce that I’m involved with… I see that evolving into really great projects and policies shaped by women in science.” For Michelle, the work she does in the WiS task force is more important than ever because of the way women have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

“The pandemic has hit women harder than men. Some women have had to leave their careers or scale back their careers because of the pandemic,” she says. “When we shape policy, we need to do it with all genders in mind.”

Mahammadu has studied and worked in veterinary medicine all over the world, from Ghana to Australia. Today, he is a PIPSC member and veterinarian working in Berwick, Nova Scotia.

After a successful career working as a laboratory technician, university teacher and veterinarian abroad, Mahammadu now works for the federal public service. As part of his job, Mahammadu ensures the humane treatment of animals and the safe exportation of meat products all over Canada and the world.

For him, it’s important that this work is done by the public sector so that producers follow the highest health and animal rights standards.

Mahammadu embodies these ideas in the work he does everyday, and started fighting for the rights of workers early in his career. When he started working in Ontario, immigrant veterinarians were hired at lower wages than workers educated in Canada.

“Here in Canada, what happened when I was hired is I was put at the lowest salary. Canadian trained graduates were put right at the top of the scale,” he says.

Mahammadu and his colleagues aren’t the first ones to experience this pay disparity in the workplace. He got in touch with his PIPSC representative and together we fought to ensure all veterinarians received the same fair wage. As a union, we work together to protect our fair pay scales and to ensure safe working conditions.

“I didn’t know much about unions; those days we didn’t have stewards but Employee Relations Officers,” he says. “Today as a steward, I get confidence in myself that I can stand up for my colleagues. I have seen the safeguarding of promotional standards and members know that there are always people around like me to stand up and help them.”

For Mahammadu, his work as a veterinarian and his work in the union are both important. Being in a union is important to him because collective advocacy promotes equality within Canada, starting at the community level.

“The union has been actively involved in advocating for our leave, pay structure, the Phoenix issue, and our work standards,” he said. “They guide us, get answers to our problems, and are strong advocates for our rights and equality.”

Mahammadu has been a trusted leader and change-maker in his workplace ever since he started advocating with the union for fair wages. From small-town Nova Scotia to the broader regions of Canada, our community veterinarians like Mahammadu make a big impact on our world.

“We as members form the union, and the union ensures that the values we stand for are maintained and preserved,” he says. “The union is there to support, advise, and stand up for our rights.”

Mahammadu has been an essential part of his group’s bargaining team, he works as a steward to help his colleagues resolve conflicts and issues at work, and he also contributes as an active member of the PIPSC Human Rights and Diversity Committee.

“A better Canada needs mechanisms in place that will promote equality and eliminate the barriers to equality; set standards for poverty reduction, provide proper education, good healthcare and the safeguarding of our pensions,” he says.

With members like Mahammadu at the forefront of advocacy, together as a union we are building more inclusive workplaces, and a more inclusive Canada.