CUPE BC’s first-ever virtual convention ended today, wrapping up 3 days of debate, reports, guest speakers and the election of a new executive board. Karen Ranalletta was elected president, the first woman president of CUPE BC in 26 years, while Trevor Davies was re-elected Secretary-Treasurer by acclamation.

“I want to thank the delegates for their support and the trust they have placed in me. This is a truly humbling moment,” said Ranalletta. “I am thrilled to have been elected with Secretary-Treasurer Trevor Davies to continue the work of representing the more than 100,000 workers who belong to CUPE across B.C.

“I want to thank everyone who put their name forward at all levels of the executive board, and I pledge to work as hard as I can every day to represent and advocate for our members.”

Prior to her election as president, Ranalletta served three terms as a General Vice President. She is the President of CUPE 2950 (representing more than 1500 clerical and library workers at the University of British Columbia). In addition to her role as GVP, she represents CUPE BC as an Officer (Vice President) of the BC Federation of Labour and chairs the BC Fed’s Health and Safety Committee. She also chairs the CUPE BC Universities and Young Workers Committees and is a member of the CUPE National Post-Secondary Task Force. Finally, she sits on the Board of Directors for the BC Labour Heritage Centre - an organization dedicated to preserving and championing working people’s history in B.C.

In addition to the two full-time officer positions, delegates elected four General Vice Presidents, which regional caucuses elected regional vice presidents, and equity caucuses elected diversity vice presidents. (See below for full list of executive board.)

Delegates debated dozens of resolutions as they set the course for the next year for B.C.’s largest union. The online convention featured video messages from Premier John Horgan, BC Federation of Labour president Laird Cronk, federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and HEU President Barb Nederpel.

CUPE BC Executive Board 2021-2023

President: Karen Ranalletta

Secretary-Treasurer: Trevor Davies

General Vice Presidents (4):     

Dal Benning

Sheryl Burns

Nicole Edmondson

Michelle Waite

Diversity Vice Presidents (DVPs):

DVP, Indigenous members

Shelley Saje Ricci

Deea Bailey (Alternate DVP)

DVP, Racialized Workers

Edward Parsotam

Nicole Cabrejos (Alternate DVP)

DVP, Persons with Disabilities

Pat Shade

Laurie Whyte (Alternate DVP)

DVP, Pink Triangle

Joyce Griffiths

Hailey Fielden (Alternate DVP)

Regional Vice Presidents

Metro RVPs

Sarah Bjorknas

John Gibson

Kari Scott-Whyte

Debra Merrier (Alternate RVP)

RVPs, Vancouver Island

Kirk Mercer

Amber Leonard

Dan MacBeth (Alternate RVP)

RVP, Okanagan

Rose Jurkic

Lois Rugg (Alternate RVP)

RVP, Fraser Valley

Sara Manchester

Tony Rebelo (Alternate RVP)

RVP, Kootenays

Anita Early

Michelle Bennett (Alternate RVP)

RVP, North

Stephanie Goudie

Monica Brady (Alternate RVP)

Trustees

Debbie Mohabir

José van Berkel