2025 Executive Board and Trustee Nominations

Please note: the following nominations are only the ones that have have been made prior to the AGM. Other nominations can and usually do come from the floor at the meeting.

PRESIDENT

Greg Melnechuk

Component 2, English Language Centre Teacher

I have been President for 12 years on and off. I also served as Treasurer for four years, and I was a component 2 steward for over 10 years, defending members and dealing with grievances. I have been a member the Component 2 bargaining team for the past 6 rounds. Component 2 and Component 1 share a collective agreement, so during those five rounds of bargaining I was made very aware of TA issues. During the last two rounds of bargaining, I sat at all three bargaining tables, and in this round of bargaining I was the chief spokesperson at all three tables. I have been co-chair of the CUPE B.C. Universities Committee for 4 years, and co-chair of the CUPE National Post-Secondary Task Force for 2 years; sitting on both of these committees has given me a lot of insight into the problems faced by post-secondary workers across B.C. and Canada, and I continue to learn more and more from my amazing colleagues on these committees.

I wish to continue as President so that I can work to advance our members’ rights at UVic, especially with 2025 (and maybe 2026) being a bargaining year.. My institutional knowledge helps me to understand how the union works and how the structures and practices came to be. I have a very healthy distrust of the University power structure, but my years of labour relations work has helped me realize that being adversarial just to be difficult often gets in the way of advancing members’ interests.

I pushed to combine the Communications Representatives into one paid position, as better communication with members helps with engagement. I also spearheaded the creation of the Equity VP position , as unions need concrete actions to be more inclusive. And I believe that the work we did this year in continuing to develop our network of stewards through all three components will pay off in advocating for our members.

RECORDING OFFICER

Sarah Obee

Component2, English Language Centre Teacher

My name is Sarah Obee and, as a teacher at the English Language Centre, I am a member of Component 2. I am running for re-appointment as the union’s Recording Officer. I am able to serve for the whole executive term.

I have served as the union’s Recording Officer for the past year, and I have not missed a single executive meeting or Comp 2 executive meeting. I type quickly and can be very detail-oriented, two skills that are necessary for taking accurate minutes during meetings and delivering them promptly to the president.

Over the past year, I have seen how the union allows employees from different departments across the university to communicate and collaborate. I believe it serves as an important network to spread news and ideas among all members. I have felt much more informed about my workplace since becoming a member of the executive. It is especially crucial to have an informed executive board during an important bargaining year, so I am looking forward to carrying the knowledge and experience I have gained forward with me into a second year as the Recording Officer.

Thank you for your support.

COMMUNICATIONS REPRESENTATIVE

Maya Wei Yan Linsley

Component 1, English

As a first-year Master’s student in the UVic Department of English and a Teaching Assistant for Media Studies, this position aligns closely with my interests and experience, and I’m eager to put my skillset towards the wellbeing of our Union.

I have been working in various communications roles, both paid and volunteer, for the past seven years; as a result, I have specialized skills in social media and email marketing, strategic planning, and brand development. Much of my communications experience has been related to my roles as a course union executive, as well as my extensive professional experience in the co-operative business sector. Needless to say, I deeply value democratic, community-oriented initiatives, and the Union encapsulates both. I’m passionate about developing creative communications strategies to advance social good and community engagement, which, to me, are two of the most important aspects of Union membership.

I would be grateful for an opportunity to contribute more actively to our Union, and, if elected, I’ll bring all my enthusiasm to the table.

With thanks for your time and consideration

Şansal Gümüşpala

Component 1,Sociology

I am excited to nominate myself for the position of Communications Representative with CUPE 4163. Having had the privilege of serving in this role for the past year, I am eager to continue contributing to our union’s communication efforts and to build on the work we have started. As a member of this union for the last 4 years, I am passionate about clear, accessible communication in strengthening our collective voice. To me, being part of a union means solidarity and mutual support. It is about working together to amplify our voices and protect and increase our rights.

As we approach the road to bargaining, I believe my experiences in communication will be valuable in keeping members informed and united throughout the process. I bring a variety of skills to this role, including experience with social media management, content creation, and direct member engagement.

With a year of experience on the executive, I have a deeper understanding of CUPE 4163’s structure and the challenges faced by members across all components, making me even more prepared to serve our union. Moreover, My experiences as an international and queer student will continue to ensure my ability to advocate for inclusivity and represent the diverse needs of our members.

I am keen to continue contributing to CUPE 4163 in this role and working together to make our union stronger and more connected.

COMPONENT POSITIONS

Component 1

Vice President

Member at Large

Trustee

Component 2

Vice President

Member at Large

Trustee

Pamela Westinghouse

Component 3

Vice President

Jianping Yu

Math Term Sessional Lecturer

I am passionate about advocating for our members and ensuring our voices are heard. Serving on the executive would give me the opportunity to actively contribute to the
strength and solidarity of our Union, which has been an important part of my own work life. I believe I can contribute to making a positive difference for all our members,
ensuring we continue to push for better working conditions, fair compensation, and a more supportive work environment.

Being part of a union means being part of a community of workers who support each other and fight for fair treatment. It means standing together for better working
conditions, benefits, and respect. Our Union is a powerful force that ensures we have a voice, and I’m committed to strengthening that voice.

I have taught at different universities for over 18 years and hold a PhD in Math, as well as a second master’s degree in Statistics from UVic. Additionally, I bring leadership,
strong communication, and organizational skills, along with experience in advocacy, conflict resolution, and decision-making. I’m committed to workers’ rights, social justice,
and upholding union protocols effectively.

I’m dedicated to listening to the needs of our members and ensuring that everyone’s concerns are addressed. I am approachable, committed, and ready to work hard for the benefit of all CUPE 4163 members.