Name: Gemma de Jesus
Occupation: Senior medical lab assistant, Vancouver Hospital
Union: HEU
On October 15, 2011, when thousands of people in the labour movement descended upon the Vancouver Art Gallery for the “Occupy Wall Street” demonstration, Gemma de Jesus was there.
“I went because I know a lot of people are affected by hardship,” says de Jesus. “Participating is the only way I know to give support.”
Advocating for others is second-nature to de Jesus, who brings this energy and determination to her workplace.
She first got involved with her workplace and the Hospital Employees’ Union because she wanted to represent her department. Now department spokesperson, de Jesus says: “It’s a big responsibility, but it’s personally very satisfying.”
“As an OH&S shop steward, I’m a go-between between management and my union brothers and sisters who need me to be their voice. I enjoy using my energy and knowledge to help others – it comes from my heart.
“My work in the union has affected my co-workers – now they don’t hesitate to ask the union questions. I’m happy that I’ve paved the way. And I encourage my union brothers and sisters to get involved too. Dive into the union like I did!”
Fifteen years ago, de Jesus immigrated to Canada from Quezon City, Philippines with her husband and two daughters. She had a burning desire for a better life in greener pastures.
Life was challenging at first. Both de Jesus and her husband went back to school.
de Jesus, a trained medical technologist, took a medical lab assistant course at Vancouver Community College. In 1998 she started as a casual medical lab assistant at Vancouver Hospital. She worked her way up, and has been a senior medical lab assistant since 2008.
“I know my job makes a difference,” says de Jesus. “My job is all about patient care. We must be 100 per cent accurate – life is on the line. When patients go for surgery we have to be there. We are the front line.”
Her shifts are 5:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. But de Jesus always waits at her workplace to attend 4:15 p.m. union meetings, because the union is so important to her.
And de Jesus doesn’t stop when her work day is done. She loves Latin dancing and travel, has prepared income tax for people with low income, volunteered in two federal political campaigns, and she loves taking courses – CUPE leadership development-weeklong school in November is her next course!
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