Gayle Nye
Interviewed by Rod Mickleburgh
Gayle Nye was born and raised in Victoria, BC, as were her parents and grandparents. The earlier generations worked in the fishing industry, but a family tragedy inspired Gayle’s father to leave fishing and join the public service. Gayle’s started her career at a bank, but quickly moved to BC Medical Plan, and then to the BC Government Employees’ Union (BCGEU).
She discusses her pioneering role as one of the first Chinese Canadians elected to the union’s executive, her work negotiating sexual harassment protections, her time as a staff representative in Prince George and Victoria, and her leadership in the union’s education and equity programs. She also describes her involvement in the Asian Canadian Labour Alliance and her work at the United Way.
Woven through this interview, is Gayle’s lifelong commitment to workers’ rights, equity, and activism within the labour movement and in her broader community.
Keywords:
BCGEU (British Columbia Government Employees’ Union); Chinese Canadians; Nai Xi; Tam Kung Temple; Victoria, BC; fishing industry; Asian Canadian Labour Alliance; United Way Greater Victoria; Cliff Andstein; John Shields; John Fryer; Diane Wood; Prince George, BC; racism; sexism; sexual harassment; staff representative; union education; equity; union steward; GERB (Government Employees’ Relations Bureau); human rights; advocacy; NUPGE (National Union of Public and General Employees); On-to-Ottawa; protests; rallies; pensions; parenthood; pedagogy of the oppressed; diversity caucuses; work-life balance; mentors; adoption; Aim High; Fraser Lake, BC; CIBC (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce); decertification; Canadian Labour Congress; childcare; women in trades; APALA (Asian Pacific American Labour Alliance); Victoria Labour Council; picket lines