50 years strong with NSGEU

Meet NSGEU member Sheldon Bisson, a Biomedical and Anesthesia Tech. Assistant with the Nova Scotia Health Authority. This is Sheldon’s 50th year with the union, and he says the support has been great.

“I wouldn’t have a job without the union,” says Bisson. “They helped get my position sorted out when amalgamation took place. It took a year, but in the end it was all worth it.”

Bisson began his career as a Certified Nursing Assistant in 1968, and continued taking courses on the job. Through the years he’s worked as an Operating Room Technician, CPR Instructor, Orthopedic Technologist, and his current role as a Biomedical and Anastasia Tech. Assistant. “It’s a unique job because I am the only employee at the NS Health Authority in this role,” says Bisson.

As a member of local 100, Bisson has taken job action twice, the first lasting over two weeks. “It was a good outcome, it strengthened our collective agreement,” says Bisson. He also mentions the importance of having a Monday to Friday position. “Luckily I work during the week, and I don’t have to come in on weekends. The NSGEU fought for us to have those hours.”

When asked about the value of belonging to a union, Bisson says job security has played a major role in the longevity of his career. “The union is there to back you, and has helped me immensely in the past. “It’s always better to have representation when sitting down with management.”

September marks his golden anniversary with the Health Authority and he doesn’t see himself slowing down anytime soon. “I’m lucky enough to do what I love, why would I give that up?”