Tucked away on the University of British Columbia campus is a series of connected 20-40-year-old buildings that house and produce some of the leading technologies in the nuclear medical industry. Of particular note is BWXT Medical, which is located on that site and employs members of PSAC Directly Chartered Local (DCL) 20020.
REVP Jamey Mills visited BWXT earlier this summer to learn more about the work PSAC members there perform and about their workplace challenges and bargaining issues.
After a worksite tour and several conversations with members, Jamey learned about important scientific work and research PSAC DCL 20020 members at BWXT do in the field of nuclear medicine. These workers are on the cutting edge of radiopharmaceutical products used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Leading life science and pharmaceutical companies rely on PSAC DCL 20020 members at BWXT. Consequently, BWXT is able to deliver sophisticated radiopharmaceutical products, improving patient outcomes worldwide, due to the highly specialized experience and skills of these PSAC members.
Co-located with TRIUMF on the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver, Jamey also learned that BWXT workers collaborate and share expertise to bring medical radioisotopes from concept to routine commercial delivery.
Product lines at BWXT have included or continue to include radiopharmaceutical innovations such as:
- An innovative non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma therapeutic that uses Iodine-131
- A Y-90 Chloride Sterile Solution used to radiolabel a radiopharmaceutical to treat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- An Iodine-125 Solution used in brachytherapy sources for therapeutic treatment
- Rubidium-82 generators for cardiac PET imaging
- P-32 Coated Stents used for coronary artery disease
- Iodine-131 MIBG for imaging and treating certain types of neuroendocrine tumors
With over thirty PSAC members at BWXT in Vancouver, this team of workers is at the forefront of medical isotope and radiopharmaceutical production, with an unwavering commitment to service and reliability.
Currently, PSAC DCL 20020 and BWXT are in negotiations to renew their collective agreement. The first set of bargaining dates with the employer took place June 24-28. During those dates, the parties were able to get through all non-monetary proposals. However, the monetary package is still outstanding. Additional bargaining dates with the employer have been scheduled for next week.
When asked about the state of negotiations, REVP Jamey Mills noted, “It’s clear this Local is highly dedicated to their work. Many members have been there for many years and have considerable knowledge and skills that the employer relies on. What’s also quite clear is that this Local is very well mobilized and engaged.” Jamey referenced the many, many ‘I support my bargaining team’ signs and stickers found at all workstations and common areas throughout BWXT.
“My hope is that this round of bargaining goes well and that the employer comes to the table with a fair offer, recognizing the value of the work of these members perform.”
PSAC DCL 20020 members work on life-saving treatments and technologies, tackling some of the greatest challenges of our lifetime. These workers are instrumental in the development, manufacturing and delivery products for diagnostic imaging and radiotherapeutic treatments. Equally important, members of the DCL are committed to making a difference every day, knowing the profound impact their work has on patients around the world.
