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CAN'T FIND SOMETHING? |
Jacqueline GriffithsAssociate executive director, British Columbia Public School Employers’ AssociationAge: 39 Jacqueline Griffiths equates the high-pressure world of labour negotiations to a triathlon. “The same sort of mindset you apply to endurance sports applies to labour negotiations because you have to see it through to the end,” Griffiths said. The 39-year-old got the negotiator’s bug during her second year of university when she worked as a summer student at a mine. “I happened to work in the employee-relations department,” she said. “It was very high conflict but also it was interesting, it was fast paced.” Griffiths went on to earn her bachelor of commerce degree from the University of British Columbia, and worked for the City of Vancouver and Metro Vancouver before she joined the Vancouver School Board. “When I got to the Vancouver School Board, that’s when I really started getting involved in negotiating,” she said. Griffiths was a labour-relations officer for the school board until 2001 when she was promoted to manager of labour relations. In 2004, she joined the British Columbia Public School Employers’ Association as a managing consultant, and in 2007 became a chief negotiator and associate executive director. Griffiths said patience is one of two important attributes for a negotiator to have. The second is “an ability to see how things are going to end before anybody else does,” she said. Griffiths, a mother of two, said the support her family and husband provide makes her professional life a lot easier, but she said it’s important to balance both. “I think our philosophy in our family is, ‘OK, if you’ve got to work then work, but when you’re home, be present.’” • Birthplace: Vancouver Where do you live now: North Vancouver Highest level of education: Master of arts from Royal Roads University Car or chosen mode of transport: An Acura and Subaru Outback Currently reading: Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink and Something Good by Robert Munsch – for my four-year-old son Last CD bought or music downloaded: John Mayer Favourite movie: Up!, Bullet or Tyson – for now Favourite local restaurant: Burgoo or Tomato Person you would most like to meet (living or deceased): Terry Fox or the Clintons Profession you would most like to try: A union representative or jazz musician Mentor: Too many to name. A wise young person once told me I could learn something from everyone. I try to live by this advice Most memorable career milestone or event: June 30, 2006 – the signing of the first provincial agreement with the BCTF. Some said it would never happen but it did and was a real turning point for our organization Toughest business or professional decision: The recent decisions we have had to make to reduce staff due to economic challenges What’s left to do: I would like to do something that my kids will see as important in the years to come This article from Business in Vancouver December 29, 2009-January 4, 2010; issue 1053 Business in Vancouver (www.biv.com) has been publishing in-depth local business news, analysis and commentary since 1989. The newspaper also produces a weekly ranked list of the biggest companies and players in a wide range of B.C. industries and commercial sectors, monthly features and industry-focused sections that arm its subscribers with a complete package of local business intelligence each week. |
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