Meet your HSPBA Bargaining Committee Members

Your collective agreement doesn’t just come together on its own. The union brings forward scores of proposals to improve pay, benefits, and working conditions, and the employers on the other side of the table push back. And so it goes, back and forth, for weeks, months, sometimes years before an agreement is reached.

Every line of that final agreement is shaped by this process. And the people pushing for improvements to every line of that agreement are people who know the job. Because they—like you—do the job. They understand the challenges, the stress, and the pride that comes with working in health care in BC.

This year’s bargaining committee is made up of HSA members from across the province, representing a wide range of professions, and elected at last year’s bargaining proposal conference. They’ve stepped forward to make sure your concerns are heard, and that the contract we fight for reflects the reality of your work.

Meet the people sitting at the table on your behalf.

Mandi Ayers – Medical Laboratory Technologist, Northern Health Care

Mandi works in the labs at both Haida Gwaii Hospital and Northern Haida Gwaii Hospital. A veteran HSA member of 38 years, she’s returned to the bargaining table to ensure rural voices are heard. Mandi’s top issue is recruitment and retention, particularly how improvements to the classification system can help retain skilled professionals in remote regions.

She wants people to understand that lab professionals like her are vital to diagnosis—without them, physicians would be left guessing.

In her spare time, Mandi finds her passion in travelling and learning about other cultures.

Brooke Carter – Medical Laboratory Technologist, Board of Directors (Co-Chair)

Brooke is a medical laboratory technologist based in Victoria who has been an HSA member since 2014. A long-time steward, board member, treasurer, and current chair of the Governance and Policy Committee, Brooke brings a passion for language and policy to the bargaining table. For her, every clause in the contract tells a story about decades of advocacy—and every round of bargaining is a chance to write the next chapter. Brooke is especially focused on workload and staffing shortages, particularly the impact of rising private agency staffing on morale and mentorship. She’s also a strong advocate for equity through bargaining, believing firmly that no one should be left behind.

She wants more people to recognize just how foundational lab work is to the health care system. Most patients never see the lab, but nearly all of their care depends on it—from diagnosis to treatment decisions. Lab professionals contribute not just to tests, but deep clinical insight and dedication behind the scenes.

Outside of work, Brooke is currently obsessed with roller skating and brings that same energy and balance to everything she does.

Kyle Collins – Pharmacist, Island Health

Kyle works in pediatrics and the pediatric intensive care unit at Victoria General Hospital. An HSA member for eight years, he joined the bargaining committee to ensure smaller or lesser-heard professions are represented and to help negotiate a fair, equitable collective agreement for all. Kyle is advocating for key issues like classifications, wages, shift premiums, and contracting out.

What many people don’t realize about pharmacists, he explains, is how far the role has expanded. Today’s clinical pharmacists are deeply involved in patient care—from making rounds to leading research and shaping hospital policy.

When he’s off the clock, you’ll often find Kyle running trails or relaxing by the beach on beautiful Vancouver Island.

Doug Herasymuik – Occupational Therapist, Affiliated Employers

Doug is a pediatric occupational therapist working with infants and children at the Centre for Child Development. A community volunteer and union activist for nearly three decades, he’s held numerous roles across HEU, BCNU, and HSA, including organizer, lead steward, and member engager. He’s joined the bargaining committee to round out his union service. Doug is especially focused on maintaining social justice language in the collective agreement—language that defends workers’ rights to safety, dignity, and autonomy.

He works with children and families navigating far more than just health challenges. Many are newcomers, refugees, or vulnerable due to housing instability, food insecurity, and systemic racism.

In his spare time, Doug recharges by enjoying BC’s natural beauty with family and friends through winter sports, camping, and paddleboarding.

Gita Joshi – Dietitian, Vancouver Coastal

Gita works as a clinical dietitian and certified diabetes educator at Vancouver General Hospital. An HSA member since 2007, she joined the bargaining committee to deepen her involvement and bring members’ voices to the table. She’s focused on classifications, workload, cost-of-living concerns, and embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion in the contract.

Gita hopes people see the team effort behind managing chronic illness. In her dual capacity, she works closely with nurses and endocrinologists to support long-term health, not just with food but with education, empowerment, and trust.

Outside of work, she’s a Scout leader, mom, dog owner, and passionate supporter of sustainable food systems.

Jing-Yi Ng – Pharmacist, Board of Directors (Chair)

Jing-Yi, an Eagle Ridge Hospital clinical pharmacist, has been a dedicated HSA member for over 26 years and currently serves as a board member. She’s served on past bargaining committees and continues to advocate for continuity and meaningful progress at the table. This round, she’s focused on building on past gains and representing frontlines concerns from across the province.

Jing-Yi wants people to know that clinical pharmacists provide direct patient care. When reviewing drug therapies, clinical pharmacists adjust and monitor treatment plans based on patient-specific parameters ensuring safe and effective health care.

In her spare time, she enjoys peaceful walks with her husband and puppy, and also loves to bake.

Kirn Sanghera –Radiological Technologist, Providence Health Care

Kirn is the interim interventional radiology supervisor at St. Paul’s Hospital. An HSA member since 2013 and steward since 2015, Kirn joined the bargaining committee to support her colleagues and represent the urgent needs of professions like hers. She’s focused on addressing critical shortages and ensuring fair wages to maintain quality care.

Interventional radiology often flies under the radar, but Kirn wants people to know just how critical it is. Her team performs life-saving procedures using advanced images—stopping internal bleeding, delivering targeted cancer treatments, and much more, all without the need for major surgery.

Outside work, she stays active playing volleyball and enjoys puzzles, reading, and running her small sewing business.

Kieran Shoker – Pharmacist, Provincial Health Services Authority

Kieran is a clinical oncology pharmacist at BC Cancer in Prince George, representing HSA members employed by Provincial Health Services Authority. A member since 2012 and lead steward since 2015, Kieran has been at the bargaining table for two previous bargaining rounds and brings deep knowledge of issues that matters most to his colleagues, especially on classification challenges. He is focused on improving the new classification system and addressing workload, recruitment and retention, and wage parity.

For Kieran, it’s disheartening that so many people still picture pharmacists counting pills behind a counter. In reality, they’re clinical experts—checking for errors, optimizing treatments, mentoring colleagues, and collaborating across teams to ensure safe and effective care.

In his downtime, Kieran is an avid traveller, with his sights set on visiting every province and continent.

Jason Tan – Pharmacist, Fraser Health Authority

Jason is a pharmacist at BC Children’s and Women’s Hospital and has been a member of HSA since 2015. He joined the bargaining committee to help ensure that all HSA professions receive fair treatment under the new classification system. He’s especially focused on correcting inequities in how professions are classified and compensated.

Jason hopes people see that pharmacists are involved in much more than dispensary work. His work spans patient education, hospital policy, and procedure development.

Off the job, you’ll often find Jason climbing!

Tiger Ye – Physiotherapist, Interior Health

Tiger is a dedicated physiotherapist serving communities in the South Okanagan. A proud HSA member since 2014, he joined the HSPBA bargaining to address the pressing challenges of inflation-driven wage erosion, critical shortages, staff burnout, and an increasing reliance on agency workers. A steadfast advocate for all members represented under the HPSBA, Tiger is committed to ensuring their vital contributions to patient care are recognized and valued.

Like many within the HSPBA, Tiger sees physiotherapy as a crucial, yet often overlooked, part of patient recovery. Early mobility can mean the difference between a smooth discharge and a prolonged hospital stay. He is passionate about raising awareness of the essential role his profession—and all allied health professionals—play in the continuum of care.

Outside of work, Tiger is deeply engaged in his community. He volunteers as a ski patroller, serves on the board of the Carmi Recreation Trail Society, and officiates at his children’s swimming races.