Union leader Shields a staunch champion of B.C. public servants
John Shields, a union leader who battled on behalf B.C. public servants against both Socred and NDP premiers, has died.
Shields served four terms as president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union between 1984 and 1999, following a diverse career in the U.S. and Canada during which he became involved in social justice, theology and the interaction between science and spirituality.
“It’s a sad day for the BCGEU. John was a great friend to me and so many of us at the BCGEU and within the labour movement nationally,” Stephanie Smith, current BCGEU president, said in a statement announcing the death of Shields in Victoria Friday at age 78. “He stayed connected with us even after he retired. We’ll miss John’s wisdom and fellowship tremendously.”
Born in New York City Shields held a masters in theology from St. Paul’s College in Washington, D.C. where he worked with Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement before becoming a teacher of popular theology, according to his personal website. He moved to B.C. in 1969. In recent years, Shields taught labour relations and negotiations at Vancouver Island University, served as director at Matrix Asset Management and was director of operations for the Land Conservancy of B.C.
He ran a consulting firm and served as chair of the non-profit Centre for Earth and Spirit charity, which strives to “reconnect humans to nature and deepen an earthbased spirituality.”
His memoir, The Priest who left his Religion: In Pursuit of Cosmic Spirituality, was published in 2011.
The BCGEU credited Shields with making positive changes during his work there, including his bringing more education and skills development for stewards, decentralizing the handling of member grievances away from union headquarters, creating bargaining councils and forming locals.
The union said his most significant achievement may have been his negotiating pay equity for members in the B.C. public service in 1990, which led sectors such as colleges, and social services to follow suit.