Ellen Oxman

Background

About Ellen Oxman

Since March 2020 I have been employed at Cowichan Tribes. Starting in the Sustainable Housing Department, then as part of the Restart Team to help the organization maneuver through COVID-19 and the pandemic. July 2020 I was asked to take on the role of Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator and as of April 1, 2023 have been promoted to Occupational Health and Safety Advisor. I have enjoyed the opportunity to expand the safety culture at Cowichan Tribes. Working with the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee we have created new education opportunities, reporting practices and procedures. As Coordinator I have been involved in creating and presenting policy and procedural initiatives. Recently, I have been added to the Pandemic Response Team and the Emergency Operations Committee. I welcome the opportunity for new challenges and education. From 2007 to 2019 I worked for BC Ferry & Marine Workers' Union. Starting as an Admin Assistant and then Office Manager for the last ten years of my employment. I was responsible for Human Resources functions, supervising up to 10 staff members, contract negotiations, Privacy Officer, budget and finance oversite, organizing events such as conventions, office facility management, training, data systems and security, and assistant to the Provincial President and Executive Boards. My husband was in the Canadian Navy for over 20 years. During that time I was chosen to represent military families from BC and the Yukon. I sat as their representative on the Military Family National Advisory Board. We met in Ottawa with representatives from all over Canada and discussed issues important to military families with the Deputy Minister of National Defense and representatives from each of the branches of the military. I also volunteered for mediation training while we were stationed in the UK and went through an extensive 12 week course on mediation. The skills I learned from that program have been useful in all aspects of my life. Volunteerism has always been important to me and I continue to volunteer in our community as much as possible. As the past President of Nanaimo Duncan & District Labour Council I have had the opportunity to learn about important issues that affect us all.