Sussanne Skidmore

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT SUSSANNE SKIDMORE

Sussanne Skidmore has been fighting on behalf of working people for close to 25 years. An outspoken human rights, social justice and queer rights champion, Skidmore’s journey as a respected labour leader and political activist was galvanized back in 1998 during the 17-month strike by B.C.’s unionized projectionists, who were facing a crushing 60-per-cent wage rollback. An income assistance worker and member of BCGEU at the time, Skidmore joined her union at a rally to support the workers holding down a picket line outside her hometown theatre in Prince George – a line the movie-going public had crossed in droves. It was a heartbreaking demonstration of the importance of solidarity, and it made a lasting impression on Skidmore. In the years that followed, Skidmore took on countless roles in her union and the greater labour movement, from shop steward and executive member in her local to senior leadership roles with BCGEU and what is now the North Central Labour Council. Always willing to put herself out there in order to advance both the voices and choices of workers, she was the BC NDP candidate in the Nechako Lakes riding in 2013, and she ran for vice-president of the Canadian Labour Congress in 2017. Skidmore, 48, was vice-president of the BCGEU for several years prior to running successfully for secretary-treasurer of the BCFED in 2018 and 2020. She has served as co-chair of BC Fed’s Human Rights Committee and is active in the Women’s Rights Committee. She is also the treasurer for the New Democratic Party of Canada and a vice-president of the BC NDP. She co-chairs the United Way’s Period Promise campaign to end period poverty and is a living kidney donor. Skidmore’s passion is putting workers front, centre and forward.