Sandra Banister Interview: Representing Workers and Shaping Labour Law
Sandra Banister was born and raised in Vancouver; her mother was a stay-at-home mum and her father was an IBEW lineman. Sandra got an undergraduate degree in political science and then a law degree at UBC, articling with John Laxton and doing a lot of work with the International Woodworkers of America (IWA) union.
This interview was conducted by Carmela Allevato on July 29, 2024 in Burnaby, BC. It is part of our Oral History Collection.
Sandra Banister was born and raised in Vancouver; her mother was a stay-at-home mum and her father was an IBEW lineman. Sandra got an undergraduate degree in political science and then a law degree at UBC, articling with John Laxton and doing a lot of work with the International Woodworkers of America (IWA) union.
Sandra describes decades of work, both in political spheres, and as a labour lawyer: from working with Dave Barrett and Alex MacDonald as NDP Vice-President, to defending IWA pickets when they “would picket anything with wood,” to her work on commissions for the labour board, to ongoing disputes around privacy and workplace surveillance.
Sandra charts changes in labour law and in sectors over the decades. This includes the changes brought by the Canadian Charter, the decline in unionization rates in the private sector, and the increase in the cost, length, and complexity of labour grievances and disputes.
Sandra emphasized the importance of pro-union education in school curriculum and among young people. Over the years she had represented and continues to represent workers across sectors, from forestry workers to college educators.