Barry O'Neill has been president of CUPE BC since 1997. He represents more than 70,000 workers, including those working in municipalities, school districts, universities, colleges, social services, ambulance paramedics and others. Previous to his position as President of CUPE British Columbia, Barry was the fulltime President of CUPE Local 606, representing 1,400 school support workers in School District #68 and School District #69, Nanaimo, Duncan and Lake Cowichan.

Born on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Barry now lives in Lantzville on Vancouver Island with his wife of 27 years Charmaine. He has 4 children and a wonderful granddaughter, all of which he is very proud.

Barry has been an activist for working people for the past 25 years. Some of the positions he has held:

• Chairperson, National Occupational Health & Safety Committee (CUPE)
  
• Chairperson, Provincial Occupational Health & Safety Committee (CUPE)
  
• Chairperson, Provincial Pension Committee (CUPE)
  
• Task Force - WCB in Canada (Canadian Labour Congress)
  
• Member, National Task Force on Pensions (CUPE)
  
• Chairperson, Provincial Pension Committee (CUPE)
  
• Held number of positions as Executive member of CUPE BC prior to becoming President.
  
• Member, Board of Governors United Way in Nanaimo.
  

• Executive Officer of the BC Federation of Labour
  
• General vice-president, CUPE National, representing B.C. and Alberta.
  
• Chairperson, BC Federation of Labour, Occupationa Health & Safety Committee
  
• Director, Working Enterprises
  
• Director, Columbia Foundation
  
• Director, Camp Jubilee
  
• Pension Trustee, CUPE Employees' Pension Plan
  
• Alternate Trustee, Municipal Pension Board of Trustees