Karen Ranalletta was elected President of CUPE’s British Columbia and Yukon Division in May of 2021 and is currently serving her second term in the role. Karen’s election as CUPE BC’s senior officer came after serving three terms as General Vice-President and four terms at President of CUPE 2950, where she represented more than 1,500 clerical, library and theatre workers at the University of British Columbia.

Karen is serving her third year as a member of CUPE’s National Executive Board, and was elected as a National General Vice-President (Alberta, BC and the Territories) in 2023 following two years as Regional Vice-President (BC). Karen’s National work includes serving on the National Safe Union Spaces Working Group and Political Action Committee. She also represents CUPE BC at the officers table of the BC Federation of Labour, where she co-chairs the Climate Justice and Jobs Working Group.

Outside of her union role, Karen donates her time to supporting the arts community in Vancouver, as well as supporting grassroots organizing and progressive activism. These involvements include serving as a board director for the Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance and as a member of the BC Steering Committee of the Canadian Centre of Policy Alternatives.