Minutes: Northwest BC Area Council meeting, January 29 2006
Published by Patrick February 22nd, 2006 in Area Councils, Minutes, North BC Tags: Minutes, north, northwest-ac.Northwest B.C. Area Council January 29, 2006 Meeting
Attendance:
- Michael Ballard, UEW 20147
- Phyllis Bortignon, USGE 20071
- Barry Cunningham, UCTE 20213
- Albert DeMedeiros, UCTE 20215
- Penny Dickson, CEIU 20926
- Benilde Gomes, USGE 20071
- Scott MacPhee, UCTE 20213
- Gabe McLean, UCTE 20215
Special Guest Speaker: Patty Ducharme, PSAC REVP-BC spoke to members regarding the changes she expects to see happen within PSAC since the federal election this past week. Patty foresees a freeze in hiring within PSAC and other cutbacks from the newly elected Progressive Conservative Minority government.
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The BLOC party has always been very supportive of PSAC issues.
There will be a motion put on the floor at the PSAC National, for raise of union dues by $5.00, $2.50 of which will be put directly towards the hardship /strike fund. During the past strikes, this fund has helped members who have a very hard time financially. The process is one in which the member requesting financial assistance, fills out an application and it is put forth to the provincial executive who consider all aspects affecting the member prior to making the decision to approve the request or not.
Over $50,000 has been submitted to applicants in the last 6 years in B.C.
The fall of 2006 will start looking at the bargaining input ffor the next round of bargaining talks.
Discussed the different medical plans. Most of those in attendance are TB members whereas members at the Prince Rupert airport are a separate employere and have a considerably different plan.
Call to order: Benilde Gomes opened the meeting at 2:40 p.m.
Minutes of November 26, 2006 meeting: Michael Ballard requested that a change be made on page 2 in the last paragraph which notes EWU (nee DFO). This should read UEW. Change was made. Patty Ducharme clarified that the membership dues noted in paragraph 2 by the Kitimat-Terrace and District Labour council applies only to local members within the Northwest B.C. Area Council and also that this money can be applied for through the National PSAC.
Michael Ballard motioned to accept the Minutes of October 1, 2005 meeting.
Barry Cunningham seconded the motion.
Motion carried and passed.
Treasurer’s Report: Barry Cunningham indicates that the end date on page 1 should read January 31, 2006 and on page 3, the year on rows 1 - 3 should read 05. Barry stated that he has not received dues from some of the locals and requests names and numbers so that he can contact them. Benilde Gomes will email him the names and numbers of the local presidents. Patty Ducharme will check with National regarding the $500 that is to be sent out to the council.
Michael Ballard motioned to accept the Treasurer’s Report
Gabe McLean seconded the motion
Motion carried and passed.
Election for Northwest B.C. Area Council Secretary: Penny Dickson nominated Gabe McLean who declined due to work schedule conflicts which would prohibit him from attending very many meeting.
No other nominations. Phyllis Bortignon volunteered to take and produce the minutes for this meeting but is not available to accept the position either, due to work schedule conflicts.
The election for this position will be postponed to next meeting, to give members the opportunity to canvass their locals for someone interested in the position.
Committee Reports - Education: Gabe McLean emailed his locals requests to Benilde Gomes.
Penny Dickson requested that one of the training days be used for PSMA which several members are interested in due to the staffing and recourse issues around it.
Barry Cunningham would like to see training for stewards and understanding the collective agreement.
Gabe McLean suggests that suggestions from each local be taken and then request a change of the training budget to reflect the needs of locals.
Michael Ballard suggests more focus on outreach and board development.
Patty Ducharme explains that though there is a real desire for more training to be put on, there is the issue of intertwining conflicts and needs which come into play. The education budget for B.C. is approximately $100,000 and it is extremely difficult to plan how to get the biggest bang for the buck. There is in the works, an initiative to put out a new Web Training Program which would assist all members. Also locals should get together and figure out which part of the PSMA that they would like to learn about and then put together information sessions about it.
Benilde Gomes will send out a notice to all locals reminding them to submit their wishes for the 2 day training for this year and the dead line for responses is February 3, 2006.
Michael Ballard motions for acceptance of the Education report.
Scott MacPhee seconded the motion.
Motion accepted and passed.
Committee Reports - Womens: Nikki McVey was not in attendance.
Benilde Gomes reports that the Ksan Society in Terrace looks forward to this Area Council supporting their cause and they are checking to see if there is a like society in Prince Rupert.
Michael Ballard makes note that the Highway of Tears would like to accept this Area Council’s support.
Michael Ballard motions for acceptance of Womens report
Barry Cunningham seconds motion.
Motion accepted and carried.
Committee Reports - Youth: Scott MacPhee requests a list of PSAC youth and asks if there is a youth mentoring program.
Benilde Gomes will email this list to Scott.
Patty Ducharme says the youth training happening this spring will address the mentoring.
Committee Reports - Aboriginal: Michael Ballard says that he has as a part of the NAIM put together a draft power point presentation in regards to the local Aboriginals, which he would like to present to the Council. Treasury Board has responded with their version - ANNI. Mike would like to put together training for evolution of Aboriginal members. He has contacted employers who have since changed the name of their Employment Equity Program. The NAIM has changed equity program name to Regional Development Action Committee.
Gabe McLean motioned to accept the Aboriginal report
Albert DeMedeiros seconded motion.
Motion accepted and passed.
Committee Reports - Political Action: Due to the recent election, where Nathan Cullen won in this area with a 2 to 1 vote margin, there is not much else to report here.
Barry Cunningham motions to accept Political Action report
Michael Ballard seconded motion
Motion accepted and passed.
Committee Reports - Health and Safety: Barry Cunningham says that not many on his work site are aware of the internal investigation regarding health and safety issues. He has been giving out information.
Gabe McLean states that due to the legislation of Occupational Health and Safety, their work site any problems are handled immediately.
Benilde Gomes states that PSAC Health and Safety training is in March - check the website.
Penny Dickson motions to accept the Health and Safety report
Scott MacPhee seconds motion.
Motion accepted and passed.
Preparations for PSAC 40th Anniversary celebrations:Benilde Gomes states that funding for events can be obtained from Regional office .
Barry Cunningham states that Prince Rupert Labour Day celebrations would be good one to take part in with the Labour Council.
Discussion of possibly making a float for both Seafest in Prince Rupert and Riverboat Days in Terrace.
Patty Ducharme suggests that during Public Service Week, there be a table be put up with the local fish hatcheries information and the impact on the local economy.
Any other Business: Michael Ballard thanks Benilde Gomes for her dedication and at getting the Council up and running along with her very hard work in keeping everything running so smoothly.
Mike also thanked Patty Ducharme for her visit to our area and attending our meeting.
Work site visits are taking place tomorrow (January 30, 2006) in Prince Rupert by Patty Ducharme and Benilde Gomes.
Schedule next meeting: Benilde Gomes will be sending out an email indicating the dates that are available for the next meeting. Members will rsvp to her with the favourable dates.
Meeting adjourned at: 4:26 p.m.
Michael Ballard motioned to call the meeting adjourned.
Albert DeMedeiros seconded the motion.
Motion accepted and passed.