Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

PSAC - Okanagan Regional Women’s Committee, Minutes of Meeting – June 23, 2006, Perkins Restaurant, Kelowna

In Attendance:

• Susan Yaciw UTE 20003
• Maria-Luiza Romano AGR 20027
• Jennifer Leenhouts CEIU 20972
• Ruth Eisworth UTE 20026
• Kareen Stanich AGR 20043
• Kelley Megyesi
• Darrell-Lee McKenzie AGR 20043
• Linda Woods NAT 20140
• Roberta Gourlie CEIU 20915

The meeting was called to order at 7:25 p.m. with Jennifer Leenhouts in the chair.

Download the Okanagan RWC minutes June 23 2006 (pdf) or continue reading below.

Minutes: Minutes from March 18, 2006 were accepted. m/s/c

Treasurer’s Report: The report was presented (see attached). m/s/c

• Action: J. Harrison to be removed as signing officer and replaced by J. Leenhouts.

Area Council / Women’s Committee in South Okanagan: K. Stanich reported that several Locals are still expressing interest and hope to have an initial meeting in the fall.

Education: The fall education schedule was discussed and concern raised about the number of activities scheduled on the same weekend, and also if the Collective Bargaining course will take place before bargaining conferences begin.

Presently 2 courses are scheduled:

• Women at Work Part 2September 29, 2006 location TBA
• Collective BargainingOctober 1 2006 Kelowna

• Action: S. Yaciw to contact Regina Brennan to discuss the timing of the Collective Bargaining course in relation to the schedule for Bargaining Conferences for all tables.
• Action: S. Yaciw to finalize program for Women at Work Part 2 course.

Participation of Retired Members: Nothing new to report on action items below.

• Action: J. Harrison to investigate UTE bylaws regarding retired members.
• Action: P. Ducharme to seek clarification at the PSAC level on the issue.

Member Appreciation Event: J. Leenhouts reported that she contacted Lake City Bowl and Billiards and we could rent all 12 lanes on a Friday or Saturday evening. The cost for 2 hours is $360 and pizza could be provided at $12 / large. Projected total cost for 50 to 60 people is $504. The event will proceed on September 29, 2006. m/s/c

• Action: J. Leenhouts to finalize details, invite Regina Brennan, and send out notice.

PSAC Triennial Convention: Reports from Susan Yaciw and J. Leenhouts were discussed. See attached.

MP Lobbying: The need to meet with local MP’s in order to make them aware of the concerns of PSAC members in their ridings was discussed. Key issues were identified as follows:

1. AGR: Some benefits are not fully transferable between Treasury Board employers and Agencies. A CFIA employee recently received a letter demanding re-payment of maternity benefits collected when employed at Justice.
2. UTE: Campaign to save client services at the Canada Revenue Agency.
3. NAT: Layoff of National Component staff in the region.

• Action: D-L. McKenzie to follow up with R. Brennan regarding a briefing note on the issue of whistle-blowing.
• Action: D-L. McKenzie and J. Leenhouts to arrange meetings with MP’s in south, central, and north Okanagan.

Election of Alternate REVP: Patty Ducharme was elected to the position of National Executive Vice President, and therefore Kay Sinclair has moved into the position of REVP leaving the Alternate REVP position vacant. All BC Regional Convention delegates have received a notice of the vacancy, and nomination forms.

Bargaining: CFIA bargaining conference is scheduled for September. Treasury Board tables to have regional conferences in the fall with the national conference in the spring. Locals should contact their Components to determine how delegates to bargaining conferences are selected.

• Action: S. Yaciw to contact R. Brennan to get clarification on how delegate representation from the Regional Women’s Committee’s in BC is handled. Can a delegate be sent to CFIA bargaining conferences from RWC?

Handbook: K. Stanich reported that additional copies of “Women of the Union: The PSAC Regional Women’s Committee Handbook” were received. Anyone wishing a copy should contact J. Leenhouts.

Training for Chairperson and Treasurer of Women’s Committee’s: J. Leenhouts reported that the training originally scheduled for April was postponed until September 21 & 22. J. Leenhouts and K. Megyesi to attend.

Loan Material: Various books and videos are available for loan and are held by J. Leenhouts.

• Action: J. Leenhouts to prepare list of materials and K. Stanich to distribute.

Adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Next Meeting: September 30, 2006 at noon (during the Women at Work Course), Location TBA