Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

PSAC Okanagan Regional Women’s Committee Minutes of Meeting April 13, 2007

The Library, Mickie’s Pub, Kelowna

In Attendance:

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. with Jennifer Leenhouts in the chair.

Minutes: Minutes from January 27, 2007 were accepted. m/s/c

Continue reading below, or download the Okanagan RWC minutes April 13 2007 (pdf)

Treasurer’s Report: Balance as of March 31^st was $1247.53 with the only expenditure being the cost of lunch at the last meeting. Three cheques were issued April 10^th to support transition houses in the region (see item below). J. Leenhouts reported that there is also an outstanding bill from the Canadian Labour Congress for December 6^th supplies. The 2006 audited financial report and 2007 budget were submitted to Kay Sinclair, REVP.

Update from Regional Council Okanagan / Kootenay: S. Yaciw reported that the next BC Regional Council meeting is April 27^th. J. Leenhouts requested a bargaining update for all PSAC members (ie/ when is each contract up, what stage is bargaining at, etc.). D-L. McKenzie asked if there is an allowance or subsidy available for Locals and/or Area Councils to affiliate with a District Labour Council.

Action: S. Yaciw to obtain a bargaining update and information on affiliating with District Labour Councils.

Education: Training request discussed at last meeting was submitted. Up-coming courses include: “Talking Union Basics” (TUB), June 2^nd, Kelowna; “Grievance Handling”, June 3^rd, Kelowna; Advanced Steward Training, June 7^th to 10^th, Vancouver.

D-L. McKenzie reported that members living in the south Okanagan would prefer that training be held in Penticton. Members living in the south are encouraged to register for TUB and Grievance Handling courses as there may be a possibility to have the location changed.

Two more days of training are to be scheduled in the Okanagan. Members would still like to see the “Duty to Accommodate” course.
Action: S. Yaciw to discuss with Regina Brennan the possibility of changing the course location to Penticton if registration warrants it, and to request the “Duty to Accommodate” course for the fall.

MP Lobbying: S Yaciw reported that she contacted Stockwell Day (MP Okanagan -Coquihalla) and Ron Cannan (MP Kelowna – Lake Country) by email regarding the anti-scab legislation. Neither MP would accept an appointment. J. Leenhouts reported that she also contacted Ron Cannan by email regarding childcare issues and did not receive a response. R. Gourlie reported that she attended an open house for Colin Mayes (MP Okanagan - Shuswap).

Bargaining: Treasury Board groups have experienced a name change as follows: PA Group (Program and Administrative Services) formerly Table 1; SV Group (Operational Services) formerly Table 2; TC Group (Technical Services) formerly Table 3; EB Group (Education and Library Science) formerly Table 5. Contracts expire as follows: PA Group on June 20, 2007; SV group on August 4, 2007; TC Group on June 21, 2007; and EB Group June 30, 2007. The TC and EB Groups are on the binding arbitration route. The TC Group as well as members working in enforcement will have pay studies conducted. All groups will exchange demands electronically before April 30^th. Negotiations are proceeding with face-to-face meetings scheduled for May and June followed by a summer break. Negotiations will resume in September.

CFIA contract expired in December 2006 and they have already exchanged demands.

CRA contract expires October 31, 2007.

Bargaining updates can be found at http://www.psac.com/bargaining/index-e.shtml

Note that negotiations will be disrupted if a federal election is called.

Many aspects of bargaining and strike activity (timing of strike votes, essential services agreements, etc.) are affected by the PSMA and PSEA legislation.

Political Action: S. Yaciw and D-L. McKenzie participated in the Area Council conference call held March 14^th. Area Councils gave updates on lobbying activities, and the possibility of a federal election was discussed. The Count-Me-In campaign will run again, however no ridings in the Okanagan are targeted.

The election Act was discussed. PSAC activists can be partisan with our members but not with others. We can make political donations as individuals up to $1000 but that the union can not make donations.

There is a strategic plan in BC if an election is called which is modelled on the strike structure. S. Yaciw as Area Council President to take the lead on political action.

Jurisdictional Vote: J. Leenhouts reported on the up-coming jurisdictional vote to determine which Component (CEIU or NH&W) will represent all PSAC members at Service Canada.

Business Attire Donation Program (Dress for Success): Information on the campaign organized by UTE Local 20026 was forwarded to all committee members. AGR Local 20043 is also considering participating. J. Leenhouts reported that there is a similar program in Kelowna which and CEIU members make clothing donations.

Action: J. Leenhouts to obtain information as to where clothing donations can be made in Kelowna.

Donations to Support Transition Houses: Donations of $100 were made to South Okanagan Women in Need Society, Central Okanagan Emergency Shelter Society (Kelowna) and Vernon Women’s Transition Centre.

Regional Women’s Conference: K. Megyesi participated in a conference call on March 21, 2007 to discuss the Regional Women’s Conference. The conference is tentatively scheduled for the last weekend in September 2007; will be held in New Westminster, Burnaby or downtown Vanvouver; and may include environmental issues.

CEIU Western Women’s Conference: J. Leenhouts reported that she swill be making a presentation on violence against women and how to recognize signs in colleagues. The idea of using CEIU’s expertise to do training relevant to women in the Okanagan was discussed.

Adjourned at 7:55 p.m. m/s/c

Next Meeting TBA