Northwest Area Council AGM minutes, March 24 2007
Published by Patrick May 3rd, 2007 in Area Councils, Minutes, North BC Tags: Minutes, north, northwest-ac.Northwest B.C. Area Council Annual General Meeting March 24, 2007
Attendance:
- Phyllis Bortignon USGE 20071
- Penny Dickson CEIU 20926
- Benilde Gomes USGE 20071
- Dale Gueret UEW 20147
- Scott MacPhee UCTE 20213
- Sean McGovernCEUDA 20042
- Nikki McVeyCEIU 20926
- Jack Rudd PSAC CULE Regional Representative
- Terry Intermala Prince Rupert Unemployed Society
Call to Order: Benilde opened meeting at 7:10pm
Adoption of Agenda: Motion made to accept Agenda as read and carried.
Continue reading below or download the NorthWest Area Council meeting minutes, March 24 2007 (pdf)
Previous Meetings Minutes:
Motion made to accept Minutes from October 21, 2006 and December 2, 2006, as read and carried.
Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer, Barry Cunningham, unexpectedly called to work - report is not available at this time. Motion made to set report over to next meeting and carried..
VIP Guest Speaker:
Be introduces Jack Rudd, from our PSAC BC Regional Representative. Jack will be retiring at the end of this April. Jack spoke to members regarding a new cycle starting at the beginning of 2007 for the advanced training and education (requested by members) plan for the next 4 years, along with a JLP for the region. The initial courses held in Vancouver have been well attended and there are more being planned. It will all be posted on the website - psacbc.com .
Jack then spoke of the round of bargaining coming up for contracts ending this year and to that end, turned the floor over to Sean McGovern, who just returned from pre-bargaining preparations in Ottawa.
Sean reports that there is a lot of pressure on for mobilizing the workforces to lobby their Mps in this next round of bargaining.. He found the whole process in Ottawa mesmerizing with all of the political agendas. In particular, it was quite eventful with the 3rd reading of the AntiScab legislation being defeated. And finally there is pressure to educate the workforce to get more involved in the bargaining process. Back to Jack.
Jack forsees that this time around the focus of bargaining will primarily be on essential services. The AntiScab process was a learning process. Bargaining will most likely heat up this fall.
Special Guest:
Be introduced Terry Intermela from the Prince Rupert Unemployed Centre Society, stating also that Terry is an invaluable resource person for the northern area of BC. He helps all persons who require assistance with filling out and filing forms, paperwork for requalifying for EI, WCB, Medical, Living Assistance, etc. It is due to his unwavering dedication to help those in need, that this is the original program that started in the early 80s, is now the last program left in the province. Total cases that he worked on and processed in 2006 is 634.
Terry thanked the PSAC for the funding donation of $2000 towards the program in 2006. It was very much appreciated. When queried about where their other funding comes from, Terry reports that they get some from local venues, gaming and the Law Foundation. He says that the largest problem in our area is that there is no training and a lack of appeal process. Terry is waiting for the government of the day to restore integrity back to the unemployment program. The problem with our area is that it is included with the whole northern part of the province, which creates the anomaly of being assessed in the same category as the booming areas of the north. When in actuality, our area is not booming. We are still a recessed workforce here.
Roll Call of Members for Elections:
Jack confirmed that there are 7 eligible voters present and proceeded to call for nominations, beginning with:
President:Benilde GOMES, nominated, agreed to stand and is voted in.
Nomination by Penny Dickson.
Vice-President:Scott MacPhee nominated, agreed to stand and is voted in.
Nominated by Vikki McVey.
Treasurer:Nikki McVey nominated, agreed to stand and is voted in.
Nomination by Penny Dickson.
Secretary:Phyllis Bortignon nominated, agreed to stand and is voted in.
Nomination by Sean McGovern.
Committees:
Benilde Gomes reports that the role of committees and the Area Council, is to encourage feed back for our area and to that end, requests volunteers for the following committees:
Education: Penny Dickson will report at the next meeting of her plans and suggestions for this committee
Women’s: Nikki McVey has been checking into setting up a Women’s Committee and requires more information. Benilde will provide some to her. Dale Gueret and Scott MacPhee will enquire at their work sites to find out if there are any women who would interested in volunteering to this committee.
Aboriginal, Health & Safety, Human Rights, Political Action, Youth: No volunteers at this time. More information requested by members.
Jack Rudd suggests that for these committees, teleconferencing and media conferencing be set up with the Vancouver Regional office, to coincide with their meetings.
Collective Bargaining:
Jack Rudd says that Regional focal points will be called for updates on local issues. Conference calls with the new PSAC Regional Representative - Colette Savory, should be set up to keep current with bargaining.
Meeting Dates:
Benilde Gomes suggests that meetings be scheduled for the whole year so that everyone is aware of them and can schedule in advance. Discussion results in March, June, October and conference call be set up for the winter months. Since this March’s meeting in Prince Rupert, the next meeting should be set for June in Terrace, to coincide with a proposed visit from Colette Savory, who is taking Jack Rudd’s place. The 3rd week in June is decided as a good time to work towards. Since the Union Café had to be cancelled this week, perhaps it could be rescheduled for that time as well.
Amendments to Bylaws:
There are no amendments at this time. For members who are unfamiliar with the bylaws, they can be viewed on the website psacbc.com.
District Labour Council Activities:
Benilde reports that she is the Secretary/Treasurer of the Kitimat-Terrace and District Labour Council, who is hosting the All Northern District Labour Council Conference in Terrace. If members want to attend the conference, they are to attend the Prince Rupert Labour Council meeting on March 29, 2007 and express an interest in going.
April 14, 2007, there is a BBQ Social for this conference is being held at the Carpenters Hall at 6pm. The tickets are $15 each. Motion is made, seconded and carried to purchase up to 10 tickets for this Social. Members are to contact Benilde to reserve tickets.
April 21, 2007, the Kitimat-Terrace and District Labour Council and the Prince Rupert District Labour Council have scheduled training for the Northern Coastal School. Steward 1 and Assertiveness & Problem Solving, are being offered in Prince Rupert. Public Speaking, Campaign Organizing, Retire in Style and Women in Leadership, are being offered in Terrace.
April 28, 2007 is the National Day of Mourning for Workers Killed or Injured On the Job.
May 5, 2007 is May Day Celebrations in Terrace.
For more information on these events, check the CLC website as to the events and whereabouts of these events.
Other Business:
Benilde reads a letter of thanks for the contributions made from this Area Council in support to the mine workers in Yellowknife at the BHP Billiton’s Ekati diamond mine.
Benilde informs everyone of Mike Ballard’s daughter’s motor vehicle accident near Terrace, in which she sustained severe injuries and had to be medi-vac to Vancouver General Hospital. She has undergone surgeries and is out of intensive care but has a long road ahead with severe head and right arm injuries. She can’t speak at this time and is learning to write with her left hand. Benilde has purchased a Spirit Bear gift and card for everyone to sign.
Jack was presented with spirit bear t-shirts and a framed print of the Kermode bear commemorating his work with the Northwest BC Area Council as he enters into retirement.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 9pm.
*** Amendments:
After lengthy discussions with Barry Cunningham and Nikki McVey that the Treasurer for another term is Barry. Nikki wishes to pursue the establishment of a Regional Women’s Committee for the Northwest. Congratulations to both of you and for considering each others need and positive development to this Council. Much appreciated.