Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Northwest B.C. Area Council Meeting September 8, 2007

Attendance:

• Phyllis Bortignon USGE 20071
• Barry Cunningham UCTE 20213
• Penny Dickson CEIU 20926
• Benilde Gomes USGE 20071
• Scott MacPhee UCTE 20213
• Nikki McVey CEIU 20926
• Colette Savarie PSAC BC Regional Representative

Call to Order: Benilde opened meeting at 11:15am

Adoption of Agenda: Motion made to accept Agenda as read and carried.

Continue reading below or download the NorthWest Area Council meeting minutes - Sept 8 2007 (pdf)

Previous Meetings Minutes: Motion made to accept Minutes from March 24, 2007, as read and carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Barry read into the minutes his report with the balance of $1,705.74 plus shares of $27.57. He also presented a report from an accountant who has reviewed the records to date and found everything in order. There is an invoice from this accountant for $50 which was motioned for acceptance to pay, and carried. Barry indicates that Locals haven’t been submitting their dues and he will be approaching them with a reminder. There will be renewed support coming from Prince Rupert Grain, with Harvey Russell now in as the new rep. Motion made to accept Treasurer’s Report as read and carried.

VIP Guest Speaker: Benilde introduces Colette Savarie, from our PSAC BC Regional Representative. Colette will be visiting our area more often as she has family in Terrace. Penny asks Colette if she could tell members more about herself. Colette spoke to members regarding her background in Saskatchewan, Yellowknife and South East B.C. She spoke at length on her PSAC involvement in the mining strike, murder of scabs and conflict resolutions in Yellowknife. Colette will be facilitating the Advanced Stewards training to be held in Prince Rupert on November 16-18, 2007. Reminder given to register for this training before the deadline of November 5, 2007.

Update on Bargaining: Nikki asks Colette if there is any indication on what will happen to pay raises. Colette says that monetary discussions will not happen for quite some time yet and usually during bargaining, it is the last agenda item to be tackled.Benilde reads some of the issues being suggested by Treasury Board and the Employer from the PSACBC website.

Treasury Board wants:

• the elimination of additional sick leave for shift workers,
• the elimination of the right to have a complete and current job description,
• the elimination of vacation advance payments

The employer is also asking for:

• a reduction in the amount of vacation leave members can carry over,
• a reduction in the amount of overtime part time workers can claim,
• reductions to call back and reporting pay entitlements,
• a reduction in the number of situations where double time for overtime work would apply,
• a reduction in the notice period for changes to shift schedule from 7 days to 48 hours.

The employer also wants to increase and/or adjust core working hours for some groups and have indicated they intend to table demands on severance pay and Work Force Adjustment. Although some Employer demands are unclear at this point, many are perfectly clear. Your bargaining teams are committed to saying NO to any demand calling for a roll-back in current terms and conditions of employment.The negotiating teams are back at the bargaining table in October.For more information on recent updates to the bargaining, Benilde and Collette suggest that members go to the website http://www.psacbc.com/categories/bargaining-units/treasury-board/ .

Supporting our bargaining units: Benilde is the representative for our region as the Area Strike Coordinator. She asks that members identify Picket Captains, work locations, and areas of responsibility. Recommendations to have all job descriptions current, as essential services apply to the job description and not the person. Scott asks for clarification on the phrase in job descriptions “other duties as assigned”. Colette tells members that this phrase must apply to the duties related to the work performed under the job description. Benilde tells members that there is a Regional Strike Coordinator’s meeting in Vancouver September 19 – 20, 2007.

District Labour Councils: Benilde is the Secretary-Treasurer for the Kitimat-Terrace and District Labour Council. All members are welcome to their next meeting on September 26, 2007, in Terrace at 7:00 p.m. at the Carpenter’s Hall. This meeting alternates between Kitimat and Terrace every 4th Wednesday of every month, September through June. Benilde tells members that the members working in Terrace and Kitimat affiliated to this Area council affiliated with this Area Council and have paid 304 per member per month for 40 members, totalling $144.00, for May 1, 2007 through April 30, 2008. The CEIU Local 20926 has contributed $86.40 therefore will be reimbursed $43.20.
Prince Rupert and District Labour Council’s next meeting is on September 27, 2007 and they meet every 4th Thursday of every month, September through June. Benilde suggests that the Area Council to affiliate with the Prince Rupert and District Labour Council with the same 304 per member per month for 40 members for a total of $144.00 per year. Benilde will be attending this meeting and invites all members to attend as well.

Incorporating more Vice Presidents to executive of NWAC: Benilde asked if members present would like to have this happen. All present agreed to leave it as is. Should discussion arise again, it will be revisited at the time of the AGM.

PSAC Regional Convention: Benilde and Colette both tell members that this convention is scheduled for May 2008 but a specific date is not known. Penny asks how many delegates from this council will attend. Benilde informs members that previously there is 1 for the geographic area and 1 for the council. She is attending as the Regional Council Representative for the North. Barry suggests that perhaps 2 people who have not attended in the past should be considered. Benilde asks that names be submitted for the November NWAC meeting.

PSAC National Women’s Convention: This convention is in Toronto on November 23-25, 2007. The deadline for submitting names is September 10, 2007. Nikki will be putting her name in as part of her component.

Calendar of Events & Education: Colette will try to schedule a tour of Terrace work sites on November 14, 2007 and Prince Rupert work sites on November 15, 2007. Advanced Steward’s training is being held in Prince Rupert on November 16-18, 2007. Members interested in this training are advised to go to http://www.psacbc.com/education/
Deadline for registration is November 5, 2007. Union School is November 2-4, 2007. Deadline for registration is September 28, 2007. To discuss at future meetings to host a Union Café in the Spring of 2008.

Amendments to the bylaws (if any): No amendments at this time.

Days of Recognition:

• December 6, 2007 - Violence Against Women
• December 10, 2007 - Human Rights Day

Other Business:
$10.00 Minimum Wage Campaign - Representatives of the Kitimat-Terrace and District Labour Council are attending the Terrace City Council meeting on Monday, September 10, 2007 and to the Kitimat City Council to present a resolution for submission to the B.C. Union of Municipalities, requesting support of raising the minimum wage to $10.00. Other city councils in the province are being approached as well. Benilde encourages members to attend these meetings in support of this campaign.

Sale of Federal Buildings and Lease Back – this will be discussed further at future meetings.

Appreciation given to Colette for her attendance and contribution to our meeting, by Benilde and all members present.

Next Meeting: November 16, 2007 at 7:00 pm in Prince Rupert at the Coast Hotel.

Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 1:40pm.