Minutes: North West Area Council meeting, November 21 2007
Published by Patrick January 9th, 2008 in Area Councils, Minutes, North BC Tags: Minutes, northwest-ac.Northwest B.C. Area Council General Meeting November 21, 2007
Attendance:
- Phyllis Bortignon USGE 20071
- Penny Dickson CEIU 20926
- Benilde Gomes USGE 20071
- Dale Gueret UEW 20147
- Helen Hill CEUDA 20042
- Scott MacPhee UCTE 20213
- Gail Moore CEUDA 20042
- Rachael Mosley CEUDA 20042
- Nikki McVey CEIU 20926
- Amal Rana PSAC BC Regional Education Representative
- Colette Savarie PSAC BC Regional Representative
- Dave Thompson PSAC BC Regional Organizer Representative
Download the NorthWest Area Council meeting minutes - Nov 21 2007 (pdf) or continue reading below.Call to Order: Benilde opened meeting at 7:20pm. Harvey Russell of AGR 20042, Prince Rupert submits his regrets for not being able to attend this meeting.
Adoption of Agenda: Motion made to accept Agenda as read and carried.
Previous Meetings Minutes: Motion made to accept Minutes from September 8, 2007, as read and carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer, Barry Cunningham read the balance of $1,367.04 plus $27.57 in shares for the bank account. Barry is still actively collecting dues from locals and he will report on these at the next meeting. Motion made to accept report as read and carried.
VIP Guest Speaker: Dave Thompson, PSAC BC Regional Organizer Representative is introduced by Benilde. Dave gives a brief history of his work history as being an electrician by trade; having moved from Yellowknife this past June, where he participated in 8/9 successful unifications. Since his arrival in Vancouver region in June, he has organized 2 unifications for commissionaires. Organizing has been very successful in Quebec, East Coast and Ontario, with Regional Police on Reserves and Casino workers in gambling dens on race tracks.
Dave is the contact in this region for organizing any group(s) interested, more specifically commissionaires, call centers and universities. His mandate is to organize for PSAC.
Update on Bargaining – Colette Savarie: Colette provides a brief recap of the negotiations at the Prince Rupert Airport, at the end of October 2007. Talks have broken off and the employer has applied for conciliation. Members are very disappointed at this turn of events and Benilde encourages other locals’ members to show support whenever travelling through the airport.
Colette reports that the Women’s Regional Conference, whose theme this year was Environmental, was very successful. Though still busy getting to know the region, Colette will be getting this report out soon.
TB Bargaining has been postponed due to extensive discussions on Essential Services and delays in completion of the Pay Study. Should resume in late January, early February of 2008. Updates will be sent through Benilde.
Supporting our Bargaining Units: Benilde gave out stickers and information sheets for distribution among locals to bring awareness and support to the bargaining teams. Updates can be found at psacbc.com.
PSAC BC Regional Education Representative – Amal Rana: Benilde introduces Amal and takes the opportunity to thank the Regional Office for accommodating members by extending dead lines and modifying courses.
Amal commends Benilde on getting members out and developing interest in union education.
Amal speaks of there being 6 members on the Education Committee and Education Open Houses, where it is a good forum to find out what’s wanted for education, what’s working – formats.
Education is offered in every region to facilitate, advance and organize union courses.
- Handouts distributed for Basic and Advanced courses.
- Union School is held usually every November. 80-100 members from across the region participate.
- Education forums are held on Bargaining
- Special Interest Evenings – i.e. Black History in Canada
Amal encourages members to think about what kind of courses they are looking for. Brainstorming results in the time of year that works best for this area is February – June. Suggestions for courses noted by Amal who will be researching and getting information back to members of this area council, for distribution.
Further discussion result in requests for more JLP sessions to be facilitated by the Union and Management. The 4 topics covered by the JLP are:
- Understanding the Collective Agreement
- Anti-Harassment
- Union-Management Consultation
- Respecting Differences and Anti-discrimination
Amal emphasizes how important it is to encourage managers to attend the JLP sessions. And encourages members to consider opportunities to become facilitators for JLP.
Nikki reminds members that CEIU is hosting the Anti-harassment session in Terrace, February 18, 2008.
District Labour Councils: Discussion on who this council is affiliated to. Benilde responds that we are affiliated to Kitimat-Terrace Labour Council who meets every 4th Thursday and Prince Rupert Labour Council who meets the last Thursday of every month. Barry says that he has been voted into the Prince Rupert LC as the Sergeant of Arms.
PSAC Regional Convention: Benilde reads out an email from Kay Sinclair, regarding delegate selection from this council. This council can nominate 3 members, one each for geographical, equity status and member of council. Clarification given by Benilde regarding the definition of geographical and equity delegates. There has been no call out letter – it is anticipated later this month. Motion made and carried to pay for the registration of 3 delegates from this council, should they be accepted by regional.
Nominations to be made by email to Benilde with a deadline of December 14, 2007
Calendar of Events:
- November 29, 2007 Kitimat-Terrace Labour Council is hosting a Municipal Coffee House at BCGEU office in Terrace and in Kitimat on December 12, 2007 at the CAW Hall.
- December 1, 2007 Retirement Seminar being hosted by Kitimat-Terrace Labour Council
- December 6, 2007 Take Back the Night in Terrace
- December 10, 2007 International Human Rights Day
Discussion on council supporting events taking place on December 6 for Violence Against Women. Benilde suggests that $50 be contributed towards events in both Prince Rupert and Terrace. Dale will find out from the Prince Rupert Transition House if they are planning anything for that date.
Amendments to the bylaws: Tabled to next meeting.
Other Business: Discussion on the progress of the Regional Women’s Committee. Benilde has received the acceptance letter for USGE component.
Next Meeting: Scheduled for January 19, 2008 @ 1:00pm in Terrace at the Carpenters Hall. If weather prevents travel, there will be a conference call set up at the hall for members unable to attend.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 10:10pm