Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Fraser Valley Area Council Annual General Meeting 2007-12-05

In Attendance:

• Kay Sinclair PSAC-REVP BC
• Keith Glover RVP USGE
• James Little PSAC
• Jayne Johns CEIU Local 20903
• Anne Marie McCully CEIU Local 20903
• Edi Martin USGE Local 20141
• Chuck Leech USGE Local 20054
• Mel Dureen USGE Local 20054
• Bea Burke Local 20147
• Griselda Schmidtke Local 20140
• Diane McArthur Local 20140
• Heather Warner USGE Local 20040
• Patti Victor Local 20903

Meeting called to order at 1830 hours.

Continue reading below, or download the Fraser Valley AC minutes - December 5 2007 (pdf)

Introductions were made.

A quorum has been reached.

It was announced that E. Martin would be the Education Co-ordinator for the Fraser Valley.

1. Previous Minutes

• A motion to adopt the previous minutes was made by A. M. McCully and seconded by P. Victor. Motion carried

2. By-Law Amendments

• Changes were made to the By-Laws adopted in June 2001.

• Proposed change: J. Johns read the proposed changes to our bylaws in Section I, Subsection I - Change to geographical areas. The proposed change in geographical areas to amalgamate the Fraser Valley in one are and the Metro Vancouver and surrounding area to their own Area Council was moved by M. Dureen and seconded by E. Martin. After much discussion the decision was carried. It is to be noted that P. Victor and K. Glover chose to abstain.

3. Financial Report - A. McCully

• Our current balance is $1691.54 and dues are payable in January. There are currently six locals in good standing and permitted to vote.
• Motion to accept the financial report - C. Leech, Seconded - P. Victor. Carried - unanimously.

4. Election of Executive

• The call for nominations went out.

• President - Jayne Johns - nominated by C. Leech, seconded by D. McArthur. - Acclamation
• First Vice President - Mel Dureen - nominated by H. Warner, seconded by C. Leech - Acclamation
• Second Vice President - Chuck Leech - nominated by E. Martin, seconded by D. McArthur - Acclamation
• Treasurer - Anne Marie McCully - nominated by P. Victor, seconded by H. Warner - Acclamation
• Secretary
  • Heather Warner - nominated by C. Leech, seconded by K. Glover (incumbent refused)
  • Edi Martin - nominated by M Dureen, seconded by H. Warner - Acclamation

• The executive was sworn in by K. Sinclair, PSAC.

5. Election of Delegates to PSAC Convention 2008

• Jayne Johns is a delegate as the Geographic Coordinator for the BC PSAC Regional Council. Keith Glover will attend as a National Officer delegate. Heather Warner will attend for USGE
• A delegate was voted in for the Fraser Valley Area Council

1. Anne Marie McCully - nominated by M. Dureen and seconded by P. Victor - Acclimation
2. 1st Alternate - M. Dureen - nominated by J. Johns and seconded by K. Glover - Acclimation
3. 2nd Alternate - Edi Martin - nominated by J. Johns and seconded by M. Dureen - Acclimation

6. Resolutions

• There were no resolutions presented at this meeting.

7. District Labour Council Report - J. Johns

• J. Johns provided information on the activities of the Fraser Valley District Labour Council. It began last year in the Fraser Valley with 16000 members and 30-80 people attending the meetings on the third Wednesday of each month. Their work groups include a Political Action group, an Organizing group and an Education group. The Education group currently has courses on WCB, How to Organize an Effective Campaign and Retirement. They are planning more courses after April 2008. We were providing $300 per year for three delegates and 3 alternates. We have increased to $600 for six delegates and three alternates.
• It was moved by J. Johns and seconded by E. Martin that Matsqui USGE Local 20054 is supported to affiliate with the Fraser Valley District Labour Council under the Fraser Valley Area Council. That would then provide us with six delegates and 6 alternates. The motion was carried, with K. Glover abstaining.

8. Fraser Valley Coordinators Report

• Attached.

9. Bargaining Information - M. Dureen

• Two pay studies have been completed and the essential services agreement is being considered during December. No job action is allowed at this time.

10. Education - J. Little

• The staffing course has been postponed until the new year. Edi Martin will be working with Amal Rana at PSAC to identify the training needs for the Fraser Valley and to recruit people to attend, set up dates, etc. A meeting will be held in January to review our requirements.
• A new course on staffing is developed to educate members on the new rules in staffing. CSC is constantly changing how staffing is completed. Everyone needs to learn how things should be done and review redress.
• A USGE Strike Mobilization course will be held in Vancouver and Kelowna. Additional strike training for all PSAC members will also be provided later in the Valley. Monika Urita is developing this area.

11. Political Action - A M McCully

• There have been numerous meetings and e-mails regarding the minimum wage campaign.
• Bill C-14 has had it’s third reading. This affects Canada Post’s exclusivity.
• There has been a problem with contracting out of laboratories. We have a lab here in the Cultus Lake area that is being affected.

12. PSAC-REVP Report - Kay Sinclair

• Regulation 15 has established our rules for bargaining.
• Pension surplus decision - we have lost the court case and currently have our lawyers reviewing everything to see if we can appeal this. PSAC is also reviewing the decision. We also do not want to jointly issue the pension plan.
• Bill C-14 would affect our members (UPCE are non male members). We would likely see very uneven services. People in the rural areas would not receive very good service at all.
• The CRA agreement has been ratified.

The meeting concluded at 2000 Hr.

FRASER VALLEY REGIONAL COORDINATOR REPORT, For October 2007

Jayne Johns-Fraser Valley West Coordinator Activities since the last Regional Council Meeting

• May 16, 2007 Fraser Valley Labour Council Executive Meeting and General Meeting in Abbotsford
• June 1-3, 2007 CEIU Presidents Conference in Richmond
• June 11-13, 2007 Facilitated JLP Collective Agreement Interpretation Workshop in Victoria and visited the Victoria PSAC office
• Jun 18, 2007 JLP Open House in Abbotsford BC
• June 20, 2007 Fraser Valley Labour Council Executive Meeting and General Meeting in Abbotsford
• June 25, 2007 BC PSAC Political Action conference call
• July 1, 2007 Participated in the Abbotsford Canada Parade with other Labour Council affiliates (see picture)
• July 18, 2007 BC PSAC Political Action conference call
• Sept 4, 2007 CEIU/Service Canada Passport Offerings conference call with Kay Sinclair
• Sept 12, 2007 Participated in JLP Anti-Harassment Workshop
• Sept 12, 2007 PSAC Education Open House in Abbotsford
• Sept 12, 2007 Fraser Valley Area Council meeting
• Sept 18 & 19, 2007 Participated in JLP UMCC Workshop
• Sept 26, 2007 BC PSAC Political Action Conference call
• October 18-20, 2007 BC PSAC Regional Exective Council meeting in Vancouver. I was selected as Chair of the REC By-law Committee
• October 21-23, 2007 PSAC Leadership Training phase II. This training was provided for Regional and National leaders and is a follow up to part 1 provided prior to the 2006 National Convention.