Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

CR & District Area Council Meeting

• When: Wednesday March 24, 2010, 7PM
• Where: Fisheries & Oceans Board Room, 150-1260 Shoppers Row, Campbell River
• Agenda:
  • Budget
  • Pension Campaign
  • By-laws
  • Public Service Spending Freeze

For further information email Tom Hopkins – President or call 250-283-7171

Here are a few photos of the inaugural CR & D Area Council meeting, held on February 20th

Mainland Human Rights Committee meeting

• February 16, 2010 – 5:30PM
• Vancouver RO, 5238 Joyce Street
• and via conference call – email Regina Brennan for details

Agenda Items:

• International Women’s Day
• Financial Update
• Financial Limitations for Chairperson
• Access Conference

Tracy Shudo has suggested the Human Rights Committee do a pot luck dinner for the meeting, contact Tracy for more information and to assist.

Vancouver Island Human Rights Committee meeting & Potluck Social: 5:00-5:30 PM (Bring snacks or whatever you want)

• February 18, 2010 @ 5:30 PM
• PSAC Victoria Regional Office, 210-1497 Admirals Road
• Agenda: To be announced.

Potluck Social: 5:00-5:30 PM (Bring snacks or whatever you want)

Old Business for review

1. Review Last Meeting’s Minutes in general
2. Update on New Banking Account & Obtaining 3 Signers – Mandi

New Business:

1. Final Draft of TOR to be adopted and put into force – Paul
2. VIHRC Acronyms + Pronunciation – Michael
3. Adoption of 2010 dates for VIHRC meetings throughout the year -  Michael
4. VIHRC Election for available positions:  Chair, Co-Chair, Treasurer & Recording Secretary – All
5. VIHRC Budgeting Issues – Michael
6. Pride 2010 Funding Request – Paul
7. PSAC National Access Conference in Ottawa – All
8. End of VIHRC Logo Contest Results (Contest ended: Nov 2, 2009) – Dave
9. VIHRC Logo Designs – Committee to select a winning logo? & How to award a prize? – Michael/Wendy
10. Directive on Banner Style & Costing (Regardless on outcome of logo contest) – Mark
11. Website hosting for VIHRC resources?  – Michael

Victoria Area Council Meeting

• March 9, 2010, 5:30PM
• Victoria Regional Office, 210-1497 Admirals Road

Proposed Agenda

1. Treasurer’s report
2. Federal budget follow-up
3. De-staffing of lighthouses update
4. Pension campaign
5. Campbell River & District Area Council

Please RSVP to Rosemary at the Regional Office no later than noon on March 8, 2010. Snacks will be served.ar

The Inaugural Meeting of The Campbell River & District Area Council

• When: Saturday, February 20, 2010
• Where: Campbell River Labour Centre, 830 14th Ave., Campbell River, B.C.
• Meet and Greet: 10-10:30 a.m., Meeting: 10:30 a.m.

A collective of workers is more successful than an individual at fighting for gains in the workplace. A collective voice of many locals and components in solidarity is more powerful than one advocating for the workers and human rights in Canada and the world.

Area Councils are cross-Component organizations recognized in the PSAC Constitution. Area Council members can also raise the profile of the union in the community and build links with other Labour groups.

What is the benefit of having an Area Council? Area Councils can …

• attend PSAC Conventions with full voice and vote.
• attend BC Regional Conventions with full voice and vote.
• submit resolutions to PSAC and BC Regional Conventions.
• get together at Area Council meetings with members from different locals and compare notes, problem solve and share best practices about workplace issues that may be the same or similar.
• raise the profile of the union in the community.
• attend District Labour Council meetings and speak on behalf of the PSAC in your community to encourage support for our issues.
• coordinate the circulation of petitions and postcards campaigns on demands such as pay equity, protection of pensions, and job security so members in your community are able to participate in national campaigns.
• be a forum for your representative on the Regional Council where she or he can seek your input on regional union policy and report to you about decisions made on your behalf.

Please forward this invitation to your members in Campbell River, Courtenay and the North Island and encourage your members to attend.

Hope to see you there.

Tom Hopkins, Vice-President Local 20147 UEW, Sharon Vanderdonck, Vice President Local 20963, CEIU, Steve Bergh, President Local 20232, UCTE

For further information email Tom Hopkins or  call him at 250-283-717

PSAC Okanagan Area Council, Minutes of Meeting January 16, 2010, Summerland Research Station, Summerland

In Attendance:

• Susan Yaciw UTE 20003
• Joy Harrison APSAR
• Kelly Megyesi (phone) CEIU 20915
• Annette Hale USGE 20153
• Roberta Gourlie CEIU 20915
• Carolyn McGillivray CIU 20045
• Darrell-Lee McKenzie AGR 20043
• Martha Johnson UVA 20035
• Gaby Villecourt USGE 20153
• Grace MacIver NHU 20031
• Andrea Johnson USGE 20153

The meeting was called to order at 10:00a.m. with Susan Yaciw in the chair.

Continue reading below, or download the January 16 2010 Okanagan Area Council meeting minutes (pdf)

Minutes: Minutes from September 14, 2009 were distributed. Corrections were made to Education section…spelling correction under JLP action item, s/b “….advise d Darrell-Lee” m/s/c

Treasurer’s Report:

• The year-end financial statement was reviewed. $3861.42 balance.
• CEIU local 20917 dues are two years past due and rep(s) have not been attending so considered as no longer interested in membership so written off.
• $225.00 cheque to PSAC for Susan Yaciw’s Convention fee, still outstanding.
• Action: Darrell-Lee will follow up with PSAC again. m/s/c
  Dues for 2010 ($1 per local Okanagan member) are now due.
• Action: Please forward cheques payable to OAC, and mail to: Darrell-Lee McKenzie

SPECIAL ITEM: Formation of South Okanagan Area Council

• Susan handed out Area Council pamphlet and provided brief description of what Area Councils are and what they did. Some comments:
• politics from some components regarding duplication of services
• distance to commute to meetings
• setting dues (currently $1/local member/yr in OAC) and splitting dues if overlap by new Area Council.
• naming of new and renaming of existing area councils.
• If members from 3 add’l components in South, such as USGE, UVA, CIU, CEIU committed to form area council, AGR local in Summerland committing to join South for support/experience.
• Interest was shown from all in attendance to move forward.
• Action: Gaby (USGE), Martha (UVA), Carolyn (CIU) will approach locals first to obtain commitment to affiliate and report back to SusanYaciw (syaciw@shaw.ca).
  Action: Roberta will contact Rosie Settle (CEIU Penticton) to explore interest.
  Action: Susan to contact UTE Penticton to explore interest.

Temporary Adjournment: 11:15am, Re-start: 11:50am

Old Business:

1) APSAR:

• stands for Association of Public Service Alliance Retirees
• Joy reports that the Federal and Provincial Finance Ministers met in May ’09 and reviewed e-mail previously sent to Area Council members for review and comments. Changes to CPP being proposed and supported by all finance ministers.
• Joy handed out a Supplemental Death Benefit document that members can record their pension # on and keep with their will. She advises that $11M SDB has been collected for survivors by APSAR.
• Action: All Area Council to copy and distribute document to members in their locals.

Standing Items:

1) Regional Council Update:

• Regina Brennan will be returning from her assignment with National PSAC on February 1, 2010. Susan reports that Regina will be attending Kelowna UTE’s AGM on Feb 17 so may be able to attend other meetings while in the area.
• Next Regional Council meeting Mar 5 and 6 and a conference call on Thursday, Jan 21.
• E-mail from Kay Sinclair (attached to minutes) requesting feedback and/or suggestions for changes to Section 9 of Reg’l Bylaws pertaining to delegate entitlement to the B.C. Reg’l Convention.
• Action: Forward any comments/feedback/suggestions to Roberta (drgourlie@shaw.ca) by Jan 29who will forward to Bylaw Committee.

2) Regional Office Update:

• Carol Pegura, Assistant to the REVP (Kay’s Assistant), has been extended until the end of June 2011.
• Regina Brennan returning from her assignment with National PSAC office, on February 1, 2010.
• Patricia Mullen was successful candidate for the Vancouver Regional Office Administrative Assistant.

3) Education: The following courses were held since our last meeting:

• LOAT (Local Officer Advance Training) in Vancouver in October 2009. Roberta, Susan, Annette, and Grace attended.
• TUB (Talking Union Basics) in Kamloops and Nelson in October 2009. Roberta attended the Nelson course.
• UDP (Union Development Program) in Vancouver commenced in December 2009 with follow-up sessions at the end of January and in April. Susan, Annette, and
  Martha attended.
• - Discussions surrounding desired courses for Okanagan. One day/weekend course combining ½ day mini Steward and/or Grievance Handling, and/or Facing
  Management.
• Action: All Area Council members to canvas own local members for needs and advise Susan (syaciw@shaw.ca) by February 15, 2010.

4) Labour Council Meetings:

• Next North Okanagan District meeting is February 3, 2010 in Kelowna at 7 p.m. Website for North Okanagan Labour Council: http://members.shaw.ca/nolc/
• Next South Okanagan District meeting is February 9, 2010.
• Action: Area Council members in Kelowna and Penticton to attend respective meetings where possible.

New Business:

1) Human Rights Committee:

• Roberta read e-mail from Maria-Luiza but members unclear as to which committees may qualify as “equivalent” and which names were requested.
• Maria-Luiza provided clarification. Different components may have different names but would committees that deal with equal opportunities and human rights issues.
• Action: Area Council members to provide Maria-Luiza (romanom@inspection.gc.ca) with names of Reg’lComponent Human Rights Committee Chair if available and/or local rep if a local committee exists.

2) Pension Reform:

• Darrell-Lee reviewed an e-mail regarding a Globe & Mail article regarding possible changes to the Federal Superannuation Plan mainly affection new hires. Article also refers to not only a financial deficit but also a knowledge deficit caused by large number of current employees who are scheduled to retire in 2012 with 30 years of service.
• Possible up-coming pension battle.

3) Elections: Elections were held for all positions with the following results:

• President – Susan Yaciw acclaimed.
• Vice-President – Annette Hale acclaimed.
• Secretary – Roberta Gourlie acclaimed (assistance later in year from others depending upon results of formation of South Okanagan Area Council)
• Treasurer – Darrell-Lee McKenzie acclaimed.

Round Table:

• Martha – Long gun Registry Repeal petition passed around.
• Darrell-Lee – Watch for upcoming rallies in your areas organized by Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament, including Saturday, January 23 in Penticton.
• Joy – Locals can join APSAR via membership vote, $20/yr. Is willing to be guest speaker on behalf of APSAR at any Component/Local meeting. A “Retiring from the Public Service Alliance of Canada” Booklet is available online, containing valuable information. A membership application form is on last page. http://www.psac.com/documents/what/retiring_from_ps_usefultips-e.pdf

Next Meeting: TBA, Adjourned at 12:30 a.m. m/s/c

Attending: Megan Adam, Jamey Mills, Sharon Tieman, Bill Pleming, Jack Seto, Monica Urrutia

Continue reading or download a PDF copy of the Vancouver Area Council Meeting minutes, Sept. 22, 2009

1) AGM Planning

• October 27^th confirmed date. Location, Vancouver RO
• Discussion about putting off proposed educational/speakers until the next meeting in January in order to focus on AGM business.
• AGM agenda will include:
  • Report of Exec
  • Treasurer/Budget
  • Reports of member locals
  • Kay Sinclair and Stephen Dunsmore (to be invited) to speak on local political action and the lightstation issue
  • Will play “spot the public service” game during dinner to show how it works (still have some coffee left for prizes).
  • Elections
  • Other issues as raised/roundtable
• Food will be Indian from Saffron.
• Megan to contact Stephen Dunsmore, Monica to contact Kay Sinclair.

2) January Meeting

• Discussion was had about doing a January educational around Bill C-10, pay equity and the government’s attempt to silence unions. PSAC charter case etc.
• Suggestion to invite David Eby (on charter right to association, speech), Peter Jullian (on pay equity petition and case) and have PSAC rep speak to the charter case.
• Suggestion to hold event at a downtown venue, 5 pm after work, and promote to members and the public.
• Megan to contact Jacquie De Aguayo regarding this proposal to see if the timing would be appropriate. Will also talk to legal representative this week.
• Will ask Sam to speak with Jullian’s office about schedule in January to determine possible dates.

3) Roundtable

4) Adoption of minutes from last meeting.

PSAC VICTORIA AREA COUNCIL

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

MINUTES – September 15, 2009

PSAC Victoria Regional Office

Members Present:

Virginia Vaillancourt – UVAE 20030, Cindy Little – UTE 20028, Ian Wiggs – UNDE 21008, John Vogt – UNDE 21003, Ken Waldron – UNDE 21013, Paul Jones – UNDE 21008, Jim Sidel – DL 05120500, G. Goodmanson– UEW 20169, Peter Neelands – NRU 20088, Nick Humphreys – UEW 20169, Scott Parker – UTE 20028, April Evans – UVAE 20030, Betty Gunville – CIU 20042, Robert Nyst – UNDE 21008, Jim Sidel – DCL 05120500, Pete Wills – UEW 20076, Wayne Little – UTE 20028

PSAC Victoria RO Staff Present:

James Little – PSAC Rep

Guests:

Regrets: Dave Jackson – PSAC Regional Rep, Noelle Arnold – AGR 20064, Bernadette Israel – GSU 20001, Anita Hoffman – CEIU 20975

Read the rest of the minutes here or download a PDF of Victoria Area Council AGM minutes.

Sister Cindy Little                                                        Virginia Vaillancourt

President                                                                         Recording Secretary

Vancouver Area Council Minutes, August 24, 2009

Attending: Alison Timmins, Monica Urrutia, Sam Wiese, Jamey Mills, James Painter, Deanna Wilson, Sharon Tieman, Rhonda Johns, Megan Adam

continue reading below or download the Vancouver & District Area Council meeting minutes, Aug 24 2009 (pdf)

1) Motion to accept minutes from previous meeting: Jamey/Sharon – accepted.

2) Summer Student: Alison Timmins reported on the students in the federal government campaign – introduced the petition and distributed materials.

3) CoDev AGM – discussed, some members from the Area Council will attend.

4) Labour Day Picnic – Monica – discussion about activities at Vancouver Labour Day which has been moved to Trout Lake (John Hendry) Park. Decided to play “spot the public services game” at the table, with psac prizes and café etico coffee as the grand prize. Megan to arrange coffee, Monica to arrange large public service pictures for the table. $100 donation to Labour Day Picnic agreed to – moved by Jamey/Rhonda.

5) Health & Safety Convention resolution re: JLP and H&S training. Discussed and no resolution passed by the VAC.

6) Vancouver District Labour Council discussed, Local 20147 will be applying for monies from the VAC for participation in the VDLC.

7) Bruce Ogilvie – stepping down from the VAC executive due to workplace transfer. Wishes the council a hearty farewell and would like to continue involvement.

Next Meeting & AGM

• September 22 – Next meeting will focus on planning of the AGM
• October 27th – Scheduled AGM.
  • Regional Council meeting report
  • Resolutions/amendments to bylaws have to be in by September 30th
  • Jamey & Megan to meet for work on Bylaws – believe there to be some outstanding issues from last AGM.
  • Discussion about agenda including speakers on public services vs. the Olympics. The Olympics: At What Cost? Housing and the Olympics.

9) Roundtable.

West Fraser Valley Annual General Meeting

• September 21,  5:30PM
• Knight and Day Restaurant 9677 King George Highway @ 96th Avenue
• Agenda items include election of officers

Vancouver Area Council Meeting

• September 22, 2009 5:30PM
• Vancouver Regional Office – #200 – 5238 Joyce Street, 3rd floor boardroom
• Agenda items so far include: planning for the AGM (scheduled for October 27, 2009), update on Vancouver Area Council local/branch affiliation campaign

BRUSH (Health and Safety) Committee Meeting

• September 23, 5:30PM
• Vancouver Regional Office – #200 – 5238 Joyce Street
• Members unable to attend the meeting at the Vancouver RO may join in the discussion via conference call – call the RO for details
• Agenda items: H1N1, Terms of Reference, Health Canada – Ergonomic, National H&S Conference

Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Location: PSAC Vancouver Regional Office – 300-5238 Joyce St., Vancouver, B.C.

*Note: Meeting will be held on 3rd floor.

Agenda items so far include:

• Planning for the VAC Annual General Meeting (scheduled for October 27, 2009)
• Vancouver Area Council local/branch affiliation campaign

Please forward any other proposed agenda items and confirm your attendance to Monica as a light dinner will be served at ph: 604-430-5631.

Vancouver Area Council – March 19/2009

Mintes: Megan Adam, VAC Secretary

In attendance: Marie Lygo, Jamey Mills, Sam Wiese, Sharon Tieman, Monica Urrutia, Terri Lee, Jack Seto, Erica Young, Deana Wilson, Rhonda

Download the Vancouver Area Council March 19 2009 meeting minutes as .pdf

• Introductions

• Old Business: At the AGM it was discussed that the VAC provide funding for an observer to PSAC convention. This was raised again with a contribution of $300 provided to Terri Lee who was the first alternate elected as delegate to convention. Carried unanimously.

• PSAC Convention Info: Discussion about delegate strategies, MayDay Resolution, delegate entitlement formulas for regional conventions, temporary foreign worker resolution etc.

• Day of Mourning: April 28^th, 7:30 Vancouver Art Gallery: Visibility money for Area Council Banner – Sam to follow up with REVP’s office. Discussion about Day of Mourning activities coinciding with PSAC Convention.

• MayDay Organizing Ctte: Call-out for 1^st organizing meeting. March 24^th, 7 pm 672 East Broadway (Organizing Center). Megan & Sam to attend. Motion to donate $100 to organizing committee moved by Megan, seconded by Jamey. Speaker?

• VDLC Resolution: Murder of Filipino school teacher –motion passed to condemn the killing and demand that feds tie aid to human rights progress.

• Report from Treasurer

• RoundTable:

• • Sharon Tieman: UPCE thank-you for strike support – picket line strength made for a stronger workplace and a stronger union local.
  • Marie Lygo: UVAE – discussion about Canada’s atrocious record on poverty and getting active around that.
  • Rhonda Johns: UPCE/Puralator – negotiations beginning, going to BCFed Women’s Organizing Institute
  • Terri Lee: Agriculture – CFIA agreement ratified – employer asked for an extension on retro pay, union has refused.
  • Jack Seto: GSU – drew attention to world water day and CBC special on the topic.

The PSAC East & West Fraser Valley Area Councils invite you and your families to a historic event …

East Meets West
at Fort Langley National Historic Site
Glover Road, north of Highway One
Sunday September 13th, 1:00 – 4:00PM

All PSAC members living and working in the Fraser Valley are invited to gather at historic Fort Langley on Sunday September 13th. Join us and meet your union representatives, members of your Area Council, local Regional Council coordinators, and National Officers in a social atmosphere.

Admission to Fort Langley will be paid for members and their families, and light refreshments will be served. The Fort will be fully operational and you are welcome to participate in scheduled activities – this is an excellent opportunity to learn about the work PSAC members at Parks Canada do!

For more information contact the Vancouver Regional Office.

Date: Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Location: PSAC Vancouver Regional Office – 200-5238 Joyce St., Vancouver, B.C.

Agenda:

• Participation in the upcoming Labour Day Picnic (scheduled for Sept 7th)
• Health and Safety resolutions for consideration to be submitted to the PSAC National H&S conference (deadline of Sept 18th)

Please forward any other proposed agenda items and confirm your attendance to Monica as a light dinner will be served at ph: 604-430-5631.

Cheers to Garry Fraser, PSAC Regional Representative, for this report and some photos from the Surrey Fusion Festival!

The West Fraser Area Council and the BC Mainland Human Rights Committee joined together to and set up a Think Public! booth at the Fusion Festival on July 18th and 19th. Members from Passport Canada, Western Economic Diversification, Service Canada, Veteran Affairs, Canada Revenue Agency all joined together to get the PSAC Think Public! message out to the public. We also shared our tables with the Service Canada Centre for Youth who were assisting youth in their employment endeavours.

Hundreds of people dropped by the booth where we handed out�Think Public leaflets and bandannas and had a petition available in support of the PSAC summer student campaign.�We heard from the public of their strong support for public services and had an opportunity to enjoy the festival and participate in the community’s celebration of its diversity. We also sampled many international foods and heard excellent and diverse music from all four corners of the globe.

The Fusion Festival was a great venue to meet the public, we had a great time, and we look forward to next year! Here are some photos … (more…)

Stop by the Surrey Fusion Festival, July 18th and 19th, and say hello to PSAC members from the West Fraser Valley Area Council who will be in the pavillion area, speaking to members of the public about the value of quality public services and our ThinkPublic! campaign.

Surrey Fusion Festival will be Surrey�s largest two-day multicultural celebration with 40 international pavilions celebrating music, food and culture. Two stages of entertainment with headline performers on the World Music Stage and the Celebrations dance stage, all this in a brand new beautiful urban park.

Fusion Festival takes place July 18 and 19, 2009 at Surrey�s magnificent new urban park Holland Park located at King George Highway and Old Yale Road. This will be the largest multicultural event in Surrey�s history as over 60,000 people are projected to attend this FREE outdoor festival.

More info at fusionfestival.surrey.ca!

PSAC VICTORIA AREA COUNCIL GENERAL MEETING MINUTES � June 16th, 2009 PSAC Victoria Regional Office

Members Present:

• Nick Humphreys � UEW 20169
• Virginia Vaillancourt � UVAE 20030
• Cindy Little � UTE 20028
• Scott Parker � UTE 20028
• Ken Waldron � UNDE 21013
• Ian Wiggs UNDE 21008
• V. Arnold � AGR
• Drew Natland – UNDE 21011
• Paul Jones � UNDE 21008
• G. Goodmanson � ENV 20169
• Peter Neelands � NRU 20088

PSAC Victoria RO Staff Present:

• Dave Jackson � Regional Rep

Regrets:

• John Rumsby � UTE 20028
• Leanne Hughes � CIU 20042
• Bernadette Israel � GSU 20001
• Mandi Schubert � CEIU 20975
• Jim Sidel � DCL 20500

Continue reading below, or download the Victoria Area Council meeting minutes, June 16 2009

1. Call to order Chairperson Sister Little called the meeting to order at 5:36 pm

2. Introductions Roundtable introductions of members present

3. Proposed Agenda Amendment to Agenda

• Additions made:
• AGM Date
• Labour Day Picnic
• Lobby MP�s
• Victoria Labour Council Update
• m/s D. Natland/P. Jones

4. Adoption of Minutes from April 7, 2009 A few typos with local numbers & spelling were noted. These will be corrected and resent for posting. Followed up on action item from previous meeting. The email will be sent out within the next month.

5. Triennial Convention Debrief Copy of report as PDF.

6. Victoria Pride Parade GLBT Coordinator for BC – Paul Jones brought posters to advertise the Parade.

• This years Pride Parade is July 5, 2009
• Walking contingent will be multi-union
• Meet at 11 am. on Broad Street across from the Victoria Events Centre between Pandora and Johnson. Look for the PSAC flags.
• Parade starts at 12 pm from Broad street to Fisherman�s Wharf and there is a festival at the end.
• Look for the PSAC Banner when you arrive on Broad Street.

7. Compensation Advisors Reviewed document from PSAC website on AS Compensation Advisors

• A Brief Chronology
• You may view this document at http://www.psac.com/issues/campaigns/as_group-e/shtml
• Ian is looking to see if other Components can go to their Compensation advisors and find out how many clients do they look after.
  DND has 13 Compensation advisors and about 270 clients for each Compensation Advisor, plus 300 from NCR.
• If you know/can find out how many clients on average your compensation advisors have please email this info to Ian: president21008@shaw.ca

8. Treasurer�s Report Deferred to next meeting

9. Labour Council Update Last meeting is tomorrow.

• There will be no meetings during the summer time. The Victoria Labour Council will reconvene the 3rd Wednesday in September.
• Looking at moving the meetings to BCGEU building on Douglas Street due to some concerns raised by affiliated members regarding safety and parking.
• BC Fed Convention is November 23-25th in Vancouver Convention Centre. This will be a Policy Convention.
• Young Workers Retreat Sept 25-27th being put on by BC Fed. This is open to members between 19-30 years of age. If you have young workers who may be interested in attending please contact Dave Jackson at 250-953-1050.

10. Lobby MP�s by Victoria Labour Council

• Keith Martin & Gary Lunn will be visited
• Stimulus Package and to get them to relax rules on EI.
• Infastructure and public services
• MLA � new labour minister � Lanna � New MP for Saanich will be attending the Labour Council Meeting

11. Labour Day Picnic Labour Day Pinic is scheduled for September 7, 2009. The event is being moved to James Bay from the Gorge Road.

• More info to follow.
• Hot dogs/pop etc will be by donation.
• Action: Dave Jackson will be the point person for organizing table etc for PSAC.
• Motion for the Victoria Area Council to support the Victoria Labour Council Labour Day Picnic in James Bay and encourage its members to attend.
• K. Waldron/I. Wiggs

12. MP Lobby by PSAC PSAC is targeting the five liberal ridings in BC:

• Newton North Delta � MP Sukh Dhaliwal
• Vancouver South � MP Ujjal Dosanjh
• Vancouver Centre � MP Hedy Fry
• Esquimalt Juan de Fuca � MP Keith Martin
• Vancouver Quadra � MP Joyce Murray
• The goal is to establish constituency teams of members to meet directly with the MP�s during the month of July and present our position on a variety of PSAC issues such as:

• • Bill C-10 follow up;
  • Privatization of Labs and other public services;
  • Food Safety;
  • Improvements to EI;
  • Cuts to the CBC;
  • National Child Care Program;
  • Our Fish Campaign;
  • Student hiring in the Federal Public Service.
• I am asking for your involvement in this campaign by committing to join one of the constituency teams and/or help in indentifying members who:
  • reside in one of the ridings
  • may have a personal connection to one our our issues, and
  • are willing to join the team that will be meeting with the MP�s
• Please let me know if you or any of your members are interested and, if so, for which riding. I�d appreciate a response by next Monday morning June 20th so that I can contact those members as soon as possible and schedule the pre-meeting briefing sessions (I�ve already scheduled meetings with Joyce Murray @10am on Wednesday July 8, 2009 and Sukh Dhaliwal @10am on Friday July 17, 2009).
• Thanks again and let me know if you have any questions. You can reach Jayne Johns at 1-800-665-1655

13. AGM Date

• The AGM date that has been proposed is Tuesday Sept 15th 2009. This will be firmed up and a notice will be sent to all Locals.
• Affiliation dues to the Area Council are due at the AGM. To be able to vote during elections and other items that may be raised, dues must be paid in advance. Dues are 25 cents/member/month

14. Adjournment Motion to adjourn meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm
Sister Cindy Little, President Virginia Vaillancourt, Recording Secretary

West Fraser Valley Area Council – Knight and Day Restaurant, March 10, 2009 at 5:30 PM

Present:, Jennifer Ho (Nat Local 20088), Jeremy Amor � Chair (UTE Local 20029), Donna Cowan (UVAE Local 20029), Dale Odberg (UVAE Local 20029), Josko Dujmovic (GSU 20008), Sigrid Hagglund (UTE Local 20029), Angela Marafon (UTE Local 20029), Johann Ackermann (UTE Local 20029), Garry Fraser (PSAC Area Rep)
Guest: Debra Payment, Public Compensation Coalition

Continue reading below, or download the WFV Area Council meeting minutes, March 10 2009 (pdf)

• WCB Legislation Update – Debra Payment did a presentation about the Public Compensation Coalition. She mentioned that a lot of changes that are happening right now to WCB are more favourable to the employers. The automating of claims takes away the discretion part of the claims. What they did to disability pensions is not good. Although we work for the Federal Government, if a member is injured and they end up getting a disability pension it is actually governed by the provincial WCB rules. It was noted that the disability pensions end at the age of 65 years. She went over some examples and brought brochures on the campaign that is being done right now due to the Provincial Election. The website is www.publiccompensation.ca
• Approval of agenda � Angela/Sigrid – M/S to approve agenda. Carried
• Approval of previous minutes � Josko/Donna – M/S to approve � carried.
• Jeremy received a thank you card from Sharon Tieman, President of the UPCE local for the AC�s donation to their Strike Fund.
• Curry and Kilts Political Fundraiser � Jeremy mentioned that 4 members (Jennifer Ho, Sandy Smith, Dale Odberg, Pam Jabal) attended this event. Angela/Sigrid – M/S that the Area Council reimburse the PSAC Regional for two tickets ($100 each) to attend the event. Carried.
• April PSAC resolution meeting � Angela asked that the Area council have a meeting to help her decide how she should be voting on the resolutions at the convention. There will be a delegates meeting this Friday so Garry will try to get a copy of the unofficial resolutions for us to deal with. The date was set at April 22nd at 5:30 PM at the Knight & Day Restaurant. � Johann/Dale M/S that the Delegate�s Registration Fee of $225 be paid as soon as possible. Carried (Delegate #517)
• Meeting Minutes � It was requested that the minutes are sent out at least a week ahead of the next meeting. It was also requested that the agenda be sent out ahead of time.
• Bill C-10 � Garry stated that John Gordon asked that we all email the senators about Bill C-10. Johann will email out the info Betty Bannon has sent out. The ramifications of asking the senate to separate the financial portion of Bill C-10 from the rest was discussed.
• Provincial Elections were discussed and Garry Fraser will check with the regional office and report via email as to what is being done by the union to prepare for this election.
• The next meeting will be on June 10th at 5:30 PM. Angela/Josko M/S to pay the food bill. Carried.
• Angela/Sigrid M/S to adjourn. Carried

Reminder: the West Fraser Valley Area Council takes place on Wednesday …

• Wednesday June 10, 2009, at 5:30PM
• Day and Knight Restaurant, 9677 King George Highway
• Agenda: TBA

Victoria Area Council meeting

• Tuesday June 16, 2009 5:30 PM
• PSAC Regional Office, 210-1497 Admirals Road
• Agenda: TBA

Please RSVP to: Rosemary at the Regional Office no later than noon on June 15, 2009 as food will be served. Download a poster here (pdf).

Fraser Valley Area Council general meeting

• Monday June 22, 2009, 6PM to 8PM
• 32320 George Ferguson Way Abbotsford

Agenda: PSAC National Convention, PSAC Education – Please join Jayne Johns, Melvin Dureen and other PSAC members who attended the PSAC National Convention held in Vancouver in April to review the convention proceedings. All PSAC members are welcome to attend!

Download the poster! (pdf)

PSAC Victoria Area Council meeting, April 7 ,� PSAC Victoria Regional Office

Members Present:

• Nick Humphreys � UEW 20169
• Virginia Vaillancourt � UVAE 20030
• Cindy Little � UTE 20028
• Ian Wiggs � UNDE 21008
• Ken Waldron � UNDE 21013
• Paul Jones � UNDE 21010
• Jim Sidel � DL 05120500
• Graham Goodmann � UEW 20168
• Peter Neelands � NRU 20088

PSAC Victoria RO Staff Present:

• Rosemary MacKenzie � Admin Assistant
• Dave Jackson � Regional Rep

Guests:

• Janelle Ho-Shing � PSAC Regional Rep – Vancouver
• Mike Eso � Victoria Labour Council President

Regrets:

• Wayne Little � UTE 20028
• Mandi Schubert � CEIU 20975
• Bernadette Israel � GSU 20001
• Anita Hoffman � CEIU 20975

Continue reading below, or download the SVIDAC April 7 meeting minutes (pdf)

1. Call to order Chairperson Sister Little called the meeting to order at 5:35 pm

2. Introductions Roundtable introductions of members & guests present.� Guests � Janelle HoShing � PSAC, Mike Eso � Victoria Labour Council President

3. Proposed Agenda No amendments, m/s/c K Waldron/J. Sidel

4. Information from Victoria Labour Council President The executive looked at how to restructure. Over the past 1 � years; they have been restructuring the Victoria Labour Council. Working to rebuild credibility with members and rebuilding the membership of the council.
23000 members affiliated.

• To ensure all members in the lower island have one place to go to meet.
• Can affiliate partial membership, as long as someone from your membership attends.
• Victoria Labour Council vetted and approved 26 candidates by 13 municipalities.
• Working on events for April 28th.
• Executive endorsing Pride Parade this year.
• Affiliation is .33 cents/member/month. Happy if 1 member affiliates from a local.
• Importance in getting people to attend meeting and report back to your local.
• Council executive are all volunteer positions. Each of them has day jobs.
• Meetings are held 3rd Wednesday each month from 7-9 pm at the Burnside Community Centre.

5. Adoption of Minutes from Jan 15, 2009 m/s/c

6. Provincial Election

• Janelle Ho-Sing mentioned we are working with BC Fed on Count Me In Campaign
• There are 3 workshops which are free.
• Members talking to members
• Talking politics
• Talking politics in the Newspaper & Radio
• Skills learned can be used on PSAC campaigns.
• Encourage Count Me In Campaign if there is an interest in your office. Can hold training at PSAC Office.
• Regional Newsletter from REVPs.
• Emails that are being sent out should be forwarded to members.
• How do we make more demographic?
• How do we get more members involved, so the same people aren�t doing the work?
• Bill C-10 � Nationally is a PSAC Priority
• Members of Parliament need to hear from constituents
• Encourage MP lobby from all members
• Problems: emails don�t get passed down from Executive
• Labour Council and Area Council behind you when you go and talk to MP�s.
• If people are not comfortable talking Politics = good opportunity to have workshops which will provide skills to talk politics.
• Good opportunity for PSAC to add Politics in TUB Course (Political Action that PSAC is involved)

7. PSAC Convention: Finance Committee Report by Peter Neelands

8. Treasurer�s Report Postponed till next meeting.

9. Funding Assistance to National Convention

• Request Request for $400.00 assistance.
• Discussion ensued.
• No process in place to send Observer through Area Council.
• Look at putting line item on next AGM.
• Other locals did not have an opportunity to put requests forward.
• m/s/d

9. Adjournment Motion to adjourn meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm, m/s/c

Sister Cindy Little, President Virginia Vaillancourt, Recording Secretary