Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

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

Vancouver Island Human Rights Committee meeting

• April 14, 2009, 5:30PM
• PSAC Regional Office,210-1497 Admirals Road

Proposed Agenda

1. Terms of Reference
2. Constitutional Letters-Update
3. Logo Contest

Please RSVP to Mandi Schubert no later than April 9th so the Potluck can be coordinated.

Fraser Valley Area Council General Meeting

• Date: Tuesday April 7 2009, 6PM – 8PM
• Location: Clearbrook Library, 32320 George Ferguson Way, Abbotsford
• Agenda: Pre-National Convention discussion
• Guests: Kay Sinclair, REVP BC and Angela Marafon, West Fraser Valley Coordinator – BC Regional Council.

All PSAC members are welcome to attend this meeting. Download the poster (pdf) Fraser Valley Area Council meeting – April 7

Victoria Area Council Meeting

• Tuesday April 7, 2009 @ 5:30PM
• PSAC Regional Office, 210 – 1497 Admirals Road
• Agenda: PSAC Convention Finance Committee report – Peter Neelands
• Provincial Election – Janelle HoShing

Please RSVP to Rosemary at the RO no later than April 6th – 250-953-1050 or�� mackenr@psac.com – as food will be served. Download the poster (pdf) – Victoria Area Council meeting

PSAC VICTORIA AREA COUNCIL GENERAL MEETING MINUTES � January 15th, 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
• Bernadette Israel GSU 20001

PSAC Victoria RO Staff Present:

• Dave Jackson � Regional Rep

Guests:

• Mark Miller – UNDE VP for BC

Regrets:

• Dave Rahmalho UNDE 21011
• Ian Wiggs UNDE 21008
• Jason Wallach GSU
• 20001 John Rumsby � UTE 20028

Continue reading below, or download the Victoria Area Council meeting minutes, Jan 15 2009 (pdf)

1. Call to order Chairperson Sister Little called the meeting to order at 5:32 pm

2. Introductions Roundtable introductions of members present

3. Proposed Agenda Amendments

• Union Development Program Update
• Affiliation Dues to Victoria Labour Council
• m/s/c K. Waldron/N. Humphreys

4. Adoption of Previous Minutes 1 correction noted on the minutes of Sept 30, 2008

• m/s/c N. Humphreys/V.Vaillancourt

5. Revised By-Laws

• Reviewed revised By-Laws � footnote on By-Laws to be updated and resent out. A few spelling corrections to be made. Resolution was passed at the September 2008 meeting to change the name of the SVIDAC to The Victoria Area Council.

6. Observer to PSAC Triennial Convention

• Received motion for the Victoria Area Council to fund Observer to National Triennial Convention April 26 � May 1, 2009 in Vancouver.
• m/s/c C. Little/V. Vaillancourt
• Discussion ensued. Currently, the Victoria Area Council has a delegate who will be attending the PSAC Triennial Convention.
• Motion Defeated

7. Political Action

• Nick attended a meeting in Vancouver with the President of the Victoria Labour Council where they discussed the current economic issues with the Head of CLC. They were provided with a briefing and training. President of CLC wants members to visit MPs in town. January 27th Harper will release the budget.
• Nick met with MP Lunn and discussed CLC�s plan. Discussed claw back on contract specifically CRA � not much sympathy from MP Lunn who stated our contracts are lucrative. MP Lunn gave 30 minutes for the meeting.
• Jan 16th Nick and a group of constituents will be meeting with MP Martin who gave an hour for the meeting. MP Martin has a more sympathetic ear.
• Jan 19th Nick will be meeting with MP Denise Savoie. Has a sympathetic ear but not much power.
• These meetings with Local MPs will occur all across Canada.
• 5.5 Billion dollars was provided to BC Ferries to increase security at terminals including Gabriola. These security increases include things like, security guards and closed circuit cameras.

8. Affiliation dues to District Labour Council

• Motion for The Victoria Area Council to pay 1/3 cost of affiliation costs to the District Labour Council.
• m/s/c N. Humphreys/K. Waldron
• The affiliation dues to the Victoria Labour Council were for Nick’s local, UEW 20169
• Nick to see if President of Labour Council will attend an upcoming Victoria Area Council to provide a presentation to members.

9. Ratification Vote

• Tallies Deadline is Jan 22nd to have votes in to PSAC Office. Results will be released Jan 23.

10. Education

• Talking Union Basics (TUB) course is scheduled for Friday April 17th & Saturday 18th, 2009 at the Victoria PSAC Regional Office.
• TUB will be offered in Courtenay in March 27th & 28th.
• Understanding and Interpreting the Collective Agreement will be held in Tofino June 13th.
• UDP (Union Development Program) is a 3 week program done in 3 levels. 1st level will be in Dec/09 or Jan 2010.

9. Adjournment Motion to adjourn meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:10 pm.

Sister Cindy Little, President
Virginia Vaillancourt, Recording Secretary

The Victoria Regional Women’s Committee invites all PSAC women to join us on January 13, 2009 at 5:00 PM. Come out to the PSAC Victoria Regional Office, 210 � 1497 Admiral�s Road. The agenda for this meeting will include:

• Further planning for IWD conference, day care, swag etc;
• Elections for the – Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.

Light refreshments will be served so please RSVP Sister Sharon Brine at 363-7021 or email sharon.brine@forces.gc.ca or sbrine@shaw.ca if you plan on attending

The next Southern Vancouver Island & District Area Council Meeting will be held Thursday January 15th, 5:30 PM also at the PSAC Victoria Regional Office.� Agenda includes:

• observer to PSAC Convention
• revised bylaws

Please RSVP to Rosemary at the Regional Office at 250-953-1050 or mackenr@psac.com as food will be served.

South Vancouver Island RWC� Wed. Dec 10th, 5:00 pm PSAC Office � Admirals Walk

In Attendance:

• Ann Wilson
• Cindy Little
• Virginia Vaillancourt
• Barb Dunbar � conference caller
• Sharon Brine

Regrets:

• Brenda Esplen
• Alexandra Ripco
• Pat Maxwell

Continue reading or download the SVI RWC meeting minutes (pdf)

Discussions:

International Women�s Day Event:

• Date: Saturday March 7, 2009
• Time: 10:00 am to 230 pm
• Location: Kitty�s Restaurant

Sister Sharon will contact the restaurant and make arrangements for rent the rent and the catered luncheon.

Sister Ann will be contacting Denise Savoie, Victoria MP and UVIC to make arrangements for guest speakers

Sister Virginia will contact the Victoria Police Constables requesting them to do a presentation.

Sisters Ann and Virginia will get back to me as quickly as possible in for the posters and �official� invitations to be sent out.

Sister Virginia questioned as to why there was not a position for a vice chair and also would it not be too late to notify the local sisters as to the elections. Sister Sharon commented that with the size of our committee they hasn�t been need to one and that the RWC�s were run totally different than the Area Councils. When she wasn�t there one of the other sisters chaired the meeting. Both Sisters Virginia and Cindy looked through the handbook for the RWC and found that the only position that needed to be elected was the secretary/treasurer, and also noted that there were no by laws needed.

Date and time for January 13, 2009 at 5 pm:
Agenda for this meeting will be:
1) Further planning for IWD conference, day care, swag etc;
2) Elections for the – Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.

Meeting adjourned 6:00

Sharon Brine
Chair

South Vancouver Island RWC,� Wed. Nov. 26 2008. 5:00 pm, PSAC Office � Admirals Walk

In attendance:

• Sharon Brine
• Ann Wilson
• Brenda Esplen
• Alexandra Ripco
• Barb Dunbar � conference caller

Regrets:

• Cindy Little
• Pat Maxwell
• Virginia Vaillancourt

Continue reading or download the South Vancouver Island RWC meeting minutes (pdf)

Discussions

Sister Sharon has finally received 2008 cheque for from the PSAC;

Discussion on whether our committee would plan an event for December 6th for Violence Against Women � a decision was made that we would do a more major event on March 6, 2009 � we do have buttons and postcards that we can hand out on Dec. 6 to make people aware of Violence against Women;

Discussed the tentative Table 1,2 & 5 Agreements

Sister Sharon mentioned that we lost a very active union Sister on November 26, 2008/ Sister Betty Stevens was very active in her union UFCW Victoria Labour Council and women�s issues. Her dedication and hard work will not be forgotten.

BC Federation Womens� Institute at UVIC in July 2008 was excellent. It was suggested if anyone can attend one of these it is well worth it. PSAC does assist in provide funding for this event.

Finances

We currently have $124.50 in our Equity Shares Account and $398.46 in our Business Account. We also have the $1300 funding from PSAC to deposit for 2008 and will be expecting the same for 2009.

New members

We need ideas on how to bring new people to the committee. i.e. Video nights, guest speakers

Agenda for Next Meeting

1. 2009 budget
2. Date and main focus for March 8, 2009:
   • Guest speakers
   • Food
   • Location
   • promotion
3. Date and time for January 2009 meeting at which elections will be held for the following positions – Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer

Meeting adjourned 6:00

The Victoria Area Council, Vancouver Island Human Rights Committee and South Vancouver Island Regional Council Coordinators invite all PSAC members in the Southern Vancouver Island area to a Festive Meet & Greet

• Thursday, Dec 4th, 2008
• 3:00 � 7:00pm
• Unit 210-1497 Admirals Rd, Victoria BC (PSAC Victoria Regional Office)

posted on behalf of Nick Humphreys, BC Regional Council

Please take a moment to visit the Victoria Labour Council’s (VLC) new website and forward the link to anyone in the Southern Vancouver Island area who may be interested.

The site is a work in progress and hopefully will soon become the website of choice for union members in Victoria to learn about labour issues and events.� The VLC was founded over 100 years ago and is one of the oldest labour organizations in BC.

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PSAC SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND DISTRICT AREA COUNCIL GENERAL MEETING MINUTES – August 21st, 2008, PSAC Victoria Regional Office

Members Present:

• Nick Humphreys – UEW 20169
• Virginia Vaillancourt – UVAE 20030
• Paul Jones – UNDE 21010
• John Rumsby – UTE 20028
• Cindy Little – UTE 20028
• Scott Parker – UTE 20028
• Ken Waldron – UNDE 21013
• Graeme Goodmanson – UEW 20169
• Peter Neelands – NRU 20088

PSAC Victoria RO Staff Present:

• Dave Jackson – Regional Rep

Regrets:

• Rosemary MacKenzie – PSAC Admin Assistant
• Dave Rahmalho UNDE 21011
• Ian Wiggs UNDE 21008
• Fabian DeGuire UNDE 21008
• Wayne Little UTE 20028
• Anita Hoffman CEIU 20975
• Mandi Schubert CEIU 20975

Continue reading below or download the August 21st SVIDAC meeting minutes (pdf).

1. Call to order Chairperson Sister Little called the meeting to order at 5:32 pm

2. Introductions Roundtable introductions of members present

3. Proposed Agenda No amendments� m/s/c J. Rumsby/P. Jones

4. Adoption of Minutes from January 29, 2008 1 correction noted on the minutes of June 3/08 – under Victoria Labour Council: change “Provincial” elections to Municipal elections. m/s/c P. Neelands/N. Humphreys

5. JLP (Joint Learning Program)

a) Sponsorship to other Bargaining Groups - concerns raised of not being 100% inclusive . Those members are not able to participate, bring it up with their Components re: concerns if any

b) New Regional Field Coordinator for JLP BC; Karen Geiger (Employer Representative). Not a lot of uptake in BC – encourage members to have JLP course(s) in their workplace.

Recommendation at the UEW Convention; Resolution to have a Duty to Accommodate course through JLP. It was mentioned that there is a new Employment Equity Course coming out and it will include a Duty to Accommodate portion.

6. Report from Pride 15-20 people attended and walked in the parade. 3 Components represented; 20 thousand people lined the streets. The 2 outreach students got Think Public cards signed by the crowd.

7. Resolutions to PSAC Triennial Convention & for the Area Council AGM It was recommended that with the AGM coming up and any Resolutions to the PSAC Triennial Convention must be submitted 6 months in advance of Convention start. A general call for resolutions to the SVIDAC AGM will be sent to all affiliated locals. A sub-committee was formed where resolutions can be sent to: Dave Jackson, Virginia Vaillancourt and Paul Jones. A few suggestions of resolutions were made and the sub-committee will follow up on these.

8. Political action

a) Request to have Mike Esso from the Victoria Labour Council attend the SVIDAC AGM to discuss the VLC role and affiliation. Encourage locals to invite Mike to their AGMs’ to talk to their members. Motion to invite Mike Esso from the Victoria Labour Council to the AGM to discuss the affiliation.m/s/c N. Humphreys/P. Jones (unanimous)

b) 20th Labour Day Picnic September 1, 2008 *Rain/Shine* Gorge Park (Kinsmen) 1070 Tillicum Rd, Esquimalt. Fun for the whole family. *Kids Games*Clowns*Refreshments* *Kids Eat Free*. Motion that the Area Council Executive review the viability of making a donation to the 20th Annual Labour Day Picnic.
m/s/c N. Humphreys/K. Waldron

Scotia Bank AIDS Walk for Life, Sunday September 14th, 2008 at 10am. Fernwood Square – Raise Money: $100.00/person, Please wear Red t-shirts. Any questions; contact Elaine Jeffery at caringuno@shaw.ca or check out the link at http://www.aidswalkforlife.ca/Victoria.htm

9. Adjournment Motion to adjourn meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:15 pm. m/s/c P. Jones/K. Waldron

Next Meeting: AGM September 30th, 2008 5:30pm at the PSAC Regional Office 210-1497 ADMIRALS ROAD

PSAC SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND DISTRICT AREA COUNCIL GENERAL MEETING MINUTES � June 3rd, 2008

PSAC Victoria Regional Office

Members Present:

• Nick Humphreys � UEW 20169
• Virginia Vaillancourt � UVAE 20030
• Mandi Schubert � CEIU 20975
• Cindy Little � UTE 20028
• Ian Wiggs � UNDE 21008
• Ken Waldron � UNDE 21013
• Graeme Goodmanson � UEW 20169
• Aniko Varga � AGR 20064
• Jack Gale � GSU 20001
• Fabian De Guire � UNDE 21008
• Brenda Esplen � UTE 20028
• Paul Jones � UNDE 21010

PSAC Victoria RO Staff Present:

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

Regrets:

• John Rumsby – UTE 20028
• Wayne Little � UTE 20028
• Peter Neelands � NRU 20088

Continue reading below, or download the Southern Vancouver Island Area Council June 3 2008 minutes (pdf).

Call to order Chairperson Sister Little called the meeting to order at 5:32pm

Introductions Roundtable introductions of members present

Proposed Agenda No amendments m/s/c N Humphreys/M Schubert

Adoption of Minutes from April 9, 2008 m/s/c J Gale/G Goodmanson

Sponsorship of JLP sessions A presentation was made by JLP April 9, 2008. The SVIDAC Executive met May 20th to discuss the sponsorships. Ken Waldron will be the chair of the committee to organize JLP sessions. Mandi Schubert and Virginia Vaillancourt will assist with organizing.

Update on Victoria Labour Council Volunteers needed for June 14th Childcare Rally at the legislature. Labour Day Picnic – September 1, 2008 9am – PSAC will have tables. Looking for more unions.Provincial elections mid November; Labour Council is helping.Labour council closes for July and August. There is $600.00 available to assist a local with affiliation to the VLC. The cost is $4.00/member/year to affiliate. The year begins the day you affiliate. VLC meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month and the new location is Burnside/Gorge Community Centre

Political Action Child Care Rally June 14th – On June 14th, the Canadian Labour Congress and the Victoria Labour Council’s Women’s Committee are holding a ‘Family Fun BBQ’ in support of a National child care system that will provide affordable, accessible, not-for-profit, quality child care for the children of Canada. Irving Park, 250 Menzies St.,Victoria, 12:00 � 3:00pm. Please gather at the Legislature by 11:30 am. We will walk together to Irving Park in support of a National child care system that will provide affordable, accessible, not-for profit, quality child care for the children of Canada.

Bank Account SVIDAC will be moving their account to the Community Savings which is largest fully unionized credit union in the province. The bank will come out to meetings and deal with the signing authorities. No service charges will be levied on operation of your account. For more information contact Par Shihota, Union Liason Officer at Community Savings 1-888-963-2000. Motion to have South Vancouver Island District Area Council put out an email message encouraging locals to switch to Community Savings Credit Union and including information on what bank has to offer. m/s/Unanimously Carried N. Humphreys/I. Wiggs

BC Fed Summer Institute The theme this year is �Women Behaving Politically: Organizing for Change� July 9 � 13, 2008 at UVIC. BC Region providing subsidy 1 for each Regional Women�s Committee and 2 from Victoria Labour Council

TB Mobilization Update Not meeting in June. Going back to the table in September. National Day of Action June 19th right across Canada. We will be holding a couple of Solidarity b-b-q�s in Victoria as well as Nanaimo. One will be at IOS and the other one will be held at Pacific Forestry. Raise awareness across Canada. If members don�t show support, we will be headed down the strike road. CRA received 2.5, 2.5, 2.5 with reclass just over 3% a year. TB Conference call June 4th. National Day of Action to represent anniversary of contract expiring � June 19th kick off to events. Action in fall if needed. Boycott of National Public Service Week based on bad offer. No official position from PSAC as JLP events during NPSW. Use NPSW to get our word out regarding low offer from TB and mobilization. We deserve more than a week. Dave will be sending out a leaflet, hand it out to members.

Victoria Pride Parade July 6th Noon to 5pm. Start at Pandora and Government and walk in front of the Legislature then go to Irving Park. Crafts, speakers, beer garden. There is a lack of funding for the Pride Parade. Motion request for South Vancouver Island District Area Council to donate $100.00 to the Victoria Pride Society. m/s/c P. Jones/M. Schuber. Paul will send out a poster.

Logo Contest On hold pending possible name change which will be discussed at the Annual General Meeting in September. Reminder that SVIDAC affiliation renewal dues are due in September.

Adjournment Motion to adjourn meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm. m/s/c F. De Guire/N. Humphreys

• When: Thursday, 14, August, 2008 5:00 PM-6:00 PM
• Where: PSAC Victoria Office – Unit 210 1497 Admirals Road
• Agenda TBA
• For more information, call the Victoria RO: (250) 953 1050

Victoria Pride!

Pride events are taking place across British Columbia all summer and PSAC members are joining in! In Victoria, PSAC staff & members marched as a group in the parade for the first time, distributed Think Public! brochures & flyers, and hosted a “Public & Proud To Be” booth at the post-parade festival in Fisherman’s Wharf Park where they let the public know that we are proud to be federal public services employees and that we deserve to be treated fairly and respectfully. Kudos to Paul Jones, GLBT Coordinator on the BC Regional Council, for an excellent job organizing! ‘Continue reading’ below for some photos & a video …

In Vancouver we’ll be marching on August 3rd alongside sisters & brothers with the Multi-Union Pride Committee and everyone is welcome to join in! For more information email Steve Houston. We’ll also be hosting a table at the post-parade festival at Sunset Beach – we are looking for volunteers to hand out information regarding PSAC initiatives to support our members and communities. If you are interested email Ria Nishikawara or call 604.430.5631.

Is there a Pride event coming up in your community? Let us know! Email Patrick.

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On June 19th PSAC members throughout BC marked one year of bargaining with Treasury Board by joining together and telling the employer that we deserve to be treated with respect and that we deserve more at the bargaining table.

In downtown Vancouver, 250 people braved the rain and gathered at Canada Place to hear REVP Kay Sinclair and member negotiators Karim Lawji and Megan Adam speak.  PSAC and PIPSC members working for Treasury Board, CFIA, CRA, Canada Post and Parks Canada gathered to hear bargaining updates, sign thinkpublic! postcards to their MPs, and enjoy lunch.

At the Pacific Forestry Centre in Victoria, UEW members were joined by their PIPSC and summer student co-workers for a hamburger BBQ. In Nelson, Area Strike Coordinator Sheila Pearce and members at the Service Canada office dressed in ratty clothes to demonstrate how poorly they are paid!

Other lunch time activities took place across BC and we will have a full report soon. In the meantime, here are some photos.

• Date: July 6, 2008
• Where: A Channel Bldg on Broad Street, in downtown Victoria.
• Who: All GLBT PSAC Members, Families and Friends.
• Why: To celebrate Victoria Pride, PSAC Pride & to let the public know that we are proud to be federal public services employees; To also raise awareness that we deserve to be treated fairly and respectfully by our Departmental Employers & the Treasury Board.

We will be having a PSAC Union table on the festival grounds at Fisherman’s Wharf Park following the parade. We are looking for volunteers for the union table and to hand out information regarding PSAC initiatives to support our members, communities as well as our world’s communities.

Please feel free to contact Paul Jones, GLBT Member Coordinator, PSAC Regional Council @ pablojones@shaw.ca or at 250.813.0565. See you there! Visit victoriapridesociety.org for lead-up events.

PSAC Southern Vancouver Island District Area Council meeting minutes – April 9th, 2008, PSAC Victoria Regional Office

Present:

• Nick Humphreys – UEW 20169
• Virginia Vaillancourt – UVAE 20030
• John Rumsby – UTE 20028
• Cindy Little – UTE 20028
• Scott Parker – UTE 20028
• Jim Sidel – DCL 20500
• Ken Waldron – UNDE 21013
• Ian Wiggs – UNDE 21008
• Ches Bennett – DCL 20500
• Alexandra Ripco – UEW 20076
• Graeme Goodmanson – UEW 20169
• Brenda Esplen – UTE 20028
• Sylvaine Boudreault – AGR 20064
• Jack Gale – GSU 20001
• Mandi Schubert – CEIU 20975
• Deborah Gruben – National 20140
• Sharon Hazelwood – National 20140
• Fabian DeGuire– UNDE 21008
• Hettie Wheeler – USGE 20012
• Peter Neelands – NRU 20088
• David Ramalho – UNDE 21011
• James Little – H & S Rep
• Dave Jackson – Regional Rep
• Susan Jardine – JLP Field Coordinator
• Julie Balantes – JLP Field Coordinator

Continue reading below, or download the SVIDAC meeting minutes – April 9th (pdf)

Sister Cindy Little, President

Virginia Vaillancourt, Recording Secretary

• Wednesday April 9, 2008, 5:30 PM
• 210-1497 Admiral’s Road

Agenda

• Resolutions for Convention
• Election of Vice-President
• JLP – Guest Speakers, Julie Balantes & Susan Jardine

Please RSVP to Rosemary at the Regional Office, as food will be served

Here are a few photos of PSAC events & activities over the last month …

Members at the Service Canada office in Nelson supported their TB bargaining teams last week, click the thumbnails for a larger view. Cheers to Sheila Pearce, Treasury Board Area Strike Coordinator for the South Kootenays, for the photos. Visit this webpage to find out how to keep up to date with TB bargaining, or send a message to your TB strike coordinator.

Members of CEIU Local 20975 – the Victoria Service Canada office – held their AGM, and re-elected Mandi Schubert as the President. Congratulations Mandi, and thanks for the photos!

The PSAC Regional Staff conference took place last week in Victoria. The Director of the Regional Offices Branch, Penny Bertrand (in black) presented Dave Jackson and Janet Routledge with their long service pins – 20 and 30 years respectively!

PSAC SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND DISTRICT AREA COUNCIL GENERAL MEETING MINUTES – January 29th, 2008, PSAC Victoria Regional Office

Members Present:

• Nick Humphreys – UEW 20169
• Virginia Vaillancourt – UVAE 20030
• John Rumsby – UTE 20028
• Cindy Little – UTE 20028
• Scott Parker – UTE 20028
• Jim Sidel – DCL 20500
• Ken Waldron – UNDE 21013
• Peter Neelands – NRU 20088
• Ches Bennett – DCL 20500
• Wayne Little – UTE 20028
• Eric Nygaard – USGE 20018

PSAC Victoria RO Staff Present:

• James Little – H & S Rep
• Rosemary MacKenzie – Admin Assistant

Regrets:

• Dave Jackson – Regional Rep
• Mandi Schubert – CEIU 20975
• Dave Ramalho – UNDE 21011

Download the Southern Vancouver Island Area Council minutes – January 29th 2008 (pdf) or continue reading below.

1. Call to order

• Chairperson Sister Little called the meeting to order at 5:35pm

2. Introductions

• Roundtable introductions of members present

3. Proposed Agenda

• Amendments to the Agenda
• Change in order of business
• Addition of:
  • Defending Quality Public Service – OurFish.ca campaign
  • H & S Forum on Website
  • Resignation from Executive
• m/s/c J Rumsby/W Little

4. Adoption of Minutes from Nov 20, 2007

• m/s/c W Little/ J Sidel

5. Resolutions for Convention:

• February 15, 2008 is the deadline for Resolution submissions to the BC Regional Convention. Resolution being submitted by N Humphreys who will send it out to affiliated locals to get a yes or no on the resolution.
• Resolution: Where PSAC encourages all locals to affiliate with the labour councils across the country. (There are 135 labour councils)
• That PSAC reimburse 50% to locals who affiliate to labour councils.

6. Update on the Victoria Labour Council

• There are pamphlets available which describe what Labour Councils do. The VLC went through a reconstruction last year. New By-laws were written and passed in November. 15 people were elected to the executive.
• There were 90 voting delegates at their last meeting. BCGEU has rejoined the VLC. There is $600.00 available to assist a local with affiliation to the VLC.
• The cost is $4.00/member/year to affiliate. The year begins the day you affiliate.
• Next meeting for VLC is February 20, 2008 at the Cedar Hill Golf Club at 7pm. Members who are not affiliated yet can attend as observers. Arrive at 6:30pm to sign in.
• VLC meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month.

7. Bargaining Update

• TB groups are back in bargaining at the end of January beginning of February.
• Ships crew are back in bargaining the week of Feb 18th.
• Table 3 is awaiting Pay Study.

8. Education 2008

• PSAC Education Schedule is out.
• Follow ups for previous members who have signed up for courses but were unable to attend is being done by Rosemary.
• C Little attended a Fraser Valley Area Council Executive meeting. If members have any thoughts/ ideas on other education courses ie., Political Activitsts; Please advise the Area Council

9. Logo Contest

• Reminder to members to make submissions to our “Create a Logo” Contest.
• Deadline for submissions is February 29, 2008. The winner will receive a bomber style jacket with either the new SVIDAC or the PSAC BC logos.
• You can enter electronically to jacksod@psac.com or by mail Att: SVIDAC Logo Contest, 210 – 1497 Admirals Road, Victoria, BC V9A 2P8.
• Please contact PSAC at 953-1050 if you would like a copy of the guidelines emailed to you.

10. Requests for affiliation to VLC

• SVIDAC has $600.00 to assist locals with affiliation to the VLC if locals are affiliated with the SVIDAC.
• SVIDAC wants a commitment by locals who chose to be affiliate to the VLC

11. Defending Quality Public Service – www.OurFish.ca

• New campaign has been started www.OurFish.ca or www.nospoissons.ca
• Sustainable funding=sustainable fisheries=sustainable communities
• Campaign is about resources not jobs.
• 90% of fish stocks around the work are under threat. There is an information folder available and when Nick receives these he will email AC to see who would like a folder.
• Request that members review the folder and postcards and discuss the campaign with your fellow members. Sign and send in the postcards to Ottawa, no postage required. Atlantic Canada has bought into the campaign.
• Nick will be talking to Jim Sinclair (CLC President), to sports fisherman and to the VLC. Folders have been sent to MP’s, MLA’s across Canada including senators across the country.
• Discuss the campaign at your AGM’s/GM, Nick can attend the meetings to talk about the campaign.
• Component Presidents will be receiving a presentation at next weeks Board meeting.
• Some Native Bands have bought into the campaign.
• PSAC assisted with the funding for the campaign but the majority of funding came from UEW Component.

12. OH & S Forum on Website

• BRUSH now has an interactive website to discuss H & S concerns. Visit www.psacbc.com . Click on Health & Safety link on the right hand side. Then click on the orange guy with megaphone. You will need to create a user id and password.
• In order to add comments you must be logged in but you can still view all of the info. Samples of current forums are: * MSRA * Ergonomics * Disability Insurance. You can add links, pictures etc in to the forum.
• There was a discussion regarding housing the locals H & S minutes on the website. Not all locals submit their minutes to PSAC.
• There was an email notification sent out to advise members of the website. James Little advised that he will be meeting with the National H & S Reps and will be seeking broad distribution of the website Nationally. You can also go to: www.psacbc.com/hs-forum/

13. Resignation from Executive Member

• The SVIDAC Executive received a resignation notice from the Vice- President Todd Genereux.

14. Election of delegate to BC PSAC Regional Convention

• There is no loss of salary covered by PSAC for Friday April 18th.
• Motion to have SVIDAC cover loss of salary for the delegate who attends the BC Regional Convention including the registration fee of $50.00.
• m/s/c N Humphreys/ J Sidel

• Elections conducted by Brother James Little and votes counted by Sister Rosemary MacKenzie and Brother James Little.

• Delegate

• John Rumsby Nominated by W Little, Seconded by S Parker
• Virginia Vaillancourt Nominated by J Sidel, Seconded by E. Nygaard
• Ken Waldron Nominated by N. Humphreys, Seconded by C Bennett

• There were 2 votes held.

• Ken Waldron will be the AC Delegate
• John Rumsby will be the Alternate Delegate

• Motion to destroy ballots.
• m/s/c J Sidel/K Waldron

15. Adjournment

• Motion to adjourn meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:10pm
• m/s/c W Little/J Sidel

Sister Cindy Little, President and Virginia Vaillancourt, Recording Secretary

Monday, February 11th at 5:00 at the PSAC office, #210 – 1497 Admirals Road.

The agenda for this meeting will include

• Election of Chairperson/Secretary/Treasurer
• Election of Delegate to the BC PSAC Regional Convention
• Budget for the 2008 fiscal year
• Event for International Women’s Day
• Information on Oxfam Canada