Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

PSAC Okanagan Regional Women’s Committee, Minutes of Meeting February 9, 2008, ABC Restaurant, Harvey Avenue, Kelowna

In Attendance:

• Susan Yaciw UTE 20003
• Roberta Gourlie CEIU 20915
• Kelly Megyesi CEIU 20915
• Linda Woods NAT 20140
• Darrell-Lee McKenzie AGR 20043
• Jennifer Leenhouts CEIU 20972
• Kareen Stanich AGR 20043

The meeting was called to order at 11:35 a.m. with Jennifer Leenhouts in the chair.

Continue reading below or download the Okanagan RWC meeting minutes - Feb 9 2008 (pdf)

Minutes: Minutes from September 21, 2007 were accepted. m/s/c

Treasurer’s Report: The balance is $1276.31. The audited financial statement for 2007 was circulated to members present. m/s/c

2008 Budget:Proposed budget was discussed and accepted as presented. m/s/c

BC Regional Women’s Conference September 28-30, 2007: K. Megyesi reported that the conference was very interesting, had excellent speakers, and a theme of the environment. The Okanagan was well represented.

National Women’s Conference November 23-25, 2007: J. Leenhouts and K. Megyesi reported that this was also a good conference with the most resolution passed in history. Top issues for resolutions regarded childcare. There was much discussion about the inability to send observers to the conference.

BRUSH Committee: K. Megyesi reported on the BRUSH Committee which meets regularly. For more information on health and safety initiatives through the BC Regional office visit: http://www.psacbc.com/categories/health-safety/

Designation of Voting Members at Women’s Committee: As per the Regional Women’s Committee Handbook, there is one vote per affiliated Component. The following members have voting rights:

• AGR D-L McKenzie (alternate M-L. Romano)
• CEIU K. Megyesi (alternate J. Leenhouts)
• UTE S. Yaciw
• NAT L. Woods

Election of Officers:

• Co-Chair: J. Leenhouts was nominated by S. Yaciw, seconded by L. Woods, carried.
• Co-Chair: K. Megyesi was nominated by S. Yaciw, seconded by L. Woods, carried.
• Treasurer: K. Megyesi was nominated by S. Yaciw, seconded by L. Woods, carried.
• Secretary: R. Gourlie was nominated by D-L McKenzie, seconded by S. Yaciw, carried.

Next Meeting: TBA (possibly April 12th in Kelowna)

Adjourned at 12:30 p.m. m/s/c

PSAC Okanagan Area Council, Minutes of Meeting February 9, 2008 - ABC Restaurant, Harvey Avenue, Kelowna

In Attendance:

• Susan Yaciw UTE 20003
• Roberta Gourlie CEIU 20915
• Kelly Megyesi CEIU 20915
• Linda Woods NAT 20140
• Darrell-Lee McKenzie AGR 20043
• Jennifer Leenhouts CEIU 20972
• Kareen Stanich AGR 20043

The meeting was called to order at 10:15a.m. with Susan Yaciw in the chair.

Continue reading below, or download Okanagan Area Council meeting minutes - Feb 8 2008 (pdf).

Minutes: Minutes from September 21, 2007 were accepted. m/s/c

Old Business:

• Audited Financial Report: Action: D-L. McKenzie to have books audited and send copy to REVP.
• Affiliating to District Labour Council: D-L. McKenzie reported that AGR 20043 has been affiliated with the SOBLC and that any PSAC member can attend meetings. S. Yaciw reported that there is an increased subsidy available to affiliate to District Labour Councils (maximum $600).
• Action: D-L McKenzie to request subsidy for 2008.
• Action: R. Gourlie to look into affiliating to Labour Council in Vernon.
• Action: J. Leenhouts to look into affiliating to Labour Council in Kelowna.

PSAC Education Forum: S. Yaciw distributed the summary to members.

BC Regional Convention April 18-20, 2008: Delegate selection through Components is presently occurring. RVP’s participated in a conference call with K. Sinclair to discuss delegate selection. There have been some issues for small Locals (<100 members) particularly when there are not other Locals to be grouped with to get delegate status. Deadline for submitting resolutions is February 15th. S. Yaciw reported that she did raise the issue of delegates being made aware of the requirements to be elected / hold office at Regional Council.

New Business:

• Treasurer’s Report: The 2007 financial statement and the current Treasurer’s report were presented (see attached). m/s/c
• Affiliated Locals are reminded that 2008 dues are now payable ($1 per member located in the Okanagan) and should be sent to: Darrell-Lee McKenzie, 15-799 Creekside, Penticton, BC,V2A 1C5.
• S. Yaciw reported that UTE 20026 has decided to not affiliate with Area Council in 2008. Minutes and notices still to be sent to the Local.
• Action: S. Yaciw to respond to letter.

BC Regional Council: S. Yaciw’s report to council was circulated by email. There was much discussion about regional convention at the last council meeting (re/ committees, funding). There will not be salary loss compensation for the Friday.

Designation of Voting Members at Area Council:

As per the bylaws, there is one vote per affiliated Local. The following members have voting rights:

• AGR 20043 D-L McKenzie (alternate K. Stanich)
• AGR 20027 M-L Romano
• CEIU 20915 K. Megyesi (alternate R. Gourlie)
• UTE 20003 S. Yaciw
• CEIU 20972 J. Leenhouts
• NAT 20140 L. Woods

BC Regional Convention, April 18-20 Delegate Election:

• Delegate: J. Leenhouts nominated by S. Yaciw, seconded by D-L. McKenzie, carried.
• Alternate Delegate: L. Woods nominated by S. Yaciw, seconded by D-l. McKenzie, carried.

Bargaining: Deferred until next meeting.

Education: A combined TUB / Grievance Handling course is scheduled for Feb 16th in Kelowna. At the request of AGR Local 20043, TUB will be delivered April 4th and Grievance Handling on April 5th in Penticton. Action: S. Yaciw to contact A. Rana about need for TUB; Grievance Handling; and Local Officers Training in Kelowna or Vernon. Action: S. Yaciw to follow up with R. Brennan and A. Rana regarding the issue of alternate delivery of education (ie/ lunchtime video conference, etc).

Election of Officers:

• President: S. Yaciw was nominated by D-L McKenzie, seconded by J. Leenhouts, carried.
• Vice President: J. Leenhouts was nominated by D-L. McKenzie, seconded by S. Yaciw, carried.
• Secretary: Roberta Gourlie was nominated by S. Yaciw, seconded by D-L McKenzie, carried.
• Treasurer: D-L McKenzie was nominated by J. Leenhouts, seconded by S. Yaciw, carried.

Affiliation with BC Federation of Labour: Locals are reminded to affiliate with the BC Federation of Labour at: http://www.bcfed.ca/

“The B.C. Federation of Labour brings together the majority of unions in BC to provide a single voice on workers’ rights. As well, the Federation provides support to affiliated unions during labour disputes and co-ordinates cross-union campaigns from health and safety to political action and women’s rights.”

Bill C39: Agriculture Union presently has a campaign under way to stop bill C39 which would make changes to the Grain Act, impacting farmers, and members at the Canadian Grain Commission. For more information see:
http://www.agrunion.com/en/currentmonthsnews.html#Lobbying

Next Meeting: TBA (possibly April 12th in Kelowna)

Adjourned at 11:35 a.m. m/s/c

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!

They have been dubbed “the Millennials,” the most socially conscious generation since the sixties, the most tech savvy, and a force to be reckoned with in the work place.

Generation Y are the youths of today born anytime between 1978 and 1998 and provide a significant chunk of the global workforce.

However, a common disconnect is felt between Generation Y and the three other generations which make up the workforce — the veterans, the boomers and Generation X — which is resulting in the inability for employers to both understand and retain their young employees.

In a reaction to a report released on these issues in 2005 called The Skilled Force Initiative, groups across the province have been encouraged to create workshops for employers and Generation Y potential employees, to help bridge the gap between them and create an understanding that will benefit both groups.

Community Futures in Nelson will be hosting a two-day workshop that will run on November 16 and 26 between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., specifically for employers who feel they are having similar problems and would like to learn more about this upcoming generation and how to understand and work with it.

The workshops are being sponsored by the federal government and so will be free to those that register.
“The workshops are not meant to reflect negatively on the youths of today — that’s not what it is about. We are simply trying to explain some of the misconceptions and the misperceptions that employers have of Generation Y and how to work with them,” said Pamela Clausen, a self-employment counsellor at Community Futures.

The 2005 report highlighted the issues faced by today’s employers by Generation Y. For example employers felt that the workers attitude towards work is not appropriate for the workplace, they don’t dress appropriately or have respect, they lack pride in their work, and they lack people skills.

“They are raised in an era where they were given lots of things to do on timely schedules. They are offered a lot of choices and are allowed to negotiate; they are encouraged to talk about their feelings and voice their opinions; and so now they are going into the workplace and some managers and owners are having difficulty dealing with these kind of things,” Clausen said.

At a time when the unemployment rate is at a 30 year low, employers are turning to Generation Y for numbers, but with the lack of understanding between past and present generations, employers are finding it increasingly difficult to retain young employees.

“It is such a high cost to deal with employee turnover. When an employer loses an employee, they have to go through the process of hiring again which cost money — it is much better and cheaper to retain staff,” said Clausen.

“The workshops will explain where the youths are coming from, and why they are the way they are. We will also be working to help employers in attracting youths, hiring them, retaining them, working with them, and managing them.”

Clausen commented that Generation Y would have witnessed their parents in recession and resultantly are less likely to be loyal to a company or business and more likely to be loyal to a person like a manager who gets on well with them and understands them.

“In previous generations we did what we were told to, it was hierarchical, it was commander control, and you did your job. Kids today see work as something to do between weekends off, whereas in previous generations you lived to work,” she said.

The workshops will contain a number of presentations by Clausen, who is the sole facilitator of the event, and there will also be a number of problem solving activities and opportunities to get in groups and come up with ideas to help each other out.

“Any manager or business owner who is working with Generation Y staff can benefit from the two upcoming workshops - they’ll be interactive, fun and they’ll take away a lot of tools and resources to help their business,” she said.

A further work shop will be organized before the end of the year that will be aimed at generation Y and helping them understand some of the issues that older generations have and how to deal with them.

Source: Nelson Daily News, Nov 16 2007

Northwest B.C. Area Council Meeting: November 17th, 7PM, Coast Hotel, Prince Rupert

Agenda

• Guests: Collette Savarie, PSAC Regional Representative and Amal Rana, Education Officer
• BARGAINING UPDATES: Supporting our bargaining units
• District Labour Councils
• PSAC-BC Regional Convention - nominations for delegates to Convention & resolutions
• Calendar of Events
• Education
• Amendments to the bylaws (if any)
• Days of Recognition
• Joint Learning Program

Okanagan Area Council AGM: December 1st, Kelowna. Time and Location TBA.

Fraser Valley Area Council meeting: December 5th, 6PM, Mandarin Gardens Restaurant, Abbotsford

Agenda

• Guest-Kay Sinclair, PSAC REVP for BC
• By-Law Amendments (see attached proposed Fraser Valley Area Council Bylaw changes)
• Financial Report-Anne Marie
• Election of Executive
• Election of Delegate to PSAC Convention
• Resolutions to BC PSAC Convention
• District Labour Council Report-Jayne
• Other Business

PSAC Okanagan Area Council Minutes of Meeting September 21, 2007, Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Summerland

In Attendance:

• Susan Yaciw UTE 20003
• Linda Woods NAT 20140
• Kelly Megyesi CEIU 20915
• Jennifer Leenhouts CEIU 20972
• Darrell-Lee McKenzie AGR 20043
• Rowena Santo UTE 20026
• Kareen Stanich AGR 20043
• Brenda Williams UTE 20026
• Roberta Gourlie CEIU 20915

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. with Susan Yaciw in the chair.

Continue reading below or download the Okanagan Area Council meeting minutes - Sept 21 (pdf)

Minutes: Minutes from June 22, 2007 were accepted. m/s/c

Area Council Treasurer’s Report: The report was presented (see attached) m/s/c

Old Business:

Audited Financial Report – Books to be audited.

Action: D-L. McKenzie to have books audited at end of December for AGM in January and send copy to REVP.

Affiliating to District Labour Council - One local will affiliate with the South Okanagan Boundry Labour Council at a cost of $0.25 per member per month. The cost to affiliate AGRU 20043 is approximately $240, however there will be a rebate from the REVP. Any PSAC member in the area can attend the meetings which are the 1st Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. (unless the 1st day of the month is a Tuesday, then the meeting is the 2nd Tuesday). Meetings are held at the Penticton Teachers Union office on Ellis Street.

Action: D-L. McKenzie to affiliate AGR 20043 with SOBLC.

Action: Anyone interested in attending meetings should provide contact information (snail and email) to D-L. McKenzie for the mailing list.

PSAC Forum – Was well attended in Penticton and there were new faces in Kelowna and Vernon. It would be nice to see this type of forum on an annual basis.

Action: S. Yaciw to ask Amal Rana for a summary and distribute to Area Council members.

New Business:

BC Regional Council: The next meeting is October 21-22. There will also be leadership training October 17-20, and a meeting with regional office staff on the 23rd. S. yaciw expressed concern about the regions outside the lower mainland and island not having an opportunity for input.

Action: Any items should be forwarded to S. Yaciw.

Political Action: S. Yaciw reported that the committee met by conference call on September 5th (minutes attached). She has written to MP’s and candidates regarding defending public services.

D-L. McKenzie reported that the Labour Picnic in Penticton was excellent. S. Yaciw and K. Megyesi reported that Public Services Are Cool flyers were distributed in Westbank, Kelowna and Vernon.

The transfer of federal non-regulatory laboratories to universities or private sector was discussed as this could potentially affect many members and would also impact the public as federal labs do research that is for public good. Locals and Components are actively working on this issue.

J. Leenhouts reported that at HRSDC jobs are being devolved to the provinces. BC is one of the last provinces to see this happen. Approximately 500 members were affected in Ontario and we would expect 200-250 members in BC affected by this.

BC Regional Convention April 18-20, 2008: Discussed concern about the delegate selection process for Locals with <100 members. How will the process work for affiliating these small Locals and selecting delegates? Also discussed potential resolutions such as one that would allow the REVP to reside outside the lower mainland.

Action: S. Yaciw to inquire how delegate selection will occur.
Action: S. Yaciw to find out deadline for resolution submission.
Action : S. Yaciw to raise at next Regional Council meeting the importance of delegates being made aware of the requirements to be elected / hold office.

PSAC BC Union School: Scheduled November 2-4, 2007 with the theme Public and Proud. Deadline for applications is September 28, 2007. For more information see:
http://www.psacbc.com/education/2007-union-school/

Next Meeting: Saturday December 1, 2007, Kelowna

Action: K. Megyesi to investigate suitable location in Kelowna.

Adjourned at 7:25 p.m. m/s/c

The PSAC BC Regional Education Program is coming to your neighborhood!

• Penticton: August 21st, 2007, 5pm to 8pm - Lakeside Resort, 21 Lakeshore Drive West, Merlot Room
• Kelowna: August 22nd, 2007, 5pm to 8pm - Coast Capri Hotel, 1171 Harvey Avenue, Shiraz Room
• Vernon: August 23rd, 2007, 5pm to 8pm - Best Western, 3914 32nd Street, Okanagan Room

We want to hear from you: share your thoughts and feedback on union education and courses for your area!

• Help shape the future of the regional education program!
• Join us for some great food, company and conversation!
• Meet other PSAC members and staff!
• Refreshments will be served.

For more information, please contact Amal Rana (Regional Education Officer) at the Vancouver Regional Office @ 1.800.663.1655 or ranaa@psac.com

PSAC Okanagan Regional Women’s Committee Minutes of Meeting April 13, 2007

The Library, Mickie’s Pub, Kelowna

In Attendance:

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. with Jennifer Leenhouts in the chair.

Minutes: Minutes from January 27, 2007 were accepted. m/s/c

Continue reading below, or download the Okanagan RWC minutes April 13 2007 (pdf)

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PSAC Okanagan Area Council Minutes of Meeting April 13, 2007

The Library, Mickie’s Pub, Kelowna
In Attendance:

The meeting was called to order at 5:40 p.m. with Susan Yaciw in the chair.

Continue reading below or download the Okanagan Area Council minutes April 13 2007 (pdf)

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PSAC – Okanagan Regional Women’s Committee, Minutes of Meeting – January 27, 2007, The Library, Mickie’s Pub, Kelowna

In Attendance:

• Susan Yaciw UTE 20003
• Maria-Luiza Romano AGR 20027
• Kareen Stanich AGR 20043
• Ruth Eisworth UTE 20026
• Darrell-Lee McKenzie AGR 20043
• Joy Harrison Retired
• Kelly Megyesi CEIU 20915
• Roberta Gourlie CEIU 20915

The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. with Susan Yaciw in the chair.

Download the Okanagan RWC minutes January 27 2007 (pdf) or continue reading below

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PSAC - Okanagan Area Council, Minutes of Meeting – January 27, 2007, The Library, Mickie’s Pub, Kelowna

In Attendance:

• Susan Yaciw UTE 20003
• Maria-Luiza Romano AGR 20027
• Kareen Stanich AGR 20043
• Ruth Eisworth UTE 20026
• Darrell-Lee McKenzie AGR 20043
• Joy Harrison Retired
• Kelly Megyesi CEIU 20915
• Roberta Gourlie CEIU 20915

The meeting was called to order at 11:30 a.m. with Susan Yaciw in the chair.

Download the Okanagan AC minutes January 27 2007 (pdf) or continue reading below

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PSAC - Okanagan Regional Women’s Committee, Minutes of Meeting – September 30, 2006, Coast Capri Hotel, Kelowna

In Attendance:

• Susan Yaciw UTE 20003
• Maria-Luiza Romano AGR 20027
• Jennifer Leenhouts CEIU 20972
• Regina Brennan PSAC
• Darrell-Lee McKenzie AGR 20043
• Kelly Megyesi CEIU 20915
• Roberta Gourlie CEIU 20915

The meeting was called to order at 12:10 p.m. with Jennifer Leenhouts in the chair.

Download the Okanagan RWC minutes September 30 2006 (pdf) or continue reading below

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PSAC - Okanagan Area Council, Minutes of Meeting – September 30, 2006, Coast Capri Hotel, Kelowna

In Attendance:

• Susan Yaciw UTE 20003
• Maria-Luiza Romano AGR 20027
• Jennifer Leenhouts CEIU 20972
• Regina Brennan PSAC
• Darrell-Lee McKenzie AGR 20043
• Kelly Megyesi CEIU 20915
• Roberta Gourlie CEIU 20915

The meeting was called to order at 12:10 p.m. with Susan Yaciw in the chair.

Download the Okanagan AC minutes September 30 2006 (pdf) or continue reading below.

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PSAC - Okanagan Regional Women’s Committee, Minutes of Meeting – June 23, 2006, Perkins Restaurant, Kelowna

In Attendance:

• Susan Yaciw UTE 20003
• Maria-Luiza Romano AGR 20027
• Jennifer Leenhouts CEIU 20972
• Ruth Eisworth UTE 20026
• Kareen Stanich AGR 20043
• Kelley Megyesi
• Darrell-Lee McKenzie AGR 20043
• Linda Woods NAT 20140
• Roberta Gourlie CEIU 20915

The meeting was called to order at 7:25 p.m. with Jennifer Leenhouts in the chair.

Download the Okanagan RWC minutes June 23 2006 (pdf) or continue reading below.

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PSAC - Okanagan Regional Women’s Committee, Minutes of Meeting – March 18, 2006. The Coast Capri Hotel, Kelowna

In Attendance:

• Susan Yaciw UTE 20003
• Joy Harrison UTE 20003
• Jennifer Leenhouts CEIU 20972
• Kareen Stanich AGR 20043
• Linda Woods NAT 20140
• Roberta Gourlie CEIU 20915
• Maria-Luiza Romano AGR 20027
• Ruth Eisworth UTE 20026
• Regina Brennan PSAC Regional Representative
• Patty Ducharme REVP

The meeting was called to order at 11:35 a.m. with Joy Harrison in the chair.

Download the Okanagan RWC minutes March 18 2006 (pdf) or continue reading below.

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New weekend courses have been announced in Nelson, to take place in the fall …

Click for the full education schedule, and/or apply for these courses online.

A long-time face of tax advice in the Okanagan retired last week.

Gail Riddall, probably best known in the valley for her television appearances as an income tax expert, worked as a client service agent for Canada Revenue Agency for 32 years.

During that time she was featured regularly on television and radio with hosts such as Jack Webster and Rafe Mair. When she moved from the Lower Mainland to Penticton 16 years ago, she made appearances on CHBC with hosts such as Chris Cleaver and Mike Roberts.

“The shows were literally about putting a face to Revenue Canada,” she said. “And that’s probably my favourite part of (my career).”

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A dispute between Revenue Canada and its employees has prompted a plea to Kelowna residents over impending cuts to walk-in counter services.

Covering two thirds of a page in the April 5 edition of the Capital News, the Public Service Alliance of Canada and Union of Taxation advertisement states the Canada Revenue Agency is reducing services at its counters as of April 30, followed by a statement saying residence can no longer walk in and get answers about individual or business tax returns, the GST rebate or family tax credit.

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PSAC - Okanagan Area Council Minutes of Meeting – January 27, 2006, The Pantry Restaurant, Kelowna

In Attendance:

• Darrell-Lee McKenzie AGR 20043
• Susan Yaciw UTE 20026
• Kareen Stanich AGR 20043
• Denis Ringuette CEUDA 20045
• Allison Bunckle AGR 20041
• Linda Woods NAT 20140
• Roberta Gourlie CEIU 20915
• Jennifer Leenhouts CEIU 20972
• Kelly Megyesi CEIU 20915
• Maria-Luiza Romano AGR 20027

Read more below or download the January 27 Okanagan Area Council meeting minutes

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PSAC - Okanagan Regional Women’s Committee Minutes of Meeting – January 27, 2006, The Pantry Restaurant, Kelowna

In Attendance:

• Darrell-Lee McKenzie AGR 20043
• Susan Yaciw UTE 20026
• Kareen Stanich AGR 20043
• Denis Ringuette CEUDA 20045
• Allison Bunckle AGR 20041
• Linda Woods NAT 20140
• Roberta Gourlie CEIU 20915
• Jennifer Leenhouts CEIU 20972
• Kelly Megyesi CEIU 20915
• Maria-Luiza Romano AGR 20027

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. with Darrell-Lee McKenzie in the chair.

Read more below or download the January 27th, 2006, Okanagan RWC meeting minutes (pdf).

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