Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

17 July 2007 Vancouver Area Council meeting – Theme: Environment

In attendance were: Rand, Sharon, Anne-Marie, Deanna, Karim, Marie, Colleen, Rhonda, Wanda, Kay, Terri, Jack, Sam (chair), Megan, Jas, Craig, Monica (minutes)

Continue reading below, or download the Minutes: Vancouver Area Council meeting, July 17 2007 (pdf)

1. Meeting

Called to order at 6:20pm. Sam briefly reviewed the agenda. There were introductions by all. Sam acknowledged that Carly Crawford, VAC secretary, was planning to attend, but because of the change in dates from July 10 to 17, Carly was not able to get the time off of work. Carly sends her regrets.

2. Speakers – Environment

Sam – read out parts of the PSAC Environment policy, mentioned the upcoming BC Regional Women’s Conference which has an environment theme.

Anne Marie – spoke on the 401 Burrard Green Team, made up of Environment Canada/Public Works/Management/Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Gave brief history of the environmental movement, currently more about climate change; previously more on land use and timber extraction. The environmental movement is very diverse, has worked with labour on and off over the years. The Labour Environment Alliance Society (LEAS) run by Mae Burrows was promoted . Now – people “get it” -environmental issues are not “special interest group” issues, rather must be of concern to all.

401 Burrard Building – in 2003 the residents of the building formed a “Green Team” which supports the Government Environment Policy. The Green Team is comprised up of 20 volunteers, and links in with a national GT network. Environmental “auditing” was powerful – audited paper and energy use with friendly reminders and kudos issued to individuals.

Organizing the team is like unionism, start one person at a time. The Team has commuter challenges – organize departments to tally up who used what to get to work, has lunch & learns - screened an “Inconvenient Truth”, holds waste reduction (compost awareness) workshops. Emphasizes need for behavioural change, don’t force individuals to change as there may be resistence.

Public Concerns: air quality and water 7 out 10 people, need to find ways to weave social messages around the work site, e.g. 401 Burrard has, bike racks, bike user support group, internal website is linked to great sites and has tips. Workplaces can initiate their own green teams. Contact ; Rheannon.Wylie@ec.gc.ca.

There are a variety of resources available: PSAC, CUPW, BC Fed Climate – change working group, CUPE.

3. Public Services Are Cool! P.S.A.C.

• (a) as part of Defending Quality Public Services, Sam talked about summer leafletting, PSAC website and contest.
• (b) No to sale of public buildings – Jack shared that if sale goes through the building is no longer maintained by SNC; if not then PWGSC no longer has responsibility in auditing the building for safety and members’ safety is at stake.
• (c) House of Commons workers – James Moore letter, on website, Sam will phone to see Mr. Moore. Moore.J@parl.gc.ca

4. Offer of labour history tour

Regina has led a labour history walking tour throughout the downtown, including where PSAC had a sit-in. If members of the VAC are interested in organizing one let Monica know (urrutim@psac-afpc.com).

5. Round

• UEW 20729 – updating local worksite, getting JLP in workplace
• UPCE 20029 – desperate for people but company is unnecessarily letting people go; doing pre-bargaining via surveys
• UPCE 20101 – wants to do survey as well, gearing up for bargaining
• GSU 20008 – mentioned Duty To Accommodate – national ACCESS conference in September, National access audit from coast, is currently being done by 2009 – all crown buildings.
• AGR 20044 – tentative agreement, CFIA to get behind TB, ratification this month, sending out postcards for AGM, went to COPE Bbq, had local picnic, 60 people showed.
• CEUDA 20040 – had last summer meeting in June; memberships’ minds are on bargaining
• UVAE 20045 – wants to do a Component Anniversary thing this year; reminding all in general about the CUPE strike – 0%; issue is access to handydart, write to Translink (cc. Craig as he sits on advisory committee for PWD on Disability)
• UTE 20027 – bargaining, going to access, appreciated PSAC did support national day of action.

Adjourned 8:20 p.m.

Fraser Valley Area Council General Meeting - June 2, 2007, Ramada Inn Abbotsford

In Attendance:

• Anne Marie McCully CEIU Local 20903
• Edi Martin USGE Local 20141
• Chuck Leech USGE Local 20054
• Mel Dureen USGE Local 20054
• James Little PSAC Rep

*other members who attended the TUB course on June 2, 2007

Continue reading below or download the  Fraser Valley AC minutes - June 2 2007 (pdf)

Anne Marie McCully introduced the members of the executive to the general membership in attendance* and passed on message of regret from president Jayne Johns that other union duties prevented her from attending.

As the purpose of this general meeting was the social focus of a meet and greet a brief overview of the FVAC structure and mandate was given and the discussion was than opened to the floor for questions.

Refreshments were served and the executive circulated answering questions and encouraging participation in future political, educational, and area council events.

A brief discussion of upcoming courses offered by PSAC was also reviewed by James Little.

Meeting adjourned at 5:30 pm

The next meeting time and place will be announced.

PSAC SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND DISTRICT AREA COUNCIL MINUTES – May 22, 2007

General Meeting

PSAC Victoria Regional Office

Members Present:

Nick Humphreys – UEW 20169 Wayne Little – UTE 20028

John Rumsby- UTE 20028 Todd Genereux – UNDE 21011

Cindy Little – UTE 20028 Sharon Hazelwood – NAT 20140

Marie Newton – USGE 70093 Ken Waldron – UNDE 21013

Louise Richard – NAT 20088 Jim Sidel – DCL 20500

Ches Bennett – DCL 20500 Virginia Vaillancourt – UVAE 20030

Anita Hoffman – NHWU 20017 Randy Sanderson – UCTE 20220
Dave Jackson/Rosemary MacKenzie PSAC Victoria RO

Continue reading below, or download the Southern Vancouver Island AC minutes, May 22 2007 (pdf)

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AREA COUNCIL MEETING 05/08/2007 - Theme: International Solidarity

Members in attendance:

• Sam Wiese-CEIU 20949
• Rhonda Johns-UPCE 20095
• Carly Crawford-UPCE 20095
• Tracy Shudo-CEIU 20949
• Megan Adams-UEW 20147
• Jamey Mills-UTE 20027
• Craig Langston-UTE 20027
• Deanna Wilson- NAT 20088
• Rand Ameye- GSU 20008
• Tom Gallagher-GSU 20008
• Ted Alcuitas- BC Committee of Human Rights in the Philippines
• Monica Urrutia - PSAC
• Kay Sinclair-REVP BC

Called to order at 6:00pm

• Brief Discussion by Sam Wiese on May Day activities
• Megan Adams’ presentation “Defending Public Services: From Canada to Colombia” see: www.colombiajournal.org
• Ted Alcuitas’ presentation on International Solidarity in the Philippines see: www.laborstart.org and www.psacbc.com/philippines
• Question and Answer period with Megan and Ted
• Round Table with all members

Meeting called to a close at 7:45pm

Surrey Delta Langley Area Council March 13, 2007 Meeting Minutes, Held at the Newton Seniors Center

Present: Terry Ruyter (UTE Local 20007), Carol Pegura (UTE Local 20029), Kim Forster (UTE Local 20029), Regina
Brennan (PSAC Area Rep), Dale Odberg (UVAE Local 20029), Johann Ackermann (UTE Local 20029), Jeremy Amour (UTE Local 20029) Earla MacLean (UTE Local 20029), Sharon Palis (UTE Local 20029)
Guest: Kay Sinclair, REVP - BC Region.

Continue reading below or download the SDL AC minutes (pdf)

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Northwest B.C. Area Council Annual General Meeting March 24, 2007

Attendance:

Phyllis Bortignon USGE 20071

Penny Dickson CEIU 20926

Benilde Gomes USGE 20071

Dale Gueret UEW 20147

Scott MacPhee UCTE 20213

Sean McGovernCEUDA 20042

Nikki McVeyCEIU 20926

Jack Rudd PSAC CULE Regional Representative

Terry Intermala Prince Rupert Unemployed Society

Call to Order: Benilde opened meeting at 7:10pm

Adoption of Agenda: Motion made to accept Agenda as read and carried.

Continue reading below or download the NorthWest Area Council meeting minutes, March 24 2007 (pdf)

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Thursday March 29, 2007 Chilliwack, BC
Attendance:

• Jayne Johns CEIU Local 20903
• Anne Marie McCully CEIU Local 20903
• Chuck Leech USGE Local 20054
• Mel Dureen USGE Local 20054
• Pat Sheaves USGE Local 20086
• Wendy USGE Local 20086
• BeaBurke UEW Local 20147
• Patti Victor CEIU Local 20903
• Guest: James Little, PSAC Regional Rep

Meeting was called to order at 6:40 PM.

Continue reading below or download the Fraser Valley AC meeting minutes March 20 2007 (pdf)

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April 12, 2007 BC Human Rights Committee Meeting Minutes

In attendance: Tracy (Chair), Craig, Carol (food), Kim, Deanna, Rhonda, Monica (minutes).

1. HRC minutes (name) - members will be asked at every meeting in terms of names listed in attendance

2. Previous minutes - m/s/c Craig, Carol

Continue reading below or download the BC Human Rights Committee minutes, April 12 2007 (pdf)

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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 Vancouver & District Area Council Meeting - March 6, 2007

In attendance: Sam Wiese (CEIU 20949), Deanna Wilson (NAT 20088), Sharon Tieman (UPCE 20101), Megan Adam (UEW 20147), Rand Ameye (GSU 20008), Karim Lawji (CEUDA 20040), Keith Macdonald (UCTE 20221), Velna Clarke (NAT 20088), Neil Gaba (DCL 20020), Rhonda Johns (UPCE 20095), Monica Urrutia (PSAC staff – minute taker)

Regrets: Carolyn McGillivray, Bob Jackson, Angela Marafon

1. Welcome & introductions

-Meeting was called to order at 5:58 pm.

Continue reading below or download the Vancouver Area Council meeting, March 6 2007 minutes (pdf).

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download the BC Regional Council meeting April 2,3 2006 minutes (pdf) or continue reading below

PSAC-BC Human Rights Committee - Minutes of March 15, 2007 meeting

In attendance

• Vancouver RO: Carol Pegura (chair), Kim Forster, Alexander Bishop, Sanda Turner, Monica Urrutia (PSAC staff - minutes)
• via teleconference: Floyd Knelsen
• Regrets: Sargy Chima, Carolyn McGillivray, Todd Harding, Craig Langston

Continue reading below, or download the PSAC BC Human Rights Committee meeting minutes - March 15 2007 (pdf)

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PSAC Vancouver Regional Women’s Committee Meeting September 13, 2006

In Attendance

• Alethea Boire
• Sargy Cheema
• Patricia Ganczar
• Stephanie Oostrander
• Cheryl Oenema
• Sanda Turner
• Monica Urrutia
• Deanna Wilson

Regrets

• Regina Brennan
• Kim Forster
• Angela Marafon
• Carol Pegura

Speakers

• Danielle Bisnar
• Marilou Carrillo

Continue reading below, or download the Vancouver RWC meeting minutes, September 13 2006 (pdf)The meeting opened with a welcome to members of the Women’s Committee and to the members of the Human Rights Committee. We had a roundtable where everyone introduced herself and then the floor was given to the speakers, two board members from The Philippine Women Center of BC.

The speakers talked about the “Stop the Killings” awareness campaign. 750 politicized killings have occurred in the Philippines since President Gloria Arroyo took power. These 750 people include trade unionists, church people, journalists, lawyers, human rights workers, ordinary workers and peasants. Many of these people were critical of the Arroyo government in its failure to address poverty and corruption.

Progress is slowly being made though. A Women’s Political Party has been formed in the Philippines. One woman won a seat in the election. Popular vote determines who gets seats. It is the people who are mobilizing people. Unfortunately, these are the ones that are being murdered.

They also spoke about the make-up of the Philippines. 80% of the population are urban poor and peasants. This inequality is pushing people to migrate. Statistics say that 3000 people leave the Philippines every day, and 60-70% of these people are women. They go to low paying jobs overseas, yet most are university educated.

The speakers noted that locally, weekly vigils are held in front of the Canadian consulate in the hopes that it will put pressure on the Canadian government to act and bring awareness to the problem.
Donations to the BC Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines can be made as well.

Alethea Boire asked if there was anything the PSAC Vancouver Women’s Committee could do and Danielle mentioned that the Committee could send their own statement to Peter McKay about the killings in the Philippines, to which all in attendance agreed to.

After the speakers were finished, the remainder of committee business was tended to.

Alethea noted that 3 boxes of mugs have been donated to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Center. Sanda noted that she forgot to bring her mugs tonight, but will bring them at a later date.

Childcare campaigns were discussed and whether or not our committee wanted to ‘piggyback’ on a current campaign. Monica spoke about the “Childcare-Kids are Worth It” campaign, and handed out buttons for us to wear and to hand out. Sanda mentioned that the YWCA might be a good resource for childcare campaigns. Cheryl offered to look into any assistance the YWCA can provide.

Monica also mentioned that Grassroots Women is holding a one-day childcare forum on October 21st and invited the sisters to attend.

Alethea noted that it is usual for the Women’s Committee to give honorariums to speakers at our meetings. She made a motion “ to give a $100 honorarium to the Philippine Women’s Center of BC”
M/s/c Boire/Oenema

Adjournment: 7:10

PSAC Women’s Committee Meeting June 15, 2006

In Attendance

• Alethea Boire
• Regina Brennan
• Parveen Deepak
• Patricia Ganczar
• Angela Marafon
• Deanna Wilson

The meeting started at 17:55.

Continue reading below or download the Vancovuer RWC meeting minutes, June 15 2006 (pdf)

There was no update to the finances.

Deanna gave a verbal report on the CLC Women’s Conference. A written report will follow at a later date. Highlights of the conference included an organized lobby (about child care) to MPs at Parliament Hill, and a selection of interpretive dances performed by the Dandelion Dance Group. She also participated in workshops while at the conference.

The participants present at the meeting discussed the September meeting and what should be on the agenda. The Conservative childcare agenda was discussed and ideas such as an email or postcard campaign were mentioned.
Parveen to connect with BC Federation of Labour and email links to the Women’s Committee.

Angela to contact Christine (CEIU) to talk to Val Burgey about the “Hands Off” campaign (Ontario campaign to bring awareness to childcare issues).

The Filipino Women’s Center has offered to send a speaker to speak at one of the Women’s Committee meetings. All were in agreement that the September meeting would be a good time for this to happen. Angela to contact Monica Urritia re: Filipino Women’s Center speaker.

Because there will be a speaker at the next meeting, the poster for the September meeting will specify that the meeting is at 5:30 and the speaker starts at 6:00 sharp. Also at the end of this meeting, the co-chairs will ask people if they want to stay and discuss events around December 6th and the child care campaigns.

Angela discussed the possibility of adding a line item to next year’s budget for “transportation” and “child care”. All agreed that this should be revisited when we plan our budget for 2007.

Angela noted that she is in the process of following up on Marcia Bradley’s video for showing at a Women’s Committee meeting.

Regina noted that there is an on-going information picket in front of the Real Canadian Superstore on Grandview Hwy. Westfair Foods is a supplier to Superstore and they are on strike because their employer wants to reduce the wages of all new hires dramatically (almost half the wages of those employed currently).

The meeting was adjourned at 19:00.

Surrey Delta Langley Area Council December 14, 2006 Meeting Minutes, Held at Boston Pizza

Present: Terry Ruyter (UTE 20007), Wendy Webber (UTE 20007), Sharon Palis (UTE 20029), Dale Odberg (UVAE 20029), Donna Cowan (UVAE 20029), Sigrid Hagglund (UTE 20029), Johann Ackermann (UTE 20029), Jeremy Amour (UTE 20029), Hilde Sellmeyer (UTE 20007)

5:30 PM Called to order

Continue reading below or download the Surrey Delta Langley AC meeting minutes December 14 2006 (pdf)

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Fraser Valley Area Council, Executive Meeting, 2007-01-27

In Attendance:

• Jayne Johns CEIU 20903
• Anne Marie McCully CEIU 20903
• Edi Martin USGE 20141
• Chuck Leech USGE 20054
• Mel Dureen USGE 20054

Meeting was called to order at 1230.

Continue reading below, or download the minutes of the Fraser Valley Area Council meeting, January 27 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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