AFS Saint John Subgroup Meeting - June 13, 2023
Held At: Lily’s Lakeside Casual Dining
Commenced: 5:30
IN ATTENDANCE:
Lori Rowe, Tim McCullough, Mike Kane, Mike Melvin, Sabra Howe, Mike Maxan, Aaron Everett, Gayle Armstrong
ABSENT:
Dawn Brown, Vince O’Neill
ITEMS
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm by Chair, Lori Rowe. UPON MOTION duly made by Tim, seconded by Gayle, and unanimously carried, it was resolved the agenda of the meeting was verified and approved.
- March 27, 2023, Minutes – Minutes were distributed by Sabra Howe via email on June 13th, in preparation for this meeting.
UPON MOTION duly made by Lori, seconded by Tim McCullough, and unanimously carried, it was resolved the March 2023 minutes meeting was verified and approved. - Financial Report by Treasurer, Aaron Everett - The account balance $2,976.74; Spent $285. Aaron explained that PIPSC reimbursed the funds the subgroup spent in supporting PSAC during their striking activities. Aaron advised we need to spend money. Lori provided some ideas:
a) lunch & learns where we should educate our members and provide a history, but this would require approval from management for office space.
b) purchase some shirts for bargaining with the new logo, which are black.
c) QR Codes will require printing: PIPSC 101 and another for AFS subgroup.
UPON MOTION duly made by Aaron, seconded by Mike Kane, and unanimously carried, it was resolved to accept the financial report.
- Old Business
a) Executive Notebooks –Some will be given away at the June 22nd Sub-group AGM.
b) AFS Saint John Subgroup Meeting - June 13, 2023
PIPSC had requested to have discussions with the employer to discuss telework contract language; however, the employer refused to discuss it with the union. Then in late December, the employer implemented a return to the office, which ultimately left the union with no choice but to file a bad faith bargaining complaint. It is currently at the 4th level.
New Business
a) AGM is scheduled for June 22nd at Riverside Country Club
Chris Roach, Atlantic Region AFS Representative and Manny Costain will be attending. A decision was made for the main dishes for the AGM next week. It was decided to have three entrees – the carving station with beef, seafood casserole, and chicken with teriyaki sauce. The Saint John AFS president’s and secretary’s positions are up for election. Lori and Sabra have put their names forward for re-election.
b) Jennifer Carr, PIPSC President – Presentation
AFS Bargaining Conference June 9th was held at Lac Leamy Casino in Gatineau. During the presentation Jennifer advised we need to use the Collective Agreement against the employer, which Lori agreed. Jennifer also explained PIPSC is on strike route. Lori explained there is a subgroup president meeting this fall where more discussions will happen within our region.
c) Bargaining Update
Nothing to update on; however, Chris Roach is attending the AGM and can provide an update. Six rounds of bargaining have happened to date. There are approximately 48 remaining unresolved issues of the original 104, which money and flexible/telework arrangements are still outstanding. Economic research was completed to support the financial demands. UTE received 12.6% over four years and received a letter of agreement for telework.
d) Compressed schedules
Compressed schedules are always a debate. Why does local management want to keep the 9.0 workdays a secret when single, double, and triple compressed can be denied at any time should the employee not be performing or reporting to work. It has been proven time and time again, this leads to more productive happy employees. There has been a lot of employee discussion around this matter. Sabra explained that it’s the little things that can make employees happy. Some Team leaders have no issues while others are restricting, which comes from top down.
e) Article 59 – Third Party staffing reviews
Lori asked if anyone heard of this, which no one has. She said that the employer was supposed to have these reviews done of the staffing process and never has been done.
f) AFS has a new group who are AFS – NU. (NU – Nursing)
They are Medical Adjudicators. They were PSAC members and are now coming over to PIPSC as they are professionals. They will receive approximately $30,000 per year more with PIPSC.
g) Treasurer’s Training
Expected to be coming soon. It will be the Regions responsibility. A schedule should be coming out in July.
h) Recruitment and retention issues
Stan Buday mentioned there are recruitment and retention issues in the Public Service across Canada, but the employer does not agree.
i) More people involved / New Steward
The union is trying to get more young people involved. We may look at doing a plant gate in the Fall. Jennifer Sparks has put her application in to be a steward and should be attending the Basic Steward Training in the fall.
j) Grievances update
No current known grievances are outstanding. We are looking at filing a group grievance regarding the CPA dues and the delay in getting reimbursed.
- Other Business – there was nothing.
Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mike Melvin at 6:40 pm.
Minutes prepared by Sabra Howe.