CS 2018 AGM - Approval of the 2017 AGM minutes
Computer Systems Group (CS Group)
Annual General Meeting
Delta Hotel, Ottawa Ontario
June 10, 2017
Sean O’Reilly, chair of the AGM greeted everyone to the 2017 CS AGM and lead everyone into a moment of silence for those lost over the past year.
Approval of the Agenda: CARRIED AS AMENDED
Amendments were made.
Agenda moved as amended by: Robert Bowie-Reed, seconded by Doreen Weatherbie
Approval of rules of procedures: CARRIED
Use of the Standard Code Of Parliamentary Procedure for rules of procedure.
Moved: Stacy McLaren Second by Steve Anderson.
Opening remarks by Stan Buday, President of the CS Group.
Stan spoke about how that we have plans for the upcoming 50th anniversary of the CS Group.
He spoke of the importance of the bargaining round that we are involved with and the bargaining support that we had from the membership which he indicated that the support from the members provided the bargaining team with confidence to deal with the TBS. He mentioned the many ways members demonstrated their support for the bargaining team.
He gave a brief on how the bargaining was going at the time and how our bargaining team got language for Contracting out and then better language on Technical change. The bargaining team fought for the best deal they could get for members and reached a tentative agreement in early March. The executive held tentative agreement lunch and learns to educate members. We voted and ratified the new agreement.
He also spoke of the continued lobbying and other methods done to continue the campaign against outsourcing as well as where do we go from here. He indicated that we will be monitoring the buyandsell.gc.ca for contracting out and commencing a grievance campaign to combat it.
Stan also spoke of the Gartner report and Shared Services Canada.
Stan also introduced the National Executive to finish his opening remarks then took questions from the floor.
Approval of the Minutes from 2016 AGM CARRIED AS AMENDED
Moved by Gordon Bulmer Seconded by Randy Oomen. Amendments were suggested and added.
Campaigns:
Bill C27 – Greg Scriver
Greg spoke about Bill C27 which is the bill that was introduced in October 2016 by Finance Minister Morneau. This is the bill that affects the Pension Benefits Standards Act which will allow the conversion of a Defined Benefit pension to a Target Benefits pension plan.
He explained our benefit plan now which is defined benefit and then talked about how the government can convert the defined benefit to a target benefit plan by consent or with the consent of the bargaining agent. It affects anyone that is retired or will be retiring. It could possibly have imposed on you through bargaining process.
With this bill, could end up creating a two tier public servants groups, those who have a defined benefit plan and those that have a target benefit plan.
Greg took questions from the floor.
Anti Privitization – Denise Doherty Delorme
This campaign is new and is coming out of this round of negotiations. MOA negotiated and a team was created to deal with MOA with SSC, DND and ESDC. And there was language changes in Articles 18, 23 and 30.
There is a body created at PIPSC to work on contracting out under those three articles. Mobilization team is looking at buyandsell.gc.ca which has 2 to 4 tenders / day that has been noted. Local stewards will be tasked to talk to departments, consultation teams will be tasked as well and EROs will be tasked with filing grievances.
Denise then took questions / comments from the floor.
50th Anniversary – Karim Chaggani
Karim spoke about the 50th anniversary of the group and discussed events of the 50th anniversary and the activities to lead up to it. There will be a celebration at the next AGM.
Denis Caissy joined Karim to show off some examples for the evolution of technology display for the next AGM. They asked if members could bring historical technical items to share in the display.
Canadian Labour Congress Convention – Gordon Bulmer
There is a motion about the CLC being brought to the floor later this day talking about having a full delegation attend the CLC. Gordon then played a video talking about the CLC Convention.
Gordon talked about how the CLC is behind us and is telling the government to work with the union.
Bylaw amendments
Bylaw Modification to presented at the AGM CARRIED AS AMENDED
Moved by Pierre A Touchette seconded by Stan Buday.
4.11 Meetings of the Executive:
(Current) 4.11.1 Executive meetings shall be held a minimum of four (4) times per year, at the call of the President. In addition, an Executive meeting shall be held prior to the Institute Annual General Meeting and the Group AGM. Only Members of the Executive may vote at Executive meetings. Any member of the Group is entitled to attend any Executive meeting and the Executive may also invite other persons to attend. The approved minutes of all executive meetings shall be published and made available to its members no later than 28 days after the executive meeting.
(Proposed) 4.11.1 Executive meetings shall be held a minimum of four (4) times per year, at the call of the President. In addition, an Executive meeting shall be held prior to the Institute Annual General Meeting and the Group AGM. Only Members of the Executive may vote at Executive meetings. Any member of the Group is entitled to attend any Executive meeting and the Executive may also invite other persons to attend. The approved minutes of all executive meetings shall be sent for publishing no later than 5 days after the executive meeting at which they have been approved.
Discussion was held.
Request for clarification on what is translated/when minutes and a response was given: Minutes are approved at meeting, then are sent and then are posted once translated.
Amendment to motion: Moved by Craig Bradley, Second by Scott McConaghy
The approved minutes of all executive meetings shall be sent for publishing no later than 5 days after the executive meeting at which they have been approved.
Amendment: Carried
Chair was challenged and the chair was sustained.
Tabled at amendment until after lunch. Returned to motion after lunch.
Robert Tellier asks for the minutes of the executive meetings be translated before approval.
Creation of an Elected National Organizing Committee Officer DEFEATED
Moved by Eva Henshaw seconded by Gordon Bulmer
Sponsor: Annapolis Valley Subgroup Executive
Whereas: The requirement for mobilization and engagement of members is a constant.
And whereas: the skill set and interests of an effective mobilizer are unique and apart from the president, vice-president and bargaining team duties
And whereas: an elected dedicated position is the cornerstone to having candidates, with the passion and interest to carry out such an essential role, put their name forward
Be it Resolved the CS Group by-laws and regulations be amended as follows:
4.1 Officers:
4.1.1 The Group Executive shall consist of thirteen (13) members, being the President, Vice-President, National Organizing Committee (NOC) Officer, and Members-at-Large, all as provided for in Regulations.
4.1.4.1 The President and, the Vice-President and NOC Officer shall be elected directly by the members.
4.1.4.1.3 The NOC Officer shall be elected in the year preceding the election of the President.
4.2.1 The term of all Executive members shall normally be for three (3) years. In year of the Presidential election, the President and five (5) Executive members will be elected. In the year of the Vice-Presidential election, the Vice-President, the NOC Officer and six (6) five (5) Executive members will be elected.
New 4.7 Duties of the National Organizing Committee Officer is:
(a) to lead and coordinate mobilization activities of the National and Regional Organizing Committees and support PIPSC initiatives and campaigns;
(b) to act as Vice-Chair of the CS Strike Committee, when the Committee is established in accordance with Institute By-Laws, Regulations and/or policies;
(c) to coordinate with the Institute staff to ensure mobilization activities are approved and carried out effectively and in compliance with PIPSC policies and local laws;
(d) to appoint and work with Regional Organizing Coordinators for each region; and
(e) to report as often as necessary to the Bargaining Committee on organization and activities of the NOC and ROC.
Current 4.7. to 4.11 shall be renumbered following new 4.7
Regulations
R5.7 NATIONAL AND REGIONAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEES
5.7.2.1 The National Organizing Committee (NOC) shall conduct itself as follows:
5.7.2.1.1 negotiate with the Institute sufficient resources to effectively carry out the function of the National and Regional Organizing Committees.
5.7.2.1.2 interact and communicate regularly with Regional Organizing Coordinators, Sub-Groups and Stewards.
5.7.2.1.3 establish and maintain a functional and effective communication tree.
5.7.2.3 The Steering Committee of the NOC shall consist of the Chair of the NOC, Strike Officer, and other members as required, assisted by Institute staff as assigned by the Institute.
5.7.2.4 The role of the Chair of the National Organizing Committee is:
(a) to coordinate the activities of the National and Regional Organizing Committees and to act as Vice-Chair of the CS Strike Committee, when the Committee is established in accordance with Institute By-Laws, Regulations and/or policies.
(b) to appoint and work with Regional Organizing Coordinators for each region; and
(c) to report as often as necessary to the Bargaining Committee on organization and activities of the NOC and ROC.
Discussion was had on the motion.
Clarification was asked of how bylaw would be confirmed and would this bylaw change be in effect for the next CS Election. Sean O’Reilly described the process of bylaws approval at PIPSC is done.
Question was called and carried.
RESOLUTION - Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) Triennial Convention Participation CARRIED
Sponsor: Moved by Dean Corda Seconded by Deb Butler
WHEREAS PIPSC has benefited by its membership in the CLC and,
WHEREAS participation in the CLC Triennial provides direction to the CLC and the Canadian Labour movement and,
WHEREAS PIPSC being a CLC member is allocated 110 delegates to the Convention,
WHEREAS PIPSC lapses the majority of those seats at the Triennial Convention,
THEREFORE, be it resolved that, the PIPSC Board of Directors work together with the Advisory Council and develop a strategy to fund and use the seats allotted to PIPSC for the CLC Triennial Convention by June 2018.
And be it further resolved that, the CS Group present this motion at the PIPSC AGM
Discussion on the motion was had.
Amendment: Moved by Nick Isenor, Second by Robert Tellier DEFEATED
And be it further resolved that PIPSC develop a formula to clarify to fairly distribute the seats between regions and groups and consultation teams.
Discussion on the amendment.
Glen Maxwell provided some numbers about attending the CLC for attending the convention.
Question called on the amendment: Carried
Revote called due to point of order. Resulted in a tied vote, result was defeat of amendment.
Amendment to the amendment. Defeated
And be it further resolved that PIPSC develop a formula to clarify to fairly distribute the seats between regions and groups and consultation teams.
Financial Report – Deb Butler
Deb Butler moved that the financial statements and Treasurers report be received. Seconded by Robert Scott
This report was presented to the assembly in attendance at the AGM June 10th, 2017. RECEIVED
Questions:
Questions were raised why there were line items are not presented in French.
Clarification on telecom and internet expenses (line 24). Deb provided clarification of Executive expenses
Clarification of Line 34 – ISP – in 2016 and 2017 – internet expenses were under this line and the hosting of the website. The two numbers are combined in line 24 in 2018 budget.
Clarification of line 32-what doubled the amount in this line item. There was a requirement for executive equipment to be purchased to replace out of date equipment.
2018 Budget CARRIED
Move the 2018 Budget – Moved by Deb Butler Seconded by Dave Sutherland.
Issue discovered of a file corruption for French budget to be displayed
Line item 70 – Informatics hardware and software acquisitions. Why was this amount doubled? This is preemptive in the case new hardware or software needs to be purchased.
Question of how the numbers lined up based on spreadsheet
Suggestion for next year, why don’t you have the translated English / French set up done since the format is fairly static.
Line 60 – Subgroup grants – This is for small subgroups who would need to apply and provide them reimbursement upon receipt of invoicing.
Do we use the spreadsheets provided by PIPSC. This is based on the spreadsheet that is provided by PIPSC.
Running on a deficit budget, why is this?
Line item 12 – Visibility items. With all that was talked about at this AGM, is there a reason we are lowering the visibility budget line item. Suggestion that the visibility line item be increased.
Motion: For Line item 12 of the 2018 budget to be $25 000 instead of $15 000. DEFEATED
Lines 24 and 34 are added together for the 2018 budget.
Question called on the budget. CARRIED
Executive reports : CARRIED
Moved by Stan Buday and seconded by Nino Mangione.
Stan moved to have all the reports received by the AGM.
Address from VP Stephane Aubry
Stephane Aubry presented a video from Debi Daviau to address the AGM. Debi spoke to the assembly about collective bargaining and she congratulated the bargaining team with all their hard work for this round of bargaining. The top priority for the group was Contracting out and she indicated that we have succeed in securing strong language in Articles 18, 23 and 30.
Debi also spoke of the two large PIPSC wide priorities of Phoenix and Pensions. Phoenix has remained an issue for our members and we feel that it is vital that we continue to get our point across about how we need Phoenix fixed once and for all.
She also talked about Bill C-27 and how it will affect not only our members but the Canadian public.
Stephane also spoke of others that are still in negotiations and that the CS Group may be asked to support those other groups in solidarity.
He also spoke about the CLC and our affliation with the CLC and how we will fit in that body.
He spoke on Phoenix and how bad the situation is and how they are going to try and fix the system. He indicated that there are still major issues due to influx students as well as the retro payments of our collective agreement.
Stephane then took questions/comments from the floor.
Guest Speaker: Linda McQuaig – Journalist and best-selling author
Linda spoke about how we need an expansion of the public sector and public service and also gave us a further history of herself and her book about the new rich.
She then began to talk about outsourcing which is part of a broader agenda and how the change of governments was a good thing for the public service however, this government is still continuing with some of the same conservative establishment values. She followed up with explanations to why outsourcing is so convenient for the government.
She spoke about how the government has been doing tax cuts which have given rise to outsourcing. She then talked about if we had the same taxes as the year 2000, we would have an extra $78 Billion for use for programs. She included that the conservative evolution has seen the government turning the public against public servants under the Harper government.
She talked about P3’s and how the government is privatizing our services and further information.
Linda then took questions/comments from the assembly
Bargaining Update – Robert Tellier and Denise Doherty-Delorme
Robert and Denise provided an update on bargaining.
They spoke on Articles 18, 23 and 30. And spoke also about how this round of bargaining was historic and how we fought for strong language on tech change, contracting out and career development.
All members of the bargaining team were thanked by the Bargaining Officer.
Denise spoke on all the ways that the team participated in bargaining this round and there were many types. Denise thanked the bargaining team as well.
Closing remarks – Stan Buday
Stan thanked everyone for their participation at the AGM. He also thanked Linda McQuaig, our guest speaker. He thanked Sean O’Reilly and asked if he would be willing to chair our AGM next year.
He announced that evaluation sheets are available to fill out. He indicated that if member filled out evaluation sheets, he asked that you indicate your shirt size as tee shirts will be gotten for attendees.
Stan closed the meeting with a motion to adjourn.