IT Group Annual General Meeting 14 June 2021, 10h00 to 16h00 (Eastern time)

 

Executive Present: Stan Buday, Pierre Touchette, Tony Goddard, Yvonne Snaddon, Rob Scott, Deb Butler, Lucille Shears, Karim Chaggani, Robert Tellier

Regrets: J Gordon Bulmer

Staff: Jean-Paul Leduc – Negotiator

Chair: Sean O’Reilly

1. Call to order - Sean O'Reilly took the chair and called the meeting to order at 10h13 Ottawa time.

• Sean began with a recognition of the First Nations Territory from where he was broadcasting (Ottawa). 
• The equity and harassment statements were read to the assembly.

 

2. Moved: Stacy McLaren             Seconded: Robert Tellier

THAT the agenda be approved as presented.

CARRIED

 

3. Moved: Giovanni Giolti             Seconded: Hugo Landry

THAT the minutes of the 2020 CS Group AGM be approved as presented.

CARRIED

 

4. Business arising from the minutes – none

 

5. Welcome: CS Group President Stan Buday

• Enheartening to see so many attending & looking forward to an in-person meeting.
• Recognition of the First Nations Territory where he was broadcasting from (Toronto). 
• Welcome to 52^nd CS AGM.
• Written report to the AGM is in the virtual binder.
• Spoke to the loss of Stewards and the loss of engagement with our CS members due to them  no longer being in the workplace. Have need to find new ways to do our business and engage our membership.
• We are preparing for our next round of bargaining and we will continue to fight to have our members paid equally for equal work. Applauded the members on the recently held Contracts Proposals Meetings and the excellent work they have completed.
• Perhaps if we stay the course and follow the health guidelines, we will be able to meet in one place again in the near future.
• We need to reinvent ourselves and continue to lead our union.
• Introduction of the National Executive. Thank you to all the executive and all the members in attendance for all of the hard work accomplished on our members’ behalf.

 

 

 

6. Financial Statement & Budget

Moved: Deb Butler Seconded: Bill Sukloff

THAT the 2021 Financial Report be accepted as presented (see virtual binder).

Q: What is impact on this year’s allocation?

A: we don’t expect any impact but the PIPSC BoD approved that we could hold back some funds for next year’s events.

Q: Might Subgroups be able to request funding.

A: Requests can be made for any special events they plan on holding in the coming year.

Carried

Moved: Deb Butler Seconded: Carl Cahoon

THAT we accept the 2022 budget as presented (see virtual binder).

Amendment Moved: Robert Tellier Seconded: Eva Henshaw

THAT we increase line 10 in the budget to $40,000.

Carried

CARRIED as amended

Deb presented the various Special Budgets.

7. Bargaining Update by Rob Scott, Robert Tellier & Jean-Paul Leduc (report & slide deck in virtual binder) (land Acknowledgements from Montreal & Saskatoon)

Robert Tellier presented a summary of the previous round of bargaining and Rob Scott described our vision moving forward.

Questions and concerns were presented and answered, including concerns of pay being part of the central table negotiations.

~ LUNCH  BREAK ~

 

8. IT Classification Presentation (Karim Chaggani & Lucille Shears)

(Presentation in virtual binder) followed by questions.

 

9. Address by PIPSC President Debi Daviau:

• Reminded us that her roots at PIPSC are strongly tied to the CS Group, her group.
• Pledged to support the CS Group in bargaining if and when she can and explained how the central bargaining process works and how the CS Group was instrumental in the establishment of the PIPSC Mobilization Section (modelled on the CS NOC-ROC).
• PRIORITIES:
  • Return to safe workplaces & discussions on how departments are planning to modify the office spaces and the discussions around hybrid/flexible workplaces.
  • Scientific Integrity and the requirement for an increase in R&D and the work being done to increase the number of women in STEM.
  • Next Generation Pay System – pilot is ongoing at Canadian Heritage and an announcement is expected to expand the pilot to other, more complex Departments. Phoenix has staffed-up on manual resources to maintain a better level of pay service.
  • Contracting Out – the Government continues to overspend on Contracting out and the issues are actually growing, but it appears that the government might now be listening to our pleas and the thousands of CS grievances are creating a new discussion with the TB and offending departments.
  • Tax Fairness – most Canadians support the concepts tax fairness.
  • Equity, Diversity & Inclusiveness – Has become a higher priority within PIPSC and we have identified ourselves as the first target of our proposed improvements. We plan to make changes from within so that all members feel that they are a part of the Institute.
  • Growing Our Union – we don’t have a lot of “new area” to expand our union but we are occasionally approached by outside groups.

 

• Remember that, while I am outspoken on our behalf, I am only one voice and I need all of our activists to speak out on our issues.

 

CS Group President Stan Buday thanked Debi for attending and addressing the AGM.

10.  New Business

 

10.1 Resolution No. 1

Moved: Dean Corda           Seconded: Tony Goddard

 

Whereas the Officer Portfolios should be easy to identify from the Regulations, and;

 

Whereas the portfolio of Labour Relations and Consultations has existed within the Group for more than 5 years, and;

 

Whereas the role has become integral to the meetings of the Working Group on Consultation, and;

 

Whereas the role is deserving of being recognized as an Officer of the CS Group Executive;

 

Therefore, be it resolved that the following Regulations be amended to read;

 

R4.1.3 OFFICER PORTFOLIOS Other Officers may be appointed including but not limited to:

 

4.1.3.1 Steward Officer, who shall:

4.1.3.1.1 Maintain a CS Steward handbook.

4.1.3.1.2 Investigate and pursue if necessary, in conjunction with Institute staff, complaints or grievances against the employer.

4.1.3.1.3 Ensure that the Bargaining Officer is aware of any grievances against contract interpretations.

4.1.3.1.24 Serve on the Contract Proposals Committee.

4.1.3.1.5 Where possible, collect reports from the Institute on Group grievances while ensuring that the anonymity of the grievors is protected, to provide guidance, direction, and indication of trends to the CS Executive and Stewards.

4.1.3.1.36 Review Steward activities and competencies to provide advice to the Executive concerning Steward applications and renewals.

4.1.3.1.47 Be the liaison between Stewards, the Executive, and the Institute.

4.1.3.1.58 Ensure that all new stewards are contacted at least twice within the first year of the initial term and maintain regular communication with all Group Stewards.

 

4.1.3.2 Membership Officer, who shall:

4.1.3.2.1 Provide to the Communication Officer for publication, in a timely manner, Notices of Institute and Group Annual General Meetings, and related Group-specific meetings.

4.1.3.2.2 Form and Chair a Committee to recommend to the Executive, the names of delegates to the Institute Annual General Meeting.

4.1.3.2.3 Coordinate efforts to encourage Rand deductees to consider applying for Regular membership in the Institute.

4.1.3.2.4 Chair any meeting(s) of the Group's delegates to the Institute Annual General Meeting.

 

4.1.3.3 Communications Officer, who shall:

4.1.3.3.1 Prepare Group newsletters for publication.

4.1.3.3.2 Compile material to be included in Group newsletters, the content of which will be determined by the Group Executive.

4.1.3.3.3 Assist the Institute in the preparation of media releases on issues of concern to the Group.

4.1.3.3.4 be responsible for the CS Group website.

 

4.1.3.4 Strike Officer, who shall:

4.1.3.4.1 Call meetings of and chair the CS Group Strike Committee, when this Committee is established in accordance with Institute By-Laws, Regulations, and/or Policies.

4.1.3.4.2 Act as a member of the National Organizing Committee.

4.1.3.4.3 Report as often as necessary to the CS Group Executive and Negotiating Team on organization and strike activities.

4.1.3.4.4 Organize and conduct at the conclusion of Bargaining, in conjunction with the NOC Chair and with the approval of the Institute, an Organization / Strike Activity post-mortem.

4.1.3.4.5 Serve as a member on the Institute's Strike Committee when the Group is in a strike position.

 

4.1.3.5 Sub-Group Officer, who shall:

4.1.3.5.1 Chair a Sub-Group Committee composed of National Executive members, which will:

a) Liaise between Sub-Groups and the Group Executive.

b) Actively encourage and promote the creation of new Sub-Groups

c) Coordinate communication and cooperation between Sub-Groups.

d) Organize the Sub-Group President's meetings in accordance with the Institute's By-Laws, Regulations and Policies for which each Sub-Group shall select its own delegate(s) to the Sub-Group Presidents meeting.

4.1.3.5.2 The Sub-Group Officer will chair the Sub-Group Presidents’ meeting.

 

4.1.3.6 Labour Relations and Consultation Officer, who shall:

4.1.3.6.1 Investigate and pursue if necessary, in conjunction with Institute staff, complaints or grievances against the employer.

4.1.3.6.2 Ensure that the Bargaining Officer is aware of any grievances against contract interpretations.

4.1.3.6.3 Where possible, collect reports from the Institute on Group grievances while ensuring that the anonymity of the grievers is protected, to provide guidance, direction, and indication of trends to the CS Executive and Stewards.

4.1.3.6.4 Where possible, attend the Working Group on Consultation and Advisory Council meetings to provide feedback on behalf of the CS Group and to report back to the CS Group Executive.

 

4.1.3.67 As need determines, such Officers may hold more than one portfolio.

 

CARRIED

 

10.2 Resolution No. 2

Moved: Dean Corda                       Seconded: Rob Scott

 

Chair split the motion - Part 1: BL5.7 & R4.1.3.4  Part 2: R 13

 

Whereas talk of a strike is always contentious among members, and;

 

Whereas there is much more pressure that can be applied during negotiations prior to commencing a strike;

 

Therefore, be it resolved that By-law 5 and the Group Regulations be amended as follows;

 

5.7.1 The NOC shall consist of the Chair of the NOC, President of the CS Group, Job ActionsStrike Officer, Regional Organizing Coordinators, and members of the Group as determined by the Group Executive. The NOC will be assisted by Institute staff as assigned by the Institute.

5.7.2.1.3 Establish and maintain a functional and effective methods of communication among NOC/ROC members tree.

5.7.2.3 The Steering Committee of the NOC shall consist of the Chair of the NOC, Job ActionsStrike 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 Job ActionsStrike Committee, when the Committee is established in accordance with Institute By-Laws, Regulations and/or policies.

 

R4.1.3.4 Job ActionsStrike Officer, who shall:

R4.1.3.4.1 Call meetings of and chair the CS Group Job ActionsStrike Committee, when this Committee is established in accordance with Institute By-Laws, Regulations, and/or Policies.

R4.1.3.4.2 Act as a member of the National Organizing Committee.

R4.1.3.4.3 Report as often as necessary to the CS Group Executive and Negotiating Team on organization and job actionstrike activities.

R4.1.3.4.4 Organize and conduct at the conclusion of Bargaining, in conjunction with the NOC Chair and with the approval of the Institute, an Organization / Job ActionStrike Activity post-mortem.

R4.1.3.4.5 Serve as a member on the Institute's Strike Committee when the Group is in a strike position.

 

CARRIED

 

REGULATION R13 DISCIPLINE

R13.1 The penalty for non-participation by an CS Group member in a legal and authorized job action directed by the Group Executive will be the loss by the member of that member's right to vote on the contract agreement under negotiation or any other sanction determined by the Group Executive.

R13 Withdrawn by mover with consensus from assembly.

 

10.3 Resolution No. 3

Moved: Dean Corda           Seconded: Hugo Landry

 

Whereas By-law 6.1.7.2 reads as if it deals with Late Resolutions but does not contain the word “late”;

 

Therefore, be it resolved that By-Law 6.1.7.2 be amended to read;

 

6.1.7.2 Late Rresolutions, excepting those dealing with by-laws changes, may be dealt with by general meeting only after all regularly submitted resolutions have been dealt with, except that a general meeting may accept a resolution as an emergency and deal with it immediately.

 

Moved: Greg Scriver          Seconded: Bill Sukloff

THAT Resolution No. 3 be referred to the CS Group Bylaw Committee.

CARRIED

 

REFERED TO BL Committee

 

~ HEALTH BREAK ~

 

10.4 Resolution No. 4

Moved: Dean Corda                       Seconded: Stacy McLaren

 

Whereas the current By-law 6.2.2 requires a 4 week notice to members of the Group AGM date, and;

 

Whereas the final submission date for resolutions is within 6 weeks of the Group AGM;

 

Therefore, be it resolved that By-law 6.2.2 be amended to read;

 

6.2.2 The Annual General Meeting shall take place within 15 months of the previous AGM. Members shall be notified of the meeting and of any proposed changes to this constitution at least eight (8) four (4) weeks prior to the date of the meeting.

 

CARRIED 

10.5 Resolution No. 5

Moved: Dean Corda           Seconded: Hugo Landry

Whereas the Rules of Procedure for the PIPSC Annual General Meeting follow The American Institute of Parliamentarians Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure;

 

Therefore, be it resolved that By-law 8.1 be amended to read;

 

8.1 At any meeting of the Group or Group Executive, or Committees thereof, matters of procedure insofar as they are not specifically provided for, shall be governed by a majority vote of the members present and voting on the matter of procedure. The Chair of such meeting shall first rule on any matter of procedure or order and shall, in the absence of any By-Law to the contrary, rely upon and be governed by the latest edition of Sturgis' Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure The American Institute of Parliamentarians Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure available at the meeting.

 

CARRIED

 

11.  ELECTIONS REPORT – Rob Scott

Election results as follows (full report in virtual binder):

Vice President – Pierre Touchette

Member-at-Large (3 yr):

• Steven Frechette (acclaimed - Quebec)
• Karim Chaggani (acclaimed - BC)
• Stacy McLaren
• Lucille Shears
• Yvonne Snaddon
• Tony Goddard

 

12.  Executive Reports

 

Officer reports are available on the google drive. Sean opened the floor for any officer to address their report or for questions.      

Pierre Touchette – Thanks for re-election

Eva – COAT: last week we met with Legal council to organize grievances and we are still pushing forward.

13.  Closing remarks

Sean handed the floor over to President Stan Buday for some closing remarks.

• Thank you to outgoing executive member, Robert Tellier.
• We’ve done the business of our Group and done it well. We will all be part of any success we achieve. Welcome to the National Exec, Steven Frechette and congratulations to all returning Executive members.
• Thank you, Sean O’Reilly for Chairing our AGM, yet again.
• Looking forward to the day we can meet in one room again.

14.  Adjournment

 

The Chair called for a motion to adjourn at 4:10 pm

Moved: Shane Hulquist           Seconded: Stacy McLaren

CARRIED

 

(transcribed from Zoom audio file by Tony Goddard, Secretary)