eNgineering and aRchitecture NATIONAL DEFENCE, NCR NR SUB-GROUP 8th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – AGM 2016
MINUTES OF MEETING
Wednesday, 21 December 2016, 11:30 am-1:30 pm
Sheraton Hotel, Ottawa
The 8th Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday, 21 December 2016, 11:30 am-1:30 pm, at Sheraton Hotel. The Agenda and a list of attendees are attached to the minutes.
Welcome and Introduction
Mr. George Achakji welcomed all AGM Members and Special Guests, to a hot lunch buffet that was served at the Sheraton Hotel in Ottawa.
Call to Order
The president, George Achakji called the meeting to order at 11:30 am. He welcomed everyone in attendance, and offered a special welcome to our guests, Mr. David Young (Sub-Group Coordinator), Mr. Peter Taticek (Director, NCR Region) and Mr. Adel Iskandar (President of PSPC Subgroup). The President also informed the AGM that both Mr. Yves Cousineau (President NR Group) and Mr. Tim Kirkby (Former President NR Group) sent their regrets for not able to attend this AGM due to other commitments and they sent their regards.
Approval of Agenda
The Agenda was reviewed and no changes or additional items were made. A motion to accept the agenda was moved by Mr. Klaus Kollenberg and seconded by Ms. Nina De Giovanni. The motion was carried.
Approval of the Previous AGM Minutes of Meeting
The Minutes from the 16 December 2015 AGM were reviewed and no changes or additional items were added. A motion to accept the minutes moved by Mrs. Kevser Taymaz and seconded by Mr. Amir Siddiqi. The motion was carried, unanimously.
Guest Speaker
The President George Achakji introduced the Guest speaker Mr. David Young, Subgroup Coordinator & Member of the Negotiation team, who welcomes the opportunity to meet with our members. He provided an update on existing NR Subgroups and the development of new Subgroups, and he gave a summary on the current status of the contract negotiations with Treasury Board (TBS).
- Currently, there are 22 NR Subgroups in all the regions in Canada.
- The NR Group Executive elections will be held in Jan 2017.
- The Negotiation team recently met with Treasury Board (TBS) and an impasse bargaining was reached, as TBS did not accept PIPSC proposal. The Conciliation process has been initiated, our Bargaining Team will continue to work to achieve a fair settlement prior to the completion of the process.
- The TBS offered 1.25% increase per year (5.0% over four years).
- The two personal days, Volunteer Day and Personal Day, could be used as half days.
Q + A Session highlights:
- Taxable revenue (for professional dues reimbursement).
- Career development: Training will be paid by the Government.
- Terminable allowance is now history.
- It took a lot of time for TBS to come with a mandate. Most of the bargaining time was wasted.
- TBS wants a 3-year contract.
- General economic increase is locked in.
- Sick leave could be run by public servants.
- Mr. Watson: Bad deal was made re: sick leave negotiations.
- Mr. Taticek mentioned that Chrysler Company has 2-tier pension system: one for older workers and the other for younger workers.
- Mr. Achakji asked: What are the main points that will be submitted for arbitration? Mr. Young did not answer.
Mr. Achakji thanked Mr. Young for his presentation, and presented him with a T-Shirt with PIPSC - DND NCR logo.
President’s Report
The Sub-group President George Achakji presented his report. He introduced the Subgroup executive members and he also noted a number of the executive would be seeking re-election to the subgroup executive as Members-at Large. Members are strongly encouraged to join the executive to assist with new initiatives and assist our Subgroup members. In 2016 the Subgroup held four executive meetings.
Mr. Achakji briefed the meeting on the following:
a. Changes re: DND membership in general;
b. Recent PIPSC AGM;
c. National Subgroups' Presidents Annual Meeting; and
d. NCR Regional Council Meeting.
Mr. George Achakji provided highlights on Subgroup activities and funding conducted during the 2016, and provided a forecast of upcoming Subgroup activities, as follows:
a. Lunch & Learn, to be conducted on topics of interest, at various locations with more sessions in the Ottawa side;
b. Team Building Event in the first half of 2017;
c. Family Day in the summer of 2017;
d. Provide feedback and recommendations to the National NR Group related to Bargaining and Contract Negotiations; and
e. Promote Professionalism at DND, and encourage Professional Registrations for DND Engineers & Architects.
Phoenix Issues:
Mr. Lafontaine informed the meeting that it will be six months now since he was underpaid due to Phoenix. Mr. Kollenberg mentioned that it's all user’s mistake.
Mr. Achakji advise the members who have issues with Phoenix, to contact their Senior Management and the HR Corporate Services, and if it is not resolved then they should contact the PIPSC Office (HQ).
A motion to accept the President’s Report was moved by Ms. Kevser Taymaz and seconded by Mr. Bran Gojkovic. The motion is carried, unanimously.
Financial Report
The financial report was presented by Mr. Bran Gojkovic and Mr. George Achakji. Hard copies of the report were distributed. The approved and actual budgets for year 2016 and projected information for year 2017 are included in the Financial Report. It was noted that the Subgroup membership was 296 members in 2016. The Subgroup annual allowance is based on $10.00 per member plus $250.00 budget allowance), it will be submitted to PIPSC for FY 2017.
Note: PIPSC has a cap of 1.5 x annual membership for Sub-groups “Maximum Budget Balance”.
Mr. John Eng wanted to know how was the budget allocated for telephone/internet used by Executive members. Mr. Bran Gojkovic indicated that Budget item for telephone/internet was available to all Executive members.
Mr. Guy Monette moved to accept this year’s financial report, seconded by Ms. Nina De Giovanni. The motion is carried, unanimously.
Elections
Elections were performed by Election Chair Mr. Adel Iskandar (President of PSPC Subgroup). The nominations were opened for four (4) positions up to eight (8) positions on the Subgroup executive as Members-at-Large, for 2-year term. Mr. Achakji indicated that the Institute By-law (10.2.3) limits the size of the Subgroup Executive between a minimum of three (3) members and maximum of eleven (11) members on the Subgroup Executive.
The following two (2) members Mr. Sajjad Khan and Ms. Sherry Oake, were nominated and they accepted the nomination.
Mr. Amir Saddiqi was nominated but he did not accept his nomination and he left the AGM meeting prior to the nomination.
Mr. John Eng put up his hand to be nominated (for member-at-large position) and there was an objection to his nomination and his candidacy, in regards to the subgroup motion that was passed earlier by the subgroup executive, and a suggestion was made that Mr. John Eng redraw. He refused to withdraw and he stated that his candidacy hinged on what PIPSC has to say as he had brought the situation to PIPSC. It was agreed at this AGM that this would be the case pending on the PIPSC decision.
No other nominations were made at the AGM. The nominations were closed and the two nominees, Mr. Khan and Ms. Oake, were Acclaimed. Mr. Eng's candidacy is pending on a decision from the PIPSC legal Council.
The Members-at-Large for 2017 are:
George Achakji President (another year)
Kevser Taymaz Vice-President (another year)
Bran Gojkovic Secretary-Treasurer (another year)
The election results were as follows:
Member-at-large: Sajjad Khan (2-year term) Member-at-large: Sherry Oake (2-year term) Member-at-large, Pending PIPSC Decision: (John Eng)
* Mr. Achakji informed the meeting that our Subgroup executive are seeking additional members who are interested in joining the subgroup executive.
New Business
There were no new business items presented.
Prize & Photos
PIPSC lanyards, and white PIPSC T-Shirts with PISCS DND NCR Logo were distributed to all attendees.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 13:57 pm.
Draft Prepared by:
Branislav Gojkovic, Secretary-Treasurer
George Achakji, President.
ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE AND LAND SURVEY NATIONAL DEFENCE, NCR NR SUB-GROUP ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
AGM(2) – 2016
Sheraton Ottawa Hotel, Penthouse A, 180 Albert St., Ottawa Wednesday, 21 December 2016
11:30 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.
AGENDA
1. Registration/Meet & Greet (All members/Delegates)
(11:30 am – 12:00 pm)
2. Lunch Buffet (All members/Delegates)
(11:30 am – 12:00 pm)
3. Call to Order (George Achakji)
4. Welcome & introduction (George Achakji)
5. Approval of Agenda (All members/Delegates)
6. Approval of last AGM (2) 2015 Minutes (All members/ Delegates)
7. Guest Speaker (David Young, --------)
8. President’s Report (George Achakji)
9. Financial Report (Bran Gojkovic)
10. Elections (Elections Committee)
11. New Business (All Members)
12. Prizes (All Members)
13. Adjournment (All)
*Note to All Subgroup Executive Members: Please stay in the room after the AGM for a brief Exec Meeting. Thank you.