Confederation Heights Sub-Group Plus AGM – December 5th, 2023

Confederation Heights Sub-Group Plus AGM – December 5^th, 2023

Present:

Bryan Van Wilgenburg (MT)-president

George Karaganis (MT)-vice president

Amanda Prysizney (MT)-secretary

Christopher Rinaldo (CH)-treasurer

Matt Baker (MT), Kevin Tatryn (MT)-members at large

Kara Pul (MT), Jessie Cluett (MT), Jyoti Gupta (PC)

Opening of meeting:

 Meeting called to order at 6:20pm

Agenda:

1)     Roll Call (members of the Sub-Group Executive) and introductions.

2)     Approval of Agenda

3)     Approval of Minutes from 2022 AGM

4)     Report of the President/Bargaining Update

5)     Annual Financial Report

6)     Elections

 

1)     Roundtable introductions

 

2)     Kara motioned to approve agenda, seconded by Christopher-approved.

 

3)     Kevin motioned to approve minutes, seconded by George-approved.

 

4)     Bryan provided a bargaining update and general strategic update:

·        SP collective agreement has been ratified, hoping to sign before Christmas then it will take 180 days to implement followed by back pay.

·        Voting results won’t be shared.

·        Held SP Executive strategic bargaining session two weeks ago where discussions took place regarding the likelihood of an upcoming conservative government with a strong majority and the things they could go after based on the actions of the last conservative government. i.e.) Rand formula; sick leave-we managed to keep it last time, severance-last time got next to nothing for it, pensions-they want a defined contribution.  So how do we prevent all of this, especially since we don’t bargain pensions and the public likely won’t have an appetite for public service pension issues?

·        What can we do? Strike! But the problem becomes back to work legislation.  It is a real possibility as shown by the actions of the Doug Ford government.  We are planning for all of this now, strategizing with the president of PIPSC and the SP Executive because we need to get every piece in line.

·        Kara asked about the NB pensions that were fought in court.

·        Science positions may be on the chopping block, Pierre Poilievre focuses on ‘common sense policies’, those already believed by the public, not evidence-based policies.

·        2 rounds ago, managed to bargain scientific integrity in the CA, gives us the ability to grieve these issues but the process takes 4-5 years, if we go on the strike route the media can tell our story.

·        SP Group will focus on mobilization, people need to be willing to wave a flag, therefore need a communications plan about why people shouldn’t be afraid of a strike, there are different types of strikes, work to rule etc. for a science group like ours we could do science only, i.e.) no weekly report etc.

·        PIPSC elections are coming up, we just had our convention style AGM in November, voted on several resolutions, dues increase failed.  This is not a good thing because we will eat into our savings and it’s better to have that money for strikes etc.., We see this as money for bargaining, an investment that yields returns.  The dues increase will probably pass next year though.

·        Resolution passed to limit the number of in person meetings, max 4 in person meetings per year, environmentally friendly, saves money.

·        Next year’s PIPSC AGM will be in Toronto, can send 2 people from the Sub-Group, one will always be the president.

·        Summary of activities of our Sub-Group since the last AGM; provided food for the operational workers at CIS last Christmas, contributed refreshments to the PSAC strike, and held two lunch and learns at the Tilley Building at Christopher’s office, held two executive meetings.

 

5)      Christopher presented the annual financial report:

·        Budget happens in the year we are on and depends on when we hold the AGM but there is flexibility to change how we operate.

·        The amount of money allocated is dependent on the number of members in the subgroup and is based on the address of the members’ official reporting workplace.

·        Sub-Group membership numbers are updated by PIPSC in February

·        PIPSC will provide up to 1.5X in bank account.

·        Motion to approve the budget by Amanda, seconded by Matt - approved.

 

6)      Elections:

·        3 positions up for election:

Vice president-2-year term

Secretary-2-year term

3 members at large

·        George Karaganis would like to continue as vice president, no other nominations, Kevin seconded the nomination, George Karaganis voted in to remain vice president.

·        Kara nominated Amanda to continue as secretary, Amanda accepts, Amanda is voted in to remain secretary.

·        Kevin Tatryn and Matthew Baker would like to remain members at large, Jyoti Gupta would also like to be a member at large-Kevin, Matt, and Jyoti were voted in as members at large.

 

7)     New Business:

·        Timing of our Sub-Group AGM; people would prefer that it happens in the first two weeks of November next year.

·        Reminder to group that we can participate in the events of the other NCR Sub-Groups as well, we have an agreement with them.

·        Ideas for events for our Sub-Group; ice cream day with update on SP executive strategy/other information to share with members relevant at time of event/general info about PIPSC for new members, Mexican restaurant-beat the winter blues event, Overflow pub-close to all Sub-Group workplaces, virtual update during working hours to capture more members/those that work from home, for sure plan one 1 month before the next AGM.

 

Motion to adjourn – Bryan, Kara seconded.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00pm