HALIFAX BRANCH

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – NOVEMBER 29, 2022

Table of Contents

1. – MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 3
2. – CALL TO ORDER 3
3. – EXECUTIVE ATTENDANCE 3
4. – ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA 4
5. – APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS AGM MINUTES 4
6. – FINANCIAL REPORT 4
7. – PRESIDENT’S REPORT 4
8. – ATLANTIC REGIONAL DIRECTOR 5
9. – OTHER BUSINESS 6
10. – Adjournment 6

1. – ELECTION 7
2. – CURRENT POSITIONS AND TERMS 7
3. – ELECTION RESULTS 7

3.0 – HANDOUTS 8

HANDOUT 1 – Agenda 8

HANDOUT 2 – Executive Meeting Minutes – June 15, 2020 9

HANDOUT 3 – Financial Report 1 – Income Statement as at November 29, 2022 10

HANDOUT 4 – Financial Report 1 – Budget 2023 11

1. – MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 

1. – CALL TO ORDER

• Chris Coghlin, the Halifax Branch Vice-President called the meeting to order, followed by a warm welcome to everyone at 6:50pm.

2. – EXECUTIVE ATTENDANCE

• Roll Call of the Current Executive: Paul explained some members were not expected to be here tonight given they have step down as executive members since the last AGM in 2020-11-19 and last Executive meeting 2021-03-23.

 

Honourable mention for those who have served on the executive and who have stepped down or not reoffering:

 

Regrets:

 

By-law: 6.5 Quorum: A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members of the Branch Executive.

After attendance, a conclusion that we had quorum excluding those who step down; 5/7.

3. – ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

Paul spoke about the agenda handed out and asked if anyone had any objections. No objections.

Opposed: None Moved by: Hashem Seconded by: Cathy

4. – APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS AGM MINUTES

Paul spoke about the 2020-11-19 AGM Minutes handed out, ask if anyone had further comment or questions. None.

Opposed: None Moved by: Phil Wilson

Seconded by: Cathy Hebert

5. – FINANCIAL REPORT

Paul explained how the Branch Executive normally contributes and holds various events, supports attendance at various PIPSC events, in recognizing and appreciating members, as well as sharing information and promoting the union. However, the pandemic has hampered such efforts in recent years, and this is reflected in the financial statements. He went on to present, request, answer questions and obtain approval of the Income Statement for Fiscal Period Ending November 29, 2022, and the 2023 Budget. Moved to approve the financial statements:

Opposed: None Mover: Hashem Seconder: Coralie

6. – PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Chris explained and reiterated regrets that Sabet Makhoul has step down as President and could not attend. Chris said that there wasn’t much to report given we did not have a lot of activity due to logistics issues.

Chris announced that, in accordance with pre-approval from the Board of Directors, our Branch has donated $2,000 to Feed Nova Scotia. The need for food banks has only increased this year, as many our neighbours are finding it harder to make ends meet.

Chris requested that those in attendance kindly consider notifying Hashem if they so happen to test positive for Covid-19 in the next few days, so that he may send out an anonymous email to advise others.

Chris raised a call for ideas on activities and events that the Branch may consider going forward. A discussion took place and members suggested: boat cruise, golf tournament, Shakespeare by the Sea, Hatfield Farms, movie theatre, hockey game and family skating party. Chris advised members to consider the Branch for funding for qualified events in their workplace. He encouraged members to contact Hashem with ideas, or requests for funding or to find out more.

Chris said that as the workplace has change for many members, member engagement is more difficult and represents an important challenge for our Branch going forward. Pinning up notices on workplace bulletin boards is insufficient for the level of engagement we need to achieve. The problem is further frustrated by employers restricting access to employee email and not advising us of new hires. He encouraged those in attendance to join PIPSC Facebook group(s) and to encourage other members they know to join. With remote working, Facebook has become an effective and efficient way to share information and notify members of events, announcements and issues that may concern them.

7. – ATLANTIC REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Chris introduced Emmanuel Costain, our newly elected Atlantic Regional Director.

Emmanuel introduced himself as “Manny” Costain, shared a bit about his background and started with introducing the PIPSC Strategic Plan 5 Areas of Focus: 1) improve, protect, and defend members’ rights, 2) members, 3) membership engagement, 4) Governance and operations, and 5) equity, diversity, and inclusion. He also explained and gave an example of how they were working on improving PIPSC policies.

Manny went on to explain how he engages and keeps informed the branch management, stewards, and members by providing reports to Branch President’s and Regional Executive, hosting Steward Check Ins, hosting Branch President Meetings and posting information on Atlantic Facebook Page.

Manny also shared information about the New Brunswick Pension Challenge, where changes by the provincial government from Defined Benefit Plan to a Shared Risk Pension, has led to massive undervaluing members future benefits. He stressed the importance of supporting our NB colleagues and cautioned how, if left unchallenged, could happen with Federal pensions as well. Court dates TBD.

Manny talked about return to work and how each employer is coming up with their own plan per Treasury Board. PIPSC continues to work with employers to ensure their plans follow the core principles of safety, flexible, clear, and fair. He acknowledged that while employers have the legal right to require employee presence in the workplace, PIPSC is advocating for return to workplace policies that meet these core principles. PIPSC is there to support members who would like to request an accommodation or file a grievance.

Phoenix is still an issue for many, and Manny shared latest on this. He advised members that if they get a letter that is unclear and they disagree with it, to reach out to PIPSC representative.

Manny shared information about the new member on-boarding process and defined what RAND was. Given the new work environment, i.e.: remote work, out of province workers, etc. A series of letters are sent out informing new hires or RAND and encouraging them to join.

Manny spoke further to Chris’ comments regarding bargaining updates. Members raised questions and discussion took place re retired members’ pension, remote overtime to straight time, employers paying less for remote work, remote work contribution to greener environment goals, different employers treating telework differently, some monitoring through use of cameras, some expectations to bring members back to workplace to support local economy/cafeteria, and public pension statements remains outstanding since 2015.

To join PIPSC Atlantic Members Facebook, either click PIPSC Atlantic Members | Groups | Facebook, or enter URL: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292065684233501 .

8. – OTHER BUSINESS

Chris opened the floor to members to bring up other business, questions, comments, or concerns. Nil response.
 

9. – Adjournment

1) With all matters on the agenda addressed, Chris motion for the meeting to be adjourned at 8:40pm.

Moved by: Hashem Seconded by: Cathy

 

1. – ELECTION

Amanda Casella chaired the election assisted by Ashley Deighan.

1. – CURRENT POSITIONS AND TERMS

Current positions and end of terms: Halifax Branch Executive list before 2022 election and after 1 year extension due to Covid-19 pandemic effect:

 

All positions available for election in 2022 are President, VP and 7 Members at Large.
 

2. – ELECTION RESULTS

Record the Position, Term, the Nominees, Nominators and whether elected or acclaimed: