Atlantic Region Newsletter - Winter 2024
From the Director
The winter season is upon us with the first snowfall of the year in many areas. I am writing this at the start of the holiday season. Hope yours was a joyous one. Since the last newsletter we completed a very successful Atlantic Steward Council and hosted a Basic Steward Training and Constituent Body Executive Training.
On the Bargaining front the AFS, SP, IT and NRC-RO/RCO Groups ratified their tentative agreements. Next step will be the signing by the Bargaining Teams and the Employer. The RE Group has a tentative agreement while the NR, CP and SH Group negotiations are ongoing. I am pleased to also announce that bargaining has concluded with the PIPSC staff unions.
Federally Return to the Office continues to be a hot topic however there have been no updates from the Treasury Board since the summer. Bargaining teams were able to obtain a Memorandum of Agreement in various tentative agreements to have open discussions/consultations on remote work but it will remain to be seen if these discussions provide anything fruitful.
In New Brunswick, the Grinch made yet another appearance by deciding to close offices between Christmas and New Years Day forcing employees to use paid or unpaid leave. A load of coal must have arrived in New Brunswick and the province thought it best to provide lumps of coal to their employees for the holiday season. Stewards are working with our Employment Relations Team to discuss possible recourse.
Take care and I wish you all the best in 2024.
Manny Costain
Atlantic Regional Director
Basic Steward Training Sessions
The Atlantic Training Committee hosted a Basic Steward Training session on September 21-23 at the Delta Fredericton. There was 18 members that completed the course taught by EROs Cheryl Owens-Carr and Elissa McCarron. Lori Rowe from that Atlantic Regional Training Committee was present as training representative. Thank you to all the participants.
Constituent Body Training for Core Executives Session
On November 17-18th the Atlantic regional training committee hosted “Core Training for Constituent Body Executives” at the Rodd Charlottetown. Seventeen participants attended this NEW hot off the press course. A huge thank you to the attendees who openly participated and provided valuable feedback for improvements. Thank you, Christine LeDrew, Gerald Hill, and Carolyn Hynes, for peer facilitating this course. Thank you to Emmanuel Costain for attending as Training Committee Representative and provided valuable input. Thank you, Donna and Natasha, for your expert assistance with the success of this course. Thank you to all to came out to the meet and greet, it was a very successful and fun event.
Atlantic Regional Council
This year’s Atlantic Steward Council was held October 20-21 at The Marriot Harbourfront in Halifax. The Friday afternoon started with a presentation on Case Law and Trends from ERO Max Way which was then followed by the Group Breakouts. Saturday morning, the stewards received an informative workshop session on Running on Empty from ERO’s Elissa McCarron and Simon Davenport. It was then followed up with a presentation on the Steward Framework from National Steward Officer Judith Leblanc. The afternoon session commenced with an address from Vice-President Sean O’Reilly. Finishing the steward council was a great presentation from Motivational Speaker Judy Croon.
Atlantic Region Awards
Carolyn’s PIPSC involvement reads like a novel. She is the Atlantic Training Committee Chair, President of the St. John’s SH SubGroup, Consultation representative for ESDC, representing the NU EMAs at the bargaining table but most importantly she is a steward. Not only is she a steward but she has also been a mentor to her fellow SH stewards involved in complex situations. Within Carolyn’s own workplace she has facilitated a positive environment with a respectful relationship between the staff and management. Carolyn has put her heart and soul into ensuring that steward trainings run smoothly. Her role as an Atlantic Regional Executive has allowed Carolyn to welcome and include many newly engaged PIPSC Members. Carolyn wants everyone to feel welcome when they attend events. She has also fostered a healthy working relationship with the PIPSC Staff. Through all of her roles with PIPSC Carolyn also sets an example of healthy self-care in the presence of a busy workload. She’s able to motivate people around her to make time for exercise. She knows that being a steward can be demanding and puts her
physical and mental health first. The name Carolyn Hynes has become synonymous with experience, integrity, and support of her fellow PIPSC Members. She does an incredible amount of work and cares deeply for all of us. Congratulation Carolyn!
A few words from Carolyn: I would like to take this opportunity to thank my nominator, Selena Glover, for this acknowledgement. I am truly honoured and appreciative. This award is a result of the support and mentorship I have experienced throughout my PIPSC career. Thank you to the staff for expert education and support; to the Atlantic Regional Executive, St. John’s Branch, ESDC Consultation Team, and SH SubGroup and Group for your guidance, support, and encouragement; and to the members who trust me to assist them with their workplace issues. Selena, thank you for indulging my constant requests for you to exercise with me, this nomination does not get you off the hook, LOL!
Charity Donations
At all the regional events, the regional executive holds a raffle with the proceeds going to a charity.
At this years Steward Council tickets were sold on a chance to win Beats Wireless headphones with a total raised of $1,142 that was provided to Phoenix Centre for Youth in Halifax. This charity is a non-profit community-based organization that dedicates supporting youth (ages 11-24). Some of the services that they provide are: Advocacy, Community Engagement, Youth and Family Therapy, Health Services, Parent Support, Housing Support, Education Support, Crisis Support, and Employment Counselling. You can find more information on their website at https://phoenixyouth.ca/who-we-are
Atlantic Young Professionals Committee
The Atlantic Young Professionals Committee (AYPC) was created in the spring of 2017 and has been focusing on getting young professionals, 40 and under, engaged and participating in PIPSC events.
Following a call for expression of interest in the fall, the members of the Atlantic Young Professionals Committee are as follows:
Christine LeDrew - Chair NL
Kelly Weir NL
Brooke Casey NB
April Carter NB
Erika Isenor – Secretary NS
Ashlee McLeod NS
Kathy McLellan PEI
Carl Morgan PEI
Many thanks to the outgoing members Craig MacEwen, Joel White, Jessica Wood, Kailey von Richter for their participation.
The AYPC has been hosting member events in conjunction with our meetings. Some of these events include a Pool night, Boardgame café, Bowling, Indoor Roller Skating, and a Meet and Greet at local establishments. If you have any suggestions on events you would like to see near you, please reach out to the AYPC at aypc_cjpa@pipsc.ca or any member of the committee. Keep an eye out for an invite near you.
104th PIPSC AGM
The 104th PIPSC Annual General Meeting was a trial 4-day convention that was held on
November 26-29th at Le Centre Sheraton Hotel in Montreal, Quebec. There were over 600 delegates from across the country in attendance. The Atlantic delegates met Sunday morning for a discussion on the resolutions.
The four days were a combination of presentations/Guest Speakers, workshops, and AGM Business. Upon registering the delegates had a few options for each workshop timeslot. The guest speakers were Bea Bruske - President from the Canadian Labour Congress, Dominic Lemieux – Director Quebec for United Steelworkers Union, Alexandre Boulerice – Member of Parliament - NDP Labour Critic, Dr James Makokis & Anthony Johnson, and the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould. Over the course of the 4 days business aspects of the AGM were completed where resolutions were presented, debated and voted for or against.
At the Ready to Inspire Gala & Awards Ceremony President, Jennifer Carr awarded members from across the country with Life Membership awards, Institute Service Awards, and Steward of the Year awards. More information from the AGM can be found on the PIPSC Website.
Calendar of Events
(Items are subject to change)
January 26, 2024 Atlantic Regional Training committee meeting
January 27, 2024 Atlantic Regional Executive meeting
February 22-24, 2024 Basic Steward Training, Halifax
April 5, 2024 Atlantic Regional Training committee meeting
April 6, 2024 Atlantic Regional Executive meeting
April 18-20, 2024 Regional Training School, Oak Island Resort
May 23, 2024 Atlantic Regional Executive
May 24, 2024 AYPC meeting
May 24, 2024 Branch and Provincial Group President’s meeting
May 24-25, 2024 80th Atlantic Regional Council, Charlottetown, PEI
Your Regional Executive:
Director:
Emmanuel (Manny) Costain
Vice Chair:
Scott McConaghy
Secretary:
Christine LeDrew
Treasurer:
Gerald Hill
902-888-1477
Chair of Training Committee:
Carolyn Hynes
Members at Large:
Michael Pauley
Lori Rowe
Kimberley Keats
Yvonne O’Keefe
Jennifer Cantwell
Tony Chubbs
tony.chubbs@forces.gc.ca