The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada

 Fredericton SH Subgroup AGM 2024

Sam Snead’s, Fredericton NB

Meeting called to order by Laura Lee Mullin at 6:09pm.

 

Attendees

Laura Lee Mullin DND

Lisa Jones DND

Glen Boorman DND

Amberly Colter ESDC

Kailey Von Richter DND

Sarah Simpson DND

Janet Weber DND

Meaghan Cameron ESDC

Jodi Olsen ESDC

Danielle Andrews ESDC

Stacy Astle Munn ESDC

Melanie Storey ESDC

Alicia MacWilliams ESDC

Jody Morton ESDC

Marie André Friolet ESDC

Laura Wagstaff Cormier ESDC

Emily Emberley ESDC

Lisa Godboiut RCMP

Christine Nowland VAC

April Carter VAC

Kim George VAC

Manon Dionne DND

Kathy Boucher DND

Tracie Legault DND

Courtney Adams DND

Melissa Jolicor DND

Isabelle Chenard DND

Jordan Philpott DND

April Carter DND

Stacey Lessard DND

Lisa Chapman DND

Kim George DND

Destiny Turnbull-Sabattis DND

Eva Henshaw Acting PIPSC president

 

Opening comments/Introductions:

Laura Lee welcomed everyone and thanked them for their attendance. She then introduced the current executive, Lisa Jones (treasurer), Sarah Simpson (vice president), Janet Weber

 

(secretary), Amberly Colter (member at large), Glen Boorman (member at large) and guest speaker, interim PIPSC president, Eva Henshaw.

 

Last Year’s AGM Minutes:

Review of last year’s AGM minutes were motioned to be accepted by Amberly Colter, and Tracie Legault seconded.

 

Agenda Review:

The agenda was reviewed and motioned to be accepted by Kailey Von Richter, and Amberly Colter seconded.

 

President’s 2023-2024 Report:

The Fredericton SH subgroup has approximately 82 members from DND, ESDC, VAC, and the RCMP. We have nurses, medical adjudicators, nurse practitioners, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists, and pharmacists.

 

Last year’s AGM was held in June 2023 and elections for the Executive Committee were held that saw Kailey Von Richter voted in as Vice-President. Sarah Simpson and Glen Boorman elected as Members at large. We also welcomed one new steward this past year, Megan Cameron, and now have approximately 46 stewards trained in the region.

 

The Executive met 4 times to discuss workplace conditions, event planning with member and community engagement, and Bylaw review.

●          A wine tasting and food pairing with accompanying presentation and was well attended (16 members) and received. Max Way attended and was available to answer questions.

●          The SH Group has applied to participate in the Pride Parade.

●          Various SH Group swag was sourced and purchased, including a large floor banner.

 

At ESDC several MAs that had been term were awarded permanent appointments and they underwent a change in leadership, as there had been several complaints and discord with previous management.

 

PIPSC members with VAC also brought their concerns regarding term employment with no promise from the employer for these terms to become permanent. The executive engaged with ERO Max Way regarding this concern but unfortunately when it comes to the staffing act, the union is unable to influence this process.

 

DND SH members continue to struggle with contracting out of public service work and have been working closely with DND national consultation for help. There was a success with this when Jennifer Carr was allowed to present at parliament PIPSC concerns with contracting out and just how much money it is costing the taxpayer.

 

Recent workplace violence at Base Gagetown Medical Clinic saw several work stoppages. Measures to ensure a safe, secure workplace are yet to be implemented. Laura Lee and Kailey

 

have been spending extensive unpaid hours advocating at local, regional, and national levels. This situation is ongoing and has led to the resignation of 2 PIPSC members and extended sick leave of 2 others. The Executive has expressed their desire for more national support.

 

Annual Financial Report:

Lisa Jones told the membership that the subgroup received the full annual allotment for 82 members. Funds included: $800 on AGM, $1260 on swag (including the banner), $500 on member mobilization and events, $700 on Executive meetings, $200 on gifts. The expenditures at $3,470.00.

 

SH Sub group bylaw proposed amendments:

The following bylaw change was proposed to include SH members from the Saint John area as there is no SH subgroup in that locale.

 

By Law 1 Name

The name of this subgroup shall be the PIPSC SH Fredericton and Saint John Subgroup, hereinafter referred to as the Sub Group

By-Law 3 Membership

3.1   Every regular member of the SH group working in Fredericton and Saint John areas shall be a regular member of the subgroup

●      Motion to accept amendment of Bylaw 1 Name of subgroup and Bylaw 3.1 to include Saint John motioned by Liz Godbout and seconded by Sarah Simpson.

3.2   Every regular member of this subgroup who becomes a retired member of the institute and remains in Fredericton or Saint John New Brunswick shall be a retired member of this sub group

●      Motion to amend Bylaw 3.2 motioned by Stacey Lessard and seconded by Amberly Colter.

6.8.2    states “the vice president shall assist the president in the performance of his duties”’ This will be amended to read “their duties”

●          Motion to amend Bylaw 6.8.2 motioned by Kailey Von Richter and seconded by Alicia McWilliams

7.3.4    Addition required- Ballots will be held for 30 days by the election committee and membership can challenge results of the vote within a 30-day period.

●          Motion to amend Bylaw 7.3.4 motioned by Amberly Colter and seconded by Sarah Simpson

 

AGM Elections 2023:

Lisa Jones acclaimed as Treasurer. Amberly Colter was elected as Secretary.

Stacey Lessard was elected as Member at large.

 

Guest Speaker, Eva Henshaw:

As acting PIPSC President, Eva’s discussion included topics around RTO (return to the office) and how PIPSC plans to interact with the employer. She was attending the Mayor’s Breakfast on Ottawa the following week to have a strong presence and talk with TB president Anita Annand.

 

She noted there would be ongoing action and future communication from PIPSC to members on other tactics and information.

 

Eva discussed the safety concerns and member issues at Base Gagetown (DND). Further details of the recent incident and ongoing safety issues/concerns, including the lack of any significant changes, were brought forward by multiple DND members and discussed. Laura Lee and Kailey also brough forward the lack of staff support while advocating for and supporting membership following the incident. Eva acknowledged that PIPSC regional offices are significantly understaffed (the ATL should have 2 additional staff positions based on membership numbers), and this was an area they would be focusing on. Eva also stated she would be following up on these issues and noted a greater understanding of membership’s concern about workplace safety.

 

Closing remarks

Laura Lee thanked the membership for their participation in the AGM and looked forward to seeing them at more events in the future. She invited the membership to reach out at any time if they had any ideas for events that they would like to see happen. Laura Lee moved to adjourn the meeting shortly after 8pm and was seconded by Amberly Colter. Meeting adjourned.