London Branch & London AFS Sub-Group Annual General Meeting Minutes - September 20, 2022
Fanshawe College Student Centre – SUB1025
London Branch President: Anthony Stone
AFS Sub-Group President: Paul Andres
Event Chairperson: Paul Andres
Invited Guests In Attendance:
- Shawn Gillis – PIPSC Ontario Region AFS Representative
- Doug Mason – PIPSC AFS Group President
- John Purdie - PIPSC Ontario Region Director
- Bruce Challis - National Association of Federal Retirees–London Branch rep
- Gerry Filek - National Association of Federal Retirees – London Branch rep
Opening Remarks & Introduction:
Paul Andres opened the meeting at 5:30 p.m. and welcomed all members in
attendance to the PIPSC London 2022 Annual General Meeting.
Paul Andres stated that quorum has been established for this event.
Approval of Agenda
- Motion to approve the Agenda, moved by Paul Andres seconded by Sophie Carswell. Carried
Approval of Minutes
- Motion to approve the May 7, 2019 London Branch & London AFS Sub-Group Annual General Meeting minutes moved by Paul Andres and seconded by Suwas Nikumb. Carried
- There was no business arising from these minutes
Election Committee Report:
Wayne Cherry of the Elections Committee reported on the recent 2022 PIPSC London elections for both the PIPSC London Branch and the PIPSC London AFS Sub-Group. Each elected member will hold their office for a three-year term commencing on September 20, 2022.
PIPSC London Branch
The results of the PIPSC London Branch 2022 Elections are as follows:
President
- Paul Andres – acclaimed
Vice-President
- Vacant - No nominations received
Secretary
- Vacant - No nominations received
Treasurer
- Wayne Cherry - acclaimed
Member-at-large
- Bruce Patrick Chapman – acclaimed
- Gary Doerr - acclaimed
- Robert Dickieson – acclaimed
- Alan Dworatzek - acclaimed
- Doug Mason – acclaimed
- Suwas Nikumb - acclaimed
- Vacant – no nominations received (1 position)
The Elections Committee noted the following PIPSC London Branch positions are now open for nominations from the floor of the AGM:
- PIPSC London Branch Vice-President
- PIPSC London Branch Secretary
- PIPSC London Branch Member-at-Large (1 position)
Paul Andres nominated Peter Rodrigues for Vice-President of the PIPSC London Branch and this was seconded by Stephen Coulstring. Peter Rodrigues accepted this nomination.
Paul Andres nominated Ann Killoran for Secretary of the PIPSC London Branch and this was seconded by Doug Mason. Ann Killoran accepted this nomination.
Doug Mason nominated Mike Wojtak for Member-at-Large of the PIPSC London Branch and this was seconded by Tareq Al-Shamali. Mike Wojtak accepted this nomination.
Paul Andres noted that no other nominations had been received from the floor of the AGM.
The following members will hold their office for a three-year term on the PIPSC London Branch commencing on September 20, 2022:
Vice-President
- Peter Rodrigues – acclaimed
Secretary
- Ann Killoran – acclaimed
Member-at-large
- Mike Wojtak – acclaimed
PIPSC London AFS Sub-Group
The results of the PIPSC London AFS Sub-Group 2022 Elections are as follows:
- Mike Wojtak – acclaimed
Vice - President
- Paul Andres – acclaimed
Treasurer
- Alan Dworatzek – acclaimed
Member-at-large
- Sophie Carswell - acclaimed
- Dan Ryckman – acclaimed
- Vacant – no nominations received (5 positions)
The Elections Committee noted the following PIPSC London AFS Sub-Group positions are now open for nominations from the floor of the AGM:
- PIPSC London AFS Sub-Group Secretary
- PIPSC London AFS Sub-Group Member-at-Large (5 positions)
Mike Wojtak nominated Tareq Al-Shamali for Secretary of the PIPSC London AFS Sub-Group and this was seconded by Dan Ryckman. Tareq Al-Shamali accepted this nomination.
Sophie Carswell nominated Kathy Robinson for Member-at-Large of the PIPSC London AFS Sub-Group and this was seconded by Mark Laurin. Kathy Robinson accepted this nomination.
Dan Ryckman nominated Andrew Bruins for Member-at-Large of the PIPSC London AFS Sub-Group and this was seconded by Alan Dworatzek. Andrew Bruins accepted this nomination.
Ann Killoran nominated Stephen Coulstring for Member-at-Large of the PIPSC London AFS Sub-Group and this was seconded by Kathy Robinson. Stephen Coulstring accepted this nomination.
Kathy Robinson nominated Mark Laurin for Member-at-Large of the PIPSC London AFS Sub-Group and this was seconded by Ann Killoran. Mark Laurin accepted this nomination.
Stephen Coulstring nominated Ann Killoran for Member-at-Large of the PIPSC London AFS Sub-Group and this was seconded by Mark Laurin. Ann Killoran accepted this nomination.
Paul Andres noted that no other nominations had been received from the floor of the AGM.
The following members will hold their office for a three-year term on the PIPSC London AFS Sub-Group commencing on September 20, 2022:
Secretary
- Tareq Al-Shamali – acclaimed
Member-at-Large
- Andrew Bruins - acclaimed
- Stephen Coulstring – acclaimed
- Mark Laurin – acclaimed
- Ann Killoran – acclaimed
- Kathy Robinson - acclaimed
London Branch Report:
(1) London Branch Report – Anthony Stone
A detailed PIPSC London Branch Activity Report was presented by Anthony Stone via e-mail to all members- See Appendix A. No questions arose from the members.
(2) John Purdie – PIPSC Ontario Region Director
John Purdie presented a detailed review of the organization and hierarchy within of PIPSC. He reviewed the various committees and their functions within PIPSC and encouraged those in attendance to consider volunteering for one of these committees. He stressed that PIPSC is member driven and volunteering will aid significantly in PIPSC achieving its goals to empower the workers and to provide a safe, meaningful and accommodating employer workplace for all.
(3) Treasurer’s Report – Wayne Cherry
Wayne Cherry provided to members a PIPSC London Branch Treasurer’s Report for the January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 period. Wayne Cherry reviewed this report with the members. There were no questions from the floor of the AGM.
Moved by Mike Wojtak and seconded by Alan Dworatzek that the PIPSC London Branch Treasurer’s Report for January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 period be accepted as presented. Carried.
Wayne Cherry had provided to members a PIPSC London Branch Budget for the 2023 year - Wayne Cherry noted the PIPSC London Branch budget for both the 2021 and 2022 years had been previously approved at an Executive meeting of the PIPSC London Branch Executives and Stewards (due to the occurrence of a pandemic in those years). Wayne Cherry reviewed the PIPSC London Branch 2023 budget with the members in attendance. There were no questions from the floor of the AGM.
Moved by Kathy Robinson and seconded by Dan Ryckman that the PIPSC London Branch Budget for the 2023 year be accepted as presented. Carried.
(4) 2021 London Branch Spirit Award Recipients
“To recognize PIPSC London Branch members who have made significant contributions to the Branch over a period of years.”
It was noted that this year there were no PIPSC London Branch Spirit Award nominations received for the 2021 year.
London AFS Sub-Group Report:
(1) London AFS Sub-Group Report – Paul Andres
Paul Andres gave credit for the past year’s successes of the PIPSC London AFS Sub-Group Executives and Stewards including: Ann Killoran for her work on the Korn Ferry review and evaluation; Mark Laurin & Sophie Carswell for their work with new union members. Alan Dworatzek for his hard work performing the duties of Treasurer and Wayne Cherry for his organization and secretarial skills. Paul Andres stressed that this group of Executives and Stewards has worked hard and diligently together as a cohesive unit. He noted that he is very grateful for the support they have provided to him over the past year.
Paul Andres noted there are many challenges ahead related to the current and future changes within the Canada Revenue Agency, but he is confident the current Executives and Stewards of the PIPSC London AFS Sub-Group will rise to meet the challenge.
(2) Treasurer’s Report – Alan Dworatzek
Alan Dworatzek had provided to members a PIPSC London AFS Sub-Group Treasurer’s report for the January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 period. Alan Dworatzek reviewed this report with the members in attendance. There were no questions from the floor of the AGM.
Moved by Sophie Carswell and seconded by Paul Condon that the London AFS Sub-Group Treasurer’s report for January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021period be accepted as presented. Carried.
Alan Dworatzek had provided to members a PIPSC London AFS Sub-Group Budget for the 2023 year - See Appendix C. Alan Dworatzek noted the PIPSC London AFS Sub-Group budget for both the 2021 and 2022 years had been previously approved at an Executive meeting of the PIPSC London AFS Sub-Group Executives and Stewards (due to the occurrence of a pandemic in those years). Alan Dworatzek reviewed the PIPSC London AFS Sub-Group 2023 budget with the members in attendance. There were no questions from the floor of the AGM.
Moved by Mike Wojtak and seconded by Paul Condon that the London AFS Sub-Group Budget for the 2023 year be accepted as presented. Carried.
(3) Doug Mason, PIPSC AFS Group President & Shawn Gillis, PIPSC Ontario Region AFS Representative
Doug Mason and Shawn Gillis presented a summary of the current bargaining issues to date related to upcoming contract negotiations with the Canada Revenue Agency. A Notice to Bargain was served to the employer on August 22, 2022, with and an expected first negotiation date of October 19-20, 2022, has been set. They indicated that that they expect negotiations to be intense as they have prepared 54 bargaining issues to date.
Doug Mason and Shawn Gillis also presented a brief outline of the major contract issues such as: salary; work locations and work times.
Doug Mason and Shawn Gillis reviewed other contracts issues such as: Leave issues (National Truth & Reconciliation Day, sick leave and care leave, etc.), Workplace issues (career development, harassment, workplace protections, etc.) and recent changes to the Public Service Health Care Plan. The Public Service Dental Plan anticipated future talks were also briefly reviewed.
Shawn Gillis instructed members to ensure their Outlook information is updated on the employer’s system as PIPSC uses this information for statistical purposes. He discussed recent staffing issues and current informal discussions PIPSC is having with the employer to secure internal union communications with members through the employers “HUB” since so many members are now working remotely. Issues arising from the floor of the AGM included: potential electronic union boards on the employer’s site, potential employer provided union offices in employer locations for stewards to interact with members, the use of union related e-mails within the employer’s system, etc.
Members’ Forum:
Bruce Challis and Gerry Filek provided a short review of the benefits of membership available to union members in joining the National Association of Federal Retirees (FSNA). They stressed you do not need to be retired to join this group. The FSNA provides essential service in advocacy for senior issues and pensioner issues to all levels of government. They reviewed the benefits of membership in this organization including access to an exemplary travel insurance plan.
There were no other issues raised in the Member’s Forum.
Adjournment of Meeting:
Paul Andres moved that the PIPSC London 2022 Annual General Meeting be adjourned at 8:50 p.m. and seconded by Mark Laurin. Carried