PIPSC St. John’s Branch AGM Minutes
Thursday, September 5th, 2024 at 6:00pm
Royal Canadian Legion, St. John’s NL
Present:
James Vey, President, Christine LeDrew, Secretary, Carolyn Hynes, Vice President, Ellen Careen, Treasurer, Amin Avadia,
Vicki Hartery, Nancy Wheaton, Chris Hendry, Roxanne Maddigan, Paula Walters, Andrew Hagerty, Kendra Carrigan, Theresa Hynes, Mike Foran, Jeremy Korchoski, Bonnie O’Rourke, Rhonda Bridger, Carolyn Coady, Steve Dillon, Aaron Adamack, Scott Squires, Mark Brennan, Anne Marie White, Lori Kennedy, Chris Molloy, Shawn Tee, Mark Agriesti, Shane Curnew, Greg Sheppard, Kathy King, Catherine Harnett, Olivia Carew, Kimberley Keats, Kara Strickland, Amanda Handrigan, Lynette Carey, Jason Reid, Diane Hamilton, Tony Roche, Jim Bradley, Anica Stowe, Manny Costain (Guest), Tamara Critch (Guest), Paul Hubley (Guest), Lori Rowe (Guest), Mike Pauley (Guest), Tony Chubbs (Guest)
1.0 Opening Remarks
Jay opened the meeting at 6:22p.m welcoming and thanking everyone for attending the 2024 Branch AGM. Manny Costain, Atlantic Regional Director continued with a land acknowledgement and Christine read the equity statement.
2.0 Introductions
Jay introduced himself as the president of the branch. He introduced Manny Costain as the guest speaker. The Atlantic Regional Executive members attended as guests as well.
All members in attendance introduced themselves with name, department, union involvement. Members in attendance listed above.
3.0 Approval of the Agenda
Jay presented the agenda. No additions. Agenda was moved by Carolyn Hynes and seconded by Carolyn Coady. – Carried.
4.0 Approval of 2023 Branch AGM Minutes
Previous minutes reviewed, no errors or omissions noted. Kim Keats moved for approval of previous minutes. Seconded by Anica Stowe. - Carried.
5.0 Business Arising from the minutes
After review and approval of minutes there was no business arising from the 2023 AGM.
6.0 President’s Report
Jay presented the presidents report (see attached document). Second year as branch president and thanked all branch executive for their help over the past year. Jay noted that membership engagement remains a top priority for the branch and over the last 16 months the branch held or took part in multiple events. In July of 2023 the branch participated in the St. John’s Pride Parade as well as hosting a Karaoke event. In September 2023 the branch attended the District Labour Council’s Labour Day March, contributed and attended the SP SubGroup family fun day event, and attended the National Truth and Reconciliation event held by First Light. President Jennifer Carr was in town in November 2023 for the RO/RCO AGM so the branch held a meet and greet with her. Once again the branch held a Christmas Social which had a number of new members in attendance. During the Christmas Social the branch raised $XXX for Bridges to Hope Food Aid Centre. Jay noted that on March 28, 2024 the branch held a Cornhole event at the Re/max Centre and the event was very well received and a great opportunity to get to know each other. Ellen attended the Day of Mourning event and laid a wreath on behalf of the branch. This past July we held a beach cleanup and BBQ at Topsail Beach with over 20 members and their families in attendance. Anica Stowe and Carolyn Coady took part in the Labour Day March on behalf of the branch. Jay mentioned that on September 15th the Branch will be hosting another family fun day event from 1-4pm at the North Bank Lodge in Pippy Park. He noted that steward recruitment also remain a priority for the branch. Since our last AGM we have had several members sign up to become stewards. He thanked all branch executive, subgroup executives, and stewards for continuing to recruit new members, as well as those that choose to sign up.
Jay noted that some topics of concern this year include Phoenix, Canada Life, and Bargaining.
James Vey motion to approve the President’s Report. Seconded by Steve Dillon. – Carried.
7.0 Treasurer’s Report and Budget
The treasurer’s report was presented by Ellen Careen (see attached).
Ellen presented the proposed budget for 2025 as well as the income statement for the past year. There was some discussion on the proposed budget. Member events will likely be over as we have higher number of member turn out. DLC fees are higher as our membership number has gone up.
Ellen Careen moved that the Treasurer’s Report and Budget be approved. Seconded by Lori Kennedy. - Carried
8.0 Elections of Officers
Jay explained which positions are up for election. The positions are as follows:
- President (2 year term)
- Secretary (2 year term)
- 4 Members at Large (2 year term)
Jay called upon Kim Keats to run the election. Kim read a few of the Branch By-Laws to allow members to understand the executives’ requirements. Kim also explained how the voting will be completed. Kim Keats, Carolyn Hynes, and Manny Costain carried out the election.
President:
Carolyn Hynes nominated James Vey. James Accepted. Acclaimed.
Treasurer
Christine LeDrew nominated Anica Stowe. Anica Accepted.
Ellen Careen nominated Vicki Hartery. Vicki Accepted.
Each participant was given three minutes to provide a speech. Everyone was to vote for one name.
Results: Anica Stowe (23), Vicki Hartery (18)
Members at large (2 year):
Kelly Weir nominated herself via email to James. Accepted.
James Vey nominated Jeremy Korchoski. Accepted.
Vicki Hartery nominated Ellen Careen. Accepted.
Shawn Tee nominated Lori Kennedy. Accepted.
Mark Brennan nominated Bonnie O’Rourke. Accepted.
Carolyn Coady nominated Chris Hendry. Accepted.
Rhonda Bridger nominated Diane Hamilton. Declined.
Each participant was given 3 minutes to provide a speech. Everyone was to vote for a maximum of four names.
Results: Kelly Weir (11 votes), Jeremy Korchoski (17 votes), Ellen Careen (20 votes), Lori Kennedy (29 votes), Bonnie O’Rourke (28 votes), Chris Hendry (23 votes)
St. John’s Branch Executive 2024-2025
James Vey – President
Carolyn Hynes – Vice President
Anica Stowe – Treasurer
Christine LeDrew – Secretary
Carolyn Coady, Rhonda Bridger, Kim Keats, Lori, Bonnie, Chris and Ellen– Members at large
As the elections and results were completed, Christine LeDrew moved and seconded by Rhonda Bridger to destroy the ballots. – Carried
The ballots were destroyed.
9.0 New Business
a) Motions
Jay made a call for any motions. No motions.
10.0 Guest Speaker Presentations
Jay introduced our guest speaker, Emmanuel Costain – Atlantic Regional Director. Manny thanked Jay and the Branch for the invitation to the AGM. RTO Town Hall with the other unions called Remote Works. A webinar will occur for stewards next week. SH Group recently accepted a tentative agreement. CP Group is going to arbitration next week. Provincial Crown Prosecuters accepted tentative, (CFIA-S&A) Agrologists and Vets (CFIA-VM) this week. AYPC went out for call of interest this summer. Selection will be selected for the 4 positions. Steward Council will happen in October in Halifax with a theme of back to basics. AGM in Toronto for 2 days in November with just over 30 delegates from the Atlantic Region and 5 of those are from St. John’s. We have been dealing with LMB for 31 years for interpretation and have been receiving quotes. During the pandemic they built a studio and now they charge fees, this cost was $XXXX. Effective September 2 we have left LMB and went to AIT Net. Encore will be our new AV provider going forward. The regional office leases were cut by reducing space at some locations. Each office is being looked at for savings.
Canada Life it has not been a smooth transition and long wait times. Contract out for out of country claims and that company had a security breach. TBS has been looking into this and penalties for not rolling out in a timely fashion as they were also given an extension of 6 months before even being rolled out. PIPSC staff was using Canada life for benefits and have now gone to Medavie blue with a cost savings.
Manny noted that he has not put his name in to reoffer for Regional Director. Ensure to get out and ask questions and ensure to vote. Interact with your colleague and encourage them to vote. Now is your time to have your say to see who you want as your board for the next three years.
Manny opened the floor to questions.
- RTO – how PIPSC has not been as active as PSAC has been over the last year. The events that are happening at PIPSC are for stewards or NCR centric. Does the board have any influence on this so each region can have some input? The regions have been failed.
Answer: NCR centric has been an issue for years. Things seem to be done with an Ottawa state of mind. A question for the candidates is what are you going to do for the regions outside the NCR?
- Arbitration – final and binding. CP group will know by mid November either way as they have 60 days after.
11.0 Door Prizes and Swag
There was many door prizes of swag and gift cards. There was one door prize to be drawn from members that attended their first Branch AGM and one to be drawn from members under 40 provided from the Atlantic Young Professionals Committee.
12.0 Adjournment
Jay thanked everyone for their attendance to the 2024 Branch AGM and for our Guests attending. It has been the biggest crowd since he has been involved. We have family fun day event September 15th please rsvp to Christine.
With no further business, Chris Hendry moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Amin Avadia. – Carried
The Meeting was adjourned at 8:37pm.