PIPSC St. John’s Branch Meeting Minutes - April 2, 2025

PIPSC St. John’s Branch Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 5:30 pm 

Moxie’s, St. John’s, NL.

 

Present:

James Vey, President
Chris Hendry
Anica Stowe, Treasurer
Bonnie O’Rourke
Rhonda Bridger
Kim Keats
Carolyn Coady
Ellen Careen

 

Regrets: 

Carolyn Hynes, Vice President
Christine LeDrew, Secretary
Lori Kennedy

 

1.0 Roll Call

Jay opened the meeting at 5:50 p.m. Executive members in attendance: As above. Regrets: as above. As Christine absent, Rhonda Bridger volunteered to take minutes. 

 

2.0 Approval of the Agenda 

Jay asked if anyone had additions to the agenda. Anica moved for approval of the agenda. Seconded by Rhonda. Carried.

 

3.0 Approval of the minutes from Previous Meeting 

Previous minutes reviewed, no errors or omissions noted. Kim moved for approval of the previous minutes. Seconded by Carolyn C. Carried.

 

4.0 Action Items from Previous Meeting

 

Action Items

St. John’s Branch Executive

January 22, 2025

Moxie’s, St. John’s, NL

 

 

Please note, Action items 6-10 have been completed. The Executive selected the Glacier for the Skating Event, held on March 2, 2025. Item 11, Cornhole, is booked for the ReMAX centre for April 17, 2025, at 6:30 pm. Discussed providing Union updates to members in attendance and seeking funding from Better Together to offset some of the costs. Bonnie agreed to submit request. 

 

5.0 Finance Review  

Anica provided a financial update. Branch has a healthy balance. Expense claims submitted to finance for Skating Event and Branch Meeting of January 22, 2025. Review of expense claims, tips, and per diem amounts.

 

6.0 New Business

 

a) Skating Event Recap

Executive agreed that the event was costly, particularly considering the low attendance. To make it more economical, we booked the Glacier for skating, during a General Skating session to avoid ice rental and booked only the party room for refreshments after the skate. As food could not be brought in, the venue offers refreshments from their canteen. The cost of the food was overpriced and unpopular amongst the attendees (particularly the children- 2 platters of squares from Costco), hot chocolate was well received. Those in attendance had fun; however, the ice was crowded. Discussed efforts to get more members out. Also, agreed that if we choose skating in future, we need to book a venue with ice/party room EARLY, for private event to avoid crowding. Further, a space that allows patrons to bring food in. Discussed ‘The Loop” (no rental cost as public space) as an option but weather is unpredictable. Agreed that if to try for outdoor venue, would give 1 date, an alternate date in case of inclement weather, and would cancel if poor weather. 
 

Overall, skaters, young and old, in attendance had fun, but would like to see more members out and better bang for our buck. Christine to provide feedback to Venue re our disappointment with food offerings and cost.

 

b) FPSLREB Update

Jay and Kim attended from Branch Executive. Training was held at Law Society Building in St. John’s. There were approximately twenty participants, and Jonathan Elston delivered the training. Jonathan is a mediator with the Federal Public Service Labour Relations and Employment Board. The training provided insight into taking part in mediation at the board. There were several role-play activities and a fishbowl activity. Training was well received and both Jay and Kim agreed it was worthwhile training. 

 

c) DLC Update

Discussion regarding DLC fees and value to our branch members to be added to next meeting agenda as three members absent, and Carolyn Hynes brought item forward.
 

Carolyn Coady provided update from March 25, 2025, meeting. 
 

• Seeking members to help with NDP candidate Mary Shortall’s campaign/canvassing most evenings 5-7pm. We had a conversation regarding our rights to engage in political activities as Federal Public Servants and Union members. Reminded to review Public Service Employment Act, Values and Ethics Code, Code of Conduct before participating in political activities. 
• CLC (Canada Labour Congress) “Workers Together Blueprint”
• Pride Parade date is out. July 20^th. Further details pending.
• Day of Mourning April 28, 2025. She reports that there was discussion around options other than wreaths for the Day of Mourning ceremony. Annually, $XXXX worth of wreaths are discarded after the ceremony. This year, they are taking a hybrid approach and encouraging unions supporting ‘Threads of Life’ in lieu of wreaths. Groups still wishing to donate a wreath may, fresh or artificial. Discussed the change. Annually the branch purchases a wreath for this ceremony. For Union groups who opt to donate to the cause and not provide a wreath will have their union group added to a Ribbon board of donors/supporters. 
   

Threads of Life:  The Association for Workplace Tragedy Family Support, known as Threads of Life, is a Canadian registered charity dedicated to supporting families after a workplace fatality, life-altering injury, or occupational disease. Their network of family members and corporate partners believes traumatic workplace injuries, occupational diseases and deaths are preventable. Guided by a Board of Directors comprised of family members affected by workplace tragedy and experts from Canada’s workplace health and safety community. Their work is accomplished by volunteers, and progress is documented in annual reports. 

 

d) Cornhole Event

Ellen has booked Cornhole event for April 17, 2025, at 6:30pm, REMAX Center. 

Event invite went out to members on March 31, 2025. Christine reported today that 10 members have RSVPed to date, excluding Branch Executive. We agreed to encourage attendance as it was very successful last year and remind members to RSVP. Ellen agreed to order pizza for the event. Bonnie to request Better Together Funding. Discussed food and beverages. Ellen will order pizza for the event. Rhonda has paper plates and napkins at home from FFD, will bring to event. Bar service available at REMAX center. 

 

e) Atlantic Regional Council Updates

Invitations came out today for Atlantic Regional Council, Friday May 23-Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Fredericton, NB. All branch executive members and branch members recommended by branch executive received their invitations. Kim reviewed the positions up for election (5 positions up for election with an extra one-year position this year as Mark moved into the Regional Director position). Gerald Hill is filling in that position presently. Regional Council voted on the two candidates who were tied for the next position in last year’s election. Kim and Carolyn H are on this year’s election committee. We discussed having a hospitality room at the Regional Council. Jay will check with Donna to see if they have any hospitality rooms and check with other Branch Presidents to see if anyone would like to share the cost of a room. 

 

f) Branch Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Brief discussion regarding AGM. Will hold it in the Fall, Likely early to mid-November given Steward Council in late October, and the National AGM in December this year. Discussed potential venues. Agreed the Legion worked well last year. Further discussion/planning brought forward to next meeting. Will review training/meeting dates in the Fall and work around those.

 

g) Christmas Social

We agreed that while there was good attendance at last year’s social at O’Reilly’s, it was costly and there was significant food wastage. Alternate venues being considered. Carolyn Hynes to check on the Elks Club, and Ellen to check with the Legion. Ellen had no pricing today, but provided details regarding social events their building has held at the Legion. Always well received. Spacious, reasonably priced drinks, food, and rental prices. Location is good and parking is ample. Recommend a DJ. Exec agreed reasonable option if date available. As the PIPSC National AGM is December 12, 2025; we must look at an earlier date. Tentative date, Thursday, December 4, 2025. Ellen will contact the Legion and tentatively book it if available for that date. Further discussion pending.

 

7.0 Atlantic Regional Executive Updates 

 

8.0 Meeting Schedule

Jay expressed that the finer details related to event planning and smaller business items, may be conducted over group chat (WhatsApp). We reviewed upcoming events and executive members’ schedules, and the group agreed on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, for our next Branch Executive meeting. Anica and Rhonda suggested trying North 48 in the East End. Group agreed. Rhonda to book for 5:30pm.

 

9.0 Round Table

No further business. Rhonda motioned for adjournment of the meeting. Seconded  by Chris.

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:07pm

 

RB 25/4/7