Kingston Branch - AGM Minutes - May 24, 2017

Agenda

Motion to amend agenda item:  Elections to read election of three (3) Members-at-Large.  Motion to accept amendment and agenda was supported by Cindy Gagnon and seconded by Sam Bilton.  Motion accepted.

Minutes of 2016 Annual General Meeting - Motion to correct spelling of President:  Debi Daviau and minutes were approved for the 2016 AGM.  

Annual Financial Statement 2017

Steve Irish, Treasurer presented the Branch Income Statement as of December 31, 2016, Statement of Cash Flow for the period ending December 31, 2016 and the Branch Budget for 2017.  Motion to support the financial statements was moved by Ken Pierce and seconded by Bill Grieve- approved.

Elections

The Election Committee of Jennifer van de Ven, Dan Guthrie and Kirsten Barr distributed ballots for the election of the Vice-President up for renewal every two years (Incumbent Pauline Cook); Treasurer up for renewal every two years (Incumbent:  Steve Irish), Secretary up for renewal every two years (Incumbent:  Michelle Neljak) and three (3) Members-at-Large positions up for renewal (Incumbents Ken Pearce; Laurel Fleming and Michael Tabbert)

Called for nominations for the Vice-President

Pauline Cook was nominated by Dan Guthrie and Ken Pierce was nominated by Gary Desbiens.  Ken Pierce respectfully declined and Pauline Cook was acclaimed for another two years.  Gary spoke highly of Ken Pierce's past contribution to the Branch as former VP and other positions he has held in the Branch Executive.

Call for nominations for Treasurer

Steve Irish nominated by Michael Tabbert.  No further nominations - Steve Irish acclaimed for two more years.

Call for nominations for Secretary

Cindy Gagnon was nominated by Gary Desbiens and Michael Tabbert was nominated by Steve Irish.  Members were requested to vote on the ballots provided.  Votes were counted and Cindy Gagnon was elected Secretary for two years.  Chris Veley motioned to destroy ballots which was seconded by Dan Guthrie.

Three (3) Members at Large

Nominations:  Sam Bilton; Bill Grieve, Ken Pearce and Michael Tabbert.  Sam Bilton did not accept the nomination.  Accordingly there was no vote and all three individuals remaining were acclaimed for a two year period.

President's Message

Members were reminded that bargaining is not over for everyone and that we still need to support the AFS Group moving forward.  Even though, you may already have a collective agreement some members are still in bargaining negotiations.

Gary Desbiens addressed the membership by confirming his three (3) years as President and six years with the Kingston Branch; and he will continue to support the membership moving forward.  Over this tenure he has encouraged members to become stewards, as we need to ensure more young people to get involved and support their unions.

Rallies are still being held at Mark Gerretsen's MP office in Kingston every second Wednesday on pay day to protest the Phoenix Pay System.  Members are encouraged to participate and Gary will be at the next rally at 841 Princess Street in Kingston, Ontario between 3:30 to 5:00 pm.   Many members are still experiencing pay issues with Terminal Allowance, Maternity Leave, Overtime and Retention Allowances pay issues.  Together with other unions we can make a difference.  The meeting was deferred over to our guest speakers.

Guest Speaker - Stephane Aubry, VP PIPSC National Office

Members were encouraged to visit the PIPSC website, as there is a lot of information available with regards to up-to-date union business or on who to contact for assistance.

To all members, we need stewards.  If you know anyone that is interested, please let Gary know.  Presently, we are at an all time low.  Gary's goal just in Kingston alone is 25 more stewards from all government departments within the Kingston Branch.  If you know of anyone, or if you are interested, please contact Gary Desbiens, or any of the Executive of the Branch.  

To date, the government has invested $142 M in the Phoenix system which has been in place for 1.5 years.  PSAC's concerns were not resolved before the implementation and TB went ahead anyways.  PIPSC members have been working behind the scenes but it has been like a black box from the client side and difficult to get resolved.  Other unions and PIPSC tried to get on the side of the government and get involved and assistance rather than not.  Three to four weeks ago now, a new team was established to find solutions.  The unions have not been consulted on what this new team would be doing.  There has been a call of interest to assist co-workers.  Apparently, the government needs to inject another $140M to resolve ongoing issues.  The backlog is the issue and is ongoing and not being resolved.     The government is not advising how many people are actually affected by this pay system.  Two-thirds of public servants have been affected by Phoenix at the beginning which is now at approximately one-third but the new collective agreements are being signed.  The Financial group just received their back pay but this is a small group in comparison.  Collective Agreement signing is being staggered in order for TB to meet the 120 day pay out schedule.  Phoenix is an independent contractor rather than in-house staff.  Minister McKinnen advises that resolutions should be developed in-house which doesn't coincide.  Service Centers will stay open as long as there are Phoenix issues. 

PIPSC at the National Office support Public Service Week and not boycotting this year, recognize our work and do more about visibility.  Mobilization within PIPSC has been set aside for bargaining and at the same time changes in the Organization.  Mobililzation was previously under the bargaining portfolio but has now been moved to the Communication to inform members of events and there have been two (2) more staff added.  PIPSC is working on key issues, to pass good information to members and value of unions to engage members.  For example, the 10 Things PIPSC Does for You card distributed at this meeting. 

JLP is part of the PSAC collective agreement with TB to have training available to PSAC members.  At the last round of bargaining, PIPSC asked what about other unions, as this should be available for all employees and other unions should be part of the JLP Programs.  PIPSC is still trying to get trainers.  JLP training is given at the request of both union and management.

PIPSC has filed a policy grievance together with 6 or 7 other unions to grieve the Phoenix pay system issue together with damages.  PIPSC is still recommending individual grievances as every situation is different.  Presently, there aren't any grievances at mediation.  There have also been some Human Rights Commission policy grievances for discrimination (i.e. maternity leave).

Bill C27 Post Cards were distributed for completion and submission to your local MP offices.  Stephan explained the difference between the current pension plan and the governments shared risk contribution pension plan being proposed.  The government would prefer to convert the current plan to a target benefit plan.  They no longer want to own the full responsibility of pension plan and want to chop into benefits and with mutual risk of loss by the employer and employee together with shared contributions.  However, seniors will not have funds to contribute when they are retired. 

Tickets were distributed to the members for a draw. 

Guest Speaker:  Doug Mason, President AFS Group

Doug Mason presented an update on bargaining for the AFS Group.  PIPSC Executive has been working together on a unified front.  Unions are still experiencing residual from last regime.  Unions still need to push back in order to maintain and recover.  Unions are pushing for goods things moving forward.

Thank you gifts were presented to the guest speakers for their presentation.

Meeting adjourned at 20:15 hrs.

Total members in attendance:  37

Gary Desbiens, President

PIPSC Kingston Branch