PRAIRIE/NORTHWEST TERRITORIES REGIONAL EXECUTIVE (“PRE”) MEETING
Date: April 21, 2018 (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Location: Matrix Hotel, Edmonton, Alberta
In attendance:
Nancy McCune, Regional Director
Sharon Losinski, Regional Vice-Chair and Edmonton Branch Representative
Stuart Kidd, Secretary-Treasurer
Samah Henein, Calgary Branch representative
Bobby Eiswirth, Regina Branch Representative
Christine Freeman, Winnipeg and Southern Manitoba Branch Representative
Nancy Shalay, Small Branch Representative
Robert Trudeau, Saskatoon Branch Representative
Ira Hill, Small Branch Representative
CALL TO ORDER
Nancy McCune called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM. Nancy M welcomed Ira Hill from the Suffield Branch as acting small branch representative for this meeting. Sharon will be participating by teleconference call.
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Approval of Amended Agenda. Motion to approve by Christine, seconded by Bobby, carried. Bobby will maintain speakers list for meeting.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 10, 2018 & MARCH 8, 2018 CONFERENCE CALL
2.1 Approval of Minutes from February 10, 2018. Moved by Nancy S, seconded by Christine, carried.
Approval of Minutes from March 8, 2018 conference call. Moved by Bobby, seconded by Robert, carried
2.2 Business arising from minutes – none.
3. DIRECTOR’S BOARD REPORT FOR FEBRUARY & MARCH 2018 - SUBMITTED BY NANCY MCCUNE
Nancy McCune discussed several issues at Board of Directors meeting. These included:
Members of the Board of Directors – the special meeting of March 1, 2018 will be discussed under point 11 of the agenda.
PIPSC board elections will be in November 2018 for president, two full time vice presidents, two part time vice presidents and nine directors. Candidate can make bio’s via video or in writing. The particulars of the election will be out at the end of June.
The PIPSC building is still only occupied by the union and an agent is advertising to rent the majority of building. City of Ottawa light rail transit will be operating in November of 2018 and there is a stop adjacent to the building which should improve the chances of renting out space.
The Phoenix pay system and Bill 27 for targeted pension plans were also discussed. The PIPSC golf tournament ended with the 2017 event.
Better together is still operational. Any requests for funding should go to the regional director. May Day and Labour Day events could be scheduled with $XX budget allocated to the region. Nancy M requested an e-mail outlining money and purpose be sent to her.
4. REGIONAL FINANCIAL REPORT
Stuart Kidd presented the Prairie & NWT region financial statements for the period January 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018. The report detailed revenues of $XX and expenses of $XX. The beginning bank balance of January 1, 2018 was $XX with an ending bank balance of $XX on March 31, 2018. Notification of the 2018 allotment was received. The region has 5,895 regular and rand members at December 31, 2017. The region will receive an allotment of $XX. The amount is reduced by $XX below full allotment. This situation results from PIPSC billing the region for 2 not 4 observers to 2017 national AGM. A higher than expected bank balance at December 31, 2017 then ground the full allotment.
A listing of the region inventory as of March 31, 2018 was presented to the executive. The number of TGFU t-shirts were counted by Nancy M and the number revised.
The payment to PIPSC HQ for 2 region observers at 2017 AGM was processed by PIPSC. This ground down the region’s full allotment for 2018.
Motion to receive financial report by Stuart, seconded by Robert, carried.
5. REGIONAL TRAINING REPORT
Bobby Eiswirth will attend the next TEC meting scheduled for May 14, 2018. Bobby discussed upcoming Labour School on May 10 to 12, 2018 at Matrix Hotel in Edmonton. Some 90 applications were received for 50 available training spots. Labour School spots will be allocated first to stewards who have not attended the school. Bobby also discusses lunch & learns for pension information, dental plan
benefits and disability insurance. Basic Steward training is planned for October 2018 in Winnipeg.
Motion to receive regional training report made by Nancy S, seconded by Stuart, carried.
6. REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018, EDMONTON, MATRIX HOTEL, JUNE 1 and 2
Friday Afternoon & Fort Edmonton evening event
PIPSC president Debi Daviau will attend. A discussion of guest speakers occurred. A motion to invite 3 guest speakers, one from the Alberta Federation of Labour, one from the Alberta Legislature, and Mike Morrison. All three were speakers at the Broadbent summit. Motion made by Nancy M and seconded by Christine, carried. A Nix Phoenix session may be considered.
Fort Edmonton contract signed for Friday evening dinner. Sharon discussed plans to bring and return delegates to Fort Edmonton Park. A discussion about the cost to transport delegates to and from hotel plus dinner and various park activities took place. Executive members thanked Sharon for her work in arranging the dinner venue. We expect up to 90 delegates and guests to attend Fort Edmonton dinner.
A motion to provide a $XX raffle prize was made by Nancy M, seconded by Christine, carried.
Delegate Promotional Item
The polo shirt size will be requested at PRC registration for delegates.
Resolution to Change the Composition of the Regional Executive
A discussion occurred to add two small branch members to increase the size of the Prairie Regional Executive. No motion was needed.
Branch Presidents’ Meeting
Nancy M. mentioned that a meeting of branch presidents will be scheduled for the Friday morning of June 1, 2018.
8. STEWARD COUNCIL 2018, WINNIPEG, FAIRMOUNT HOTEL, SEPTEMBER 28 & 29
The agenda is still a work in process. Café style training will be part of the agenda.
9. STEWARD AWARDS
Nancy M mentioned that consideration of 2018 Steward Awards be moved up to earlier from the summer months. This would avoid the last minute meetings that occurred just before the 2018 Steward Council. A motion was made to change the steward award process by Sharon, seconded by Bobby, carried.
10. ROUND TABLE
Regina branch – Bobby made a request for $XX to purchase a canopy tent, 2 sidewalls, 2 tables and 2 chairs to Regina branch events. A discussion took place with Bobby offering to discuss a bulk purchase for other branches that may be interested. Motion to pay $XX to Regina branch for canopy set –up made by Bobby, seconded by Robert, carried.
Calgary branch – Samah Henein presented her report of upcoming events for Calgary Branch. The next event will be a bowling day in June 2018.
Winnipeg & Southern Manitoba branch – Christine Freeman was elected new president of the Winnipeg & Southern Manitoba branch by the local executive.
Denwood branch – Branch AGM will be held later in April 2018. A Labour Day picnic is planned.
Edmonton branch – Sharon mentioned branch AGM was held in March 2018.
Suffield branch – Ira Hill is new president.
Saskatoon branch – Robert mentioned that a member appreciation event will be held. Some 50 tickets to the national lacrosse final with Saskatchewan Rush will be purchased for branch members. A retirement information session is also planned.
11. OTHER BUSINESS
Youth Committee Meeting (Bobby)
Bobby discussed regional youth committee meetings to be held. A meeting is planned for Thursday afternoon before Prairie Regional Council.
Review of Broadbent Summit held April 19 & 20, 2018
The Broadbent summit began at the Art Gallery of Alberta on April 19, 2018. The summit was continued at the University of Alberta on April 20, 2018. PRE full time executive members attended. Nancy M reminded attendees to prepare a one page report that summarized executive member opinions about the summit and value to PIPSC union.
Policy on Providing Regional Funds for Isolated Work Sites
A request for funding came from a member in Grande Cache, Alberta. These members do not belong to a branch they are in the Alberta General. A motion was made by Robert for the region to respond in an appropriate manner to member. Seconded by Nancy S. Carried.
TUIF shirts
Nancy M was able to count the TUIF shirts that are held at the PIPSC Edmonton office. The inventory listing will be updated to reflect 87 T – shirts.
100th Anniversary of the Winnipeg Strike
A motion was made by Nancy M for the region to donate $XX to the 100th anniversary events with a request to PIPSC to donate another $XX for a total of $XX. A provision to reconsider the $XX amount if no national support was provided. Seconded by Nancy S. Carried.
PIPSC AGM Delegate Selection
The region will be provided with 21 delegate spots for 2018 PIPSC AGM in Gatineau, Quebec. The breakdown will be:
Northern Manitoba – 1 delegate
Winnipeg and Southern Manitoba – 3 delegates
Saskatoon – 2 delegates
Regina – 1 delegate
Swift Current – 1 delegate
Prince Albert – 1 delegate
Denwood – 1 delegate
North East Alberta – 1 delegate
Edmonton – 2 delegates
Calgary – 2 delegates
Lethbridge – 1 delegate
Suffield – 1 delegate
Lacombe / Red Deer – 1 delegate
North West Territories – 1 delegate
Secretary Treasurer - 1 position spot, for 20 delegates
The extra delegate spot will follow the rotation of Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, Edmonton & Winnipeg. Note -this rotation was corrected after the April 19, 2018 PRE. The four observer spots are to be determined. The rotation for one observer spot for small branches is Denwood, North West Territories & Northern Manitoba.
A motion for the secretary treasurer position to attend the 2018 PIPSC AGM was made by Bobby and seconded by Christine, carried.
A discussion was held on inactive branches plus AGM no shows & last minute cancellations.
Update on Special General Meeting held on March 1, 2018
A special general meeting was held on March 1, 2018 to consider a resolution to remove a National Capital Region (NCR) director. Robert chaired the special meeting. The resolution to remove the director did not pass, the NCR director will remain on the board until his term expires.
PIPSC Board Elections
The request for nominations will be posted at the end of June with the close on July 27. Voting will start in October and end on November 2. The results will be announced at the PIPSC AGM on November 3.
Legacy Foundation
Nancy M discussed the Legacy Foundation. A motion to allow a total of $XX in prizes at the PIPSC AGM was made by Bobby and seconded by Christine, carried. Every region will have draw prizes.
11. NEXT MEETING, JUNE 1, 2018
PRE meeting will be held in Lethbridge, Alberta on July 14, 2018. The training committee meeting will meet on the afternoon of July 13, 2018.
PRE will be responsible to book hotel rooms. Future meetings include October 27, 2018 in Winnipeg and December 1, 2018 in Edmonton. The Winnipeg staff Xmas dinner will be held on October 26. The Edmonton staff Xmas dinner will be held November 30. A training committee meeting is scheduled for the afternoon of November 30.
12. ADJOURNMENT of MEETING
Nancy M moved to adjourn at 5:51 PM. Carried.