MEETING PRAIRIE/NORTHWEST TERRITORIES REGIONAL EXECUTIVE (“PRE”) MEETING
HELD AT Delta Hotel, Winnipeg, Manitoba START TIME 9:00 AM END TIME 5:00 PM DATE October 21, 2017
PERSONS PRESENT
Nancy McCune, Regional Director
Sharon Losinski, Regional Vice-Chair and Edmonton Branch Representative
Stuart Kidd, Secretary-Treasurer
Bonnie Pratt, Calgary Branch representative
Bobby Eiswirth, Regina Branch Representative
Kieth Laing, Small Branch Representative (arrived at 10:30 AM)
Brent Maine, Winnipeg and Southern Manitoba Branch Representative
Nancy Shalay, Small Branch Representative
Robert Trudeau, Saskatoon Branch Representative
CALL TO ORDER
Nancy McCune called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM.
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Approval of Amended Agenda. Agenda amended by adding Manitoba Federation of Labour to Other Business by Brent Maine and Steward mentoring to Other Business by Bonnie Pratt. Motion to approve moved by Nancy Shalay, second by Robert, carried. Sharon will maintain speakers list for meeting.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM July 8, 2017
2.1 Approval of amended minutes – July 8, 2017. The minutes were amended by substitution of the day Saturday, September 30, 2017 for Friday, September 29, 2017 for item 8 – motion to have hospitality suite open. Moved by Sharon, seconded by Bonnie, carried.
2.2 Business arising from minutes – none raised.
3. DIRECTOR’S BOARD REPORT FOR October 2017 - SUBMITTED BY NANCY MCCUNE
Directors Report to the Regional Executive in October 2017
Nancy McCune discussed a number of issues at Board of Directors meeting. These included:
Board elections in 2018, Phoenix pay issue, Bill C-27 or targeted benefit pension plans, PIPSC golf tournament ending in 2017 plus board governance. Nancy M mentioned that the PIPSC national building remains leased only to national PIPSC and the NCR Regional Office. The majority of building is empty. PIPSC is actively trying to lease the space and with the light rail transit system to be completed in 2018 the building may be more attractive to potential tenants.
Liberation of stewards was discussed at the board level. The e-store will continue to sell merchandise until the inventory is gone. Constituent bodies of PIPSC will be able to contribute to the Legacy Fund up to $XXX per calendar year. However the annual allotment will not be affected by such donations. PIPSC board of directors raised concerns about the amount of time that Employee Relations Officers (ERO) are spending on Phoenix issues. The issue of salary replacement for Better Together events in remote areas was raised. A business case will be required for salary replacement. The training model amendment was discussed along with proposal to change to three levels of stewards in the PIPSC union. A request made by MAGE to be affiliated with the Manitoba Federation of Labour, The request was approved.
4. REGIONAL FINANCIAL REPORT
Stuart Kidd presented the Prairie & NWT region financial statements for the period January 1, 2017 to October 15, 2017. The report detailed revenues of $XXX and expenses of $XXX. The beginning bank balance of January 1, 2017 was $XXX with a bank balance of $XXX at October 15, 2017. Stuart presented a summary of promotional items purchased for the Prairie & NWT 2017 Regional Council and 2017 Steward Council. The inventory numbers remaining were provided by Robert. The summary also mention the shipping costs paid by the region. A listing of the region inventory as of October 15, 2017 was presented to the executive. Brent mentioned that the HP computer held by the secretary Treasurer also be listed. Sharon stated that the number of TUIF t-shirts in Edmonton office is XX of various sizes. There are X small pad folios in the Edmonton office. Nancy M corrected the number of chargers and cloth wipes in her possession.
Stuart noted that the $XXX raised at the 2017 Regional and Steward Councils. Some $XXX was still not disbursed to Saskatoon food bank. The payment will be made later in the fall when a local company will match contributions dollar for dollar.
Motion to accept financial report by Stuart, seconded by Nancy S, carried.
5. REGIONAL TRAINING REPORT
Kieth Laing presented his report. He included the three year plan to establish three levels of stewards in the PIPSC union. A communications steward would be at entry level with basic training course. An intermediate steward would attend advance training. The advanced steward would deal first and second levels grievances and other representation. Kieth noted that in many groups of PIPSC the steward deal not deal with first and second level grievances but transfers to the ERO. A grievance tracking system is proposed for PIPSC. Nancy M remarked that basic steward training is taking place in the same time as our executive meeting and t-shirts will be distributed to participants.
6. PIPSC AGM 2017
Resolutions
Nancy M mentioned that the AGM resolutions are posted on the PIPSC website. A large number of resolutions (included 42 bylaw amendments) are listed. The Atlantic Region is proposing that PIPSC have two full time vice presidents. The amendment would eliminate the two part time vice president positions. Individual members are proposing the majority of bylaw amendments. The board is not proposing a dues increase.
Nancy M ordered region flags to be present at AGM tables.
Legacy Fund
Nancy M discussed the Legacy Cup at the PIPSC AGM in November 2017. Nancy M also requested that one of the two regional banners to available at the AGM for the regional table. Stuart will bring banner... Hoodies and t-shirts were mentioned as prizes. Motion to purchase a fit bit watch and Bose ear phones was made by Kieth, seconded by Sharon, carried.
PRE discussion of eligibility rules for Legacy Fund scholarships took place. A change was proposed for Nancy M to take to the next board meeting. Motion to consider a change in Legacy Fund guidelines to include nieces and nephews in scholarships made by Kieth, seconded by Bobby, carried.
7. STEWARD COUNCIL 2017, EDMONTON, SEPTEMBER 29 & 30, CHATEAU LACOMBE
Feedback about Event
Hospitality suite was open on Friday, September 29, 2017. A new steward mentioned that most people in the suite were watching a sports event and then left. Need to make an effort so new stewards feel welcome. Nancy M discussed side bar talking at tables during council presentations. The side bar talking continued after numerous requests to stop. The idea of random seating for each of the two sessions of Steward Council was raised. The seating plan would encourage stewards from different groups to meet each other.
Travel Schedule
Nancy M reminded the PRE that PIPSC policy dictated whether or not a steward was able to stay Thursday night before the council. Nancy M and PIPSC staff reviewed air flights to see if a particular registered steward could arrive in Edmonton in sufficient time for 2:00 PM start. Any determination of whether to grant approval to other stewards requesting a Thursday night stay would be made by regional director and finance.
Steward Awards
Grace Chychul will be retiring in 2018. Presentation was made to Grace on Friday of Steward Council. Motion to approve gift card to present to Sarb Lail, winner of the steward nomination prize - made by Bonnie, seconded by Stuart, carried. Motion to pay $XX for engraving Ogio carry-on bags for PIPSC staff made by Robert, seconded by Kieth, carried.
Hoodies
The hoodies were well received by stewards. Some issues with fitting existed. Robert reminded PRE that additional orders of hoodies were available for branches with a minimum order of 12. Canada 150 t-shirts also required a minimum order of 12.
8. REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018, EDMONTON, MATRIX HOTEL, JUNE 1 & 2
Suggestions for Friday Afternoon of June 1, 2018
One suggestion for June 1, 2018 was a speech by Gil McGowan of the Alberta Federation of Labour.
Friday Evening Event?
A discussion on whether to hold a dinner or other event on Friday evening took place. Edmonton may be holding a film festival for Saturday night.
9. ROUND TABLE
Bobby discussed Regina branch events. A face book page for the Prairie & NWT region is now running. Bobby and Kieth have edit and delete capabilities. Regina branch participated in local Labour Day event by hosting a booth. A Christmas children’s party is scheduled.
Bonnie sent out a Calgary branch report prior to Winnipeg meeting. The report detailed proposed events for river clean-up event in August, plus a bowling event in September. Other events include an October 24, 2017 lunch & learn workshop at Calgary Public Library plus a seasonal social in December. Calgary Branch paid for (and was reimbursed by PIPSC) for children’s games at Calgary and District Labour Day event.
Brent discussed Winnipeg & Southern Manitoba branch events. A retirement session was held with speaker for Royal Bank. The issue of travel expense reimbursement to allow out of Winnipeg members to attend the annual ASGM was raised. An open house will be held for Winnipeg branch members in December. Brent raised concerns about the approval of steward renewal by PIPSC.
Nancy S discussed Denwood branch events. A lunch & learn is planned to inform members of the targeted benefit pension bill C-27. A Christmas social is also planned.
Edmonton branch is planning a lunch & learn in the downtown area. Sharon noted that 16 TUIF t-shirts were provided to new stewards at basic training held September 28 to 30, 2017 at the Edmonton Delta hotel. A bowling night is planned for stewards. Sharon also mentioned the idea of gift cards, but noted that PIPSC policy does not permit cashable cards.
Prince Albert branch has concerns about the leave policy for stewards on union business. Kieth mentioned a volunteer site for members considering to help in their communities.
Saskatoon branch participated in Labour Day event. Robert mentioned the branch AGM will be held in late October. Robert also discussed a welcome letter to be given to new employees.
Nancy M discussed the volunteers for national PIPSC committees. The deadline to apply is November 17, 2017. Ernie McLean requested that he be contacted before members ask PIPSC staff for assistance in branch or group activities. Nancy also discussed the Retirement Planning Institute courses been held across the country. The cost is $XXX per person, however a lunch & learn could be arranged when the speaker is in your area. The cost would be paid by the branch.
10. OTHER BUSINESS
Regional Youth Committee
Bobby discussed regional youth committee meeting held September 29, 2017. The issues included why young union members are not involved in PIPSC activities. Bobby stressed need to engage youth, forums to raise youth issues and a point of contact for young members. One question raised was - is it better to use face to face engagement or conduct a survey?
Bobby stated that four yearly youth committee meetings are planned. Meetings are planned for the Prairie & NWT Regional Council, Steward Council and national AGM with one further meeting to be determined.
PRC Minutes
A discussion was held concerning PRC minutes. A motion was made by Kieth to continue procedure for recording votes, but not to contain names unless member makes a motion. Members are able to ask that their name be recorded. Seconded by Bonnie, carried.
Update on Motion presented at 2017 PRC
Bobby provided the committee update. A survey was conducted and results will be made available to PRE. Committee will issue report to branch presidents with resolution at 2018 PRC.
CLC Affiliation at Provincial Level
Discussion held about participation in provincial federations of labour and local labour councils. Nancy M mentioned that PIPSC is only a member of CLC at a national level.
Regional Chief Shop Steward
Bonnie prepared a paper before meeting and sent to PRE members. National Capital region elects a chief steward at their Steward Council.
Also Bonnie raised issue of steward mentoring program for PIPSC.
11. NEXT MEETING ON DECEMBER 9, 2017 1, 2017 @ MATRIX HOTEL, EDMONTON, ALBERTA
The training committee will meet the afternoon of December 8 in the PIPSC office.
PRE responsible to book hotel rooms.
Staff appreciation dinner will be scheduled for December 8 in Edmonton.
12. ADJOURNMENT of MEETING
Nancy M moved to adjourn at 5:05 PM. Carried.