MEETING PRAIRIE/NORTHWEST TERRITORIES REGIONAL EXECUTIVE (“PRE”) MEETING
HELD AT Explorer Hotel, Yellowknife, NWT START TIME 9:00 AM END TIME 5:00 PM DATE July 8, 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)
Jay Krishnan, Acting 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 - motion to approve moved by Bonnie, second by Sharon, carried. Sharon will maintain speakers list for meeting.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM APRIL 8, 2017 & JUNE 1, 2017
2.1 Approval of minutes – April 8, 2017. Moved by Sharon, seconded by Jay, carried. Approval of minutes - June 1, 2017. Correction as Jay Krishnan was not present at June 1, 2017 special meeting. Motion to approve - moved by Robert, second by Bobby, carried
2.2 Business arising from minutes – none raised.
3. DIRECTOR’S BOARD REPORT FOR JULY 2017 - SUBMITTED BY NANCY MCCUNE
Directors Report to the Regional Executive in July 2017
BOD Meeting on March 11. 2017 and Tele-Conference Meeting on April 25, 2017 are sent in separate file.
4. REGIONAL FINANCIAL REPORT
Stuart Kidd presented the Prairie & NWT region financial statements for the period January 1, 2017 to June 30, 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 June 30, 2017. Stuart raised issue of hospitality expenses at 2017 Labour School in Winnipeg. Bobby and Robert expensed funds with Robert reimbursed by region. The region and Bobby filed an expense claims with PIPSC. Policy on reimbursement hospitality needs some clarification. The regional inventory was adjusted to actual count. The number of TUIF t-shirts in Edmonton office needs to be determined.
Stuart noted that the $XX raised at the 2017 regional council was still not disbursed to Saskatoon food bank. The payment will be made later in the fall. The PIPSC Rally bag was moved to Calgary in May 2017.
Motion to accept financial report by Stuart, seconded by Nancy S., carried.
5. REGIONAL TRAINING REPORT
The issue of liberated stewards (where the employer picks up salary for full time PIPSC steward) was raised. A proposal that different levels of stewards was discussed. A communications steward would be at entry level with basic training course. An intermediate steward would attend advance training with the advanced steward dealing with grievances and other representation. The difference between an intermediate and advanced steward would be one of experience in representing members. All PIPSC stewards would have protection from management actions. Nancy M remarked that basic steward training planned for the region in the fall, was now full. A member engagement survey was conducted and results are to be released. A discussion was held regarding on-line training versus in house training. Robert pointed out that in house training was part of the ERO employment contract.
6. PIPSC AGM 2017
Delegates & Observers
The number of Prairie & NWT delegates is 21. The number of Prairie & NWT observers is 4. Swift Current branch may not be represented. Using the process from the special meeting on June 1, 2017 the spot will be offered to Lacombe –Red deer branch, then Prince Albert.
Youth Delegates
Branch presidents submitted names of members (with a short business case) to support their applications for the region’s 6 youth delegates. Nancy M will be contacting the successful candidates by the AGM registration deadline of July 31, 2017. The 6 observers will be paid by National PIPSC office.
Legacy Fund
Nancy McCune discussed the Legacy Cup at the PIPSC AGM in November 2017. A discussion of who should contribute to Legacy Cup was held. A number of executive members mentioned their contributions made from the daily rate amount per travel claims.
7. DISCUSSION of REGIONAL COUNCIL 2017, SASKATOON, JUNE 2 & 3
Summary of Regional Council
A discussion of the June 2 & 3 Prairie Regional Council was held. Positive feedback was received on Friday evening race track. A discussion of committee formed to review selection of Prairie & NWT executive members was held. Bobby mentioned that the committee was leaning towards retaining present model of 5 large branch presidents plus two small branch presidents for seven of the nine positions. The regional director and secretary treasurer (elected at even numbered regional councils) are the other two executives. Committee report will be available at 2018 PRC in Edmonton.
Policy of Changing Observers to Delegates
The process of upgrading observers to delegates at regional councils was debated. Presently observers from the host city are normally given delegate status after registration count.
Delegate Response to Promo Items
The response of PRC delegates was good. The promo items were a carry-on luggage bag plus Canada 150 t-shirts.
8. STEWARD COUNCIL 2017, EDMONTON, SEPTEMBER 29 & 30, CHATEAU LACOMBE
Update on Friday Night Events
Hospitality suite will be open on Friday, September 29, 2017. Dinner will be on the per diem basis.
Motion to have hospitality suite open on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Motion made by Robert, seconded by Kieth, carried.
Update on Program for Council
Program will include discussion of PIPSC Advisory Council plus café training (topics selected by regional ERO staff). Kieth will arrange a speaker on the topic of mental health in the workplace (proposed speaker from United Way).
Edmonton branch decided on Canadian Mental Health – Edmonton chapter as charity for Steward Council. Motion to provide raffle prizes of $XX to support fund raising made by Nancy M, seconded by Kieth, carried. The prizes will be a blue tooth speaker and noise cancellation ear plugs. Suggestion of Google Chrome tablet raised. Receipts will be made available if winner decides to exchange for another item.
Retirement of Grace Chychul
Grace Chychul will be retiring in 2018, but leaving earlier. Presentation to be made to Grace on Friday of Steward Council. Kieth will arrange for pictures of retirement presentation.
Promo Item & Other
The promotional item will be charcoal grey hoody (bunny hug) with regional logo. Stewards attending council will need to indicate size on registration application sent to PIPSC Edmonton office.
Nancy M noted that stewards from Regina will require a Thursday night stay due to timing of September 29 morning flights to Edmonton. The determination of whether to grant approval to other stewards requesting a Thursday night stay will be made by regional director. The decision will be based on the ability to arrive in Edmonton in sufficient time for 2:00 PM start of Steward Council.
9. REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018, EDMONTON, MATRIX HOTEL, JUNE 1 & 2
The 2018 Prairie & NWT Regional Council will take place June 1 & 2, 2018 at the Matrix Hotel in Edmonton.
10. ROUND TABLE
Calgary branch president sent out a report prior to Yellowknife meeting. The report detailed proposed events for river clean-up event in August, plus a bowling event in September. Other events include an October 2017 lunch & learn workshop at Calgary Public Library plus a seasonal social in December. An event for Labour Day is tentative.
Winnipeg & Southern Manitoba branch held a BBQ for National Public Service week in June. The turnout was about 400 members. Winnipeg branch will be holding a steward appreciation event at the Royal Canadian mint. A family event at the Winnipeg Zoo saw 66 members and 83 children attend. A retirement planning session will be held with a Royal bank representative. Jay also mentioned the travel policy allows for branch members outside of Winnipeg to apply for reimbursement to branch for reasonable travel expenses.
Prince Albert branch held their AGM plus a better together BBQ. Kieth discussed a Prairie & NWT region face book page to post pictures of events. Kieth and Bobby will be the administrators of page to allow for posting and deletion.
Saskatoon branch held a grill & chill event with proceeds to Saskatoon food bank. Robert also mentioned the branch executive is planning other events based on available budget funds.
Bobby discussed Regina branch events. The Gay Pride parade was held in June with Regina branch members attending with the region’s human rights flag. Regina branch also held a baseball event (Regina Red Sox) in June. The branch is planning a Labour Day booth with the subject of national pharm care program.
Sharon mentioned the handout of 20 TUIF t-shirts to new stewards at basic training in Edmonton. The resolution concerning retired members and their involvement in group activities was not pursued at 2017 PRC.
Nancy S stated that the Denwood branch is planning a lunch & learn on Bill C-27 or targeted pension plans.
11. OTHER BUSINESS
Discussion of Regional Executive Training held before Saskatoon 2017 PRC
Discussion of regional executive training on June 1 & 2, 2017 was held. A number of training attendees mentioned the day and half timing as too long, however comments were positive as to presentations.
Regional Youth Committee
A discussion of regional youth committee was held. The national board approved 6 youth observers from each region (a total of 36 observers) for 2017 PIPSC AGM.
Discussion of member engagement on July 6 and July 7
A social night was held in Yellowknife on July 6 plus a lunch & learn at noon on July 7. The PRE thanked Robert for his presentation on performance management at the lunch & learn. Turnout of Yellowknife members was satisfactory given summer events. The discussion of a family event in future PRE meetings in small branch areas was held.
National Finance Committee
Sharon discussed the national finance committee meetings. Our three pension plans operate under Ontario pension legislation. An actuarial report is required every three years to assess the sustainability of the plans. If the actuary recommends additional contributions from the employer to maintain the integrity of the pension plan, then PIPSC will be legally required to make additional contributions.
The change in fiscal year to June 30, 2017 is being implemented.
A policy course for union executives is needed. Bonnie pointed out how the change from 5 branch meetings to 6 branch meetings was not communicated through-out the organization.
Sharon mentioned Phoenix pay issues are impacting the payment to PIPSC of union dues withheld from our members. The previous outstanding amount of some $XXX earlier in the year is now far lower.
Motions to pay Invoices
Motion was made in item 8 above too pay for raffle prizes at 2017 Steward Council. Motion to pay for July 6 social night and July 7 lunch & learn was made by Stuart, seconded by Kieth, carried.
12. NEXT MEETING ON OCTOBER 21, 2017 @ DELTA HOTEL, WINNIPEG, MANITOBA
Next Meeting
December 9, 2017 in Edmonton – Matrix Hotel
The training committee will meet the afternoon of December 8 in the PIPSC office.
Nancy reminded PRE members to book hotel rooms for Winnipeg and Edmonton meetings.
Staff appreciation dinners will be scheduled for October 20 in Winnipeg and December 8 in Edmonton.
12. ADJOURNMENT of MEETING
A motion to adjourn by Nancy M at 5:00 PM was carried.