The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
Log in

Quebec Regional Executive Meeting - May 4, 2017

EXECUTIVE MEETING

QUEBEC REGIONAL COUNCIL

MAY 4, 2017, 8 A.M.

HÔTEL LE DAUPHIN - DRUMMONDVILLE

1. CALL TO ORDER

- Present: Yvon Brodeur, Réjean Michaud, Robert Tellier, Benoît Pelletier, Steve Parent, Renaud Guiard, Patrick Sioui, Lyne Larocque, Damien Noël, Richard Doyle

- Absent: Christian Tremblay

As Chair, Yvon called the meeting to order after establishing quorum.

2. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Moved by: Steve Parent Seconded by: Benoît Pelletier

  1. READING AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

Moved by: Renaud Guiard Seconded by: Robert Tellier

  1. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 1, 2017 MEETING

13. Establishment of a new Haut-Richelieu Branch:

102 people (currently 82 in Montérégie and 20 in Cowansville).

The Director was asked to send a letter to the Presidents of the Branches concerned.

There was some discussion on what types of things the Region must do and what support is needed from the various stakeholders so that everything goes smoothly.

  1. DIRECTOR’S REPORT

There have been no Executive Committee meetings in the past two months.

Yvon met with Richard Beaulé regarding the information sessions on pensions and insurance, which are to be delivered by Steve and Réjean.

  1. TREASURER’S REPORT

Robert gave an oral report. The written report will be sent by email in the next few weeks. We have received our full annual allowance.

Our bank balance is sufficient to carry out our activities.

The written report will be available for the next meeting.

  1. REGIONAL COUNCIL

We discussed the agenda at the last meeting. Amendment for Saturday morning: Stéphane Aubry will be giving a presentation on Bill C-27 at the beginning of the day.

The By-Law resolutions presentation, and for the 2017 PIPSC AGM, will be moved to Friday afternoon. The reports from the Young Professionals Committee and Status of Women Committee will be given on Saturday morning.

  1. MEETING WITH BRANCH PRESIDENTS AND COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES

June retreat: Renaud asked if we had an agenda or items to add. Communication is difficult and Renaud questioned the need for these meetings because attendance, even at some AGMs (Branches and Sub-Groups), is down.

Robert suggested doing some brainstorming following the presentation of the policy directions by the Regional Director. It might be a good occasion to develop certain projects through some dedicated committees.

Benoit said that we could use the Friday to prepare the June 3 meeting.

He received confirmation from 24 people. Only three Branches will have no one attending.

  1. REGISTRATION FOR THE NOVEMBER AGM

Yvon said that there were 20 spots for the Quebec Region. Out of those 20, 10 will be occupied by members of the current Regional Executive. So there are 10 remaining spots, which are to be offered to the Branch Presidents first. There are currently 19 Branches, minus the 3 inactive ones. Six Branch Presidents currently sit on the Regional Executive, which leaves one seat for each of the remaining Branches (10).

  1. REGIONAL AND NATIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS

Training and Education: Robert and Benoit
In the coming year, two more people will be sent to train as a trainer. A new selection process will be put in place.

February 2018: 2 training blocks available: #1- (2 days – advanced handling of grievances 50/50 + union-management consultation); #2- (3 days - communication / speaking up in your union).

March-April 2018: Basic Steward Training and Tools for Conflict Resolution.

June 2018: OHS, Accident Investigation

October 2018: OHS & Basic Steward Training

November 2018: Steward Training: The Social Approach & OHS (2 days – Prevention and Union Work + 1 day Burnout).

Meeting with Nancy Lamarche: there is an openness to what the Quebec region has been doing in recent years. It has been observed that other unions are working similarly and the model is working.

Damien recalled that he would like to be advised as soon as the dates and number of participants are known so that he can go ahead with the reservations.

Yvon added that the Quebec Region could deliver training to Francophone members in the National Capital Region.

Human Rights: Patrick

Committee Chair Shirley Friesen did not attend the most recent meeting. One of the Committee members replaced her at short notice.

It was requested that each of the Regions submit a resolution regarding the term of office for people on the committees: three years rather than one, in order to allow those serving on the committees to finish what they are doing.

Patrick was asked for the list of human rights training sessions given by the FTQ.

Finance: Benoit

The Olymel case was settled out of court and both parties were satisfied. PIPSC will be spending around 40% of the amount earmarked last year.

Benoît will let us know the names of the charitable organizations the Legacy Foundation supports in Quebec.

IT: Christian Gaboury

No report at the moment. Christian will report to us on a Saturday.

Young Professionals: Denis Caissy

No report at the moment. Denis will report to us on a Saturday.

Status of Women

April7 meeting: Yvon said that a report had been sent to the Board of Directors and is currently being translated.

Official Languages

Yvon informed us that a resolution will be submitted to the Board of Directors so that the AGM is bilingual. It was recommended that the resolution be submitted to the Region beforehand.

By-Laws Committee

Lyne said she was new to the Status of Women Committee and that the next meeting is planned for June.

  1. UPDATES ON FILES BY THEIR LEADS

Branch Liaison

Renaud said that he had not yet received the AGM dates from the various Branches.

Hotel accommodation

Damien informed us that he is waiting for bids. He clarified that one of the things that bothered him after the January Executive meeting was that there was a discussion on hotel accommodation, whereas his planned absence had been announced and they had agreed that the topic would not be discussed in his absence. He would like interface with the hotels to be his exclusive responsibility. If more than one person communicates with the hotels before the contract is signed, things can get complicated. It seems that we have— for at least one of the upcoming activities— a tentative agreement with two different facilities for the same dates. Damien has only confirmed with one hotel for each date.

Benoit said that he would confirm with Damien the number of rooms, participants and specific needs for the activities, including the details on arrivals, dates, etc.

Visibility and mobilization items

Yvon said that he ordered some items for the Region: flags (36 x 54), vinyl banners (3 x 10), black safety vests, armbands and whistles.

Benoit suggested an item to be given to delegates at the next Stewards Council. The contract with Anish Branding expires in October 2017.

Training and Education Committee: Robert said that, for the second time, the meeting was held on a date he was not available. He complained about it to Yvon.

12. STRATEGY COMMITTEE: UPDATE BY THE CURRENT COMMITTEE

Steve and Patrick

Steve said that he sent a new version, dated April 24, 2017, which includes Réjean’s comments. Following the morning discussion, Lyne suggested adding a section on establishing branches.

11. OTHER BUSINESS

Resolutions

  1. Yvon spoke to us about a resolution to transfer the Iqaluit Branch to the National Capital Region. We need to find factual elements to put this initiative in context. Renaud will speak to Isaac Omole about it on the weekend. The discussion ended with an agreement that the Board of Directors should submit this resolution at the AGM.
  2. Order of priority in presenting resolutions (Steve): conclusion that resolutions presented by single individuals be dealt with just before the late resolutions.
  3. One youth seat on the Regional Executive (Young Professionals): although the Executive recognizes the importance of young people in our organization, and the need for new blood, the Regional Executive decided against this resolution to award a de facto seat to a member of the Young Professionals Committee on the Regional Executive.
  4. Reporting on activities outside of PIPSC (Young Professionals): the resolution as drafted would need to be reworked, but the Regional Executive stated its approval with the substance of the resolution.
  5. Email content (Young Professionals: once again, the resolution as drafted would need to be reworked, but the Regional Executive stated its approval with the substance of the resolution.
  6. Robert will email us PIPSC’s new rules of procedure. It is too late this year to propose changes to the Region’s By-Laws. Lyne will check the rules and let us know of the impact they will have on the Region’s By-Laws, as well as on the other constituent bodies in the Quebec Region.
  7. At the request of the Human Rights Committee, Patrick brought up the issue again of submitting a resolution concerning the term of office of committee members: three years rather than one, in order to allow those serving to complete what they are doing. The Executive was against the resolution; we prefer to renew the members’ terms on a yearly basis.

14. ROUND TABLE

Réjean: He informed us of the Quebec City Branch events to be held in the next few months.

Richard: He pointed out that the failures of the Phoenix system are creating problems in attracting and retaining employees in his department. He expects to organize his AGM for September.

Steve: He will be participating in an AFS Group bargaining session for the umpteenth time. The employer’s current salary offer is unsatisfactory.

Patrick: He organized a coffee break to raise visibility and talk about the AFS negotiations. He held his AGM in February 2017 and about 80 members attended.

Benoît: As President of his AFS Sub-Group, he will be holding his Branch AGM on May23 in Rimouski.

Damien: As President of his AV Sub-Group, he held his Sub-Group AGM recently and it went well. He told us about a questionable message received from some AV senior officials. The information suggests that his Sub-Group is having management problems, which is not true. Damien asked for an official retraction from the instigators of the initial message, respecting the unanimous mandate he was entrusted with at his Sub-Group’s AGM. He still has not received anything.

Lyne: She reiterated her interest and availability to co-chair the National AGM in November. However, she asked for quick confirmation, as well as the documents specifically required to do the job.

Yvon: He will be meeting with the new Diversity Committee this evening. The case involving isolated posts on the Gaspé Peninsula has still not been arbitrated. Last year’s motion to allocate the Better Together fund by region will have to be reintroduced.

15. NEXT MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT

The next meeting will take place on Friday, June2 in Orford (Estrimont), the day before the retreat with the Branch Presidents and committee representatives.

The meeting was adjourned.

Moved by: Benoît

Seconded by: Lyne