AGM Celebrates 100th Anniversary at Gala Evening
On Friday evening, AGM delegates and guests celebrated the Institute’s 100th Anniversary at a exuberant event with stimulating entertainment and unique flavours that represented Canada’s diverse culinary experiences.
Institute Presidents: Steve Hindle (1996-2004); Debi Daviau (2014-2021); Bert Crossman (1994-1995); Gary Corbett (2009-2013)
AGM delegates took advantage of the opportunity to discuss in detail the proposed budget and audited financial statements in a special financial information forum hosted by Finance Chair Chris Roach, and ably assisted by Dennis Britt, Director of Finance and Corporate Services, and Didier Paultre, Manager of Finance.
Aviva Traders representative Peter Tsirigoti presented a generous cheque to the Professional Institute Legacy Foundation. Debi Daviau, who chairs the Legacy Foundation, accepted the cheque with gratitude on behalf of the students who will benefit from Legacy Foundation scholarships.
Aviva Traders is the marquee sponsor of the Professional Institute Legacy Foundation.
Aviva Traders donates $10 to the Legacy Foundation for every insurance quote they provide up to a total of $7,500.
In honour of the Institute’s 100th anniversary, Aviva Traders are increasing their total donation to the Legacy Foundation by $2,500 to a maximum of $10,000.
ServicePlus
During lunch and health breaks, members benefited from the presence of our ServicePlus partners to learn about products and services available to them at advantageous rates. Visitors to the various booths also qualified for prizes which were provided by the exhibitors.
Congratulations to the winners of the ServicePlus draws and thank you to our partners for the prizes they contributed.
ServicePlus, is the Professional Institute's member benefits program where you can take advantage of preferential rates and savings on lifestyle protection, financial and consumer products and services.
President Daviau shared with the delegates a short video about the making of the 100th Anniversary mural.
In celebrating its 100th anniversary, the Institute invited Ottawa artist Ryan Smeeton to create a special mural to honour its rich history.
Over the course of a month, Ryan Smeeton worked to paint 100 years of progress.
In the video, the artist captured the importance of PIPSC members’ work and the spirit of the Institute’s purpose – building community to act collectively to improve its members’ lives.
Smeeton turned a grey wall into a work of art. Windows in the newly renovated conference centre at the Institute’s National Office will overlook the mural, providing a colourful reminder of our 100-year journey.
The Institute is thankful to its neighbours at Dustbane for their support for this project and their permission to use one of their walls for this mural.
As this year’s AGM marks the kick-off of our 100th anniversary celebrations, there will be many projects and events coming up to celebrate our past and future success.
Director Robert MacDonald reported on the work of the Task Force on Professionals Canada since the last AGM.
The 2018 AGM had deferred the decision on Professionals Canada until further consultations could take place. A Task Force of peers was nominated by the Advisory Council and the Board to review 90 documents associated with the proposal and discuss 158 questions and comments generated by the members of the Board and the Advisory Council. All 158 questions and comments have been answered or addressed. The Task Force has reported the results of its review and assessment to the Professionals Canada Steering Committee, Advisory Council and Board of Directors.
Member engagement and consultation resulted in an improved outcome. For example, as a result of the questions and comments regarding support of other labour organizations for the concept, the Canadian Labour Congress was approached. CLC President Hassan Yussuff issued an official letter to express the broader labour movement’s support of the proposal. He wrote:
“Professionals Canada is a great opportunity for Canada’s labour force and it compliments, but does not replace, our traditional representation model. I encourage you to fully support PIPSC in its efforts to establish this vital new element in the fight for fairness for all Canadian workers.”
In the report to the 100th AGM, the Task Force has identified no objection to the proposal.
The delegates to the 100th AGM will consider the following resolution:
Whereas PIPSC must protect itself from incessant attacks from right wing governments including any attack on the Rand Formula; and
Whereas a growing number of professionals in non-unionized private sector positions are facing precarious and harsh working conditions; and
Whereas PIPSC must continue to use every available means to combat the misuse of contracting out which has severely impacted our CS members and is increasingly threatening all professionals represented by the Institute; and
Whereas reaching out to non-unionized private sector professionals will benefit PIPSC by creating a new potential member base and by making us the leading voice for professionals in Canada; and
Whereas building communities of professionals to act collectively to improve our members’ lives is our highest purpose as a union that believes we are “better together”;
Be it resolved that the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada carry on its 100-year tradition of protecting and enhancing the rights of professional workers through the establishment of Professionals Canada, while reaffirming its commitment to combating the abuse of contracting out.
Be it further resolved that Professionals Canada be implemented in accordance with the plan and materials presented to the 2019 AGM.
Therefore be it resolved that the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada carry on its 100-year tradition of protecting and enhancing the rights of professional workers through the establishment of Professionals Canada.
Members can be proud of what PIPSC has accomplished over the past year.
Members can also be proud of what they do every day for Canadians. Others deserve to know and celebrate what PIPSC members do.
For that reason, PIPSC published the third issue of its publication, Better Together, which showcases our members, the variety of the work they do, and the value they bring to Canadians.
We plan to give copies to our Members of Parliament as part of our lobbying strategy.
In addition, we also produced a set of accompanying videos.
Throughout the AGM, delegates viewed these video interviews with members.
The videos will be shared with members via links in upcoming issues of our monthly e-newsletter.
Watch for these in your email box.
The Opening of the 100th AGM of the Professional Institute
On Friday, November 8, 2019, AGM Chair Sean O’Reilly called the 100th Annual General Meeting to order with a warm welcome to the more than 650 delegates.
Julie Gagnon, AGM Coordinator and Recording Secretary, Sean O’Reilly, AGM Chair, and Stéphanie Fréchette, Parliamentarian
The assembly observed a moment of silence to honour members who had passed away since the previous AGM. Pursuant to a resolution at the 2014 AGM, delegates proudly stood at attention for the Canadian National Anthem.
As delegates prepared for business, the Chair reviewed the rules of procedure and the new Code of Respect and led the delegates through the initial items on the agenda, including the disposition of the 2018 AGM resolutions.
Members not attending the Annual General Meeting are able to view live broadcasts of key AGM events such as President Debi Daviau’s address to the delegates, and keynote speakers, Dr. David Coletto, CEO, Abacus Data, and Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.
These AGM high points will also be recorded and available on the pipsc.ca site for later viewing by members. Links to these broadcasts will be available on our Home page at www.pipsc.ca under News or on the AGM page at https://www.pipsc.ca/about/governance/agm/2019.
CLC President congratulates PIPSC on 100 years of Leading Progress
Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), congratulated PIPSC on 100 years of leading progress.
Although he acknowledged that many Canadians take the public service for granted, he greatly appreciates the equality of service that PIPSC members provide – they provide the same excellent level of service to all Canadians.
He thanked PIPSC members for the world-class public service they provide.
Hassan Yussuff recognized Debi’s significant contributions on the CLC council that represents 3.3 million workers.
Mr. Yussuff commended the hard work and persistence of unions that put an end to Bill C-37. Unions will continue to be vigilant in protecting the rights of workers.
Hassan expressed hope that the minority government results from the recent federal may offer opportunities for unions to make progress on the issues that matter most. One of those issues is that fact that 3.5 million Canadians can’t afford the medication they need. That’s why the CLC appreciates that PIPSC has added its voice to the call for a universal prescription drug plan for all Canadians.
Determined to build a better world for future generations, the CLC is also committed to the fight against climate change and to ensuring a just and fair transition for the workers and communities affected by the evolution to a green economy.
Hassan addressed the fundamental changes in the nature of work in the country. Our current organizing model is not working for the current labour situation. That is why Hassan applauds the Institute’s Professionals Canada initiative.
He also praised the Institute’s hard work at the bargaining table that led to time off for victims of domestic violence. Pay equity is another issue the CLC wants to make progress on.
Hassan expressed gratitude for Greg Scriver’s invaluable contributions to making the first Aboriginal Lobby Day a reality.
Working together, unions have made progress but there is much work to be done, and PIPSC is an essential partner with the CLC.
Abacus Data CEO Dr. David Coletto presented PIPSC Member Survey Results
Dr. David Coletto, Chief Executive Officer of Abacus Data, a Canadian polling and market research firm based in Ottawa, gave the delegates a brief update on the topline results of the survey of PIPSC members conducted in August 2019 and compared these results with previous member surveys.
The August 2019 survey reveals there has been a significant increase in the number of fully satisfied members over the past three surveys, going from 70% in 2016 to 81% in 2019.
There was also a significant increase in members' approval of the union leadership's views from 62% in 2016 to 78% in 2019.
On the dues front, the number of members "very likely" to pay dues even if they didn't have to has increased by 5% to 33%. Another third of the members say they're "likely" to pay their dues voluntarily.
The PIPSC brand has many positive attributes. There's a strong consensus that PIPSC is fair and approachable, protects member interests, is effective and helps people.
There are areas for improvement. A majority of younger members say they don't see people like themselves in the union. While this has not decreased those members' general satisfaction with PIPSC, it tends to make those members less likely to want to pay their dues voluntarily. We can win greater support from the less-involved members by adjusting the tone of our communications to their preferences and creating more welcoming onboarding and engagement opportunities for them.
The survey tested 12 workplace issues. Pensions are the top issue for virtually all our members, regardless of age. After that, other pocketbook issues topped the list.
There are strong correlations between members’ likelihood to be willing to pay their dues voluntarily and high satisfaction with PIPSC and positive impressions of the union. However, the strongest correlation for paying dues is members’ perceived value of dues. The strongest drivers of this perception are members’ beliefs that elements of their job such as work benefits, salaries, job security and retirement finances would be worse without PIPSC.
The Institute is most successful if we can convince our members that their union is a community that acts collectively to make their lives better. The Institute’s recent successes on Phoenix replacement and compensation, collective bargaining and Employee Wellness Support Program are strong foundations for making such an argument with great credibility.