Toronto ECCC Branch & Toronto ECCC SP Sub-Group Executive Meeting Minutes Q1 2026

January 12, 2026

PIPSC Toronto ECCC Branch Executive and PIPSC SP ECCC Toronto Sub-Group Executive Virtual Meeting

Attendees

Agenda

Acceptance of the Agenda            
Review of previous Minutes
Review Action Items
Business of the Day
Introductions
Overview of PIPSC and our role
Overview of resources – Loop page, teams chat, meeting invites
Discussion of meeting scheduling
Report from PIPSC National AGM
AGM delegate reduced from 1 for every 200 members to 1 in every 300 members
No virtual AGM
Updates to by-law language
No dues increase
Percentage dues referred to Finance Committee
Increase to base strike pay
Directive to provide member personal email addresses to constituent bodies
Increase in constituent body allocations
No carbon credits
Feedback on SP Sub-group AGM
Selection of Branch VP
Lunch and Learn planning
Retirement seminar
WFA session – Feb 3
WFA Strategy
Roundtable
Next Meeting
Adjournment

Minutes

Review of last action items: Items addressed

Business of the day:

Key Decisions

Agenda Acceptance: The Agenda was approved with minor adjustments (some introductory items for new members deferred to future meetings, as most attendees were experienced).

Meeting Schedule: The existing schedule (monthly, typically Mondays 12:30–1:30 or Fridays 11:30–12:30 during lunch, with occasional in-person adjustments) remains unchanged—no concerns raised.

Branch Vice President Selection: Diane Pendlebury was selected to take over as Branch Vice President from Bill Sukloff. (Bill has held the role for a while and supported the transition; the role involves supporting the President, occasionally taking meeting notes, event help, and attending LMCC meetings as a steward).

PIPSC National AGM Report (December 2025): Key outcomes:
AGM delegate representation reduced from ~1 per 200 members to 1 per 300 members (proposal to cut to 1 per 400 failed; no virtual AGM every third year).
No dues increase; one proposal for inflation-indexed dues defeated; another for percentage-of-salary dues referred to Finance Committee.
Base strike pays increased to just under $XXX/day (monthly dues amount; PIPSC often augments in practice, as seen in past strikes).
Constituent bodies (e.g., branches/subgroups) to receive member personal email addresses (directive passed; addresses past delays via national office/translation).
Increase in base funding allocations to constituent bodies (helps smaller groups; larger ones like Toronto also benefit modestly).
Carbon credits resolution (to offset travel emissions) not approved.
Feedback: Networking opportunities praised (Bill Sukloff); better code of conduct suggested (Grant Jensen).

SP Subgroup AGM Feedback: Generally positive; Katie did an excellent job presenting (Megan Hartwell). Lots of food noted (light comment).

Lunch and Learn Planning:
Retirement seminar: Another session planned for late February into March (Stoyka to confirm/check dates/availability).

Workforce Adjustment (WFA) session: Scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, 2026 (room booked); Andrea to lead if needed or invite ERO (Employment Relations Officer). Emphasis on process, individual rights, and adding mental health/EAP supports given the stress (Michael Schindelheim highlighted personal experiences and realities like competition among colleagues, soul-crushing aspects, and need for realistic preparation/support).

WFA Strategy: Use the steward/executive Teams chat to share general information/questions (no names for confidentiality). No designated “lead steward”—let members approach whoever they trust; escalate if needed. Keep one consistent face for members in crisis where possible (Megan Hartwell). Share responses/learnings in chat to build collective knowledge.

Roundtable:

No major issues raised (quiet period noted, possibly post-holidays).
Resources emphasized: Use Microsoft Loop page for notes/agendas/budgets, Teams chats for communication.
Overall tone: Informative, collaborative, focused on upcoming WFA challenges and supporting members.

Tasks

February 13, 2026

Virtual meeting on PIPSC Toronto ECCC Branch Executive and PIPSC SP ECCC Toronto Sub-Group Executive Meeting

Attendees

Agenda

Acceptance of the Agenda            
Review of Previous Minutes
Review action items
Business of the day
• WFA Updates and Discussion
• Feedback on WFA lunch and learn
• Retirement training session
• Updates from branch presidents meeting
• Ontario Regional Council
• Constituent Body Exec Training
• SP Group AGM
SP Bargaining Conference
Roundtable
Next Meeting
Adjournment

Minutes

Review of last Action Items: approved

Business of the Day:

WFA:
• Bill is on the Committee. Questions can go to Committee (for systemic issues that impact multiple people; individuals should contact stewards for 1-on-1 support).
• If discontinuance of function, no SERLO. SERLO depends on situations. If you encounter anyone with no reason for discontinuance of function, direct them to a steward. Should also be able to ask how many people are expected to be reduced for those listed as ‘lack of work’.
• Some people who received letters may need encouragement to speak to a union member.
• Please let Andrea know if you know a PSAC union member that employees could approach.
• Union has some online webinars about various aspects of WFA.
 
L&L WFA feedback (Feb 3):
• Good attendance, went well, lots of food that got eaten. Presentation well done.
• Some attendees felt the presenter was unsure of some answers; she is relatively new and there’s lots of specifics that she wouldn’t be expected to know; suggest anyone not getting the info they need reach out to a steward.
Can the acoustics be better for people to hear at the back? Auditorium is better but cannot eat; attending online could be an alternative.
Retirement training session:
• Mar 5 reserved, 6-8pm. Stoyka will get more info closer to the date (e.g., presentation).
• Last time we had a form that we cut off at 50 people and <30 showed; suggest cut off higher. Would be nice to prioritize people who are being affected but don’t want to ask. Could add to form a note where one could include anything of note.
• Must check zoom account is working and send out invitations (Andrea, Michael). $560 to split between branch and subgroup (no objections)
No relation to WFA. Stoyka can ask if the company has any Q&A on WFA etc.
Updates from Branch Presidents meeting Jan 21 (notes in Loop page on Presidents meeting)
• Personal email addresses for president/sub is with legal as to how to use the list. Note Branch/SP Subgroup should be getting a list but we prefer to use work email addresses since events are at the office.
• ON reg exec in Hamilton tonight
• Toronto office, ERO Emma is acting as manager for office. Priscilla is filling in as our ERO. If she’s too busy, we will get redirected.
• Potential domestic violence training for stewards. Leave added to the last collective agreement.
• Constituent body training on March 27/28th in Toronto
Advanced labour school training in Kingston in May and fall in Hamilton
Ontario Regional Council (AGM of ON region) on April 17/18
As Branch, 6 delegates will go. Need delegates by end of Feb so please tell Andrea if you’re interested.
Constituent Body Training: Training for being on an exec, don’t have to take to be an exec, open to members on branch exec, unsure who else they will entertain. If interested, reach out to Heather (see Teams chat)
SP AGM: Mar 27. If you applied to be a delegate, you should have heard by now.
A second mobilization event will be after the AGM. See SP chat. If you do not have a PIPSC email, suggest signing up. Different chats pending position and what’s going on.
Bargaining conference: Process is moving forward with development of proposal for TB, what to prioritize, what the language will be. Telework high.

Roundtable:

If DGs are not responding to questions, suggest members submit request in writing. Give a background, ask questions, can cc union steward.
Alternation – does department have something? Several options – PIPSC/PSAC have an alternation platform, TB too HYPERLINK “https://intranet.ec.cloud-nuage.gc.ca/en/news/treasury-board-secretariat-opens-alternation-application”Treasury Board Secretariat opens alternation application – ECCC Intranet, and dept is working on a site (unsure if for alternation or not). Alternation is driven by employee.
Suggest in-person meeting in March, ~Mar 11. Mar 18 has a 1pm boardroom meeting to schedule around. Invitation to come.

March 13, 2026

PIPSC Toronto ECCC Branch Executive and PIPSC SP ECCC Toronto Sub-Group Executive Meeting In-person/Hybrid

Attendees

Agenda

Acceptance of The Agenda            
Review of Previous Minutes
Review Action Items
Business of the Day
• WFA Updates and Discussion
• Retirement Session Feedback
• Regional Lobby Week
• Early Planning for Ice Cream Social
SP AGM
Roundtable
Next Meeting
Adjournment

Minutes

Review of last Action Items: N/A

Business of the Day:

WFA
• WFA flow chart is available for reference from PIPSC: HYPERLINK “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xOJI4epWF4iBWgmd4w5D4EQURouZOLj4/view”WFA Process EN – Google Drive
• Approximate has been provided by management.  Opting began March 17, extends until July 15 for those who selected VDP or were affected through discontinuance of a function
On CSPS: “Understanding priority entitlements in staffing” training video
Retirement Session: 60 RSVPS, 32 showed up. Was Mar 5. It filled more slowly than last year, may not need to rush to host another. Generally, it gets good feedback.
Regional Lobby Week: PIPSC coordinating member meetings with MPs, providing training and issues to discuss. Union leave may be possible to take.
Early planning for ice cream social: To engage members. Coolers helped last year.
Any bad times to avoid in June/July? Public Service Week. Suggest July. Could do two consecutive days or consider 2 days over 2 weeks. Aug usually has more people away.
SP AGM: Mar 28. Delegates were chosen. Members can register to watch. A march at parliament is scheduled after, with media attention. 

Roundtable:

CWA OHS committee required based on number of employees. Recent policy change to restrict meetings of the ECCC OHS committee to ECCC staff, which could restrict access to facilities for CWA committee, etc. Is there a way to push back? A: It was a directive from national OHS. Pushback occurred. Michael could ask Rob what discussions were had. Reasoning was not provided to the committee. Don’t expect a change given OHS already said no. Harry and CWS Committee could ask Waheed/National.
Was there any update from the SP group survey that was done a little while ago by the bargaining team. Are there plans to publicize the results on what members priorities are with respect to bargaining? A: After the survey, there was the bargaining meeting to discuss what from the survey to prioritize.  This was taken by the Bargaining Committee. Results won’t be released publicly so TB doesn’t get an upper hand. Members will see priorities as bargaining goes on (e.g., proposal to TB).

Tasks