Minutes from AGM – Feb 20/14

CEIU LOCAL 581 – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Thursday, February 20, 1014

457 RICHMOND ST, ORANGE BOARDROOM

LONDON, ON

4:30PM (Approx) TO 6:00pm (Approx)

                                 

ATTENDANCE:

EXECUTIVE:  Sara Johnson Vleuten – PRESIDENT, Raquel Ireland-Staats –  VP CLUSTER OFFICES, Sandy Snider-Treasurer, Nancy York-Chief Steward, Amy Sussex – SECRETARY, Nathan Haley – VP CIC

GUESTS:  Todd Woytiuk-PSAC

CALL TO ORDER – ESTABLISH QUORUM

Meeting was called to order at 4:35pm and Sara established quorum.

CALL FOR ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS

Sara called for additional items to agenda – no amendments made

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES (AGM February 12, 2013 see  ATTACHED)

Motion to accept minutes by Katherine Johnston

Seconded by Donna Wells  Motion carried

TREASURERS REPORT (ATTACHED)

Financial statement for 2013 handed out to floor to peruse.  Local 581 financial books (ledgers) were audited by a member in good standing and were found in good order.

All in favour to adopt financial statement. No one opposed.

Motion carried.

2014 Budget handed out to the floor. It was brought up to the membership that the local no longer has internet fee but we have a website and pay a fee for that. It was reminded to the membership to sign up on the website to receive emails. This way they won’t be receiving duplicate emails.

Sandy brought up money that is in the GIC. Prior to current one coming due July 2014, we have options for what to do with it. It was suggested by the financial planner at TD to split up the current GIC. He mentioned that we could have $5000 at different maturity levels in a guaranteed GIC and get more income off of it and don’t want to have a loss.

Question brought out to the floor for all imposed for diversify GIC. Majority in favour. Asked if anyone opposed. No one opposed.

The local executive will look into splitting up the GIC’s.

It was brought out to the floor to increase the honorarium for Chief Steward as they do a lot of work, attend all the meetings, go to conferences, handle grievances for all offices.

All on floor agreed to increase the honorarium for Chief Steward.

Motion Carried.

COMMITTEE CHAIR REPORT

Sara read highlights from the Health and Safety Report prepared by Erin Shelby. She said that there were 11 incidnets last year. There is no fluctuation compared to previous years. The number of hazards has decreased. Health and Safety members were re-certified in CPR. Violence in the workplace training they are hoping it is coming soon and continues to be an outstanding agenda item. The file bays on the 2^nd floor were assessed. New stools were bought. Working alone policy has been looked into as well. Erin attended the EAP seminar and a reminder to staff that it is available to them. Erin has re-signed as CO Chair of the committee and Barb Derbyshire has accepted the position.

PRESIDENTS REPORT

Sara discussed how the Executive is new this year and the satellite and CIC VP’s are not but the rest is. She said that we are learning and trying to help as best we can. She said that we have taken TUB training and there is more training coming up. She mentioned that we did local development training with Lynn at the Regional PSAC office. She mentioned that Sara and Amy went to the we are All Affected campaign in May 2013. She thanked everyone for coming to the meet and greet as we had great attendance. She encouraged everyone to participate as we are all part of the union. Sara attended the Women’s Conference and Nancy & Jen attended the Bargaining Conference. Sara mentioned that the local Executive will be attending a JLP session with management. The session is a Union Management Consultation. The union executive currently meets with management every 3 months. The purpose of this training is to facilitate  relationships and work together with management to achieve a good relationship. She thanked everyone for their patience and support.

Chief Steward Report

Nancy said that she attended Collective Bargaining the past month and that we need everyone’s support now more than ever. She said that she will be attending a Duty to Accommodate course in the upcoming weeks. She thanked everyone for coming.

Guest Speaker

Todd discussed the bargaining conferences and how at the conferences demands are decided. He mentioned how fortunate it is that Nancy was able to attend. He discussed the upcoming budget and how the current government is waiting to put a 0% increase in wages in the contract. He discussed how all 17 unions are joining together to fight the current government. This is the first time this has every happened. He discussed how there are 2 years left in the current contract of the Federal Government. He said that they are attacking the public servants because we are easy targets. He said that if we were to write anything to a newspaper we would have to do it as a citizen to the paper and not as a public servant.

He said that the issue is sick time that the government is wanting to amend. He said that the current government feels that it is broken and it needs to be fixed. He discussed how the current sick time works and the proposed changes the government wants to make. He also discussed short term disability and the direction the government would want to go in regards to sick time. He discussed the costs and affect this would have on members.

He discussed how other union members such as Canada Post were affected with their sick time. He discussed how members are forced to use other paid leave or take leave without pay because of the reduction in paid sick leave. He reminded the members in order to collect LTD there is a 13 week waiting period and LTD is typically available for people with serious illness.

He also discussed how both levels of government want to introduce the Right to Work legalisations. He discussed how the most States in the United States have adopted this and the affect it has had on that Country. He discussed the Rand Formula that is currently in place.

He discussed how for years unions have fight for social justice and have been an activist group. He said that unions are here to ensure that justice is heard.

He discussed Bill C4 & C525. He said that in Bill C525 the proposal is that any member that no shows would equal a no vote. The question was asked if mail in or proxy vote would be allowed if this came become law. Todd said that this is still being determined.

The question was asked from the floor what was being done to promote public servants and portray us as positive. Todd discussed the Right to Work video on Youtube and suggested that people watch it. He said to talk to our families and neighbours and discuss that we do good work. CLC has a commercial and uses social media. Todd said that he will send out the Saskatchewan workers video to the members.

Todd reminded everyone that there is the Spring School in April for union education on facilitating and political activism.

REGULATIONS

Sara stated that changes to the local rules need to be made as a regulation and not a bylaw. The local executive was advised of this rule following the submission of last year’s AGM minutes. This change will take effect the date of last AGM February 12 2013 and going forward.

Therefore, the changes that were made last year at the last AGM are now resolutions and not bylaws.

She said that the change to honorarium will go as a regulation as well.

ELECTIONS – VP LONDON, TREASURER, CHIEF  STEWARD

Treasurer

Nomination from the floor by Sara Johnson Vleuten – Sandy Snider – Janice Howarth seconded the motion-Sandy accepted and acclaimed Treasurer of Local 581

Chief Steward

Sara nominated Nancy York as Chief Steward. Kelsey Mcmahon seconded this motion. Nancy York accepted and acclaimed Chief Steward of Local 581

CIC Vice President

Sara nominated Nathan Haley as VP for CIC. Sandy Snider seconded this motion. Nathan Haley accepted and acclaimed CIC VP of Local 581

Vice President Satellite Offices

Sara nominated Raquel Ireland Staats as VP of Satellite offices. Patti Perteens seconded this motion. Raquel Ireland Staats accepted and acclaimed VP of Satellite offices of Local 581

Vice President – London Proper

Nomination from the floor by Sara Johnson Vleuten Katherine Johnston –Nancy York seconded this motion. Katherine Johnston accepted and acclaimed Vice President London Proper Local 581

There was a call out to the floor for anyone interested in being a steward. No interest at this time.

Declarations of Office will be signed and witnessed as soon as possible, following this meeting.

Door Prize

Sara drew door prize for London Lighting Basketball Game.

Jelena Stepancev-Kovacevic won the door prize.

ADJOURNMENT

Sara motioned to adjourn the AGM at 6pm

Seconded by Amy Sussex. Motion Carried