Area Council Committees engage with PSAC campaigns, lobby politicians and raise awareness of issues affecting our members, workers and the Canadian Public. Check out these minutes for current actions and events.
Public Service Alliance of Canada
Edmonton Area Council
November 1, 2023
PSAC Edmonton RO/Virtual
In attendance:
Darlene Lewis, Chair
Charmaine Nelson
Oneil Carlier, staff
Virtual attendees:
Sabino Spagnuolo, Vice Chair, Stasi L’Hirondelle, Secretary, Richelle Crook, Addie Greer, Joel Hildebrand, Jen Beattie, Steve Sukhbir, Daniel Cormier, Riley Ellis, Karim Somji, Sanjay Remtale, Mathieu Clegban, Bernard Brasen
- Call to Order:
- Darlene called the meeting to order at 17:37
- Land Acknowledgement:
- Darlene acknowledged that we were meeting on Treaty 6 lands.
- Statement on Harassment:
- Darlene read out the PSAC Statement on Harassment. Oneil Carlier is the anti-harassment coordinator for this meeting.
- Adoption of Agenda:
- Moved by Stasi, Second by Sabino
- Stasi moved to amend agenda to include Remembrance Day Wreath in Wainwright & Cold Lake.
- Approval of Previous Minutes:
- Stasi motioned to approve minutes. Steve second. Approved.
- Darlene updated that prior minutes from April meeting were previously approved.
- Reports:
- VP Update: Sabino said he’s looking forward to doing a Christmas event. It’s something consistent we’ve been doing and look forward to each year. 2024 is a big year with convention and lots politically we can take on in AB. Right now there’s an action from Federation of Labour regarding pensions. Link was added to zoom chat.
- Treasurer Report: Darlene provided update. As of March there was $745.68 in the account. There may have been some bank fees deducted. Haven’t received bank statements, but just realized that was due to online access now.
- Chair: provided background on the role of Area Council within PSAC. Discussed actions we’ve recently done, such as lobby against Phoenix, protect our sick leave, Labour Day BBQ. Recently attended 2 day training for committees. We were given tools to plan an event. Will share the document as it a good resource. Area Councils decided next Wednesday we’ll have working group meeting on Phoenix. Looking to put pressure on the employer for what THEY will be doing to fix Phoenix
- Secretary/PRC Geo Rep: Minutes from last meeting were emailed out and posted in draft form on the PSAC Prairies website. PRC hasn’t met since we had our in person meeting end of Aug. We do have a meeting upcoming, so will have update next meeting.
- Old Business:
- Bowling activity. Darlene contacted Ed’s at West Edmonton Mall. They don’t have group rates, and the lanes are $55/hr Mon-Thur and $75/hr Fri, Sat,Sun. Shoe rental is $5. Recommend 5 people to lane, no more than 8. We’d need to do an invitation to members and have an RSVP system set up. Stasi recommended postponing bowling event to New Year due to time constraints and holiday season.
- New business:
- Delegate to PSAC Nation Convention: Darlene turned the chair over to Oneil to conduct elections. Oneil confirmed based on PSAC Constitution that CEIU Local 30851 will have 5 voting members, 30872 has 2 voting members & 30876 has 2 voting members. Blind voting would take place with in person by ballot, and virtual by text to Oneil
- Election for Delegate to Convention:
- Stasi L’Hirondelle nominated by Steve Sukhbir, Second by Addie Greer
- Riley Ellis nominated by Sabino Spagnuolo, Second by Mathieu Clegban
- Delegate: Stasi L’Hirondelle
- Election for First Alternate:
- Jen Beattie nominated by Charmaine Nelson, Second by Stasi L’Hirondelle
- Riley Ellis nominated by Mathieu Clegban, Second by Sabino Spagnuolo
- First Alternate: Riley Ellis
- Election for Second Alternate:
- Jen Beattie nominated by Stasi L’Hirondelle, Second by Charmaine Nelson
- Charmaine Nelson nominated by Sabino Spagnuolo, Second by Mathieu Clegban
- Second Alternate: Jen Beattie
- Darlene made a motion to destroy the ballots. Seconded by Steve.
- Election for Delegate to Convention:
- Christmas Activity: Discussion around past events. Helping out with Mustard Seed, hand out hot chocolate and donations to seniors. People are in favour of a function that’s simpler & easy to organize. Sign up for shifts with Bissel Centre to prep meals, a sock/toque/mitts drive. Mentioned we could possibly work with the women’s committee as they had done a clothing drive.
- Remembrance Day wreath: Stasi motioned the Area Council cover the cost to lay wreaths in Cold Lake & Wainwright. Jen seconded. Discussed that Area Council covers Edmonton & Northern Alberta. There are 2 large military bases outside of Edmonton that our members work at. We lay wreath in Edmonton, and it’s a good show of solidarity with our UNDE members to include them as well. Stasi will take the lead to organize wreaths with the legions and have people to lay the wreath on our behalf.
- Motion Approved.
- Movie Night: Discussed having a movie night at the RO. Invite members to come watch a labour friendly movie. Stasi mentioned having a quick 15 minute update with reports and the movie would be our next meeting. It was discussed admission to the movie could be the donation of new socks, mitts or toques. Darlene will work with Oneil to organize movie night. If anyone had suggestions, send email with names of movies to Oneil directly.
- Delegate to PSAC Nation Convention: Darlene turned the chair over to Oneil to conduct elections. Oneil confirmed based on PSAC Constitution that CEIU Local 30851 will have 5 voting members, 30872 has 2 voting members & 30876 has 2 voting members. Blind voting would take place with in person by ballot, and virtual by text to Oneil
9. Round table: Oneil wanted to let everyone know that the Edmonton Regional Office was moving. Ironically the office is going to be in the building it was in before this location. The building is closer to Canada Place on 103 St. The move will be taking place late January into February.
10. Next Meeting: Movie Night at Regional Office. To be held December 13.
11. Meeting Adjourned: 7:12 pm
*Agenda Items: Send Oneil names of labour friendly movies for a movie night.
*Arrange wreaths for UNDE members to lay on behalf of PSAC at ceremonies in Wainwright & Cold Lake