REPORT OF THE REGIONAL EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT

PRAIRIES

TO THE

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

February 5-8, 2007

 

This report covers the period from the last NBOD meeting.

Regional Council

The Council met in Winnipeg October 13th to 16th.  At this Council meeting we determined that in order to enhance our outreach and to facilitate the work of the various representatives on our Council, a Human Rights, Women’s and Youth Committee would be appropriate.  In light of this new Committee, and the meeting with the Staff on October 16th, each sub-committee reviewed and amended their Terms of Reference/ Mandate.  The Finance Committee presented a recommendation for subsidies as well as the Convention budget.  The Convention Committee reviewed the timelines for Convention and drafted an agenda to be finalized.  The Council also dealt with numerous agenda items which included, Regional Health and Safety Conference, No Zones Campaign and National Women’s Conference.

On October 16th, the Council met with the Staff of the Prairies and under the direction of Sister Madeleine Bachand, a series of Action Plans were drafted.  These Action Plans were on Defending Quality Public Services with an emphasis on the Council subcommittees ensuring that the plans are carried out.

Human Rights Committees/

Regional Women's Committees/ Area Councils

Winnipeg Human Rights Committee has been very active this fall.  They have had several keynote speakers such as, Sister Monika Duggal who presented on the Social Justice trip to India.  The Committee registered for the “Stand up Speak Out” Event and had an excellent turn out.  In recognition of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities the Committee had a speaker from the Society of Manitobans with Disabilities. 

The Southern Saskatchewan Human Rights Committee did a community outreach with the Saskatchewan Abilities Council by assisting at an event on December 7th.  This event was in recognition of December 3rd, International Day for Persons with Disabilities and December 10th International Human Rights Day. 

The Edmonton Human Rights Committee has wrapped up their activities with the Tools for Schools project.  They are currently involved in the Warmth for Winter Campaign as well they did a food drive for the Bissell Centre.  All of theses projects were a big success and I want to congratulate the members of this committee for their community outreach. 

The Winnipeg Regional Women’s Committee AGM was held December 6th and I would like to congratulate the following members; Sister Vimbai Dune-Chitowa as Chair, Sister Canan Karamanoglou as Vice-Chair, Sister Karon Sackney as Secretary and Sister Stella Pruse as Treasurer.  The committee has been very involved in the Defending Quality Public Services Campaign and along with members of the Winnipeg Area Council they have lobbied eight Members of Parliament. 

The Saskatoon Regional Women’s Committee is in the process of establishing a lending library at the Saskatoon Regional Office.  It is their hope that members will avail themselves of the various books and videos that will be available.  As well the Sisters are encouraging our members to grow their hair so that in March 2008 it can be cut and donated to Locks of Love, which is an organization that helps children who are suffering from hair loss due to disease and other conditions.  The committee has started the preliminary plans for a women’s wellness symposium. 

The Regina Regional Women’s Committee promoted Defending Quality Public Services Campaign at the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, Labour Day Picnic.  Sisters also attended “The Sisters in Spirit” Vigil and cosponsored the drummer for this event. 

The Winnipeg Area Council has been involved with the Winnipeg Regional Women’s Committee in lobbying Members of Parliament to ensure there is a greater understanding of quality public services and the need for them.  The Area Council distributed posters and encouraged our members to sign the petition for the “Raise the Rates Campaign”.  This is a campaign to raise the welfare rates in the Province of Manitoba. 

The Saskatoon and Prince Albert Area Council were very busy working on the Provincial Election.  Although we had many members supporting labour friendly candidates, the NDP were unsuccessful at forming Government.  The new Government under the Leadership of the Sask Party will certainly create work for our members in saving workers rights.  Both the Area Councils participated in the DQPS Campaign at Labour Day barbeques. Members of the PSAC under the leadership of the Saskatoon Area Council volunteered for Habitat for Humanity.  The Saskatoon Area Council held a supper meeting fundraiser for NASHI and the Prince Albert Area Council partnered with the Prince Albert and District Labour Council to help work and support the seniors fall supper.  These are just a few examples of the Area Councils work in the community.

The Regina Area Council continued throughout the fall on the DQPS Campaign, they attended the Labour Day picnic and laid a wreath along with the Regina Human Rights Committee and Regina Regional Women’s Committee.  They continue to participate in the “Unions of Regina Christmas Dinner” for the less fortunate. 

Regional Activities and National Portfolios

During this time frame a Manitoba Local Development meeting was held in Winnipeg.  We had thirty one Locals represented and the participants unanimously voiced that they found the event useful.  The day was spent discussing education, communication and networking. 

I had the honour of representing the PSAC at the Manitoba Legislature for the “Raise the Rates” Campaign.  I want to thank the Area Council for promoting this amongst the members in Manitoba.

Our members in Saskatchewan are starting to feel the impact of the new Premier and the changes he would implement.  Bills 5 and 6 are an attack on workers rights and our Area Councils will be working closely with the Federation of Labour to ensure that these Bills are not passed. 

As the officer responsible for the No Zones Campaign, the committee continues to encourage members to visit their Members of Parliament. We will have more actions as negotiations intensify.  The SV Table is meeting with the employer at the end of January.  We are hoping to have a joint conference with the No Zones Committee and the Negotiating committee.

The CFIA is back at the table and met with the employer January 15th and 16th.  Although the meeting was not as positive as we would have liked I believe the Agency will be hearing from their members over the coming months. 

The Mint is set to exchange demands on February 7th.  We have a comprehensive package that will be presented. 

As the officer responsible for the Women’s Program, I am very pleased to report that the National Women’s Conference was very successful.  All of the delegates enjoyed themselves irrespective of the demanding agenda.  I believe that this conference debated the most resolutions ever. 

The Phase II Leadership Training was held in Winnipeg November 29th – December 2nd.  The Prairie Region Council added a Leaders Strategy Session that was held on December 3rd.  The Regional Leadership formulated Action Plans for Membership Renewal, Collective Bargaining/Mobilization and Defending Quality Public Services.  Our Leaders left engaged, energized and positive about the work that needs to be done and is being done on behalf of the membership. 

The other National Portfolios that I hold will be reported on in the Presidents report. 

I invite you to go to the Prairies Website to view pictures of the work our members have been doing in our Region. 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Robyn Benson,

Regional Executive Vice-President,

Prairie Region

September 4	Winnipeg RWC Meeting
September 6	Travel to Ottawa
September 7	Access Conference
September 8	Access Conference
September 9	Access Conference
September 11	AEC Meeting
September 12	AEC Meeting
September 13	National Women’s Conference Steering  Committee Meeting
September 14	NCR Women’s Conference
September 14	Travel to Winnipeg
September 18	Travel to Regina
September 18	Regina HRC Meeting
September 19	Travel to Winnipeg
September 19	Conference Call National Women’s Conference Steering  Committee
September 20	Conference Call Convention Committee
September 21	Travel to Vienna
September 22	PSI Congress
September 24	PSI Congress
September 25	PSI Congress
September 26	PSI Congress
September 27	PSI Congress
September 28	PSI Congress
September 29	Travel to Ottawa
October 1	AEC Meeting
October 2	NBoD Meeting
October 3	NBoD Meeting
October 3	Conference Call Zones Committee
October 4	NBoD Meeting
October 4	Native Women’s Association Of Canada Sisters in Spirit Vigil
October 5	NBoD Meeting
October 5	Travel to Winnipeg
October 11	Travel to Ottawa
October 12	National Women’s Conference Steering Committee Meeting
October 12	Travel to Winnipeg
October 13	Prairie Region Council Meeting - Winnipeg
October 14	Prairie Region Council Meeting - Winnipeg
October 15	Prairie Region Council Meeting - Winnipeg
October 16	Prairie Region Council Meeting & PSAC RO Staff- Winnipeg
October 17	PSAC RO Staff  Meeting – Winnipeg
October 17	“Raise the Rates” Rally – Manitoba Legislative Building
October 17	AGM UTE Local 50031
October 18	AGM UTE Local 50032
October 21	Travel to Ottawa
October 22	CLC Executive Meeting
October 23	CLC Executive Meeting
October 23	Travel to Winnipeg
October 24	MFL Review Committee Meeting
October 29	Travel to Ottawa
October 30	AEC Meeting
October 31	AEC Meeting
November 1	PSDCP Board of Management Meeting
November 2	Travel to Winnipeg
November 13	Travel to Saskatoon
November 13	Saskatoon Mobilization Meeting
November 13	Saskatoon Regional Women’s Committee Meeting
November 14	Travel to Winnipeg
November 14	Local Development Meeting – Manitoba
November 14	Conference Call – National Women’s Conference
November 19	Manitoba Mobilization Meeting
November 19	Travel to Ottawa
November 20	AEC Meeting
November 21	AEC Meeting
November 21	Travel to Toronto
November 22	National Women’s Conference – Toronto
November 22	Northern Women’s Conference – Toronto
November 23	National Women’s Conference – Toronto
November 24	National Women’s Conference – Toronto
November 25	National Women’s Conference – Toronto
November 25	Travel to Winnipeg
November 29	MFL Convention Review Committee Meeting
November 29	Phase II Leadership Development – Winnipeg
November 30	Phase II Leadership Development – Winnipeg
December 1	Phase II Leadership Development – Winnipeg
December 2	Phase II Leadership Development – Winnipeg
December 3	Prairie Region Leaders Strategy Session – Winnipeg
December 4	Travel to Ottawa
December 5	EOC Meeting
December 6	EOC Meeting
December 7	Travel to Winnipeg
December 9	Travel to Ottawa
December 10	Mint Bargaining Meeting
December 10	PSCAC Meeting
December 11	AEC Meeting
December 12	AEC Meeting
December 12	Travel to Winnipeg
December 14	Meeting with Minister Vic Toews
December 14	USGE Training – Speaker on DQPS Campaign
2008
January 9	Conference Call  - Area Councils Political Action & DQPS
January 11	Conference Call – NWC Resolution
January 11	Conference Call – PRC Convention Committee
January 13	Travel to Ottawa
January 14	CFIA Team Meeting
January 15	AEC Meeting
January 16	AEC Meeting
January 17	Travel to Regina
January 17	Casino Regina AGM
January 18	Travel to Winnipeg
January 18	Conference Call - CFIA
January 21	Conference Call – Youth Course
January 21	Manitoba AF Meeting
January 22	Travel to Edmonton
January 22	RWC Edmonton Meeting
January 23	Travel to Winnipeg
January 23	Travel to Brandon
January 23	Westman Area Council Meeting
January 24	Travel to Winnipeg
January 25	Conference Call – RWC
January 25	Conference Call – PRC Bylaws Committee
January 26	Agriculture Union Regional Session – Winnipeg