REPORT OF THE

REGIONAL EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT

PRAIRIES

TO THE

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

October 3-5, 2007

This report covers the period from the last NBOD meeting.

Regional Council

The Council met in Winnipeg June 21st and 22nd for a special meeting to develop a proposal for the Prairie Region for the Defending Quality Services (DQPS) Campaign.  As well, the Council members from each geographical region met to generate ideas for promoting the DQPS campaign within their Province. The Council also discussed plans for the upcoming Prairie Convention in 2008.  Members of Council attended the advance screening of Bloody Saturday the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike CBC Documentary on the evening of the June 21st. 

Area Councils/Regional Women's Committees/Human Rights Committees

Our Area Councils were active in promoting and providing awareness of the DQPS campaign including the Sale of Federal Government Buildings and the No Zones Campaigns.  The Winnipeg Area Council in conjunction with the Manitoba Federation of Labour is assisting in the preparation of a presentation that will be given to the Finance Standing Committee in Winnipeg this October. 

The Regina Area Council held their AGM in May and I want to congratulate the following executive members, President - Brother Shaun Brennand, Vice President - Brother Ed Janis, Secretary - Brother Glenn Edgington, and Treasurer - Sister Kim Reinson.  The Saskatoon Area Council met to discuss Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA) Campaign.  Consultations on TILMA were held in June and   Saskatchewan unions were encouraged to make making presentations to let the Provincial government know that they are against TILMA.  Sister Marianne Hladun made a presentation on behalf of PSAC and we are proud to report that the Saskatchewan Government has put an end to TILMA in Saskatchewan. 

The Lethbridge Area Council promoted DQPS at the annual Coaldale Candy Parade as well they attended and promoted the PSAC campaigns at the annual Lethbridge Whoop-up Days event.  The Calgary Area Council met in June to discuss the summer campaigns and in particular the no zones campaign.  They donated $100.00 to the annual Calgary District Labour Council Stampede Breakfast and had a PSAC information table at this event.  Members of the Calgary Area Council as well as staff from the Regional Office attended the Aboriginal Issues Awareness Parade on June 29th we had an information table at the June 21st Aboriginal Day event.  The money was raised at this event was donated to the local Aboriginal Women's Shelter.  On July 19th members in Edmonton kicked off the “Public Services Are Cool” campaign by distributing 2500 fans to the general public in attendance at the Capital X Parade.  The fans were a real hit with the parade goers given the hot and humid weather conditions Edmonton has been experiencing.  The Edmonton Area Council also participated in a demonstration arranged by the Edmonton Regional Office against the Sell Off of Canada Place.  Brother Terry Sperling, the Regional Vice President - West from Government Services Union was the guest speaker at this demonstration.

The 2007 Prairie Regional Women's Conference was held in Winnipeg from May 25th to 27th was a success.  Our participation increased to 78 delegates from across the prairies.  We achieved our Conference objectives of building the sisterhood within the Region, educating members on the importance of Defending Quality Public Services (DQPS), increasing activism among women in the political arena and by supporting our Aboriginal Sisters’ fight for equality.  The delegates engaged in 3 workshops that resulted in the creation of resolutions that will be forwarded to the National Women's Conference, the PSAC Regional Convention and to the Prairie Region Council.  Through the sale of PSAC shirts, the Conference was able to make a donation to Nova House Inc in Selkirk Manitoba, a shelter for women and children living in crisis in the North Eastman region of Manitoba as well as to Sisters in Spirit, a Native Women’s Association of Canada initiative, to support their continued work for the protection and advocacy of our missing Aboriginal Sisters in Canada.

The Regina Women’s Committee held their AGM in May.  I want to congratulate the executive members, Chair - Sister Deanna Getz, Vice Chairs - Sister Betty Sproule and Sister Glenda Mason, Treasurer - Sister Christelle Farr and Secretary - Sister Trayce Fayant.  Sister Sandra Ahenakew joined the meeting to speak about being an Aboriginal woman in the workplace, missing Aboriginal woman and the extent of poverty in the Aboriginal community.  The Saskatoon RWC organized volunteers to help with the Saskatoon District Labour Council Summer Snack Program a program that provides free lunches to school aged children from the inner city.

The Edmonton RWC committee stayed active over the summer months.  Their plans include attending the Edmonton District Labour Council Labour Day BBQ and passing out DQPS information to the public. Creating and delivering Public Services are Cool balloon bouquets to MP’s, lobbying MP’s on a variety of women’s issues and last but not least Dec 6 day of action.  Members will communicate ideas etc. in the coming months to fine tune their action plans.

Members of the Winnipeg Human Rights Committee, members, PRC members and staff walked in the June 10th Pride March under the PSAC banner.  The turnout was great for the parade and we found much support from other PSAC members attending who were proud to see their Union presence at the event.  The WHRC held a strategy session in July and preplanned meeting dates and agenda items around important dates that promote equity.

The Edmonton Human Rights Committee’s is proud to report the success of their Tool for Schools project, with the collective support of community members, Locals and the Social Justice Fund.  A school was chosen with the assistance of the United Way and the committee started working on a supply list.

Regional Activities and National Portfolios

Atco Frontec, 15 Wing Moose Jaw, has been unsuccessful at the conciliation officer stage of negotiations.  A Solidarity Barbeque held on August 29th in Moose Jaw was well attended by PSAC members at the base as well as by members of IAM and AW. 

Through the joint effort of the members in the Prairie Region the ‘Public Services are Cool’ Campaign was a great success.  Members have gone to MP picnics where they have had the opportunity to discuss with MPs the importance of Quality Public Services.  We are in the process of arranging MP visits throughout the Prairie Region and intend to report on the Prairie website which MPS refused to meet with us.  As the ‘No Zones’ campaign was part of the DQPS this summer, members in the region were encouraged to visit MPS as well as wear black every pay day until they receive a national rate of pay. 

As the program officer responsible for the women’s program I attended a CLC meeting to discuss the future of several women’s organizations in light of the changes to the Status of Women.  It is my belief that the Unions will have to assist these organizations to ensure that there exists a unified voice for women’s equality, pay equity and universal child care.  The plans for the National Women’s Conference are well underway.  The theme is “Public Services Pave the Way to Equality”.  I am positive that the Sisters will leave the conference educated, energized and ready for action.

Respectfully submitted,

Robyn Benson,

Regional Executive Vice-President,

Prairie Region

January  4	Special NBoD Meeting Via Conference Call
January  5	NBoD Strategy Committee Conference call
January  8	Meeting With Anita Neville MP Winnipeg South Centre
January 12	Aramark Strategy Conference Call
January 14	Travel to Ottawa
January 15	AEC meeting
January 16	AEC meeting
January 17	P 3 meeting AM
January 17	Womens Program meeting PM
January 18	National Health and Safety Conference
January 19	National Health and Safety Conference / Aramark Conf. Call
January 20	National Health and Safety Conference
January 21	National Health and Safety Conference
January 21	Travel to Winnipeg
January 22	Status of Women Canada Conference Call
January 22	PRC Political Action Committee Conference Call
January 22	Meeting with Minister Vic Toews – Steinbach
January 23	Travel to Calgary
January 23	Calgary – attend Regional Womens Committee
January 23	Local Visits – UTE Local 30025
January 24	Local Development meeting 9:00am – 4:00pm
January 24	Calgary – attend Calgary AC and  HRC meetings
January 25	Travel to Lethbridge
January 25	Workplace Visit – Chicken Slaughter Plant
January 25	Workplace Visit – Horse Slaughter Plant
January 25	Attend meeting – Lethbridge Area Council
January 25	Travel to Calgary
January 26	Travel to Winnipeg
January 26	Meet with MB PRC Geo Reps 2:00pm – 4:00pm
January 29	Womens Program Conference Call
January 30	Travel to Ottawa
January 31	Public Service Dental Care Plan management meeting
February 1	National Bargaining Conference
February 2	National Bargaining Conference
February 3	National Bargaining Conference
February 4	National Bargaining Conference
February 5	AEC meeting
February 6	National Board of Directors meeting
February 7	National Board of Directors meeting
February 8	National Board of Directors meeting
February 8	Travel to Winnipeg
February 12	Travel to Ottawa
February 13	CLC Executive Council meeting
February 14	Travel to Winnipeg / Weather delay at Ottawa Airport
February 15	Winnipeg Area Council – AGM
February 18	Travel to Ottawa
February 19	CLC Womens Retreat
February 20	CLC Womens Retreat
February 21	CLC Womens Retreat
February 21	Travel to Winnipeg
February 22	Travel to Calgary
February 22	Speak at UTE Local 30024 AGM
February 23	Travel to Winnipeg
February 25	Travel to Ottawa
February 26	AEC meeting
February 27	AEC meeting
February 28	Zones Committee meeting
February 28	Meet with National Bargaining Team
February 28	Travel to Winnipeg
March 12	Federation of Labour Reps. Conference Call – SFL
March 12	Meeting with Manitoba Minister of Labour - Nancy Allen
March 13	Federation of Labour Reps. Conference Call – AFL
March 13	Meeting with Federation of Labour Reps. - MFL
March 14	Travel to Saskatoon
March 14	SFL – Labour Issues Meeting – Davidson SK
March 14	Attend Saskatoon Area Council Meeting
March 15	Travel to Prince Albert
March 15	Attend Prince Albert Area Council Meeting
March 16	PRC Meet and Greet – Saskatoon
March 17	Prairie Region Council Meeting - Saskatoon
March 18	Prairie Region Council Meeting - Saskatoon
March 19	Joint Prairie Region Council / Regional Staff Reps. Meeting
March 20	Prairie Region Staff Conference
March 21	Prairie Region Staff Conference
March 21	Travel to Winnipeg
March 25	Travel to Ottawa
March 26	AEC Meeting
March 27	AEC Meeting
March 27	Travel to Winnipeg
March 28	Interview EA Candidates
March 29	Travel to Vancouver
March 29	Pride Conference
March 30	Pride Conference
March 31	Pride Conference
April 1	Pride Conference
April 1	Travel from Vancouver to Ottawa
April 2	Ships Crew Meeting
April 2	Conference Call Zone Committee
April 3	CFIA Bargaining Meeting
April 3	Travel Ottawa to Calgary
April 4	Travel Calgary to Lethbridge
April 4	Lethbridge Area Council Meeting
April 5	Travel to Winnipeg
April 10	EA Interviews
April 11	Travel to Edmonton
April 11	Edmonton Area Council Meeting
April 12	Travel to Winnipeg
April 17	Meeting with Prairie Region Womens Rep.
April 18	Travel to Ottawa
April 19	UCTE Discipline Committee
April 19	Travel to Toronto
April 20	Ontario Regional Womens Conference
April 20	Travel to Regina
April 21	Regina and Area Womens Workshop
April 21	UNDE Council of Locals – Moose Jaw
April 22	Travel to Winnipeg
April 23	AEC Meeting Conference Call
May 1	Labour Fair
May 6	Travel to Ottawa
May 7	EOC Meeting
May 8	EOC Meeting
May 9	EOC Meeting
May 9	Meeting PRC Finance Committee Conference Call
May 9	Travel to Winnipeg
May 13	Travel to Ottawa
May 14	SV Group Bargaining
May 15	AEC Meeting
May 16	AEC Meeting
May 17	Travel to Lethbridge
May 17	Lethbridge Area Council Meeting
May 18	Travel to Winnipeg
May 22	NBoD Conference Call
May 22	Travel to Quebec City
May 23	Administration – NHWU
May 24	Administration – NHWU
May 25	Administration – NHWU
May 25	Travel to Winnipeg
May 26	Open PSAC Prairie Regional Womens Conference – Winnipeg
May 27	PSAC Prairie Regional Womens Conference - Winnipeg
May 30	Strategy Session Conference Call
June 1	Travel to St. John’s NL
June 2	Newfoundland Regional Womens Conference
June 3	Travel to Ottawa
June 4	AEC Meeting
June 5	NBoD Meeting
June 6	NBoD Meeting
June 7	NBoD Meeting
June 8	NBoD Meeting
June 9	All Teams Negotiating Meeting
June 9	Travel to Winnipeg
June 13	Westman Area Council Meeting
June 21	Prairie Region Council Meeting – Winnipeg
June 22	Prairie Region Council Meeting - Winnipeg
June 26	AEC Meeting via Conference Call
June 27	AEC Meeting via Conference Call
August 20	Security and Prosperity Partnership Demonstration - Winnipeg
August 20	Travel to Ottawa
August 21	PSDCP Board of Management Meeting
August 22	Travel to Edmonton
August 22	Edmonton Regional Womens Committee Meeting
August 23	Travel to Winnipeg
August 27	Travel to Ottawa
August 28	CLC Meeting
August 28	Travel to Regina
August 29	Atco Frontec Solidarity Picnic - Moose Jaw SK
August 30	Travel to Winnipeg