Edmonton Area Council

May 12, 2004

 

Executive in Attendance

President             Mary Veilleux

Vice-President     Tamara Kozlowska

Treasurer             Elaine Haase

Members in attendance

Cindy Krause

Louise Patrick

Barbara Flynn

7.1  Call to order

Mary Veilleux called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m.

7.2  Adoption on Agenda

Motion to amend agenda as follows was made by Louise Patrick.

2nd by Cindy Krause. All were in favour. Motion Carried

Under 7.6 - New Business add:

                   Prairie School

                   AFL Equity Forum

                   Labour Appreciation Night

                   PSAC Prairie Regional Women's Conference

                   Report from SSOs

                   Political Action

                   WIN House Wish List

7.3  Approval of previous minutes

Motion to accept minutes as presented with corrections below was made by Elaine Haase. 2nd by Cindy Krause. All were in favour. Motion

Carried

Item 6.4 May Day Week: Schedule 30 April - Workers Are Show - should read Workers Art Show.

Item 6.6 Reports - AFL RWC: Tamara Kozlowska - Conference on harmonization in February 2004 should read Conference Prairie Regional Women's Conference 26-28 November 2004, Winnipeg , MB .

7.4  Business arising from previous Minutes

No business under previous minutes.

7.5  Reports

PSAC PRC: Niru Channan - Absent - Nil Report

AFL Environment: Jo Chelick - Absent - Nil Report

AFL Executive meeting and RWC: Tamara Kozlowska. See Attached Annex A and B

AFL Equity Forum - scheduled 24 September 2004 in Calgary . Theme will be "Achievements in Victory". Deadline for registration is 27 August. Poster is attached to minutes. Mary Veilleux advised that she was going to contact Robyn Benson to request funding for Area Council to send a delegation.  Louise, Cindy, Tamara, Elaine & Mary all indicated that they would like to attend.

AFL 10th Annual Kids Camp - Tamara reported that there was limited funding from PSAC to sponsor members in good standing children.  Tamara and Cindy volunteered to prepare criteria for application sponsorship.  Copies of the camp info and criteria to be sent out from Regional office to Locals either electronically or hard copies.

AFL Education Campaign for rural areas Resolution 605. 

At the 2003 AFL Convention. Resolution No. 605 was adopted.

It reads as follows:

Whereas workers have a long history of advocating, promoting and supplying services to all Canadians including new Canadians, the unemployed, the disabled, seniors, etc in Canada, and

Whereas funding to maintain services in urban and rural areas alike has been drastically cut, and Whereas many rural offices have been downsized or closed, and

Whereas this has placed a burden on people who can least afford it (the sick and disabled, the unemployed, the elderly and immigrants), and

Whereas all people deserve equal access to services, therefore

Be it resolved that the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL), together with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), mobilize a campaign to seek community support with all like minded groups to ensure accessibility to affordable services provided by the provincial and federal governments in both urban and rural areas.

DON'T SELL PETRO CANADA

The Martin government in Ottawa has announced it will sell the public's 19% stake in Petro-Canada, our oil and gas company created in the 1970's to make sure Canadians had a direct say in how our resources are developed and used for the country's benefit.

Labour Coalition on Workers' Compensation, Annual General Meeting scheduled Wednesday 19 May 2004 at CAW offices 14931 - 107 Ave, Edmonton commencing 0900 hours.

Anniversary Celebration for Immigrant Women scheduled Saturday 29 May 2004 at Santa Maria Goretti Community Centre. Tickets are

$30.00 per person.

Tamara moved that her report be accepted as presented. All were in favour. CARRIED

Treasurer Report - EAC has $867.66

Elaine submitted a receipt $17.93 for purchasing day timers for Patty Ganzar and Tamara Kozlowska and made a motion to be paid.  2nd by Louise.  All were in favour.  Motion carried

Elaine asked that the Treasurers Report be accepted as presented. All were in favour.  Carried

7.6  New Business

May Day Week - Tamara reported that the PSAC contingent carried a banner, flags, and balloons and wore PSAC buttons as they marched in the parade. Tamara attended the concert in the evening and reported that she enjoyed the choirs singing.

Mary Veilleux and Elaine Haase both apologized for missing May Day Festivities but they were both in Ottawa on UNDE business.

The aim of Edmonton Area Council for next year will be to advertise more and have a larger PSAC contingent present for additional visibility.

Labour Appreciation Night - 17 April 2004

On April 17, 2004 , I was in attendance at the 20th Annual United Way/ Labour Appreciation in Edmonton at the Shaw Conference Center . The evening began with opening ceremonies by Perri Garvin and then a brief presentation from Master of Ceremonies, Barrie Regan from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners. This was followed by the presentation of certificates to the graduating class of the Union Counsellors 2004 by Perri Garvin. One of those graduates Eileen Lloyd was a PSAC (UNDE) member. Each graduate received a rose from UNDE Local 30905 as congratulation.

A wonderful dinner was then served complete with wine courtesy of Canadian Auto Workers Local 4050. This was then followed by a presentation from Mayor Bill Smith/ Tom Olenuk, President of the Edmonton District Labour Council. We then heard from George Andrews Vice President Development & Donor Relations, special guest speaker Hassan Yussuf, Sec/Treasurer CLC.

The Jim Shewchuk Award was presented to Brother Bruce Dean from United Food and Commercial Workers Local 401 and was accepted by his children. Other nominees included Brother Frank Lloyd and Sister Tamara Kozlowska and Brother Winston Gereluk.

In conclusion, this was my second year in attendance and I was encouraged by the strong show of support for this very important occasion. Thanks to all who participated and a special thanks to the PSAC Regional Rep's Sister May Saunders, Brother Oneil Carlier and Sister Judy Shannon for attending with us.

Prairie Regional School Planning Committee has been established to commence planning for school next year.  More to follow.

WIN House Wish List attached as Annex C along with a Contact # to arrange for drop off.  EAC asked if members are traveling and staying in hotels to remember to donate the shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc to WIN House.  EAC members can bring these small items to council meetings and Elaine will arrange for drop off.  Cindy advised that her Local has an ongoing box set-up in the work place for WIN House and it is called the "COME CLEAN CAMPAIGN."

Elaine Haase advised that the planning Committee for Public Service Week BBQ at Edmonton Garrison are selling 50/50 tickets to be drawn on 18 June with 50% going to WIN House.

SSO Report - Louise gave a brief update and advised that the SSOs signed their 1st Collective Agreement on 11 March 2004 but the employer is now cutting back hours on Union employees.  In some instances it is under 10-13 hours thereby the members are loosing their benefits and if you work less than 10 hours per month you are considered non-unionized.  The Local are filing grievances on behalf of members who are cut back.  Louise also reported that while Stats Canada are cutting back hours they are hiring new staff and it cost approx 3-5 thousand dollars to hire and train new staff.  There are 3 new hires in Edmonton along. 

Anticipate election to be called shorting and we (ALL PSAC members) need to be involved individually and in numbers.  There will be political action take throughout Canada by unionized workers but as individuals and in numbers.

A massive grievance campaign has been initiated on "A DAY IS A DAY" as we have numerous members who work compressed and variable hours and TB are saying a day is 7.5 or 8 hours depending on the Collective Agreement not as per the definition of a day in the dictionary being 24 hours. Anyone wishing to exercise their right in participating in this campaign can contact the PSAC Regional office for the grievance wording and established court decisions.

Public Service Week - 14-18 June 2004 recommend ALL PSAC members wear your button Public Service Not for Sale or Ready to Walk in support of your Negotiating Teams.

EAC By-law corrections have been completed by May Saunders awaiting proofreading and posting on website.

Area Council President's Conference Calls - are chaired by Robyn Benson minutes will be posted on website. The purposes for these conference calls are to co-ordinate Area Councils to work together on various issues across the Prairies versus stand along councils.

It is recommended we Walk Picket Lines with other Unions to show solidarity.

Elaine made the motion to purchase juice and pop for EAC meetings. 2nd Tamara.  All were in favour. Motion carried.

7.7 Adjournment

There being no further business Louise made the motion to adjourn.

2nd by Barb.  All were in favour. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned 7:15 p.m.

Next meeting to be held on 09 June 2004 , 5:30 p.m. at the PSAC office.

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ANNEX C

TO: EAC Minutes 12 May 2004

DATED: 04 June 2004

WIN HOUSE WISH LIST

ALWAYS NEEDED:

Toiletries (shampoo, condition, women's deodorant, hair spray,

                mousse, toothbrushes and toothpaste and soap (hand and

                laundry))

Curling Irons

Hair Dryers

Cutlery

Dishes, Pots & Pans

Dish Towels & Cloths

Towels (bathroom and kitchen)

Small Kitchen appliances such as: kettles, toasters, mixers, can openers

                                                     and coffee makers

Bed Linens (single/double/queen)

Pillows

Socks, Slippers and Pajamas

Underwear (all sizes)

Table Lamps

ALWAYS HAPPY TO ACCEPT

Grocery store gift certificates and/or Grocery store food hampers (non-perishable)

Mattress covers

Small ghetto blasters, tapes and CDs

Movies for kids and adults (non-violent)

Radios, clock radio and alarm clocks

Small appliances such as vacuums, fans, microwaves

Umbrella strollers

Baking pans, Wall decorations

Balls (basket, soccer, etc)

Baby bottles, nipples, soothers, rattles and Fisher Price toys for infants

New teething rings

Diapers

Writing pads, journals, craft kits

If you wish to donate any of the above items,

Please call 471-6709 ext 228

to ensure there is adequate space in the donations area

and make arrangements for drop-off.

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Annex A

TO: EAC Minutes 12 May 2004

DATED: 04 June 2004

AFL Executive Meeting - May 6 and 7/2004 - Calgary - Palliser Hotel

Report by Tamara Kozlowska

I attended all the proceedings in a timely manner. Initial discussion centered on the substantial deficit of $273.000 shortfall in the AFL budget. Report was received from the Finance Committee. Various scenarios were proposed and cost cutting measures explored. The Finance Committee was given directions with instructions to report back with detailed proposals how to tackle the substantial deficit as many of the questions could not be answered and were not acceptable to the Executive.

The Human Resources Committee reported as both unions - OPEIU and CEP representing staff at the AFL is in bargaining positions. Again quite and intense discussions took part with instructions to present several scenarios and financial implications.

Quite some time was spend discussing the vacancy in the President's position - Les Steel took the position as CLC rep in the Edmonton area and had handed in his resignation immediately. Kerry Barrett AFL Secretary Treasurer accepted the position as President and agreed to continue her role as Secretary Treasurer with the assistance of the

Executive Committee.   '

Committee reports were received

The Executive Committee visited the Calgary Workers' Resources Centre for the opening ceremony.

Ongoing issues were discussed - Living Wage Campaign, Arbitration Research project, Bill 27, Labour News.

Attended the Membership Forum and participated in the presentation of the IWD Award to sisters Heather Smith (UNA) and Sister Barb Ames (CUPE) awarded by the AFL Women's Committee.

Respectfully presented by

Tamara Kozlowska

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