 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |||
 |
Northern Saskatchewan
SASKATOON & DISTRICT AREA COUNCIL
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Tuesday January 25, 2005
Present
Carol Casey, Environment;
Ralph Hawkes, UNDE;
Brenda Baergen, AGR;
Howard Willems, AGR;
Barry Stolar, USGE;
Linda Goring; CEIU;
Marianne Hladun, AGR/PRC;
Della Winkler, CEIU;
Evelyn Smysniu NHWU;
Heather Longstaff, PSAC
Guest : Mark Hennessy, CLC
Most Available Hours:
Mark Hennessy has been seconded by the CLC and Saskatoon District labour Council to help promote support for the “Most Available Hours” legislation. The legislation would give part-time workers with the most seniority first crack at new hours from their employers. Mark provided post cards that had been produced by the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour. The SFL is hoping to have as many post cards signed and sent to Premier Calvert and Opposition Leader Brad Wall as possible before the legislation is debated in the House in mid-March. Everyone is encouraged to contact their MLA in support of the “Most Available Hours” legislation as many of the MLA's are soft on the issue and need to be convinced that this would be a good thing for the working people of Saskatchewan .
There will be a public forum on January 31 at the U of S at 11:30 at Browser's (above Louis). Larry Hubich, President of the SFL will be attending.
Marianne will draft a cover letter explaining the “Most Available Hours” issue.
The letter and postcards will be distributed to all Locals by a Regional Office mail out.
Minutes
The minutes from last year's AGM were distributed. The minutes were accepted as presented.
Financial Statement
The audited financial statement was distributed. See attached. The financial statement for the period of January 2004 to December 31, 2004 was accepted as presented.
Review Of Bylaws
1) A proposal was made that the bylaws be amended to state that the President of the Area Council be given the priority status to attend the PSAC convention. A debate ensued as to whether this would be in contravention of the PSAC constitution.
Marianne will check with Robyn whether the President as automatic delegate is in contravention with the PSAC constitution.
2) A proposal was made to add a section to By-Law 12 to allow for a special meeting to deal with changes to the by-laws outside of the AGM. The suggested wording is as follows:
By-Law 12 Section 2
• To repeal, amend or add to these by-laws, a notice shall be posted 30 days in advance and shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of those accredited voting delegates at a special meeting.
Consensus was reached on the above wording of the amendment.
3) A proposal was made to amend By-Law 3 to clarify affiliation with the Area Council and delegate voting. The suggested wording is as follows:
Bylaw 3: Membership
Section 1
Area Council meetings shall be open to all members in good standing from Locals or Branches of Components within the area of jurisdiction.
Locals not affiliated with the Area Council shall have full voice on all discussions at Area Council meetings. Locals affiliated with the Area Council shall have full voice on all discussions at Area Council meetings plus voting rights.
Each affiliated Local shall be entitled to two delegates for the first 500 members and one additional delegate for each additional 500 members or part thereof. Voting rights at Area Council meetings shall be vested in the delegates from the affiliated Locals and the elected officers of the Area Council .
Section 2
PSAC and Component National Officers, who are not delegates from their Local, have full voice in all debates and discussions of the Area Council but no vote.
Section 3
The Regional Women's, Equity and Human Rights Committees shall have the right to one representative to the Area Council to act as a liaison officer between the Area Council and their respective committee. The representative shall have voice but no vote.
Section 4
Locals wishing to affiliate with the Area Council must provide a copy of their Local's minutes showing a carried motion to affiliate. Affiliated Locals must provide written documentation to the Area Council naming their delegates to the Area Council in order to have voting rights.
See attached
Consensus was reached on the above wording of the amendment
Area Council Affiliation and Delegates
Carol will send out a letter to those Locals that have been participating in the Area Council to confirm who their delegates are. A letter will also be sent out to Locals who have not previously expressed an interest to affiliate and invite them to do so.
Resolutions
Consensus was reached on a final resolution that is to be forwarded to Robyn Benson for the PRC convention. See attached.
Prairie Region Convention (PRC)
Connie Gress from the Regina Area Council forwarded suggestions on how PRC could be made more affordable for small Locals. She shared the Regina Area Council 's plans to see if any southern Saskatchewan Locals would be interested in sharing transportation costs such as renting a bus or sharing accommodations. The consensus was that the Saskatoon Area Council would not to pursue this issue.
A request was made from affiliated Local 40170 for $300.00 to assist the Local in sending a delegate to PRC.
Marianne will contact Robyn regarding the use of Area Council funds to help finance a small local to attend PRC. If this is a feasible option, then criteria would have to be established to determine who would qualify for assistance.
In consideration of a resolution that could be passed at the Prairie Region Convention to allow for a delegate from the Area Council , the decision was made to send an observer. Barry Stolar will be attending the convention in this capacity.
Marianne will let the Area Council know if there will be extra funds for the Area Council s after the PRC meeting at the end of February. These funds could be used to assist in sending an observer to PRC.
Blood Donor
27 people participated and registered as PSAC members in the Blood drive that was held in November and December of 2004. One name was drawn to receive a prize. Annalee Heilman from HRSDC, local 40802 was the winner of a PSAC jean shirt.
• Carol will contact Annalee and place the order.
Elections
Elections were run by Heather Longstaff.
Carol Casey (nominated by Della Winkler and seconded by Ralph Hawkes) was re-elected by acclamation as Area Council President.
Ralph Hawkes (nominated by Linda Goring and seconded by Evelyn Smysniuk) was re-elected by acclamation as Area Council Vice-President.
Brenda Baergen (nominated by Ralph Hawkes and seconded by Carol Casey) was re-elected by acclamation as Secretary/Treasurer.
Oath was administered by Heather Longstaff.
Meeting adjourned.