CAC Meeting Minutes November 13, 2024 Via Zoom
Attendees (All Virtual):
Alex Creamer (Chair) CAC President (USJE) Amanda Wakeford CAC Treasurer (UCTE) Danny Yee CAC
Secretary (UTE 30024)
Kalpan Desai (UCTE 30301) Laurie Roszell (CEIU 30856) Fatima Yusuf (CEIU 30856)
Lindsey Sparks Guest (Regional Office Representative)
Regrets:
Adam Daly (CAC VP, USJE) was not in attendance due to illness
- Approval of Agenda
a. The Chair presented the proposed agenda. Call for additions/approval. Motioned and seconded by
Danny and Laurie; motion carried. - Approve Previous Meeting Minutes
a. The former secretary indicated the minutes file from prior meeting on June 4ᵗʰ, 2024 has been
damaged and needs restoration. The Chair indicated the minutes will be tabled and approved next
meeting. - Reports
a. CAC President Report – Not much activity since last meeting in June for CAC; the Member
engagement activity was cancelled due to Calgary area water restrictions; President attended the
Return to Office event on September 9, 2024 at the Harry Hays Building, hosted by UTE and CEIU;
reminded that we need to send out the anti- harassment statement for future meetings, perhaps
within the email invite; no report needing to be passed.
b. CAC Treasurer Report – Presented and reviewed current 2024 financials, only expenditures were
for routine bank fees, there has not been much activity necessitating funds; bank balance is
currently at $1,328.34. Report was approved; Motion and seconded by Alex and Laurie; all in favour
and was carried.
c. PRC Southern AB Geo Representative – Last meeting was met in Saskatchewan, the meeting lasted 3
days; major discussion centred upon member engagement moving forward; passed movement to send aid
in the amount of $25,000 to Jasper fires; passed movement to donate $1,000 to the Carriage Inn and
to the hotel in Moose Jaw, to support the local there to support their fight for new collective
agreement; Met with
PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa for 2 hours, communicated about timeliness
for events and priorities moving forward as well as feedback, inquired about Pride flags, talked
about financial training, Return to Office was a major topic of discussion as well, the minutes of
which will be posted on the PSAC Prairie website; If anyone is interested in joining the Regional
Return to Office action group that is ran by Alex Creamer and Krysty Thomas, please let Alex know,
the group is exploring potential actions such as rallies to further increase member engagement and
seek action against the Return to Office mandate.
d. Calgary Regional Women’s Committee – there is an upcoming meeting on Friday, will be electing a
chair and vice chair
e. Regional Office Representative – Meeting last week to explore what events can be ran, to
streamline operations, to engagement new people and promote interest in regional committees,
including the Human Rights committee.
f. Regional Health and Safety – On November 27ᵗʰ, there will be a meeting for any members who want
to attend, agenda and notice will be sent out.
- Previous Business – June Member Engagement activity
a. Event was targeted as a summer specific activity, was cancelled due to Calgary area water
restrictions, possibility of reusing the event for the new year or at a future point. - New Business – Brainstorming Future Member Engagement Activities and Ideas
a. Brainstormed potential ideas and topics worth exploring to engage members, similar to how the
Harry Hays Return to Office event in September was able to pull hundreds of members out, because
the Union was going to where the members are at their workplace instead of having the members come
out to the Union, we are meeting them where they are and its worth while for people to attend and
engage
b. Darlene shared her experience in offering free tickets Telus Spark and Beakerhead for families
to attend, out of the total of 400 members, only 20 registered for the tickets and the turnout was
disappointing; the event was held end of September and there was potential of it being a busy month
with the start of school year and many sports activities going during that time of year and why
turn out was lacking.
c. Danny shared his experience in the PSAC Prairie Mentorship Program, where he and other union
members is exploring member engagement via tying in the rising cost of groceries and starting
conversations with union members; ongoing project with Community Kitchen organization to entice
union members to come out and learn how to cook affordable meals in bulk that they can take home as
part of meal prepping while also engaging with other union members and union representatives to
start a conversation and build rapport.
d. Kalpan shared his experience with his wife’s employer, where they had a member get together
around Christmas time every December at the Calgary Zoo, where hot chocolate and candies were
handed out and members were able to be brought together and engaged
e. Alex shared Carm’s idea of where we can have a 1 hour NJC vs NJC event, to help educate and
introduce members to the bargaining process and to let people know that the have representatives on
the bargaining units; this even will be going on in late January or February; possibility of
engaging other committees to attend as well and for them to be increase their profile as well. - Round Table
a. Alex indicated CUPW advised of strike action yesterday; brainstorm and plan for member
engagement activities for next meeting.
b. Darlene indicated various plans for member engagement for future meeting.
c. Danny indicated possible increasing member engagement by addressing the recent announcements of
potential Work Force Adjustments and reductions in budget
d. Lindsay indicated at Work Force Adjustment training and tying it in. - Next Meeting – Planned for mid January 2025; CAC AGM expected to be held in February 2025; more
information will be announced. - Meeting adjourned at 7:01PM, motioned and seconded by Alex and Laurie, motion carried.