Krysty Thomas
Lethbridge Area Council Rep
Prairie Region Council May 2019
The theme of this term was Phoenix, bargaining and the Alberta provincial election.
Phoenix Actions:
Shortly after the PRC Face-to-Face meeting in November the Lethbridge and District Area Council (LDAC) organized the “Payday Pizza Picket” in support of Phoenix. This rally was held at lunchtime on November 14th outside MP Racheal Harder’s office to demonstrate our frustration over the Phoenix Pay System. We had approximately 45 people in attendance from both the public and our membership. Two different media outlets (CTV and Lethbridge Herald) were present and our event ended up on the front page of the Lethbridge Herald. Ms. Harder was unable to attend but prepared a letter of support about the Phoenix issue and forwarded that to the Finance Minister on our behalf.
Bargaining Actions and Lobbying:
I participated in two bargaining webinars this term. One presented by the REVP’s office and the other Magali Picard. Myself and Br. Joel Bermack (UTE) lobbied our MP, Racheal Harder on March 13 to discuss the current situation with Treasury Board (TB) and CRA bargaining. The meeting was very constructive and MP Harder followed up with a letter to Minister Joyce Murray, President of the Treasury Board encouraging her to ensure a new collective agreement is completed prior to the House rising for the next general election. Lobby reports and copies of the letter have been forwarded to the Regional Office.
On February 26, I was in Ottawa to take part in the CLC Lobby Day around pension reform and Pharmacare. There was a mandatory PSAC training session regarding bargaining lobbying. Throughout the day was scheduled to meet with three senators and one MP so I was only able to bring up TB bargaining in the meeting with the MP John Barlow, Conservative MP and Shadow Minister of Labour. Unfortunately he didn’t commit to any actions but did say that going forward his party would like to have a better relationship with labour. He acknowledged that the way the Conservative Party of Canada treated Labour under Steven Harper was disrespectful and that as shadow Minister of Labour he vows to never go down that road again. He mentioned that if the Conservatives form government in the next election that he would like to start off on the right footing with labour. He mentioned that the attacks on labour through the final bills that were put through when the Conservatives were in power were not a way to build respectful relationships. He mentioned that he would welcome the opportunity to talk with the Alberta Federation of Labour on ways to work together in the future.
Alberta Provincial Election:
The LDAC promoted the Election Town Halls for Union Members that took place April 1st at the Galt Museum in Lethbridge. This event centred around What’s at Stake for Alberta’s provincial election. There was a panel of speakers including President of the Alberta Federation of Labour, Gil McGowan as well as other union leaders including: Heather Smith, United Nurses Association President, Mike Parker, Health Sciences Association of Alberta President, and Doug O’Halloran, UFCW 401 President. Several members of the LDAC were in attendance.
As President of the LDAC I helped to review and endorse a special edition of Union Voice: Alberta Election Edition that was sent to all Alberta PASC members before the provincial election that took place April 16th.
I was a PSAC delegate to the 51st Constitutional Convention of the Alberta Federation of Labour that was held April 30th – May 5, 2019 in Calgary. I had the honor of serving on three committees including the general resolution committee, credentials committee and the balloting committee. The week was full of engaging and motivating speakers and workshops related to Labour’s plan to combat the “Summer of Repeal” as promised by Jason Kenny and the newly elected UCP government. At convention was I elected at Vice-President to the AFL Executive Committee and Council.
Should you have any questions about my report, please contact me directly at munnsk@gmail.com or phone 403.393.2688.
Activities since last report:
November 2-4: Attended the PRC Face-to-Face Meeting, Winnipeg MB
November 14: Burnt by Phoenix Payday Picket, MP Racheal Harder’s office, Lethbridge, AB.
November 21: Local’s (AGR 30048) Annual General Meeting
November 29: Canadian Labour International Film Festival, Lethbridge
December 2-4: Political Action Training, Edmonton
December 6: National Day of Action for Violence Against Women Event, Lethbridge YWCA
December 6: Prairie PSAC Education Consultation, Lethbridge
December 10: Amnesty International Write for Rights, Human Rights Day, Lethbridge
December 11: Participated in workplace UMC meetings
January 8: AFL Conference call
January 9: Lethbridge and District Labour Council Monthly Meeting
January 10: Prairie Region Webinar on Treasury Board Bargaining
January 19: March On Lethbridge, Annual Women’s March/Rally, Lethbridge
January 22: Lethbridge Regional Women’s Committee – Volunteer Social
January 23-24: Alberta Federation of Labour Executive and Council Meetings, Calgary
February 4: Lethbridge and District Area Council Meeting – Regular Meeting
February 5: Local 30048 – Regular Meeting
February 7: PRC Conference call
February 13: Lethbridge and District Labour Council Monthly Meeting
February 25-26: CLC Lobby Day Ottawa, Pharmacare, TB bargaining, and Pension Reform
March 4: Lethbridge and District Area Council Meeting – Regular Meeting
March 4: Lethbridge Regional Women’s Committee – Regular Meeting
March 8: International Women’s Day Workplace action
March 8-10: Agriculture Alberta Regional Seminar, Lethbridge
March 12: Participated in workplace UMC meetings
March 13: Lobby MP Rachel Harder about bargaining
March 13: Lethbridge and District Area Council Meeting – Regular Meeting
March 19: Timeout Tuesday – workplace action around bargaining
March 21: National Human Rights Committee, Agriculture Union Conference call
March 22: Alberta Workers Health Centre – Health and Safety workshop, Lethbridge
April 1: Election Town Halls for Union Members, Lethbridge
April 4: Leaders Tour, Chris Aylward, Magali Picard, and Marianne Hladun, work place tour
April 10: Lethbridge and District Labour Council Monthly Meeting
April 17: Bargaining Webinar with National VP Magali Picard
April 27: PRC Finance review, all day conference call
April 28: Attended the Lethbridge Day of Mourning Ceremony, Mountain View Cemetery
April 30: Alberta Federation of Labour Executive and Council Meetings, Calgary
May 1: AFL Pre-Convention Committee Meetings
May 1: PSAC May Day Rally, Calgary AB
May 2-5: AFL Convention
May 8: Lethbridge and District Labour Council Monthly Meeting
May 9: PRC Conference Call
May 15: National Human Rights Committee, Agriculture Union Conference call
Upcoming:
May 24-26: PRC Face-to-Face Meetings, Winnipeg
May 25: Winnipeg General Strike Commemoration
June 4: Regular Meeting of the Lethbridge and District Labour Council
June 4: Regular Meeting of the Lethbridge Regional Women’s Committee
June 20-24: National Human Rights Committee Face-to-Face, Agriculture Union Conference
June 24-26: AFL Strategic Planning Session
In Solidary –
Krysty Thomas
PSAC Lethbridge and District Area Council President