Started at 19:09 September 29, 2022
Krysty Thomas (Co-Chair), Sherry Hunt (Chair), Stephanie Erb (Treasurer), Danielle Poissant (Secretary), Michelle Larmour
Resolution 1
INCREASE EI PROVISIONS FOR PARENTAL LEAVE (126 words including title)
WHEREAS Currently, parents can choose to receive EI benefits over 35 weeks at 55% of their insurable earnings or can opt to receive EI benefits over a 61 week period at 33% of their insurable earnings.
WHEREAS many parents cannot afford to live on only 33% of their income.
WHEREAS 61 weeks at 33% of income for parents is also not a substitute for a high quality, universally accessible child care system.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT PSAC lobby the federal government to increase EI benefits from 55% to 75% for parents who choose to receive benefits over 35 weeks, and from 33% to 55% for parents who choose to receive benefits over 61 weeks.
Discussion with some grammar changes. Danielle will speak to this at the conference.
Supported by all present.
Resolution 2
ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO NATIONAL TRIENNIAL CONVENTION OF THE PSAC (121 words including title)
WHEREAS Section 19 Sub-Section (7) states “The Indigenous Peoples, Racially Visible Persons, Pride, Access and Women equity groups shall each be entitled to send two (2) delegates to any National Triennial Convention of the PSAC who shall be accorded all rights and privileges of accredited delegates. These delegates shall be elected at their respective PSAC National Triennial Conference”
WHEREAS delegates elected at National Equity Conventions are far removed from equity members within their regions and members do not have the opportunity to discuss with elected delegates about issues that are important to them.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT one (1) delegate for Indigenous Peoples, Racially Visible Persons, Pride, Access and Women be elected at each Regional Triennial Convention to represent equity members in their region at the Triennial Convention of the PSAC.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Section 19 Sub-Section (7) be changed to remove “The Indigenous Peoples, Racially Visible Persons, Pride, Access and Women equity groups shall each be entitled to send two (2) delegates to any National Triennial Convention of the PSAC who shall be accorded all rights and privileges of accredited delegates. These delegates shall be elected at their respective PSAC National Triennial Conference”
Discussion and some grammar
Supported by all present.
Resolution 3
INCREASE FUNDING FOR REGIONAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCES
WHEREAS this resolution was brought before the National Triennial Convention; however, never brought to the floor for consideration, this committee feels this resolution needs to be revisited;
WHEREAS the funding for Regional Women’s Conferences is determined through the budget at the PSAC Triennial Convention;
WHEREAS the funding has not been increased for the Regions to hold their Regional Women’s Conferences in many years;
WHEREAS the cost for travel, hotels, has increased and many women live in rural areas;
WHEREAS delegate seats for women in rural areas is low as they would be in travel status to attend Regional Women’s Conferences;
WHEREAS the limited amount of funding has Regions having to decline women attendance at the Regional Women’s Conference
BE IT RESOLVED THAT PSAC increase the funding to all Regions for the Regional Women’s Conferences by 25% to enable the Regions to invite more women as delegates, particularly for rural areas.
Discussion: not likely to be supported but the cost of doing business is rising so it is important to raise; remove sisters and change to women.
Supported by all present
Resolution 4
WOMEN CENTERED LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
WHEREAS the PSAC recognizes a lack of women’s representation at leadership levels throughout the PSAC structure and is encouraging women to take leadership roles; and
WHEREAS the PSAC needs to ensure succession planning includes women:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the PSAC through the Gender Equity Task Force, develop a leadership program for members identifying as women who are active and interested in pursuing and obtaining leadership roles in the union; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this women leadership program be implemented in the next three-year cycle.
Discussion: important to focus on women leadership at the top; time restraints this resolution didn’t get to the floor. Stephanie will speak to this.
Supported by all present.
Resolution 5
UNDERSTANDING THE VALUE OF CARE WORK
WHEREAS care work is undervalued and underpaid across all economic and social spheres and this work disproportionately falls on women in their homes and workplaces.
WHEREAS COVID-19 has revealed the societal structural inequalities that force women to take on a disproportionate amount of care work
WHEREAS care work can also be precarious, forcing workers in these roles to take multiple jobs, potentially putting themselves, their families and people they care for at risk
BE IT RESOLVED PSAC advocates for those in care work positions to be properly valued, respected and compensated to better reflect their important work.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED PSAC lobbies the federal government to form a Care Economy Commission to study, design and implement a comprehensive Canadian care strategy;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED PSAC lobbies the federal government to ratify the International Labour Organization’s Convention 189 to ensure decent work and protections for domestic workers.
Discussion: very important but doesn’t do enough; but they are doing a lot more than what’s being done now. Changed to get it to the word count limit.
Supported by all present.
Resolution 6
This resolution was on Universal Basic Income and was decided that we were not going to submit at this time.
Resolution 7
UNDERSTANDING PSAC ROLE IN COLONIAL OPPRESSION
WHEREAS The legacy of colonization has affected the daily lives of millions of Canadians across many generations
WHEREAS the last residential school in Canada closed in 1996
WHEREAS PSAC has been representing public service workers since 1967
BE IT RESOLVED PSAC undertakes an in depth investigation to understand the true role PSAC members may have had in the residential school system, the sixties scoops, and other acts of colonial oppression of indengious people.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED PSAC publish a report on these findings
Discussion on creating a truth and reconciliation resolution and understanding the role of PSAC during this time.
Supported by all present.
Adjourned meeting at 19:57