UNION OF TAXATION EMPLOYEES, PUBLIC SERVICE ALLIANCE OF CANADA
SOUTHERN INTERIOR OF BRITISH COLUMBIA LOCAL 20026
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
RAMADA INN & SUITES - FEBRUARY 16, 2005
President Joy Harrison called the meeting to order at 5:45pm with 42 members in attendance at
the Penticton Location and 22 members in attendance at the Kelowna Location. Joy welcomed
all to the meeting. Joy introduced guests Betty Banon, National President UTE, and Nycole
Turmel, National President P.S.A.C. and the head table (Joy Harrison, Pamela Abbott, Betty
Banon, Nycole Turmel, Susan Yaciw and Sarah Redd)
ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY
Joy Harrison reviewed the Union of Taxation Employees anti-harassment policy.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion to Accept the Agenda – Colin Halliday
Seconded – Sharon Hickey
Motion Carried.
ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES, AGM FEBRUARY 18, 2003
Motion to dispense of the reading of the minutes of the last Annual General Meeting of February
17, 2004. Adoption of minutes as circulated.
Motion to Accept – Pat Clements
Seconded – Phil Holmes
Carried
TREASURER’S REPORT
Susan Yaciw
Susan Yaciw referred to the attached financial statements and yielded the floor to questions.
She fielded questions from the floor as to how much was spent in 2004 on wage loss for union
business. Susan stated that the wage loss was not itemized as a separate expense but was
included in a number of expense items. It was requested that the salary dollars spent would be
itemized separately on next years financial Statements.
Motion to Accept Treasurer’s Report – Susan Yaciw
Seconded – Corina Scherer
Carried
HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT
Peter Dyck
There were no incidents to report. The Kelowna Committee continues to meet the management /
employee requirements. Worksite surveys (walk abouts) are completed on a monthly basis. In
response to suspicious package incident in Penticton, Admin Staff received additional training on
protocols.
Peter Dyck thanked former Committee members Allan Bruce and Heather Reiter for their work on
the Committee and welcomed Susan Yaciw and Cynthia Stevenson. Susan will be taking Peter’s
place on the Committee.
The floor was yielded to questions. No questions were brought forward. There was no report
available by the Penticton Committee.
Motion to Accept Health and Safety Report – Mona Hazell
Seconded – Colin Halliday
Carried
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Corina Scherer
There are two scholarships being awarded, each being $1,000.00. One to Penticton Senior
Secondary and one to be shared, on a rotational basis, amongst the three school districts in the
Okanagan Valley. The scholarships are awarded by the school district based on such factors as
grades, merit, need etc. If all things were equal, the scholarship would be awarded to the student
with connection to UTE. The recipients have two years to confirm their registration for postsecondary education in order to receive the funds from UTE.
The 2004 recipient for Penticton Senior Secondary was Alexandra Barton (Elizabeth Barton's
daughter). She is enrolled in fashion design at Ryerson University in Toronto. We wish her
success in her endeavors.
School District #23 – Central Okanagan was the other 2004 recipient. Their Bursary and
Scholarship society chose Nicholas Heuser as the recipient. Nicholas has not yet confirmed his
registration for post-secondary education.
The 2005 scholarships will be available to Penticton Senior Secondary and School District # 67 –
Okanagan Skaha.
We also received acknowledgment that the 2003 School District recipient Teresa Alaric has
enrolled in Business Administration at UBC and has not been issued her funds from UTE.
The floor was yielded to questions. No questions were brought forward.
Motion to Accept Scholarship Report – Brenda Sanders
Seconded – Cheryl Ballantine
Carried
EMPLOYMENT EQUITY REPORT
Sarah Redd
Brief Summary of Business for the 2004-2005 SITSO Employment Equity Committee:
Completed Projects/Events:
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March 8th - International Women's Day – Guest Speaker Beryl Itani.
March 21st - International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination – Video
presentation and posters.
June 21st - National Aboriginal Day – Guest Speakers Chief Louie – Osoyoos Indian
Band and Dr. Duane Thompson Professor at O.U.C.
December 3rd – International Day of Disabled Persons – Posters
December 6th - Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, Collected
clothing, toiletry items, bedding, towels etc. and donated to the local Women's Shelters.
This event was a HUGE Success!
Projects for 2005-2006:
Aboriginal Student Board
In House Accounting Business Case
Motion to Accept Employment Equity Report – Corina Scherer
Seconded – Cheryl Ballantine
Carried
PROPOSED CHANGES AND AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS
Betty Bannon
RESOLUTION 1 – Amendment to Bylaw 5:
Susan Yaciw
WHEREAS the existing fiscal period is January to December;
WHEREAS the bylaws state that the Annual General Meeting be held in February;
WHEREAS the locals in the Pacific Region work together to arrange dates for the Annual
General Meetings that will facilitate the travel and appearance of special guest speakers at the
Annual General Meetings, and eliminate conflicting dates;
WHEREAS all of the UTE locals in the Pacific Region presently have the Annual General
Meetings in February and;
WHEREAS the six (6) weeks from the conclusion of the fiscal period to the date of the Annual
General meeting puts a great deal of stress on the Treasurer and Auditor to prepare the
statements and complete a review of the statements and copy to present the financial
information.
BE IT RESOLVED that the fiscal period be changed to January 1, 2005 to November 30, 2005
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the fiscal period thereafter be December 1st to November
30th.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Bylaw 6 section 2E be corrected to reflect the fiscal period to
November 30th.
Motion to Accept – Colin Halliday
A VOTE WAS CALLED – With a majority vote, the motion was CARRIED.
RESOLUTION 2 – Amendment to Add Bylaw 16:
Sarah Redd
WHEREAS in the past year we have been on strike and recognize the financial impact that a
Strike can have on the members;
WHEREAS present bylaws do not permit any financial assistance or "top up" of strike pay.
BE IT RESOLVED that the local establish and administer an Emergency Strike Fund to assist the
local members during a future strike effective immediately;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the bylaw reads as follows:
BYLAW 16 – EMERGENCY STRIKE FUND
Section 1:
For the purpose of this section, a member also includes an individual of a bargaining unit
generally known as a RAND FORMULA payee who makes monthly Emergency Strike Fund
assessment payments.
Section 2:
Each member shall pay a monthly emergency strike fund assessment in the amount of three
dollars ($3.00).
Section 3:
All funds received by the local under this bylaw subsection (2) shall be held in trust in the
Emergency Strike Fund for the members and be allowed to accumulate for the benefit of the
members.
Section 4:
Any monies earned through the investment of the funds received under this bylaw shall form part
of the Emergency Strike Fund.
Section 5:
No portion of the Emergency Strike Fund, either principal or income earned, shall be paid or
transferred into the general operating fund of the local
Section 6:
At the commencement of any authorized strike action:
a) The Treasurer shall provide to the Executive a report detailing the current status of the
Emergency Strike fund, including financial statements for the Fund covering a period
since the previous Annual General Meeting and;
b) The Executive shall cause the Emergency Strike Fund to be separated into two
components, the Strike Benefits Fund and the Strike Administration Fund.
Section 7 – Strike Administration Fund:
a) At the commencement of any authorized strike action, the Executive shall deposit into the
Strike Administration Fund an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000.00).
The Strike Administration Fund shall be used for the purposes including but not limited to:
the costs of the local strike headquarters, meeting of strike committees, distribution of
publicity material and other publications relating to the strike, legal fees, consultant fees,
and other expenses not provided for by the U.T.E. or the P.S.A.C.
b) Expenditures out of the Strike Administration Fund shall be approved by the Executive.
Section 8 – Strike Benefits Fund:
a) At the commencement of any authorized strike action, the Executive shall deposit into the
Strike Benefits fund, the balance of any monies held in the Emergency Strike Fund after
the allocation of the Strike Administration fund has been made.
b) Eligibility for benefits shall be in accordance with the Regulations of the P.S.A.C.
Constitution. Members will not be eligible for the benefits under the following
circumstances:
i.
If the member is unemployed or on lay-off at the beginning of the strike.
ii.
If the member is on leave of any kind, drawing sick or accident benefits, or
drawing Worker's Compensation Benefits.
iii.
If the member is participating in a Strategic Strike where they are being
remunerated at the rate of 60% of their gross pay.
c) Benefits shall only be paid provided the strike action is undertaken for a minimum of two
(2) days, which need not be consecutive providing the strike action forms part of the
same dispute.
d) The Local shall, pursuant to the Regulations of the P.S.A.C. Constitution, beginning on
the third day of the strike action, pay retroactively, for the full period of the strike action, to
each member actively participating in the strike action, a supplementary amount to top up
total strike pay not to exceed seventy percent (70%) of normal gross pay to a maximum
of fifty dollars ($50.00) per day and a maximum of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00)
per calendar week for the duration of any authorized strike action.
e) The calendar week shall be defined as commencing on Sunday and ending Saturday
f)
Notwithstanding section 8(e), benefits shall only be paid to members as long as monies
are available in the Strike Benefits Fund. The local shall not borrow funds from any
source whatsoever for the purpose of providing additional monies to the Strike Benefits
Fund.
Section 9 – Operation of the Strike Benefits Fund:
a) The Strike Benefits Fund shall be administered by a committee comprising of the Second
Vice-President, Treasurer and three members representing the local. The chairperson of
the committee shall be elected from among and by all three Executive members.
b) The committee described in Section 9(a) shall be known as the Strike Benefits
Committee.
c) The chairperson shall have the authority to call committee meetings as he/she deems
necessary. Committee meetings shall be called at the written request of the majority of
the other members of the committee.
d) All expenditures out of the Strike Benefits Fund shall be approved by a simple majority
vote of the committee members. The Chairperson of the committee shall direct the
Treasurer to make payment of the expenditures approved by the committee.
e) The Treasurer shall provide the Chairperson of the committee with a written report
detailing the status of the Strike Benefits Fund on a weekly basis for the duration of any
authorized strike action.
f) All monies deposited into the Strike Benefits Fund shall be maintained in a separate
account at any credit union or chartered bank.
g) Two signature shall be required on all cheques drawn on accounts in the name of the
Strike Benefits Fund.
h) Persons authorized to sign cheques drawn on accounts in the name of the Strike Benefits
Fund shall be the Treasurer, Secretary, 2nd Vice President, 1st Vice President and
President of the local.
i) Benefits shall be paid to eligible members at the conclusion of authorized strike action.
j) The chairperson of the Strike Benefits committee shall within thirty (30) days of the
conclusion of the strike action, post a detailed report addressed to the membership
outlining disbursements of funds made.
k) Once the principal portion of the fund has reached one hundred thousand dollars
($100,000.00), a Special General Meeting or Annual General Meeting will be called to
discuss reducing the contributions to the Emergency Strike Fund.
Section 10 – Collapsing of the Emergency Strike Fund:
A Special General Meeting or an Annual General Meeting will be called with the membership to
discuss the collapse of the Emergency Strike Fund and the disposition of the monies in the
Emergency Strike Fund should any of the following apply:
i.
An enactment of law that prohibits members of the P.S.A.C. to be in a legal strike position
or;
ii.
There is no need for a Strike fund as there is no future potential for a strike or;
iii.
The P.S.A.C. Strike Pay is equal to or greater than a members full days gross pay.
Motion to Accept – Sarah Redd
A VOTE WAS CALLED – With a majority vote, the motion was DEFEATED.
RESOLUTION 3 – Amendment to Bylaw 4:
Sarah Redd
Motion to Withdraw – Sarah Redd
A VOTE WAS CALLED – With a majority vote, the motion was CARRIED.
RESOLUTION 4 – Amendment to Bylaw 8:
Joy Harrison
WHEREAS the office of President is a key position providing leadership to the local;
WHEREAS effective performance of the duties of the office are fundamentally tied to the
knowledge and experience of the operation of the local, the UTE and at the regional and national
level, and the PSAC at the regional and national level.
BE IT RESOLVED that the nominee to the office of the President have the additional prerequisite
qualification of one (1) complete term of service on a local Executive within P.S.A.C.
Thus the bylaw will read:
"All members in good standing shall be eligible for office, the office of the president also requires
that the nominee has served one (1) complete term as part of a local Executive within the
P.S.A.C……"
Motion to Accept – Joy Harrison
A VOTE WAS CALLED – With a majority vote, the motion was DEFEATED.
RESOLUTION 5 – Amendment to Bylaw 8:
Joy Harrison
WHEREAS our current bylaws do not provide for a clear definition of the role of the nominating
committee
WHEREAS there could be a potential conflict of interest, real or perceived
BE IT RESOLVED that the Chair of the Nominating Committee and Nomination Committee
members shall be comprised of only those members who are not seeking an office.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Bylaw 8 Section 1 read ," The nomination committee shall
give notice not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date of election, those offices, which shall fall
vacant, and shall provide nomination forms. Nomination forms must be signed by two members of
the local and must contain the written consent of the candidate for office. Nominations shall be
filed with the Nomination committee not less than 7 days prior to the Annual General Meeting.
The Nomination Committee Chairperson and Committee members shall be comprised of only
those members who are not seeking office. …"
Motion to Accept – Joy Harrison
A VOTE WAS CALLED – With a majority vote, the motion was DEFEATED.
RESOLUTION 6 – Amendment to Bylaw 8:
Jeanette Burton
WHEREAS UTE Regionally or Nationally does not use the members money to fund any
candidates for their campaigns.
BE IT RESOLVED that Bylaw 8 add the following new paragraph: "No local dues will be spent to
support any or all candidates that are running for a local position"
Motion to Accept – Pamela Abbott
A VOTE WAS CALLED – With a majority vote, the motion was CARRIED.
RESOLUTION 7 – Amendment to Bylaw 8:
Jeanette Burton
WHEREAS Nominations and Elections are a two step process;
BE IT RESOLVED that Bylaw 8 Section 1 be amended to delete the following: "An election will
be conducted not less than seven days prior to the Annual General Meeting. In the event that
more than two nominees stand for election to office, a simple majority (50% + 1) will be
necessary to declare a nominee successful. Where the first ballot fails to produce a successful
nominee, an additional ballot will be conducted."
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a new paragraph be added to Bylaw 8 titled "Election
Process":
"An election will be conducted not less than seven days prior to the Annual General Meeting. In
the event that more than two nominees stand for election to office, a simple majority (50% + 1)
will be necessary to declare a nominee successful. Where the first ballot fails to produce a
successful nominee, an additional ballot will be conducted."
Motion to Accept – Jeanette Burton
A VOTE WAS CALLED – With a majority vote, the motion was CARRIED.
RESOLUTION 8 – Amendment to Bylaw 8:
Jeanette Burton
WHEREAS many members travel out of town for work, and are unable to be in town to vote on
the election day for local executive positions.
BE IT RESOLVED that Bylaw 8 be amended to add the following new paragraph under "Election
Process": "For members that are unable to attend a polling station for the local nominations on
the election day, a mail in ballot or another alternative day will be selected by the nomination
committee. This day selected for the mail in ballot or alternative day, will be done no less than 10
days prior to the final day of voting."
Motion to Accept – Karen Krysko
A VOTE WAS CALLED – With a majority vote, the motion was CARRIED
RESOLUTION 9 – Amendment to change Bylaw 8:
Motion to Withdraw – Sarah Redd
A VOTE WAS CALLED – With a majority vote, the motion was CARRIED.
RESOLUTION 10 – Amendment to change Bylaw 9 Section 6:
Motion to Withdraw – Sarah Redd
A VOTE WAS CALLED – With a majority vote, the motion was CARRIED.
RESOLUTION 11 – Amendment to Bylaw 15 add Section 5:
Motion to Withdraw – Sarah Redd
A VOTE WAS CALLED – With a majority vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Unfinished Business – Discipline & Kelowna Referendum
Joy Harrison
Joy Harrison talked about the Kelowna referendum. Referendum was held, the motion for
Kelowna to separate from Penticton did not was not successful.
Joy Harrison spoke about discipline. She stated that there were two incidents during the recent
strike that were reviewed by the committee. On November 04, 2004 letters were hand delivered
to two members. On November 18, 2004 one member attended a meeting with the discipline
committee and provided the necessary information to exonerate them. On January 05, 2005 Joy
Harrison attempted unsuccessfully to contact the other member, Gail Simpson, by phone. A
second letter was hand delivered on February 07, 2005. Mrs. Simpson has not replied at this
time.
Motion to Accept Discipline Committee Report – Colin Halliday
Seconded – Pat Clements
Carried
Discipline Committee Recommendation
Joy Harrison
The Disciplinary committee recommended a fine of two days pay and a three year suspension of
Gail Simpson’s membership.
Motion to Accept Discipline Recommendation – Terry White
Seconded – Karen Krysko
Carried
DINNER:
Due to the late hour of the meeting (7:00) Joy Harrison suggested that dinner be served, and that
we can resume with the rest of the agenda after dinner. Dinner was served.
GUEST SPEAKER – PAMELA ABBOTT
Pamela spoke about the challenges of the strike in the past year. Our Region worked hard.
Pamela thanked everyone for his or her hard work during the strike. Our contract may not be
everything we were hoping for but without the hard work of the members we would not have
achieved what we did. Pamela encouraged everyone to get back to the “grassroots”,
communication with the members is essential. Pamela thanked Joy Harrison and presented her
with a gift.
GUEST SPEAKER – BETTY BANON
Betty thanked Joy and the Executive for the invitation. She states that strike war stories are
beginning to be told. Betty spoke about the effectiveness of the strategic strike and thanked
those who were affected.
Betty spoke about the U.T.E. and P.S.A.C. websites. She encouraged everyone to log on and
see what information is available. She urged all members to review the information available on
the scholarships and to apply.
Betty spoke about unauthorized access of accounts during work. Do not access an account if it is
not directly related to and necessary for the completion of your job. Employees are doing this
and are being disciplined with suspensions and dismissals. Do not do it!
It is convention year. They will set the budget for the next three years. Policies and By-Laws will
be amended. Elections will be held to elect the new leadership. Betty urged our local to send
delegates to ensure our voice is heard. Betty urged members to put forward resolutions; the
deadline is noon on March 12, 2005.
Joy Harrison thanked Betty and presented her with a gift.
GUEST SPEAKER – NYCOLE TURMEL
Nycole thanked the members for the invitation. She stated that this has been a challenging year
with the strike and the collective bargaining. She states that the strike should never have
happened but the result was good and we came out solid. Nycole thanked everyone for their
support.
She is looking into the future towards retirement. She is still working hard to get issues
addressed. Regional convention is coming up, she encourages the local to send delegates and
participate in the convention. States that the coming year will be a challenge as well. There may
be possible downsizing, centralization and privatization, which will affect the members. The
members may need to fight downsizing. People are currently working on a plan of action to fight,
mobilize and action. This is a Provincial Election year, she encourages everyone to be involved
and vote, Nycole encourages all members to be involved with available training.
Joy Harrison thanked Nycole Turmel for speaking and presented her with a gift.
Election of Officers
Betty Bannon and Terry White
There being more than one nomination for the positions of President, First Vice-President,
Second Vice-President and Cheif Shop Steward it was necessary to hold an election by secret
ballot. It was agreed that previous nominations would stand and additional nominations were
accepted from the floor.
The nominations were as follows:
President:
Susan Yaciw
Sarah Redd
A vote by secret ballot was held – Sarah Redd was elected.
First Vice President:
Joy Harrison
Joy Harrison was elected by acclimation.
Second Vice President: Susan Yaciw
Sharon Hickey
A vote by secret ballot was held – Sharon Hickey was elected.
Treasurer:
Susan Yaciw
Susan Yaciw was elected by acclimation.
Secretary:
Brenda Sanders
Brenda Sanders was elected by acclimation.
Chief Shop Steward:
Alex Cook
Corina Scherer
A vote by secret ballot was held – Alex Cook was elected.
Stewards:
Corina Scherer
Collin Halliday
Rick Columbus
Jo-Ann Baker
Stan Evenson
Carrie Moojelsky
Ruth Eisworth
Nycole Turmel swore in all members present.
Recognition Awards & Door Prizes
Long time service awards were presented to Terry White, Stan Evenson, Colin Halliday, Sharon
Hickey and Jeanette Burton. Door prizes were presented.