Hamilton CRA-AFS Subgroup and Hamilton CRA Branch 4D Minutes of AGM - Tuesday May 21, 2024
A few minutes before dinner, Ward Cluff called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm. He added Shawn Gillis, Doug Mason, and John Purdie to the meeting Agenda. Allan Laaksonen moved that these be added and Anne Budzinski Seconded. All in favor: carried.
Approval of Agenda as per Notice of Meeting
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Moved: |
Megan Horn |
Seconded: |
Lisa Clark
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Carried Yes. |
Adoption of Minutes of previous Annual General Meeting
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Moved: |
Chris L’Estrange
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Seconded: |
Ken Bald |
Carried Yes |
President’s Report-Subgroup – Ward Cluff
Ward spoke about Tony D’Amico and commended him for planning all of these events in Hamilton. More events are scheduled. He welcomed the retirees, the Executive, the Stewards, and the OSH Committee.
Spoke about the Return to Office Mandate (ROOP), inconsistencies with messaging given to members by management and issues with that.
AFS has removed themselves from UMA Initiative.
Our group is looking to create our own Charitable Campaign for those who want to participate in it.
Paused the meeting at 6:21 for dinner.
Resumed meeting at 710pm.
To accept the Subgroup President’s Report:
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Moved: |
Joanna Haslip |
Seconded: |
Allan Laaksonen
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Carried |
Business arising from the last meeting:
None
Treasurer’s Report
Branch-Jaspreet Gill and Subgroup- Lucy Bourak
Both spoke about financial statements and future budgets.
To accept Branch Treasurer’s report.
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Moved: |
Zaigham Butt |
Seconded: |
Ward Cluff |
Carried Yes |
To accept Subgroup Treasurer’s report.
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Moved: |
Joanne Haslip |
Seconded: |
Ward Cluff |
Carried Yes |
President’s Report-Branch – Tony D’Amico
Tony thanked everyone for coming. He thanked Shawn Gillis and Doug Mason for coming and for all of their hard work.
Noted that we have 338 members and he has been busy protecting local members’ rights, following the Collective Agreement and Policies. Issues he has been dealing with lately are return to office, accommodation requests and many mental health issues.
One event coming up in June is Rainbow Coffee Day.
June 30 Buffalo Bisons Game for members
September 2024 Truth & Reconciliation day event
Holidays – get together
Note that we have 2 new stewards.
We have showed solidarity with PSAC this year
Zaigham Butt attended the City’s National Day of Mourning April 30 in Hamilton.
Our Branch won Branch of the Year. There are 14 other Branches in the Ontario Region.
Request to accept the President’s Branch Report:
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Ward Cluff |
Seconded: |
Jaspreet Gill |
Carried Yes |
Tony Discussed the By-Law changes proposed and gave members time to review them. Changes were made to By-Laws 5.1-5.5, 7.3.1, 7.3.2, 9,
Request to accept the By-Law Changes:
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Moved: |
Allan Laaksonen
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Seconded: |
Heather Geddes |
Carried Yes |
Report of the Elections Committee – Hamilton CRA AFS Subgroup 2023-2025
The Election Committee for this year consisted of: Laura Armes and Jennifer Tufgar. Jennifer Tufgar spoke for the Committee at the AGM and announced the positions
The following are acclaimed to those positions:
President: Tony D’Amico
Vice President: Heather Geddes
Treasurer: Jaspreet Gill
Secretary: Lucy Bourak
Members at Large:
Ken Bald
Zaigham Butt
Meaghan Horn
Roxane McMillan
Joe Stanziani
(no additional members volunteered)
Congratulations to the new Executive of the Hamilton CRA AFS Branch
Asked for someone to move to accept the results of the election.
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Moved: |
Ward Cluff |
Seconded: |
Heather Geddes |
Carried |
Special Guests spoke:
Shawn Gillis:
Thanked and acknowledged Ward and the Hamilton executive.
Doug Mason, President AFS Group
Spoke about Collective Agreement and retro pay.
Stewards should get hard copies of the Collective Agreement soon. Discussed those members on sick leave receiving EI and how the lump sum would affect them. They may have to contact a Steward for help regarding this.
He said the government will focus on cutting spending; maybe through attrition. It may affect some IT people, term positions or PSAC members.
Management decided to suspend Long Service Awards at CRA and then reversed their decision.
There are currently travel cuts at CRA.
Virtual Work Arrangement – VWA – must be initiated by the employee; cannot be forced by employer. All requests are on a case-by-case basis and if refused, employee must receive the decision in writing.
Discussed communication with management about the return-to-work guidelines. Union was not notified when the 3 day in person mandate was announced, even though just previously attempting to speak with management the week before. No consultation was done.
Union has organized some rallies and are withdrawing from UMC. Also, going to boycott National Public Service Week. Union is filing complaints for unfair labour practices.
Special Guest: John Purdie, Regional Director of Ontario
Explained Board of Directors structure.
Steward Council coming up in September in Niagara on the Lake, White Oaks.
Advanced Steward Training coming up as well.
PIPSC AGM will be in Toronto. Members can go as observers.
Discussing dues increase this year.
Ontario Region trying to do more outreach to members this year.
We have a very active Youth Professionals group; most active in Canada.
Asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
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Moved: |
Meaghan Horn |
Seconded: |
Chris L’Estrange
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Carried |
Meeting adjourned at 7:45.