AFS Penticton Sub Group
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
November 23, 2022 (Wednesday)
Minutes
Attendance: 20 In-Person
Executive in attendance:
President Simone Zobatar
Treasurer Stefan Dobernigg
Secretary Crystal Berry
Member at large Richard Barkwill
Member at large Philip Mantler
Absent Moira Dolan – Vice President
Jose Jimenez – Member at large
Guests Simon Chiu – BC/Yukon – AFS Regional Representative
- Call to order/Introductions - called to order at 5:39 pm/ Quorum Obtained
Simone provided land acknowledgement and introduced guest Simon Chiu and the executive in attendance.
- Approval of agenda
Philip Mantler / Richard Barkwill – All in favor
- Adoption of previous minutes (2021)
Richard Barkwill / David Matheson – All in favor
- President’s report
Simone read out her President’s report, asked for questions from the floor. No direct questions were presented.
- Financial report
Copies of the budget and financial statements were provided. Stefan explained the financial results with a discussion on spending and saving limitations.
Statements accepted:
Michelle Roy / Philip Mantler – All in favor
Budget accepted:
Philip Mantler / David Matheson
- Election of officers
Our elections committee (Jose Jimenez) did not receive any nominations. A call to the floor resulted in no nominations. Positions below have been re-elected by acclamation:
Vice President – Philip Mantler
Secretary – Crystal Berry
Member at Large (two year term) – Jose Jimenez
Member at Large (two year term) – Richard Barkwill
Member at Large (one year term) – Moira Dolan
- Guest Speaker – Simon Chiu, AFS - B.C./Yukon Regional Representative
Simon Chiu talked about this being his second term in this role and reflected on his experience with Ross Ermel in the Western Region governance restructure and shared that things have been a little different with Sylvie as the AC and her probable looming retirement and how working relationships may be affected by the perception that she will be retiring in the near future. Simon mentioned that as of recently, dealings with management have felt similar to that in the old days where the relations were not great.
Simon discussed staffing and concerns that we have staff sitting in pools while the employer is hiring those positions from the outside. If the employer has determined that someone meets the eligibility requirements to be in a pool, they should be fully exhausting those pools before seeking external hiring. Bring these issues to Simone and/or Simon’s attention.
Simon discussed limitations of employer communication on union issues: work from home and new members – the employer will notify subgroup Presidents of hiring. Would not send out AGM notice. Sylvie said that it is not part of the collective agreement – can change collective agreement to allow. National executive has designed an employee pamphlet for new members – a bit of a delay but hopefully will be out by end of this year.
Simon provided bargaining updates – non monetary items are being discussed right now. CRA demands largely focused on interpretation and definitions and French / English translations. Discussed flexible hours – as long as can fit in work hours between window of 6am to 6pm, should be acceptable, employer looking to cut some benefits such as meal allowance for OT standby – this affects CS staff (no one in attendance) and was not agreed upon, they have already agreed to most of the employer’s demands.
Simon discussed some wage agreements that were reached in other areas that were not favorable and not the direction the bargaining team is looking to go. Some have received signing bonuses but still not a good and fair deal for the members. Reassured that our National President Jennifer Carr will not accept these unreasonable deals. Also discussed that others are going the mediation route, but that AFS will not go that route – will go to strike over that option.
Simon also discussed that some members were asking about why AU07 was not proposed in bargaining demands. Simon provided his interpretation of this and why he did not personally support that as an initiative for AFS.
Some of the non-monetary demands that we are fighting for include: wording changes, adding BC Family day as an extra holiday, EI top up for members that have family in palliative care (top up to be same as parental), LWOP – min 3 weeks – want to include language for flexibility, career development – propose to include time to attend CPA seminars or tax seminars for additional experience (competitive with external candidates), and wording of grievance hearing and use of 6400 time.
Questions:
Simon was asked questions for information and clarity. He provided responses and support to the members asking.
- Other Business (reminder for all members to ensure their address is for Penticton)
Simone advised members transferring in to update their address. No other business.
- Adjournment – 7:18 pm
Philip Mantler / Kaan Erisen – All in favor