Fredericton SH Subgroup AGM 2025; Rustico, Fredericton NB (May 22)

 

Meeting called to order by Laura Lee Mullin at 6:11pm.

 

Attendees

Laura Lee Mullin DND	Lisa Jones DND	Glen Boorman DND	Sarah Simpson DND
Amberly Colter ESDC	Kailey Von Richter DND	Stacey Lessard DND	Meaghan Cameron ESDC
Denise Stymiest-Burns ESDC	Danielle Andrews ESDC	Stacy Astle Munn ESDC	Melanie Storey ESDC
Alicia MacWilliams ESDC	Jody Morton ESDC	Marie André Friolet ESDC	Manon Thibodeau ESDC
Manon Dionne DND	Lisa Chapman DND	Kathy Boucher DND	Tracie Legault DND
Courtney Adams DND	Melissa Jolicor DND	Isabelle Chenard DND	Jordan Philpott DND
Kim George DND	Destiny Turnbull-Sabattis DND	Lisa Godboiut RCMP	April Carter VAC
Christine Nowland VAC	Kim George VAC	Selena Glover SH Group Vice president	Carolyn Hynes ATL regional executive

 

Opening comments/Introductions:

Laura Lee welcomed everyone and thanked them for their attendance. A land acknowledgement was read. She then introduced the current executive, Kailey Von Richter (vice president), Lisa Jones (treasurer), Amberly Colter (secretary), Sarah Simpson (member at large), Glen Boorman (member at large), Stacey Lessard (member at large), guest Carolyn Hynes (ATL regional executive) and guest speaker, Selena Glover (SH Group Vice president).

 

Agenda Review:

The agenda was reviewed and motioned to be accepted by Manon Dionne, and Lisa Chapman seconded.

 

Last Year’s AGM Minutes:

Review of last year’s AGM minutes were motioned to be accepted by Jordan Philpott, and Manon Dionne seconded.

 

President’s 2024-2025 Report:

The Fredericton SH subgroup had a member count of 74 in 2024. Our SH members are made-up of nurses, pharmacists, social workers, psychologists, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists and we work at ESDC, DND, VAC and the RCMP. Our last AGM had a record number of participants (34) join, making up almost 50% of the membership. At our AGM we hosted the interim PIPSC president Eva Henshaw who spoke to us about the important issues that affected our group as well as important issues for PIPSC across the country. The election held at our AGM welcomed a new member at large Stacy Lessard NU-DND and we said goodbye to Janet Weber NU-DND. Amberly Colter NU-ESDC was voted into the role of secretary and Lisa Jones acclaimed the treasurer position.

 

Our executive met 6 times last year to discuss group issues and plan membership engagement activities and events. One of these meetings was a joint planning meeting with the Fredericton branch and other local subgroups to plan a large-scale activity with financial support from all groups. The first event of 2024 was meant to be the pride parade in Fredericton, but unfortunately due to potential safety risks/issues, we had to cancel. However, we were represented at the CFB Gagetown pride picnic in July, offering a booth with PIPSC swag and refreshments. Our next event was a wine and food pairing that we hosted with the branch. The event combined food and drink pairings with a slide show that highlighted some of the ways we support our members including grievances and consultation. This event saw over 40 members and was positively received. We plan to host a similar event in the fall themed around making your own cocktail/mocktail.

 

Group issues;

DND - efforts continue to decrease workplace violence. This led to Kailey and Laira Lee meeting with the deputy minister to discuss systemic issues for public servants working in healthcare at DND. These efforts have led to a working group to improve safety at CAF clinics and planning infrastructure changes to improve safety at health care clinics.

Inappropriate use of contractors has also been addressed through consultation. We continue to discuss contracting out and the inappropriate use of long-term contractors in healthcare clinics and drawing attention to some contractors fulfilling these rules for 10 years. These efforts have made positive gains and we've been told that $10 million has been secured to hire more public service positions, potentially converting longstanding contractors to PS.

 

ESDC -de-professionalization continues to be an issue that our stewards are consulting with the employer about. Our nurse’s qualifications and experience demand autonomy and this is on going. The employer also changed the hours of work for our members and several of our members have filed grievances regarding hours of work. These grievances remain in play. Return to the office continues to be discussed and there have been many accommodation requests. At our local Service Canada office there is not enough space and privacy concerns while working with clients continue. The next phase of return to the office will be the third week in June when the MA's return three (two in most ATL sites) days a week.

 

VAC - we're aware that there remains to be several people on term employment and are advocating for indeterminate positions. We are hopeful to see more of our members in an indeterminate status.

 

Our engagement has grown, and we feel very fortunate to have so many of our members coming to events and representing PIPSC. We look forward to serving you another year

 

 

 

SH Subgroup By-Law proposed amendments:

At the 2024 AGM, By-Laws 1 and 3 were changed to include SH members from the Saint John area as there was no SH subgroup in that locale. Since this meeting, an SH sub-group has been started in the Saint John area. Therefore, it was proposed to remove the Saint John area from By-Laws 1 and 3.

 

By-Law 1 Name

The name of this subgroup shall be the PIPSC SH Fredericton hereinafter referred to as the Sub-Group

By-Law 3 Membership

3.1 Every regular member of the SH group working in Fredericton and area shall be

a regular member of the subgroup

3.2 Every regular member of this subgroup who becomes a retired member of the institute and

remains in Fredericton New Brunswick shall be a retired member of this Sub- Group

·       Motion to amend Bylaws 1 and 3 accepted unanimously.

·       Bylaws 1 and 3 will be updated

 

 

Guest Carolyn Hynes (ATL Regional Executive)

Carolyn sits on the Atlantic regional executive, as the training chair which includes involvement in Steward council, training school, etc. Carolyn noted w there is a gap in RCMP stewards and they are also looking for more ESDC stewards in New Brunswick. She noted the advantages of being steward, including steward immunity and there is training and opportunities to get involved. The next basic Steward training is in Sept in Saint John NB.

Lisa Chapman asked about getting time off for steward meetings and expressed how thankful the NPs are about getting a classification.

 

Annual Financial Report:

Lisa Jones provided the Fredericton SH Sub-Group Statement of Revenues and Expenses for the period ending December 31, 2024.

 

AGM Elections 2025:

Laura Lee Mullins acclaimed as President

Kailey Von Richter acclaimed as Vice President

Glenn Boorman was elected as Member at large.

Meaghan Cameron was elected as Member at large.

 

Guest Speaker, Selena Glover (SH Group Vice President):

Selena congratulated Laura Lee for qualifying for the Boston marathon. Selena discussed Stewardship and how her work as a local steward was the most rewarding and fulfilling role. She also noted the more stewards you have the more you gain.

Nurse practitioners are facing a number of issues, including heavy workload. The SH group is working on full classification for NPs

Bargaining;

·       A call our for bargaining issue will be going out to members soon for the next round.

·       Bargaining for such a large and diverse group is a mammoth job and the SH group got the most increase in monetary (4.5% of our operating cost) during the last round. Our PIPSC negotiator Cara was great, and she worked hard for us. Selena noted that the hardest part of bargaining once we had a tentative agreement were all the negative comments and feedback that not all groups were represented at the table. However, the component is made as per the bylaws of the bargaining team. The bargaining team would like to have a rep for the physicians this round, the current rep for psychologists is not re-offering so Selena encourages psychologists to apply for this position.

·       The next bargaining round will include “common issues” and there will not be a general table. A survey from PIPSC President Sean O’Riley will be coming.

·       A front-line allowance for front line workers was brought to the table, but not until the very end of bargaining and did not get much traction. Also, RTO for ESDC and VAC was a non-starter with the employer.

Engagement - subgroups are the best way to connect to members, ATL has a high participant rate. There are currently 19 Subgroups. These help national engagement when there is local participation. The SH group is looking to increase the number of subgroups particularly in BC and QC.

The Bylaw committee provides an overview and guidance on how to govern. Unlike some other groups SH retired members cannot be delegates or sit on an executive.

SH AGM in June at Lac Lemay, QC;

·       The group recieved 150 applications for fifty-two spots

·       Priority was given to members that attended last years AGM virtually

·       If going as an observer, there is no salary replacement

PIPSC is doing a pay equity review (PIPSC website). Most professions in the SH group are 60% women. A review of classification and levels may result in an increase in pay (up to 36cents/hour).

 

Closing remarks

Laura Lee thanked the membership for their participation in the AGM and looked forward to seeing them at more events in the future.  She invited the membership to reach out at any time if they had any ideas for events that they would like to see happen.  Laura Lee moved to adjourn the meeting shortly after 8pm and was seconded by Amberly Colter. Meeting adjourned.