The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
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St. John’s AV Sub-Group – First Annual Report (2018)

The St. John’s AV Sub-Group was officially formed at its inaugural annual general meeting on Thursday, July 6th, 2017 at Quintana’s Restaurant. There were about twenty PIPSC members in attendance, including David Chu, Atlantic Representative on the National AV Group Executive, who came to town to update members on recent PIPSC activities and to conduct an election of the new executive.

The new Sub-Group Executive for the past year has been led by President Tim Power, Vice-President Bonnie O’Rourke and Treasurer Lori Kennedy. Also joining these ACOA employees on the newly elected Board were Susan Evans of ACOA in the Secretary role, and Shane Curnew (ACOA) and Chris Hendry of DFO in Member at Large positions. A third Member at Large position remained vacant in hopes that a suitable candidate would be recruited from PSPC in the near future.

The Sub-Group’s stated priorities over the past year have been as follows: 1) Phoenix Pay System, 2) Bill C-27 & Impact on Pensions, 3) Sick Leave & Disability, and 4) Contract Time Not Deemed Pensionable. In general the Sub-Group Executive have spearheaded or been engaged in a lot of informal discussions at ACOA (where the bulk of our AV membership is located) on these topics amongst members and/or management.  The Executive will revisit its priorities in the near future and will likely gravitate towards areas that can result in immediate and positive impact.

It has become apparent to some Executive members that the governance structure of PIPSC is very complicated and the need to simplify it should be considered. 

The Sub-Group would like to acknowledge the efforts of Carolyn Hynes and her St. John’s Branch Executive in being very proactive on union matters in the region. We would also like to acknowledge Peter Gabriel and David Chu for their willingness to assist when called upon.

Key activities over the past year for the new Sub-Group included the following:

  • A group information session on Bill C-27 was promoted and attended by several members on October 17th at the St. John’s Elks Club, featuring guest speaker Greg Shriner, VP PIPSC National;
  • Susan Evans attended the AV National AGM in Gatineau in June;
  • Bonnie O’Rourke attended the PIPSC Atlantic AGM in Charlottetown in May;
  • Atlantic Regional Council for PIPSC Shop Stewards was attended by Tim Power in Halifax in late October;
  • The Sub-Group shared in the funding of an Annual Family Skate at Mile One and the annual PIPSC Regional Christmas Party at on December 14, 2017 at O’Reilly’s Pub; and
  • A Lunch and Learn was held at John Cabot Building café space on February 23rd to provide information to about thirty attendees from ACOA and PSPC on Union benefits such as the scholarship program, vendor discounts and travel insurance.

The new Sub-Group currently represents 76 members in the Greater St. John’s region.  

 

Tim Power

President