Atlantic Regional Newsletter - Fall 2018

In closing, thank you for your support over my past three years as your Regional Director. Your continued support for another three-year term is appreciated. I will continue to promote our region at the national level and represent the needs of membership in the region. Once again, my heartfelt thanks.

In solidarity,
Kimberley Skanes

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Atlantic Regional Steward Council

Saturday evening the Atlantic Region hosted a Halloween themed hospitality event where Stewards came in some “interesting” costumes.

Thank you to the Atlantic Regional Training Committee and staff for organizing the Council and to the Stewards who participated.

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Halifax Branch Profile

The Halifax Branch is one of the most diverse Branches within the 6 geographical regions of PIPSC. Within the Halifax Branch there are 1268 members from 14 different groups. Currently there are 90 RAND members. Recently this year our membership count grew when we welcomed members from the RCMP who are in the process of signing their membership cards. As a Branch we are committed to the future of our members and proudly support the Atlantic Young Professional’s Committee (AYPC) in which Leslie Nasmith (BI) currently sits as a member.

During the year the Halifax Branch have included their members and families in the following initiatives:

Family Skate

Members and their families enjoyed a skate around the outdoor Emera Oval at the Halifax Commons on March 3, 2018. Everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather along with hot chocolate to warm up after the skate. To allow all members and their families to enjoy the night, skates and helmets were provided to all. This was a joint event with the Halifax DND Branch. During the event funds were raised for the Legacy Foundation.

Pension Information Session

On May 31, 2018, members and their spouses were invited to attend a Pension Lunch and Learn session. To provide flexibility, members were able to attend in person or via WebEx. This was also a joint event with the Halifax DND Branch.

Shakespeare by the Sea

Members and their families were invited to enjoy Shakespeare by the Sea at Point Pleasant Park on August 2, 2018. A live outdoor performance of Alice in Wonderland was enjoyed by all.

Hockey Night

On November 16, 2018, the Halifax Branch is planning a hockey night out in Halifax with members and their families attending a match between the Halifax Mooseheads and the St. John’s Seadogs. Over 300 members and their families will be in attendance to cheer on the Moose!

 

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99th PIPSC AGM

'The 99th PIPSC Annual General Meeting, the supreme governing body of the Institute, was held at the Hilton Lac Leamy, November 2nd and 3rd, 2018.

The night prior to the start of the AGM, Atlantic delegates attended a caucus meeting to review the AGM resolutions.

Friday afternoon began with the presentation on Professionals Canada followed by debate on the resolution until a motion to table it until all financial resolutions were debated with the exception of the budget. Debate was suspended until Saturday.

Friday afternoon continued with the presentation and debate of several amendments to the PIPSC bylaws. The highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of the service awards to Doug Mason (AFS), Ginette Tardiff (SH) and Robert Tellier (CS) and and life member awards to Luc Carrière (CS) and Brian Hassall (AFS).

One final note, during the AGM several videos of hard working PIPSC members were played. One such video was of our very own Mike Pauley of the New Brunswick Engineering Group.

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Barriers to Engagement

Submitted by Colin O’Brien, Atlantic Young Professionals Committee

In April 2018, the Atlantic Young Professionals Committee (AYPC) circulated a survey to the Atlantic Region members under 40 years of age. One of the questions asked was: What do you think is the biggest issue for young workers in PIPSC? Over 54% of members that responded indicated they were concerned about career development and work-life balance.

As a member of the AYPC, and a parent of two pre-school aged children, I can attest personally to the challenge in striking a work-life balance. However, I can also comment based on my personal experience that the PIPSC’s Atlantic Region recognizes the challenges for member and where possible - through the representation and efforts of our Regional Executive and support staff - attempt to develop policies and procedures to facilitate volunteer participation by members.

In regards to career development, our survey results indicated the majority of young members either have or would attend a Lunch and Learn event; specifically, those that focus on skills and professional development. Given our vast geography and population disbursement within the Atlantic Region, finding time to participate in PIPSC activities can be barrier to engagement, particularly with the added travel burden. Like many of our members, we are often actively involved in various groups and volunteer initiatives in our respective communities.

For myself, I live in a rural northern community and due in part to other commitments, I’ve focused my union engagement on areas of personal interest, as well as accessing tools and resources available from PIPSC to support hosting local branch activities. Our Regional Executive and Training Committee Chair have been supportive and responsive in our local efforts to encourage member engagement and information sharing. There is also an active network of stewards across the Atlantic Regions whom are available to support members with questions or concerns regarding workplace issues, they can also offer suggestions about available resources. Stewards are fellow members whom have volunteered their time with a genuine concern to ensure all members are aware of their rights and have representation when needed to protect their right under your collective agreement.

Bringing forward your ideas and prospective on real and perceived barriers in crucial to ensuring PIPSC remains relevant in the everyday lives of our members. Without your voice, the issues that face young professionals will suffer from balancing limited resources with competing priorities of our membership. As an example, PIPSC does have measures in place to help support childcare for members participating in some union activities. As a parent of pre-school aged children, I believe we would benefit from a thorough review and comparison with other like organization to ensure best practices are employed; it’s not necessarily about providing more resources, but aligning existing resources to better respond to the needs of members.

I would encourage young member to consider participating in a local PIPSC event or putting your name forward during a call for volunteers. I think you’ll find it a positive experience and likely get the opportunity to complete some form of training that
may assist in your career development aspirations.

The opportunity to meet and learn from other young professional with diverse backgrounds and opinions will strengthen PIPSC and ensure it continues to reflect the priorities of all members.
Please do not hesitate in contacting a member of AYPC, your local constituency body or a steward, with any questions or your interest in learning more about PIPSC.

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Steward of the Year Award

During the Atlantic Steward Council Award Dinner Friday evening, the 2018 Steward of the Year Award was presented to Craig Bradley.

Craig has been the PEI Branch President since 2010. As Branch President, Craig organizes many events for the Branch. Craig promotes member inclusivity by ensuring both the Charlottetown and Summerside main centres have the opportunity to host events and hence supporting local member participation. He also makes efforts to host events, such as Lunch & Learns where there is low steward-representation in an effort to make PIPSC visible in that office and to try and recruit new stewards.

 

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Recognizing Extraordinary Stewards and Executive Members

Have you worked with an amazing steward or have you been dazzled by an executive on one of the tremendous constituent bodies (Branch, Sub Group, Regional Executive) in our Region?

The Executive of the Year is presented at the Atlantic Regional Council while the Steward of the Year is presented at the Steward Council. All you need to do is complete a form and say why the person is deserving of the award. It is just that simple.

For further information on both awards contact cpinks@pipsc.ca or check out the following link: http://www.pipsc.ca/regions/atlantic.

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Fall Training

The Atlantic Region hosted the Fall Basic Steward Training September 20th to 22nd at the Delta Brunswick, Saint John, NB. Fifteen new stewards were trained and now are the eyes and ears of the Institute in their offices.

The Region will also be hosting Constituent Body training November 23rd and 24th at the Delta Prince Edward, Charlottetown. There are 20 members registered for this popular course.

The Atlantic Regional Executive and Training Committee thank those who participated in the above sessions as well as the Atlantic Regional office staff who prepared and facilitated the training.

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Your Regional Executive