ST. ANDREWS BRANCH - MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING -December 9, 2022

THE PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF CANADA

ST. ANDREWS BRANCH - MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

9 DECEMBER 2022, 12:00 P.M.

ST. ANDREWS, NB.

In attendance:  A. Cooper, S. Leadbeater, R. Martin, R. Singh, R. Stephenson, I. Andrushchenko, T. Minch, C, O’Laughlin, B. Regnier-McKellar, B. Reinhart, T. Small, A. Debertin, K. Gillespie, P. Kraska, M. Lawrence, E. Nelson, B. Wilson, R. Nason, L. Jonah, L. Johnson. 

Virtual Attendance: L. Brager, J. McIntrye, L. Teed, D. Hamoutene, M. Morrison.

The meeting was called to order at 12:15.

1. Additions to agenda.

None

2. Approval of the Minutes of last AGM (17 November 2021).

Motion to approve minutes of last AGM: R. Stephenson

Seconded: A. Debertin

Vote: approved unanimously

3. Treasurer’s report (R. Singh).

A report was presented.

Motion to Approve Treasurer’s Report: : T. Minch

Seconded: B. Reinhart

Vote: approved unanimously

It was noted that events began to occur mid-2022 due to restrictions on gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Expectation that more events will occur in 2023.

4. Nominations and elections for executive

The 2-year terms for the President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary were closed for nominations. All members of executive will continue their roles in the executive and have 1-year remaining in their 2-year terms.

R. Martin is President.

B. Reinhart is Vice-President. 

R. Singh is Treasurer. 

A. Debertin is Secretary.

5. President’s report (R. Martin) (see attachment for full report)

• Discussion the need for increasing number of stewards for union.
• Asked members to volunteer their time to become a steward. Explained compensation and steps of training to become a steward.
• New federal public servant plan through Canada Life starting next year. Considered a positive win for union.
• President R. Martin to send out Link to seminars next week.
• A $2000 donation was made to the local food bank last year. Many branches in the region also donated money to food banks last year.
• Asked about making new donation.
• Branch is looking for ideas and ways to promote PIPSC within the community.

• Members were encouraged to come up with ways that both branch and SP could use their annual budget allocations to best serve the membership.  
• Some ideas like lunch and learns, hosted coffee breaks, family-friendly activities, Bubble Soccer, BBQ, etc. were suggested for consideration. 
• Given the number of new staff PIPSC, suggestion was made to host other “Lunch and Learn” topics. The SP bargaining “Lunch and Learn” was well received by members of the SP subgroup

Topics to be considered for “lunch and Learn”

• What is PIPSC? What does the Union do for you?
• Labour Relations issues – Leave codes and how to use them.
• What are other unions doing globally?

• Onboarding: There is a disconnect between employees hired on as a Casual and then return as Term or Indeterminate, not the same training is being given for either situation. Management should be reminded to make sure employees who are hired again as Term/Indeterminate get proper onboarding training.

6. Food Bank Donation. President recommended $500.00 this year.

Motion to Donate $500 to St. Andrews and Area Food Bank – R. Singh

Seconded: B. Reinhart

Vote: approved unanimously

7. Adjournment at 12:50.

Motion to Adjourn: B. Reinhart

Seconded: T. Small

President’s Report for 2022 St Andrews Branch AGM – Dec 9, 2022 (R. Martin)

1. Membership engagement
   1. Very difficult with the virtual world. This was a hot topic prior to COVID-19, and is now even more so. 
   2. Looking to members to express ideas on how we can better engage new and existing members moving forward. 
      1. Lunch and learns have been well received and provide an opportunity to get together to discuss union matters. 
      2. BBQs with games, bubble soccer, public service week
      3. Events can be open to the families (bowling, hikes, beach clean-ups) 

2. Decreasing number of stewards
   1. Fewer members signing up to be new stewards and/or current stewards are not renewing their appointments. 
   2. Our local branch has two stewards, Steve and I, and we could certainly use more. 
   3. Basic Steward training available for anyone interested in becoming a Steward. 
      1. Better understand your collective agreement, assist members in addressing and resolving workplace problems, and serve as the link between members and management. 
      2. Stewards are volunteers and as such the time spent on steward responsibilities is up to the individual, but it can be rewarding.    

3. Updates to the Public Service Health Care Plan 
   1. To be implemented on July 1, 2023. 
   2. There are a number of changes including increases to amounts covered for certain medical expenses and services. A full list is available on the PIPSC website 
   3. PIPSC will be offering a 1 hour webinar next Tuesday, Dec 13 @ 1:00 and 4:00 Atlantic.

4. Donation to local food bank
   1. Last year we donated $2000 to the St. Andrews and Area Open Door Food Program
   2. PIPSC has again approved charitable donations of up to $2000 to local food banks.