Minutes of Local 356 General Meeting

February 15, 2006

Bancroft Village Playhouse

 

Present:  President Arne Mikkelsen, 1st Vice-president James Hawkins, 2nd Vice-president Terry Goodwin, Treasurer Susan Kuiack, Kathy Townsend (Steward at MGS/MTO Bancroft), Doug Jenkins (Steward, Haliburton MNR Fire) Secretary Don Hughes, Teodoro Castasus, Scott Milburn, Tom Simpson, Gord Holmes, Steve Rooke, Dennis Fraser, Emily Trolley, Erin McCorkell, Lynn Neuman, Charles Hawley, Amanda Cox, Jennifer Boone, Patricia Salar, Jennifer White, Keith Irving, Peter Dashfield (OPSEU Staff)

 (Quorum met, minimum of ten members required).

 

Meeting called to order at 6:18 p.m.  President Mikkelsen read the OPSEU harassment policy.

 

Adoption of Agenda

MOTION (Fraser/Irving) to adopt.  CARRIED

 

Minutes of previous General meeting (July/05)

MOTION (Hughes/Irving) to adopt.  CARRIED

 

Business Arising

There was no business arising from the minutes of the last general meeting.  From the past Local Executive Committee (LEC) meeting minutes, James Hawkins was investigating the possibility of a website for the Local.  He announced that on the following weekend the site www.opseulocal356.com would be operational.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Susan Kuiack had not been able to compile a formal report, but did note that our account balance was over $17,000, plus she had received our next rebate cheque of about $1600.  We also have a GIC of over $5400.  The semi-annual audit of the Local’s books was due soon.

 

Reports of Officers

President Mikkelsen reported he had attended a workshop for new presidents.  With insights gained from that event, he would like to develop Local bylaws for our membership to consider at a future meeting.  These would provide some direction for spending controls and for the conduct the Local’s business.

 

Reports of Committees

Nothing to report. 

 

Correspondence

We had received requests for charitable donations, renewal for sponsorship of foster child, etc.  The latter had been renewed (~$397).  Discussion followed about guidelines for LEC to direct contributions to charities.  Members indicated support for local charities or for those causes with significant involvement of our members.

 

New Business

President Mikkelsen noted that at present the Officers of the Local do not have spending limits or direction for business of Local 356. 

 

MOTION (Mikkelsen/Hawkins) to authorize spending limits for Union business (not charitable donations) as follows:

            The President of the Local may approve individual expenditures up to $500.

            The Local Executive Committee may approve individual expenditures up to       $1200.

Expenditures exceeding $1200 require the approval of members at a General Meeting.

Motion CARRIED

 

More discussion followed concerning authorization for routine donations to charities.

MOTION (Fraser/Irving) to set a $50 limit per donation request, up to a limit of $750 annually (i.e. ~10% of rebates), to be reviewed within one year.  CARRIED

 

Discussion ensued re exceptional requests for donations, e.g., unique situations involving participation by Local members.  One such situation is that of Terry Goodwin’s eco-volunteer trip to Guatemala to help dig a community well.  For that excursion he needs to raise $3200 ($500 of his own contribution).  He presently has raised about $1000.  He would be very appreciative of any support of Local 356, and would commit to giving a presentation to a General Meeting after his trip.

 

MOTION (McCorkell/Fraser) that LEC be authorized to make special donations not to exceed $750 per annum in total, such donations not requiring general membership approval.  CARRIED

 

MOTION (Fraser/Irving) that the membership approve a $500 donation to Terry Goodwin’s Guatemala.  CARRIED

           

Peter Dashfield addressed the members, congratulating them on showing up, indicating their support for the Local.  He noted that OPSEU was waging a campaign to have the employer permit OPSEU members whose work is privatized remain in OPTrust.  I.e., they should be able to continue contributing to the OPSEU Pension Plan, and retire under the same conditions.  Each member was requested to fill out a card and return it to his/her steward.  The hope is to deliver thousands of such cards to Minister of Government Services Gerry Phillips.

 

The OPSEU Convention takes place April 20-22.  President Mikkelsen will be our Delegate.  MOTION (Irving/Hawkins) that Terry Goodwin attend as an Alternate Delegate.  CARRIED.

 

Doug Jenkins raised a question about how to try to stop OPSEU dues being deducted from payments for overtime, shift premium, travel time, and severance.

 

MOTION (Irving/Jenkins) that Local 356 submit the following resolution to the OPSEU Convention:

WHEREAS the members of OPSEU do not wish to have dues deducted from payments for overtime, shift premium, travel time, and severance,

THEREFORE, be it resolved that OPSEU shall no longer authorize the employer to make said deductions.

 

Peter Dashfield announced that there is an Educational weekend May 27-28 at Fern Resort.  He has applications to be filled out, entitling any selected member and family to attend all expenses paid.

 

Adjournment

MOTION (Irving) to adjourn at 8:15 p.m.  CARRIED