Minutes of Local 356 General Meeting
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), Kent Hodgin (Steward, Bancroft MNR), Mike Turner, (Steward, Minden MNR), Secretary Don Hughes, Gord Holmes, Dennis Fraser, Emily Trolley, Charles Hawley, Keith Irving, Gary Clements, Darren Bishop, Mike Ladouceur, Jeremy Dynes, Bruce Fleck, Gayle Clements, Valerie Holland.
(Total 21 in attendance)
Meeting called to order at
Adoption of Agenda
MOTION
(Turner/Holmes) to adopt. CARRIED
Minutes of previous General meeting (February/06)
MOTION
(Irving/Hodgin) to adopt. CARRIED
Business Arising
There was no business arising from the minutes.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Susan Kuiack’s written financial
statement was available as a handout.
The general account balance had risen from $17,089.20 on
Reports of Officers
President Mikkelsen read a letter he had received in October from the Minister of Natural Resources, David Ramsay, in response to the issue of the MNR budget, which had been raised the previous summer during a meeting between President Mikkelsen, OPSEU Regional Staff Rep Peter Dashfield, and our riding’s MPP Leona Dombrowsky.
First Vice-president James Hawkins reported
that he had just renewed the Local’s website (www.opseulocal356.com) for one year,
and noted that there was a link to the site from the OPSEU website under
“Locals”. He stated that visits would be
made to
Reports of Committees
Nothing to report.
Correspondence
In addition to the letter mentioned under the President’s report, we had received the renewal request for sponsorship of our overseas foster child. The sponsorship had been renewed at a cost of $396. Gayle Clements suggested that our website feature a picture and letter from our foster child.
ACTION:
James Hawkins will add this material to the Local 356 website.
Annual Convention
The OPSEU Convention, April 19-21, will include elections. Prior to that would be the Regional meeting and election. President Mikkelsen wished to attend as our Delegate. We could also send an Alternate and an Observer.
MOTION
(Hawkins/Irving) that Terry Goodwin attend the Convention as Alternate, that
Kent Hodgin attend the Regional as Alternate, that Mike Turner attend both
Convention and Regional as an Observer, and that President Mikkelsen attend
both as Delegate. CARRIED
MOTION
(Hughes/Hawkins) that the Local cover the portion of President Mikkelsen’s
single room expense not covered by OPSEU, and cover single single room expenses
(and other travel costs) for Mike Turner, Kent Hodgin, and Terry Goodwin while
they attend the Regional and Convention.
CARRIED
Unfinished Business
Last year’s Convention had run out of time before considering the Resolution passed last year by our General Membership meeting. We would have to pass it as a new motion to submit it for this year’s Convention.
MOTION
(Irving/Turner) 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.
New Business
Discussion centered on the next General
Membership meeting, at which elections for our new Executive will take
place. The date of
President Mikkelsen commented on the OPS survey recently announced through general government e-mail. This would be an opportunity to communicate clearly the sentiments regarding, and effects of, such working conditions as unfilled vacancies, overwork, and lack of funding.
Adjournment
MOTION
(Hawkins) to adjourn at
Following adjournment, the members were
treated to an informative and enjoyable presentation by Terry Goodwin on his
volunteer trip to
Arne Mikkelsen, President Local 356
Don Hughes, Secretary Local 356