Present:  President Mike Turner, 1st Vice-president Terry Goodwin, 2nd Vice-president James Hawkins, Treasurer Emily Trolley, Kathy Townsend (Steward at MGS/MTO Bancroft), Doug Jenkins (Steward, Haliburton MNR Fire), Secretary Arne Mikkelsen, Kathy Irwin, Dennis Fraser, Charles Hawley, Keith Irving, Gary Clements, Jeremy Dynes, Gayle Clements, Valerie Holland, Tim Donald, Adam Wanamaker, Linda Robitaille, Susan Kuiack, Don Hughes, Justin Bryant.

(Total 21 in attendance – Quorum met)

 

Guest: Peter Dashfield, OPSEU Region 3, Peterborough.

 

Meeting called to order at 6:56 p.m.  President Turner read the OPSEU harassment policy.

 

Adoption of Agenda

MOTION (Goodwin/Irving) to adopt.  CARRIED

 

Minutes of previous General meeting (February/07)

MOTION (Irving/Hodgin) to adopt.  CARRIED

 

Business Arising

There was no business arising from the minutes.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Emily Trolley gave a verbal report and a written financial statement was available as a handout.  The Book Balance (general account and GIC) at the end of the previous period June to December 31, 2007 was $19, 309.91.  Receipts (OPSEU Local Rebate) were $4, 113.12 for a total Balance and Income of $23, 423.03.  For the reporting period meeting expenses were $915.62 and operating expenses were $265.95.  Ten thousand dollars was transferred from the General Account to a one-year GIC as per the accepted motion from the February 2007 General meeting.

MOTION (Mikkelsen/Irving) to accept.  CARRIED

 

Reports of Officers

 

President Turner reported on the Educational (training) that he attended for New Local President at OPSEU Head Office.  He learned many new things and made valuable contacts. He will be attending a Region 3 session on contract bargaining on March 1st for Local Presidents.

 

First Vice-president Terry Goodwin reported all was quiet and he had nothing new to report at this time. 

 

Second Vice-president James Hawkins reported on the usage of the Local’s website (www.opseulocal356.com).  He stated that responses to the monthly quiz were dwindling and that only one player played during the last month.  Prizes for the correct quiz respondent were items from the OPSEU store, travel mugs etc.  He also reported that he had attended two Educationals, Steward 1 and 2, in the spring and fall.

 

 

Treasurer Emily Trolley had reported previously on the Local’s finances.

 

Acting Secretary Arne Mikkelsen reported that correspondence had been minimal.  He had received the Bank statements from TD Canada Trust, which he had given (late) to Treasurer Trolley and some request for charitable donations (Foster Parent Plan/Canadian Cancer Society). He also put out a request that someone from the Local take over the Secretary’s position as he will be retiring in December and the Local will require a secretary during the new bargaining session for the new collective agreement which will begin this year.

 

 

Correspondence

As per the Secretary’s Report

 

Contract Bargaining Timelines – Peter Dashfield Region 3, OPSEU Peterborough

 

Brother Dashfield spoke to the process of negotiation and that this is a good time for OPSEU to negotiate, four different bargaining sectors have their contracts up for renewal: Community Colleges, September 2008, The Ontario Public Service (OPS), December 31, 2008, The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), March 2009, Hospital Staff, March 31, 2009.  All of these sectors bargaining in the same time frame give OPSEU some bargaining leverage with the Liberal government.

 

Peter Dashfield explained that negotiation for the OPS is different this time, OPSEU and the Government has agreed to “Park” the “Essential Services” negotiations which have always been a stumbling block and proceed with the issue bargaining exercise first.

 

Region 3 will be holding a Local Presidents meeting on March 1st, 2008 to begin the bargaining process.  Then surveys will be sent out to the general membership in late March or April to get input. Then Local Demand Setting will take place in April-May.  Then on June 7, 2008 Region 3 will hold another meeting to further “Demand Setting”.  Then in November bargaining will commence with the government.

 

Questions to Peter Dashfield from the floor:

 

Keith Irving: Q: What percent increase are we looking at?  A: Three percent annually could be reasonable, but don’t come with predetermined shopping list, there is a trade of between benefits and salary.

 

James Hawkins: Q: What length of Contract are we looking for?  A: Depends on what deal is cut, part of bargaining. Q: What about Factor 85?  A: Not achievable, the Trustees of the OP Trust Pension Fund make that determination.

 

Gary Clements: Q: Is November late to begin bargaining?  A: Formal bargaining begins in November, however many things have and continue to be carried out prior to the time formal bargaining begins.

 

Don Hughes: Q: Are other Unions results such as AMAPCEO and OPP good indicators of what OPS can expect?  A: They could be, but still to be determined.

 

Keith Irving: Q: What is the status of the former Classification Grievances?  A: Dead in the Water a total stalemate

 

Annual Convention

The OPSEU Convention, will be held April 17-18-19 this year and will not include elections.  The Local, due to the number of members, is allotted one delegate (Local President), one alternate and one observer.  OPSEU head office covers the Delegates including accommodation based on double occupancy.  The local has traditionally covered expenses for the alternate and observer.

  

MOTION (Hawkins/Hughes); that Local 356 pays the additional cost of single occupancy for the President, Alternate and Observer at the ANNUAL OPSEU Convention and that Local 356 also pay the other expenses (meals, mileage, etc) for the Alternate and Observer.  Carried.

 

Nominations for Convention:

 

Delegate: President Turner automatic delegate.

Alternate: President Turner nominated Secretary Mikkelsen to attend as alternate, 2nd VP Hawkins nominated 1st VP Goodwin to attend.   FIRST VP Goodwin said he would defer to Secretary Mikkelsen attending as alternate to present a resolution to the convention.  FIRST VP Goodwin will attend as an observer.

 

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.  This resolution was submitted for both the 2006 and 2007 OPSEU Convention.  Secretary Mikkelsen stated that he would like to plead the case for this resolution at this year’s Convention

 

MOTION (Irwin/Bryant) that Local 356 re-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 deductions on payments for overtime, shift premium, travel time and severance.

 

Carried

 

Local By-Laws

 

President Turner handed out copies of a proposed By-Law for Local 356.  He went on to explain the need and rationale for such By-Laws.  Peter Dashfield made some clarification on the wording of the proposed By-Laws.  A copy of the By-Laws is posted on the local’s website: (www.opseulocal356.com).  Any corrections, questions or comments regarding these By-Laws should be sent to President Turner by March, so they may be sent to President Thomas for passage.

 

MOTION (Irwin/Bryant) to accept the Draft By-laws with changes made. Passed.

 

 

New Business 

 

Don Hughes; OPTRUST information meetings, President Turner is to contact Don Hughes about getting some for the Local.

 

Educationals, Motion (Hawkins/Turner) that Local 356 pay for the other half of double occupancy rate for Local members attending Educationals Passed.

 

Doug Jenkins: Questions regarding the requirement for MNR Fire staff to having to swear an Oath of Allegiance & Oath of Office for employment.  It is a new requirement for all staff.

 

 

Adjournment

MOTION (Goodwin/Hawkins) to adjourn at 8:40 p.m.  CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike Turner, President Local 356

 

 

 

 

 

Arne Mikkelsen, Secretary Local 356