RWC Meeting Minutes, May 06, 2019
In Attendance:
Alin Ibrahim, CEIU 30856 (recorder)
Arliss Chute USGE 30129
Deb Kosteniuk, UTE 30024
Karen Knull CEIU 30858
Kirsten Strachey, UTE 30024
Tabassom Javadi Doudarani, UNE 30040
Dolly Ablitt, PSAC Regional Representative
Regrets:
Shohreh Mohavedi
Stephanie Hooper
The Meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m.
1. Agenda: Reviewed and adopted, with no amendments: Kirsten moved, Karen seconded.
2. Minutes: from AGM on April 03. Minutes were approved by all this week, and were posted on website.
3. Old Business: Cheques issued to Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society have been cashed and appear on the March 2019 statement.
4. New Business:
a) Alin volunteered to act as secretary today in lieu of Jenn as she is away.
b) Bear Witness Day: Friday May 10. Event planned for lunch time at Harry Hays. Event will take place between 11-2, and three volunteers are required for set up/running the booth/take down. Deb and Kirsten will be present and Alin will request time off. Kirsten booked two tables and three chairs in the atrium. Tablecloth and one flag will be provided for the event. Members are encouraged to bring teddy bears to work. Dolly indicated that the budget is to cover 4 hours of loss of salary for 3 women. Deb asked if Kirsten’s mileage could be reimbursed as she is coming down to Calgary but Dolly said it is not in the budget. Deb said she will look into it. Kirsten and Deb will pick up the slab cake and begin set up of the event. The volunteers will be responsible for handing out literature on Jordan’s principle, serving cake and get members to pose for photos with the teddy bears and paddles, and tweet them out for support. Dolly will send notice to the components to notify them of the Bear Witness Day event at Harry Hays.
c) Movie Night: Deb indicated RWC agreed to show “Pride” because it’s about the Labour strike in England. Dolly inquired about the film choice, indicating that LGBTQ issues could be highlighted by an event hosted by the Human Rights Committee, and suggested it should be a film that focuses on Women. Deb responded “Pride” relates to multiple communities, and focuses on reaching out to multiple communities, including workers and women, and that is a good thing.
d) Sisters in Spirit Vigil: Alin is interested in participating. Deb will inform the RWC on what, when, and where events and workshops are held. We will give a monetary donation to support the packed lunches the SIS provides for participants. Deb suggested that a sticker we provide should go on each lunch bag representing and promoting cause. Deb also suggested that slap fans and whistles should be provided and brought to the vigil for participant use during the rally.
5. Roundtable:
Kirsten: Attended Alberta Federation of Labour convention with Kristy Thomas, brought a new UTE employee, and was elected for Vice President on the Executive Council.
Spoke about Bear Witness Day and Jordan’s Principle at the convention and to bring a teddy bear to work on May 10th.
The Union of Health Care Professionals (HSAA) is conducting a “Walk for Common Ground” from Edmonton to Calgary beginning after the HSAA Annual Convention on May 31, 2019, and arriving at Union hall in Calgary at 3:30 PM on June 13, 2019. The purpose of this walk is to share common ground and open discussion on treaties.
Dolly: Treasury Board has reached impasse with respect to bargaining. Scheduling meetings with members over several weeks to update people on the impasse. PSAC is looking to get into as many local meetings as possible in order to share with members the status on bargaining and the updates regarding domestic violence leave.
Karen: I participated in national meetings with young workers’ group, HPR committee and CEIU.
Arliss: Regarding national bargaining team: not going on strike now, will be going to meetings. TB needs to make movement toward a bargaining deal within the next four weeks.
Tabassom – none.
Alin – none.
Deb: On May Day, PSAC attended the Calgary May Day rally in front of City Hall and has noticed that support and rallies are picking up again through the years. We walked from Harry Hays to the City Hall and then walked/drove to Memorial Park Library where a graphic novel about the 1919 Winnipeg worker’s strike was launched.
The graphic novel, entitled “1919: A Graphic History of the Winnipeg Strike” features photographs from actual strike event and is being sold at Shelf Life books. The book is a documentary on the events in labour history. During the launch, a few individuals were asked to speak and Deb received applause. She spoke of Phoenix pay issues, about protecting previous labour wins, and the importance of fighting for previous wins so that they are not rescinded or lost. We need to remember previous struggles, and stand together with other unions. Unions still play a vital role in our everyday life and we need to remember their importance.
The meeting was adjourned at 18:40.
We will next meet on June 14th for our Movie Night, we may hold a briefing before the movie to discuss Bear Witness Day, issue payment for expenses related to that event.