Public Service Alliance of Canada
Lethbridge and District Area Council
General Meeting
Dec 15, 2020 @ 5:30pm Via Zoom
Approved Minutes
In attendance: Krysty Thomas (Munns) (30048), President; Ray Wilson (30048), Vice-President, David Pearson (30048), Secretary/Treasurer; Stephanie Erb (30048); Sherry Hunt (30048)
Regrets:
Guests:
Lindsey Sparks, PSAC Regional Representative
1. Call to Order
a. 5:35pm at online via Zoom
2. Approval of Agenda
i. M/S Sister Hunt/Brother Wilson
ii. Carried
3. Review and approval of the previous meeting’s minutes for May 26th
a. Motion to accept the previous minutes with corrections
i. M/S Sister Hunt/Brother Wilson
ii. Carried
4. Treasurer's Report
i. $1,959.52 as of December 15, 2020, no change since last meeting
1. Motion to accept report
a. M/S Brother Pearson/Sister Hunt
b. Carried
ii. Discussion of the 2020 committee budget which was approved by PRC
5. Summer Actions Debrief
a. Write letter to Treasury board regarding stalled bargaining specific to our region
i. Was not done
ii. All Treasury Board tables signed and others have been ratified
iii. Expect FB in bargaining still
b. Write a letter to the editor related to National Public Service Week demanding action
i. RE: bargaining and Phoenix Damages done and published
c. Reach out to Lethbridge Pride organizers to see if there is something we can support during Pride Month
i. Pride did not happen because of COVID
d. Sweet Grass Youth Alliance Summer Youth Camp follow up
i. Did not occur due to covid
e. An Action on 10 days of paid sick leave in relation to COVID (follow up with AFL actions regarding this initiative)
i. Was unable to complete, will remain on this list of things to follow up with
f. Follow up on childcare file, upcoming webinar put on by Childcare Now!
i. A lot of work was completed via the Lethbridge Women’s Committee, Sister Hunt wrote letters to Minster of Children Services RE: protection for childcare workers during the pandemic and beyond.
g. Visit (zoom calls) with MP
i. Unable to meet with our MP
ii. Sister Thomas logged into Harder (MP) town hall
1. CLC Canadian Plan Forward question was to be asked
a. Was unable to ask a question]
b. Overall town hall was very partisan
h. Labour Day children’s colouring contest/essay contest
i. Rolled out by the Women’s Committee and the Labour Councils of Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.
ii. Well received, submission were made into a calendar that will be sold for $10 that will be donated to Women’s Shelters in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat
iii. There are some calendars left
1. One to the Calgary RO office and to Marianne
i. Senior care file (in relation to issues we are seeing in long term care facilities in light of COVID)
i. Labour must focus on it (senior then child care)
ii. Revera (Pension Fund is invested) must be make public
iii. Should follow up with this file in 2021
j. Ban on Conversion Therapy within city Lethbridge
i. The Prairie Region wrote letter to council on this matter
ii. Bylaw banning conversion therapy was passed, member of area council attended a rally in support of this bylaw
k. Reusable Mask Project
i. collaborated with Stitch it Forward – partner
ii. 100 mask were made by our members and donated back to members of the community
l. Municipal Election planning
i. Lethbridge Labour council is working on a plan and has invited us to be apart of the conversation
m. Black Lives Matter rallies
i. Winnipeg HR committee presented a webinar on the issue
ii. Many members attend local rallies
6. Updates from the PRC Meetings
a. Convention time
i. February 19 Resolution deadline
ii. February 19 deadline delegates and observers
iii. May 12 Prairie Voice Award deadline
iv. June 25-27 Convention, virtual
b. A province wide mail out from the region (CLC/AFL) about UCP’s attacks on workers re Bills 32 and 47
c. Bargaining starting
i. Bargaining request directly from rank and file on-line
ii. Bargaining Conference - April 26-30 virtually
d. NJC Healthcare/Benefits
i. Meeting later this year
e. Federal Election planning
i. Election can some as soon as this spring, need to be prepared
7. AFL Community Action Team
a. New Facebook Page YQL AGAINST AUSTERITY related to AFL Community Action Teams, grassroots teams that facilitate actions opposing the UCP gov’t. https://www.facebook.com/groups/403826080740176
b. Facebook page COMMUNITY CARE NOT CUTS this is a page where events will be created and shared more broadly. https://www.facebook.com/yqlcommunitycare
c. Dec 19 Event: POST CARD FOR COMMUNITY cheers for community organizations that went above and beyond during the pandemic https://www.facebook.com/events/175706217597345
i. Despite overlapping crises, our communities are facing continued cuts. While workers in every sector shouldn't have to, they have made do with fewer resources. They make sure we are fed, housed, healed, educated, and have our mail, our local art and goods. Let's celebrate them! Message our page with a nomination and a note for a workplace of your choosing. The "Community Care Not Cuts" group will write up the first 50 messages onto postcards and distribute (safely) on December 19th. Message us today with your words of support for a work place of your choice"
d. Labour attack by UCP (Bill 32)
i. Follow AFL
ii. May not affect PSAC member but an injustice for one is an injustice for all, will affect the working lives of all Albertans
8. Area Council Future Projects
a. Sage Clan Patrol/TeePee in Galt Gardens
1. Looking for donates of backpacks full men toiletries and clothing
b. Soup Kitchen – fees and help events for homeless Resilient Art YQL.
i. Proposal for art supplies $1500
1. Ask via the Agriculture Social Justice Fund and a proposal to Marianne office
c. Aikimootsiika Youth Conference webinar
i. Help with support for the Keynote Speaker
9. Round Table
a. Lindsay Sparks
i. Words of encouragement regarding the work of the Committee.
10. Adjourn
a. 7:00pm
11. Next Meeting
a. Week of Jan 18-22, 2021
Our Organization:
Provinces: