Minutes of the Meeting of the
Lethbridge and District Area Council
May 1, 2013
In attendance:
Greg Krokosh (30027), President; Sherry Hunt (30048), Vice-President; David Pearson (30048), Secretary/Treasurer; Raj Hari, PSAC Regional Rep; Ray Wilson(30048); Herhald Mark (30048); Cathy Mac Fadden (30858); Susan Krysztofiak (30048); Amanda Herman (30858); Michele Jackson (30048); Shannan Little (30048); Maria Fitzpatrick (70041)
Guests:
Marianne Hladun, Regional Executive Vice-President for the PSAC Prairie Region
Called to order: 1815 hours
Agenda:
1) Agenda was adopted as presented
2) Minutes of the April 9, 2013 meeting was read and adopted with corrections
3) Area Council Treasurer report was adopted as presented
- As of May 1, 2013, the book balance: $568.62
4) Resolution from Lethbridge Regional Women Committee
- Sister Fitzpatrick presented two resolutions dealing with child care issues at union functions and what solutions they propose.
- Sister Hladun suggests that if the Area Council desires to support these resolutions, they should submit them under their name at the next convention.
- There was consensus that the Area Council revisits the resolutions when the call for resolutions for the Prairie Regional Convention is announced.
5) NDP Fundraising
- Sister Hladun and others state that we must back the NDP as they back labour.
- Sister Hladun mentions that the Council cannot donate to the any political party but we can volunteer our time.
- NDP are having two fund raising events: Friday May 3, 2013 at the Black Tomato and June 14, 2013 –fundraising for Lethbridge East
1.BBQ and speaker
- Themes: services in Alberta and sustainable environment
2. Encourage members to go
- Ticket levels $25, $30 or $35- meal and donation
3. At Heritage House
6) Future plans
a. National Aboriginal Day
- Sister Hunt suggested that we support the Labour Council National Aboriginal Day event.
- The program is a documentary about the water issues in Alberta: Sacred Spirit of Water by Morningstar Mercredi.
- CLC is funding the event and the PSAC will provide people to host.
- It was carried that the Area Council will provide $160 funding to the event if other sources of money do not come through.
- Move/Second Sister Little/Sister Herman
b. Labour Day
- Sister Hunt suggested that we show the video ‘We are Wisconsin’ that CASA for the Labour Day event, CLC will loan to the Council the Video
- It was agree that we would do this with the Labour Council
7) Guest Speaker- Sister Hladun
a. Sister Hladun introduces herself to the Council and her labour history with the PSAC.
- Was an original member of the Prairies Regional Council
b. Doing leadership meeting around the Rand issue
- Do not know when or where but will happen
- We must be a head of the game
c. NBOD Strategy
- Created a mission statement that works well with the 19 components and Regions
- There is a need to change the government at least a minority one
d.We all need to be politically active
e. At the worksite we need to save jobs
- Members who lost jobs most get active
- 19,000 lost more to come
d.Committees financials: A new method
- Need a budget/financial statement/ bank statement
- 4 meetings a year
- Funding will be base need not equable among committees
- There is a reduce allotment for conferences
e. PRC April leadership
- 23/33 National officers show up
- Look at the needs of the region
- Communication it was deemed to be important
f. TV adds expensive ($1.2Million)
g. YouTube is an inexpensive alternative
- Needs to have a positive message
h. Education
- From the Health and Safety conference:1 day Health and Safety for PSAC members – introduction
- 1 day TUB course with alternative formats
- This is part of the One on One Campaign that is coming soon: members signs pledge cards to show support
i. Communication
- Over 3000 members sign up for the Prairie Region e-newsletter
- Facebook page will have increase postings
- Leadership needs to lead over the Rand issues
- Members need to recognize the benefits we have and that they are under attack
- Members get most of their information from management- needs to change
- We need to counter the message which is in the press- the view of public services is scary- they need to be called out and be accountable for the miss information
Within the Region:
1. One on one conservation
2. More member votes in election:
- Large proportion do not vote
- We have an opportunity to select our boss
- Not too many employees have that opportunity
- Members needs to response to local media
- Members needs to tell us how we are doing
8) PSAC Regional Office – Brother Hari
- Local training for the One on One Campaign later
- Course- let us know what you need
9) The meeting was adjourned at 1950
10) Next meeting TBA