L.E.C. Meeting Minutes

OPSEU LOCAL 468

L.E.C. MEETING MINUTES

Date:May 17th, 2011

Location:OPSEU Office, 275 Bagot St, Suite 307

Time:1 P.M. Executive Officers Meeting

2P.M. Information Session

3 P.M. Meeting

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS: Cam Jay

Frank Wendling

Anne Jennings

Ann Sargusingh

Jeannie Eberle

Faye Pryor (Chairperson)

STEWARDS:Ron Arkett (regrets)

Sandra Baird

Stephen Elliott (regrets)

Debra Finkle

Raymond Gavel

Elizabeth Johnson

Sheila Martin

Jim Puckalo

Allison Rafeiro (regrets)

Lindsay Rymerson

Fred Stickley (regrets)

Zak Virk (regrets) Hans Witvoet

1. Call to Order Chairperson, Faye Pryor at 2:55 pm

1. Statement of Respect read by Faye

1. Adoption of Agenda: Motion to accept Agenda with addition of new business item, Moved by Ann S, seconded byFrank.Carried

1. Minutes of Previous Meeting: Motion to accept minutes of previous meeting,Moved by Jim, seconded by Ray. Carried

1. Business Arising from previous minutes: 1. Power point presentation on use of social media device(s) in the workplace – Cam to send out to LEC; 2. Petition from Corrections – Cam to send out to LEC.

1. Standing Items:

Building Local Capacity: Steve was away, but Faye reported that he has a data base set up and it needs to be double checked for accuracy. An updated Membership List to be obtained by Cam from OPSEU Head Office and send to Sheila who has agreed to maintain the list, and provide to Steve; Faye; and, Jeannie. The new data base will break out info in respect to “member age groups; sex/gender; geographical locations; etc”. The data base setup is nearing completion.

Children’s Christmas Party: Anne advised they have booked the Olympic Harbour for November, 2011 and are now looking at different activities for children. A financial statement for fund raising income was provided by Jeannie, Treasurer.

Educational/Information Sharing:Cam advised this is on-going although the OPS Fight-back Campaign is a priority.

Newsletter/Website: Jim & Debra reported they are putting the newsletter together with topics on Dealing with Anxiety and Stress in the workplace. We can expect a newsletter to out by June 8th and requested articles to be submitted before that date. Anyone can submit an article to either Jim or Debra.

Activists Update(s): Cam provided an update on the CLC Convention – one important resolution passed regarding the issue of “raiding”; there were a large number of presentations and speakers; interaction with other groups at caucus meetings and other Unions in general.

Cam gave an update on the OPSEU Convention – the 1st year at the MTCC had some problems due to the large size of the convention centre (although the facility seemed to be “just big enough”) and finding your way around from two separate hotels for members in attendance – the Royal York was difficult for members with disabilities who had to walk the distance to the MTCC twice daily and then for lunch break across a 4 lane street posed difficult for many and should be reviewed with special considerations for those who require it. It was a very busy convention with elections (Smokey Thomas re-elected) and support rallys during the lunch break. The convention started one day earlier than usual, starting on Wed. at 1 pm and ended on the Sat. at 1 pm. A 100 Years of OPSEU video was provided to all delegates which copies are being circulated to all members and LEC who wish to watch it.

1. Reports:

President:

• For the last few months he has been reviewing the way business is conducted in the Local and before he always relied on Kathy a lot to provide the insight on specific issues but now we need to revise the Local By-Laws and make changes in respect to the structure of the executive officers and duties of each position. With so many sites and so many members at that time, the By-Laws were appropriate but now we need to re-visit to ensure information is distributed in a timely and orderly fashion, not just to the LEC, but to the Members. The Local website is a great communications tool but we don’t always keep up the momentum…but with inspirational spurts. There is a lot of information that is not being sent out to the members and it should be.

Cam advised he must learn to “stay out of the business of other executive officers”, ie. Grievances which should go to the Chief Steward after signing. There is a need to have position descriptions written to define each officer’s duties. ie. Executive positions to be addressed to define duties and work definitions; 2nd VP position doesn’t currently have any job definition and suggested removing and creating a Communication Officers position. The rewrite of the By-Laws will be conducted by Cam, President; Faye, Secretary; Jeannie, Treasurer and our Local Staff Rep , Ivan Herrington. A meeting to be scheduled for review of other formats currently in place for other Locals.

• For the next couple of weeks the “money campaign” will continue and at the end of May the contact with the downtown businesses will be made to discuss the issue of job cuts in the OPS and the $$’s that employees spend in their stores and what would happen if they lost that revenue. As well, they will try to negotiate a loyalty discount for members who show their OPSEU membership card.
• The Area Council will be starting the “car wash campaign” in June – location to be determined. It is important that we “all wear an OPSEU t-shirt” at the car washes to show the residents who we are – we work to support the community. Cam will put forward a request for funding for the T’s to our RegionalV.P. Dave Lundy.
• AMAPCEO is trying to create controversy and put pressure on the Government over our 1% extra wage increase negotiated in our contract back in 2009. The AMAPCEO contract is coming up for negotiation in March 2012.

Chief Steward: (Ann S.) - nothing to report

Treasurer:

• Jeannie advised that we have not received the 1st Quarter rebate as yet and funds are in a negative balance. The rebate is expected to be received by the end of May.

1. Committee Reports:

JH&SC 1055: Lindsay reported an issue regarding the carpet cleaning – she had a major reaction to the cleaning chemicals and air quality in Suite 211 – Management evacuated the entire suite. The JHSC to review the procedure – Debra Milette is the certified member for OPSEU. The Manager, Susan Fisher did request the MSDS for the cleaning solutions used. Protocols to be set by the JHSC.

JH&SC MCB/MGS: No meeting held as Wray Harvey is off work and Allison is on shift(s). There was a water cooler leak and an employee slipped and fell-no serious injury. The central stairwell could not be used for a short period of time due to painting of strips on stairs and the elevators locked out after regular hours causing problems for shift workers with only one elevator and intermittent breakdown.

JH&SC MCB/MOH:Faye/Frank reported – Jeannie has stepped down from the Committee. MOL Representative, came to the MCB and initially was to respond to the request for WSIB report. At the meeting other issues were brought to the table: protocols; inspections schedule required – currently done quarterly but only require a “portion” of the building monthly; management certified representative required. MOL orders posted by MOL Inspector, Ken Hill.

JH&SC Select Dr: Sandra reported that everything was going ok during the construction at that site.

LERC MGS:Cam reported on the use of “social media devices” in the workplace was raised by the Employer, ie. iPods; cell phones; blackberry. The employer has an expectation while at work you are working. The concerns brought forward by OPSEU are due to members receiving calls from their children and school contacts in case of emergencies. The Employer had previously advised that employees are not to use the employers equipment for personal use, ie. Telephones and computers. The request from the employer is to use “prudence”.

LERC MOH: Scheduled for May 26th, 2011.

MERC-MOHLTC: Jeannie reported:

KPMG Consultants are currently doing reviews at all MOH sites across the province.

MERC-MGS: Cam reported communications to be sent from the MERC team to members with respect to Service Ontario and the recent announcement in the 2011 Budget.

1. New Business:

Compressed Work Week: Ray reported the Manager for their department advised it was under review but did not say for how long. If they don’t receive a response from the Manager, they should take it to the LERC and if no results then send a referral to the MOHLTC MERC.

Local By-Laws: (see Presidents report)

1. Closure: Motion to adjourn, moved by Lindsay, seconded by Hans. Carried.

Meeting adjourned at 4:35P.M.

ALL LEC MEETINGS ARE SCHEDULED FOR THE SECOND WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH.

Next Meeting: Thursday, June 9th, 2011 **NOTE NEW DATE**

Chairperson: Sheila Martin