2nd Atlantic Triennial Convention

April 25 - 28, 2002

CONVENTION SUMMARY

THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2002

An optional afternoon workshop on convention procedures attracted approximately 20 participants.

Registration started at 5:00 pm. A town hall meeting was organized for convention attendees and members from the Halifax area beginning at 7:00 pm. Speakers were National President Nycole Turmel, REVP Tony White and Joint Term Committee Study Member Liz Irwin-Kenyon.

FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2002

1.    Convention Opening (REVP Tony White).

2.    Question of Privilege: Debbie Graham, thanking delegates for their support at the early morning plantgate.

3.    O Canada and Solidarity Forever, singing led by Gerri LeBlanc.

4.    Aboriginal Prayer (Doug Knockwood).

5.    Tribute to Jim Williams: In acknowledging the passing of Brother Jim Williams, his dedication and tireless efforts on behalf of the membership, Tony White unveiled a painting that will be presented to Jim’s family.

6.    Moment of Silence for all workers killed or injured on the job in this, the 10th anniversary of the Westray mining disaster; the 20th anniversary of the Ocean Ranger tragedy; for the fallen soldiers in Afghanistan; and all the sisters and brothers named individually by delegates at the microphones.

7.    Convention Call to Order and Opening Remarks (REVP Tony White).

8.    Opening Remarks (National President Nycole Turmel).

9.    PSAC Harassment Policy: The Statement on Harassment was read, and coordinators for the convention were introduced.

10.    Adoption of Agenda: M/S/C Margie Hancock/Rose Pitre.

11.    Adoption of Rules of Order: M/S/C Jim Richards/Kevin Kenny.

12.    Adoption of First Report of Credentials Committee

M/S/C Jim Richards/Kevin Kenny
To accept the report of the committee - 149 registered delegates, 17 observors and 1 guest for a total of 167 in attendance.

13.    Nominations Committee: Introduction of committee members and information on nominations process.

14.    Introduction of PSAC-Atlantic Council: Each member briefly introduced herself/himself.

15.    Adoption of Directors’ Reports
M/S/C Rose Pitre/Kevin Kenny
To adopt the reports (with friendly amendment to include CEUDA in the report of the Director for Non-Treasury Board Members).

16.    Report of Finance Committee
M/S Denis Roy/Debbie Graham
M/S/D Randy Ford/Darlene Bembridge

Motion to refer report to Finance Committee with instructions to cost a 2005 regional convention based on fully funded delegate status, and on the basis of moving the convention around the region (i.e., to major locations other than Halifax) was defeated.

17.    Notice of Motion - Gilbert Daye

18.    Recess for Lunch

19.    Workshops: Collective Bargaining, Local Development and Privatization - Workshops were conducted from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2002

20.    Solidarity Forever, singing led by Gerri LeBlanc.

21.    Announcements.

22.    Address: Wesley Lomax, President UCTE 60615, on behalf of the striking workers at Saint John airport.

23.    Address: Alexa McDonough, Leader, Federal NDP.

24.    Address: Rick Clarke, President, NS Federation of Labour.

25.    Notice of Motion: Lise Lévesque.

26.    Question of Privilege: Thelma Perry, acknowledging a donation of $300 from UVAE 90001 to striking workers at Saint John airport (UCTE 60615).

27.    Second Report of Credentials Committee
M/S/C Jim Richards/Kevin Kenny
To accept the second report - 153 delegates, 19 observers and 3 guests for a total of 175 in attendance.

28.    Report of REVP Tony White
M/S Jim Richards/Kevin Kenny
To accept the report of the REVP.
M/S/C Ken Hale/Paul O’Keefe
Motion to postpone the report of the REVP until the next day.

29.    Question of Privilege: Karen Trainor, acknowledging a donation of $200 from CEUDA 90060 to striking workers at Saint John airport (UCTE 60615).

30.    Report of Finance Committee
Recommendation to Finance Committee by Lynn Jones
For all future financial statements, that line items be developed reflective of the Atlantic region’s priorities and activities and further, that we be given financial information on all monies coming to the Atlantic Region by the PSAC.
Report of the Finance Committee adopted by delegates.

31.    Notice of Motion: Lise Lévesque

32.    Question of Privilege: Jeannie Baldwin, thanking UTE 80003 for a donation of $500 to Harbour House (Bridgewater, NS - PSAC 80030).

33.    Notice of Motion: Mark Rogers

34.    Committee Reports
M/S/C Mark Power/Debbie Graham
To accept reports of council committees.

35.    Workshop Reports
M/S/C Debbie Graham/Neil McCall
To accept the report of the workshop on privatization.

36.    M/S/C Gilles Maillet/Norma Clark
To accept the report of the workshop on local development
(see additional comments from delegates noted at the end of the report).

37.    Recess

38.    M/S/D Randy Ford/Rose Pitre
To accept the report of the workshop on collective bargaining.
M/S/C Debbie Graham/Lynn Jones
That the report from the workshop on collective bargaining be forwarded as a discussion paper only.
(see additional comments from delegates noted at the end of the report)

39.    Convention Resolution Committee General Session

40.    Resolution #11
Committee recommendation of non-concurrence defeated.
M/S/D Debbie Graham/Patsy Snow
Concurrence in Resolution #11.
Notice of Motion to reconsider Resolution #11: Debbie Kelly

41.    Resolution #1
Recommendation of concurrence carried.

42.    M/S/C Bill Pynn/Jeannie Baldwin
Motion to refer all resolutions from the Maritimes Regional Women’s Conference to the Convention Resolutions Committee.

43.    Address: Kathleen Connor, Canadian Healthcare Coalition.

44.    Resolution #28
Recommendation of concurrence carried.

45.    Elections

Director for Non-Treasury Board Members
Director for Racially Visible Members
Director for Aboriginal Members
Director for Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgendered Members
Director for Women (Newfoundland and Labrador)

SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2002

46.    Elections

Director for Francophone Members
Directors for PEI
Directors for NS
Directors for NB
Directors for Newfoundland and Labrador
Director for Women (Maritimes)

47.    Question of Privilege: David Shaw, thanking staff, members of the organizing committee, donors and delegates whose efforts resulted in raising $2213 which was presented to Sister Sheila Davis of Bryony House (PSAC 80022). Brother Bob Campbell donated 25,000 air miles for auction and REVP Tony White donated the TV and DVD player he won from the Trafalgar Insurance draw to Harbour House. Sister Davis thanked the convention on behalf of the staff, women and children of Bryony House and Harbour House.

48.    Question of Privilege: Mark Rogers presented $2600 raised during the convention for the striking workers at Saint John airport (UCTE 60615).

49.    Question of Privilege: Denis Roy, stating that in the absence of an evaluation form, delegates should provide written comments (e.g., indicate what worked, what didn’t work) for the use of the council.

50.    Swearing in Ceremony of the members of the new regional council. REVP Tony White thanked the members of the former council. The new council members are:

Paul Anstey - Provincial Director, Nova Scotia
Jeannie Baldwin - Director for Women, Maritimes
Linda Boudreau - Provincial Director, New Brunswick
Gilbert Daye - Director, Racially Visible Members
Randy Ford - Director, Aboriginal Member
Debbie Graham - Provincial Director, New Brunswick
Margie Hancock - Provincial Director, Newfoundland
Sheila Jerrett - Director, Non-Treasury Board Members
Steve Johnson - Provincial Director, Newfoundland and Labrador
Kevin Kenny - Director, Members with Disabilities
Linda Oldford - Director for Women, Newfoundland & Labrador
Thelma Perry - Provincial Director, Prince Edward Island
Rose Pitre - Director, Francophone Members
Mark Rogers - Provincial Director, Nova Scotia
Denis Roy - Director, Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and Transgendered Members
Karen Trainor - Provincial Director, Prince Edward Island

51.    Third Report of Credentials Committee
M/S/C Jim Richards/Kevin Kenny
To accept the third report - 151 delegates and 17 observers for a total of 168 in attendance.

52.    Convention Resolution Committee General Session

53.    Resolution #10
Committee’s recommendation of concurrence was carried.

54.    Resolution #9
Committee’s recommendation of concurrence was carried.

55.    Emergency Resolution #1
M/S/C Linda Cassidy/David Shaw
To refer the resolution to the council for amendment to reflect the concerns expressed by delegates.

56.    Resolution #26
Committee’s recommendation of concurrence was defeated.

57.    M/S/C Jeannie Baldwin/Paul O’Keefe
That all unfinished business be forwarded to the incoming PSAC-Atlantic Council so resolutions may be dealt with by the appropriate bodies. The following delegates wished to be recorded against the motion: Richard Morin, Bob Campbell, Doug Gates, Sharon Bolger, Darlene Bembridge, Linda Cassidy, Nancy Cashin, Peter Chayter.

58.    Motion to Adjourn
M/S/C Ken Hale/Lise Lévesque

59.    National Day of Mourning Ceremony