CULE Update: Day 5 – PSAC National Convention
Happy Thursday Sisters and Brothers!
CULE Executive Members in attendance as observers:
MaryAnne Laurico, President
Rebecca Thompson, CULE I VP
Kellie Loshak, CULE II VP
Nancy Johnson, Secretary
Anna Goguen, Atlantic Alt. Director
Joan-Ann Gravesande, Ontario Director
James Little, BC Director
Joshua Paddon, North Director
The call to order came from the podium at 8:32 am this morning. After a few points of privilege and announcements, we received the report from the Credentials Committee.
Credentials Committee Report
As at 8:09 am the Convention floor held: 494 Delegates, 39 Guests, 195 Observers for a total of 728 in attendance. The report from the Committee was adopted.
Elections
Brother Bob Jackson then took the podium to preside over the election process. The elections process was explained to the floor and then we moved to the first vote.
PSAC National President Candidates:
Chris Aylward – Nominated by June Winger and Seconded by Conrad Lamour
Fabienne Jean-Francois – Nominated by Yvonne (?) and Seconded by Todd Smith.
Total ballots cast – 480. Brother Aylward received 77% of the vote and became the new PSAC National President.
PSAC NEVP Candidates:
Magali Picard – Nominated by Virginia Vaillancourt and Seconded by Jean Pierre Fortin.
Sister Picard was acclaimed.
PSAC Alternate NEVP
Sharon DeSousa – Nominated by Theresa Eschuck and Seconded by Tofique Eldair
A second candidate was nominated from the floor:
Fabienne Jean-Francois – Nominated by Joanne Ashley and Seconded by Conrad Lamour
Total ballots cast – 484. Sister DeSousa received 67% of the vote and became the PSAC Alternate NEVP.
The next order of business was Committee Reports. The Collective Bargaining Committee reported the following as priority resolutions: NEGO-039, NEGO-028A, NEGO-005A, NEGO-025 and NEGO-027.
NEGO-039
Enhancing PSAC 2015 National Convention Resolution 29, Legal Consultation in Use of Force
Dues increase of $0.01 % or $7500 in each of 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Committee recommended concurrence. The resolution was carried.
NEGO-028A
Domestic Violence
Many delegates rose to speak on this resolution and the convention floor heard many very moving and personal stories. The question was called and seconded.
Committee recommended concurrence. The resolution was unanimously carried.
NEGO-005A
Electronic Voting
Many delegates rose to speak to this resolution. At the onset, the speakers rose to speak against the committee’s recommendation of concurrence. There was a challenge to the Chair and the Chair was upheld. After the challenge to the Chair, the majority of delegates at the microphones began speaking in favour of concurrence with the resolution. The issue was very contentious. The question was called and seconded and call was defeated by a margin of 65% to 35% which was not the 2/3 majority which was required.
Phoenix and Bill C27 Rally and March
The floor convened for lunch at 12:00 pm to attend a rally at MP Bill Morneau’s office. Buses lined Front Street at the Toronto Convention Centre to transport activists to Allan Gardens. The turn-out was fantastic despite the rain. PSAC activists marched from Allan Gardens to MP Morneau’s office on Parliament Street led by a marcher garbed in golden wings and amid chants of “We Work. You Pay!”.
Attached are a couple of photos of the small but feisty CULE contingent who joined the rear of the march literally having the backs of the PSAC members who have been affected by the Phoenix debacle. Please note that the CULE contingent was photo-bombed by ROB Director, Mark Pacek. We’d like to believe he was showing his support for Band 17 for all CULE members… J
Convention Resumes
The Convention resumed at approximately 3:00 pm.
Credentials Committee Report
As at 2:41 pm the Convention floor held: 494 Delegates, 41 Guests, 195 Observers for a total of 730 in attendance. The report from the Committee was adopted.
Guest Speaker – Aileen Duncan – APSAR
Aileen Duncan reported that APSAR members have been rallying MPs to reject Bill C27. To date, she reported that 115 federal MPS have been approached, many of whom did not know what Bill C27 was about…. Shame!
Aileen urged all PSAC members to join APSAR and become more educated on pensions and the way they are changing.
NEGO-005A
Electronic Voting
The convention then returned to debate on NEGO-005A. The question was called and seconded. The call was upheld with 80% in favour and 20% against.
The floor then proceeded to the vote on the Committee’s recommendation of concurrence with the resolution. The resolution passed with 69% in favour and 38% against.
Members lined up at the microphones to be recorded as being against passing of the resolution. In excess of 90 members recorded against.
General Resolutions Committee
GEN-083A – P3 and Privatization Fight Back
The committee’s recommendation of concurrence was carried.
GEN021 – Indigenous Awareness Training on Truth and Reconciliation
Dues increase of $0.03/member/month for training for members, leaders and NBoD. Members rose to speak in favour of the resolution with very personal and touching stories. A couple of speakers urged for unanimous concurrence. The resolution was carried unanimously.
Tribute to Robyn Benson
Chris Aylward took the podium to announce a short tribute to Robyn Benson. A video was presented and Component Presidents shared short memories and thanks.