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OnlypolicyresolutionsarebroughtforwardfromStandingCommitteestotheAnnualGeneralMeeting;administrativeoroperationalresolutionsarenot.Allforwardedresolutionshavebeenreviewed,acceptedand,insomecases,amendedbyPresidents’Council.
STANDINGCOMMITTEEREPORTS
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STANDINGCOMMITTEEREPORTS
Chair: Bob Davis, Local 5Joanne Quirk, Local 1
John Turner, Local 2Jan Mastromatteo, Local 3
Ron Brown, Local 4Joan kaun, Local 6
Vicki Grieve, Local 7Gara Pruesse, Local 8
Nolan Fretz, Local 9Doug Henderson, Local 10
Mia Reimers/Sheree Ronaasen, Local 11
Judith Hunt, Local 12Noel Currie, Local 14Maggi Trebble, Local 15Anne Cumming, Local 16John O’Brien, Local 17Matthew Pasco, Local 19Jean-Bernard Ardila, Local 21Tom Becher/Rita Wong, Local 22Lorraine Rehnby, NRFC LiaisonCindy Oliver, Executive Liaison
ThishasbeenaneventfulyearfortheBargainingCoordinationCommittee.PublicSectorbargainingunderacooperativegainsmandategavetheappearanceofanattitudechangewithinthegovernment;however,itwasessentiallyanewcoatofpaintonthesameoldwall.FPSElocalsfoundthemselvesamongstagrowingpatternofpublicsectorsettlementssetat4%andtheappearanceofconcessionstobewithinthemandate.
TheBCGEUinstructorcomponentreachedagreementinDecember2012.BCITFSAwasstillbargainingthe2010roundandcametoagreementinearlyJanuary2013.FPSElocalsremainedcommittedtothestrategyoflocalbargainingbutfoundthemselvesneedingtoadjustandtakeadvantageofthechangingbargaininglandscape.PSEAapproachedFPSEaftertheBCGEUCommonTableagreementandaskedustoconsideracompensationtemplatetable.WithapprovalofPresidents’Council,thedecisionwasmadetobargaincompensationwithPSEAandanagreementwasreachedintheearlymorningofFebruary2,2013.Itshouldbenoted
thatwewereabletosecureretroactivepaytoJanuary1,2013andpreventchangestotheextendedhealthPharmacareprovisions.
BCC’slevelofcommunicationhasbeenexceptional.TheadditionofAtriumplatformhasbeenintegraltoallowinglocalstoeasilyshareandcommentonlocalandprovincialissues.Oursolidarityisstrengtheningaswestaycommittedandexecuteourbargainingstrategy.BCCwillbefocusingitsattentiononthenextroundofbargainingtobuilduponoursuccesseswhileremainingsupportivetothoselocalsstillbargaining.FPSElocalsneedtoleadoursectorintothenextroundbargaining,sowehavetoprepareearly.BCCislookingforwardtoaddressinglong-standingissuesinoursectorinthenextroundofnegotiations,andweareconfidentthatwecandosobycontinuingtoworkingtogether.
Insolidarity,
Bob Davis(Local5)Chair,BCC
BARGAININGCOORDINATIONCOMMITTEE
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Chair: Lui Marinelli, Local 10John Wilson, Local 1
Jeanette Murray, Local 2Jan Mastromatteo, Local 3
Erin Rozman, Local 4Joel Murray, Local 5Tammy kiss, Local 6
Linda Toews (faculty), Local 7David Shayler (staff), Local 7Dominique Roelants, Local 8
Rod Watkins, Local 9
TheContractAdministrationandReviewCommittee,composedoftheChiefStewardsofFPSElocals,meetstwiceayeartodiscussissuesandgrievances,andtoidentifycommonthreadsatourlocals.Thelocalrepsubmitsashortwrittenreportandspeakstothemainconcerns.Aswell,ourmeetingsincludeaneducationalcomponenttoincreaseourskillsandknowledgeindealingwiththemanyissuesatourlocals.Thesessionsarelively,interesting,andhelptoinformourworkasChiefStewards.
LOCAL REPORTS
WhenIreviewthereportsfromthelocals,itisdifficulttosummarizethegeneralthemes…wearealloverthemapwiththeemployer.TherearesomeuniquerelationshipssuchasthetenureissueatTRUandsomedifferentlanguagewhenitcomestoregularizationfrominstitutiontoinstitution.Butasidefromthoseconsiderations,wehavealotofsimilardisagreementswiththeemployer.Harassementcontinuestobeanissueamongmembersaswellasbetweenthememberandtheemployer.Theemployeer
CONTRACTADMINISTRATIONANDREVIEWCOMMITTEE
seemstobetestingtheirmanagementrightsboundariesinwayswehaven’tseenbefore.Whatexactlyisa“LetterofExpectation”?We’vebeenaskingforyearsandstillnoexplanation,buttheykeepissuingthem.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
AttheOctobermeetings,wehadtwopresentationsduringthesecondday.PhillipLeggpresentedatalkaboutchangestohowWCBisdealingwithmentalstress.Hespokeaboutrecentchangestopolicyandlaw.WeldonCowanpresentedinformationaboutthepensionsurveythatwascomingup.Informationisbeinggatheredfromthemembersastohowtoproceedwithsomechangestoourpension.Thepensionneedssomeamountofoverhaulingandthepensioncommitteewantsdirection.
IntheJanuarymeeting,LeoMcGradyhadapresentation–AguidetotheLawofProtestsinBC.Followingthepresentation,thegroupdiscussedideasforrecruitingstewards…alwaysachallengegettingnewbloodattheexecutive
Gordon Weary, Local 11Debbie Gascoyne, Local 12Cheryl McKeeman, Local 14Karen Shortt, Local 15Janis Almond, Local 16Mary Kruger, Local 17Tom Becher, Local 22Alan Rice, NRFC LiaisonGeorge Davison, Executive Liaison
Chair: Ann Marie Davison, Local 5Joanne Quirk, Local 1
karen Ross, Local 2Carole Whitmer, Local 3
Kim Buchan/ Jan White, Local 6Kathy Gowdridge, Local 7
Donna kurulak, Local 8Lindsay kennedy, Local 9
Sally Glock/Mark Spielman, Local 10Jessica Hrechka Fee, Local 11
Brent Wassermann, Local 12Fulton Tom, Local 14Karen Shortt/Frank Cosco, Local 15Janis Almond, Local 16Virginia Jacklin, Local 17Mandy Jimmie, Local 19Heather Mitchell, Local 22Debbie Hlady, NRFC LiaisonDominique Roelants, Executive Liaison
TheDisabilityManagementandRehabilitationCommittee(DMRC)ismadeupprimarilyofmemberswhorepresenttheirlocalsontheJointFacultyRehabilitationcommitteesattheir
respectiveinstitutions.Thereareothermemberswhoselocalsarenotpartytothisprocess,butwhocometolearnandprovideinput.TheJointFacultyRehabilitationcommitteeswerebirthed
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level.Oneideafloatedwastocreateassociatedstewards(informalposition)andgivethemalittlebittodo:awaytoeasethemintotheunionlife.
ELECTION AND FURTHER BUSINESS
LuiMarinelli(Local10)wasvotedinforasecondtermaschairofCARC.
Nofutureeducationortrainingwasidentifiedatthispointastimewasrunningshort.
GARC
AsCARCChair,IparticipatewithFPSEStaffRepresentativesandtheSecretary-TreasurerinthemonthlyGrievanceandArbitrationReviewCommitteemeetings,whereweconsidergrievancesreferredbythelocalsforarbitration.BeingfromtheKootenays,themeetingsweredonebyteleconference.
STANDINGCOMMITTEEREPORTS
CAUT
AsCARCChair,IwasfortunatetobeabletoattendtheCAUTSeniorGrievanceWorkshoponbehalfofFPSE.ThethemethisyearwasTheGrievance.WeparticipatedinanumberofworkshopsonsuchtopicsasGrievanceLanguageOverTime,TheInformalStage,RestrictingtheScopeofGrievances,DevelopmentsinCaseLaw,andDisclosure.
ThankyoutoGeorgeDavison,theExecutiveLiaisonforCARC,LesleyBurke-O’Flynn,StaffRepresentativeforCARC,andtoSaraRozellfortheirsupport.IlookforwardtoworkingwithCARCinthecomingyear.
Respectfullysubmitted,
LuiMarinelli(Local10)Chair,CARC
DISABILITYMANAGEMENTANDREHABILITATIONCOMMITTEE
10yearsagoasaresultofcollectivebargaining,withthegoalofassistingmemberswhoareunabletodotheirnormalworkloadduetoillnessorinjury.Thelocalrehabcommitteesassistmembersthroughallstagesoftheprocess,withthegoaloffacilitatingasuccessfulreturntowork,whenandifthememberisabletodoso.EveryDMRCmeetingincludestimeforeachmembertoupdatethecommitteeonthestatusoftheReturntoWork(RTW)processesattheirinstitution,andtohavediscussionsaroundissues.Wefindtheseinteractionsarequitevaluable.
DMRCwishestothankSandraHochstein(Local4)forherserviceasChairlastyear.HoweverSandrasteppeddownfromtheposition,andthecommitteeelectedmeasChairbyacclamationatourNovembermeeting.HighlightsfromtheNovembermeetingincludedanextremelyinformativepresentationbyJamesBaugh(FPSECounselofMcGradyandCompany)onprivacyandpersonalhealthinformation,andapresentationbyZoeTowleonthechangestoWorkSafeBCcoverageduetothepassingofBill14,the Workers Compensation Amendment Act.Bill14mandatesthecoverageofmentaldisorderscausedbyworkplacestressors,andthispotentiallycouldhaveasignificantimpactonourmembers.
AtourFebruarymeetingwemadesignificantimprovementstoformsfordatacollectionthatDMRChadbeenworkingonforacoupleofyears.Theseformswillhopefullybemoreusefulfordatacollectionandanalysisthanourpreviouswrittenreports.WewillbelookingfortrendsorinconsistenciesasnextyearwebegintoprovidedatabeforeeachDMRCmeeting.
Asignificantaccomplishmentwasthefinalizing
ofamembersurveyregardingtheirexperienceswithManulife,bothduringtheapplicationprocessandduringtheirsickleave.DMRCisrequestingthatFPSEdistributethesurveytomembersatalllocalswhosedisabilitybenefitsareprovidedthroughManulife.Onlymemberswhohaveeveryappliedforshortorlongtermdisabilitybenefitsareeligibletocompletethesurvey.
IwouldliketothankeachcommitteememberformakingitapleasuretoChairthiscommittee.Iamimpressedbythededicationwithwhichtheseindividualsservetheirpeersduringsuchavulnerabletime.AndIamimpressedthattheydidnotgrumbleaboutbeingthelastcommitteestillworkinglateintotheSaturdayafternoonofthespringmeeting.
ThecommitteewouldliketothankourExecutiveLiaison,DominiqueRoelants,forhiscontributionsatourNovembermeeting,andGeorgeDavison,whosatinforDominiqueatourFebruarymeeting.WewouldliketoacknowledgetheassistanceofFPSEAdminCoordinatorNancyYip.WewouldespeciallyliketoacknowledgetheinvaluableworkofourFPSEStaffRep,ZoeTowle.
Respectfullysubmitted,
AnnMarieDavison(Local5)Chair,DMRC
COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS: DMRC
1. That FPSE approve the Satisfaction Survey and allocate the required resources for the distribution and analysis of the survey.
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Chair: Chris Montoya, Local 2Colin Gilker, Local 1
Shannon Bezo, Vasiliki Douglas, Local 3Don Mah, Local 4
Takashi Sato, Local 5Pauline Bennison, Local 6
Vicki Bolan, Local 7Rachel Moll, Local 8
Mike Minions, Local 9Laurie Read, Local 10
Catharine White, Local 11Blair Fisher, Local 12Julia Denholm, Local 14Brenda Appleton, David Bratner, Local 15Lesley Watts, Local 16Veda Roodal Persad, Local 17Lily Peters, Local 19Teressa Fedorak, NRFC LiaisonLeslie Molnar, Executive Liaison
Thelasttwelvemonthshavewitnessedthecontinuederosionofconsultationbetweenadministrationandfacultywhentherearechangesinprograms,courses,orkeysupportservices.Thiserosionislargelybroughtaboutbyineffectiveuppermanagement,managementloss,anddisconnectionsbetweendeansandtheirdepartments.Constantchangesinadministrationleadtoaperceivedlossofcontinuity.Administratorsmergedepartmentsandengageindeepcutsbroughtaboutbytheirmovingtowardacorporatemodelandrevenuegeneration.Thetenyeardeclineinrealper-studentoperatinggrantstranslatesintoourinstitutionspressuringfacultytoconstantlydomorewithlessallthewhileexpandingadministrationtokeepthatpressureup.Thepressuretodomorewithlessledtoanincreaseinothermodesofprogramdelivery,modesthatplacedadditionalworkloadsonourmembersanderodedprogramandcoursequality.Administratorsuseblendedformatswiththe“TeacherasFacilitator”towidenthecatchmentareas.Althoughtheyarguetothecontrarythesechanges
occurattheexpenseofteachingquality.Theotherwaytoenlargethecatchmentareaistobringthestudentstoyou.Thereisincreaseddiversityinourstudentbody.Ourpost-secondarystudentsareincreasinglyinternational.However,thesestudentsoftenhaveadditionallanguageandculturalbarrierstoovercome.Intheinterestoffiduciaryprudence,thesupportsystemsneededtomaintainhighqualitylearningopportunitiesforthisuniquestudentpopulationarenotprovided.Itisleft,onceagain,totheinstructortodealwiththeensuingproblems.
Therearecontinuedandincreasingproblemswithtechnology.Instructorsarerequiredtodeliverdistanceeducationandblendedformatswithoutadequatetraining,time,ortechnicalsupport.Thesetechnologiesostensiblyalreadytendtodisenfranchisethealreadytechnologicallymarginalizedstudentsandaddyetanotherbarriertosuccessinhighereducation.Ourmantrashouldbe:distanceeducationandblendedformatsshouldonlybeusedwhen
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STANDINGCOMMITTEEREPORTS
EDUCATIONPOLICYCOMMITTEE
thepreferredmethodofface-to-faceisnotpossible.Finally,withthenewtechnologythereisarealstudentexpectationthattheycanaccessanyinstructor“24/7.”Thisisanunrealisticexpectationthatplacesundoandimpossiblepressureoninstructors.Theculminationofthisentireprocessisofcoursepoorerlearningoutcomesthatareblamedonpoorinstructionalskills.
Toaddfueltothefire,arecentsurveyof15,000QuebecuniversityStudentsrevealedthat“Studentsareoldschool–theywantlectures.Theywanttolistentoaprofessorwho’sengaging,who’sintellectuallystimulatingandwhodeliversthecontenttothem.(VivekVenkatesh,AssociateDeanofAcademicProgramsandDevelopmentintheSchoolofGraduateStudiesatConcordiaUniversity).
With40%completionratesinOpenLearningscenarios,anddistanceeducationbeingalessthanoptimaloption,whyareadministrationsconsideringthemandhowarewetomeasurelearningoutcomes?Someadministratorsconvincinglyarguethatacourseisacourse,andthenumberofhourstaughtintheclassroomisirrelevant.Moreflexibleteachinghoursatoneleveldoessoundappealing,butitshouldneveroccurattheexpenseofastudent’slifetimeoutcome.
Asasolutiontotheseproblems,thisyearsawtheoldA Blue Print for Change morphintoCharting a New Course 2.0 – Renewing Post-Secondary Education in British Columbia.Thisdraftpositionpaperengagesseveralemergingissuesincluding
LearningEnvironments,InternationalEducationandGlobalization,Governance,andResearchandScholarship.Italsoaddressesamajorongoingissueinourprovince:theNeedforStrongerTradesandApprenticeshipprograms.TradesandApprenticeshipchangeswerethetopicofextensivedebateatseveralofourmeetings.Whatbecameclearfromthosediscussionswasthatoverarchingpolicyalterationsgreatlyimpactedourpost-secondarytradesprogramsandcertainspecificpoliciesneededtobechangeddramatically.EPCforeseestheCharting a New Course documentbecomingthePost-SecondaryPlatformfortheNewNDPGovernment.
OverthecomingyeartheFPSEEducationPolicyCommitteehopestoexpandandmoveforwardontheseissues,hopefullyworkingwithanewgovernment.Therearepointstobemadebetweentheissuesaddressedaboveandprioritiesweneedtoaddressatthebargainingtable.Thoseconnections,alongwiththeoverarchingneedtoseebetterfundingchoicesmadebygovernmentandbetteradministrativechoicesmadebyouremployers,willoccupyanimportantpartoftheCommittee’sagendain2013-2014.
Respectfullysubmitted,
Dr. Chris Montoya(Local2)Chair,EPC
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HUMANRIGHTSANDINTERNATIONALSOLIDARITYCOMMITTEE
Chair: Eliza Gardiner, Local 8 Richard Brand, Local 1
Derek Cook, Local 2Keith Tedford, Local 3Jeffrey Shantz, Local 5Avery Hulbert, Local 6
Melissa Walter, Local 7Marlo Edwards, Local 9
Mary Ann Morris, Local 10Rick Budhwa, Local 11
Larry Hannant, Local 12Susan Weber, Local 14John Demeulemeester, Local 15Naomi Wolfe, Local 16Be Harris, Local 17Nedra Mckay, Local 19Charles Boylan, Local 21Rita Wong, Local 22Teressa Fedorak, NRFC LiaisonDominique Roelants, Executive Liaison
TheHumanRights&InternationalSolidarityCommittee(HRISC)hashadanotheractiveyearengagedinsupportingtheworkoflocalcampusrepresentativesandinadvisingourfederationonpressinghumanrightsandinternationalsolidarityissues.
ThecommitteethanksourExecutiveLiaison,DominiqueRoelants,StaffRepSeanHillman,andFPSEStaffmembersMaryBruegemanandGiseledaSilvafortheirongoingsupport,andtotheFPSEExecutiveandPresidents’Councilfortheirassistance.
LOCAL CAMPUS ACTIVITIES
2011–2012localHRISreportsreflectawidediversityofhumanrightsandinternationalsolidarityactivities.Ourmembersareactivelyinvolvedinsupportingactivities/issuesincluding:
• post-secondaryeducationawarenessbuildingevents
• variousfilmscreeningsandfilmfestivalswithsocialandglobaljusticethemes
• diversityandracismawarenessandanti-discriminationtraining
• FirstNationsawareness-building• localfaculty/staffdiscussionsonvarious
HRIStopics,includingfocusonincreasingdialogueaboutequityissuesforseekinggroups
• collaborationwithcommunitygroupsonhumanrights/internationalsolidarityevents
• sponsoringprominentguestspeakersonhumanrightsissues
GUEST SPEAkER AT NOVEMBER MEETING
CarolWoodofCoDevontheCanadianminingsituationinColumbia,andCoDevactivitiesespe-ciallyastheyrelatetoFPSEcontributionviaISF.
SPECIAL INITIATIVE: SPEAkER’S TOUR 2012 PleaseseethefinalreportonthetourinyourAGMpackage.Itdescribesthesuccessofthetourandaincludesfinancialstatement
• FECQPresidentElianeLabergepresentedatfourFPSElocals
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STANDINGCOMMITTEEREPORTS
• thetoursupporteditselfviaFPSElocalcontributionsoffunds,andwasabletodonatetheexcessfundsraisedtotheFECQlegaldefensefund
SPECIAL INITIATIVE: SPEAkER’S TOUR 2013
• YourAGMpackagealsoincludesourISFapplicationthatdescribesthisyear’stourintentandstructure
• ongoingpre-productionviasub-committeeandcontinuedconversationvialistservebetweenmeetings
• successfulapplicationtoISFfundresultedin$1212beingawardedtoHRISCfortour
• themeofthetouriswater,especiallyasitrelatestoextractiveindustriesandtheconnectionbetweenourownFirstNationscommunitiesandthoseinothercountries
CHAIR’S ACTIVITIES
• attendedRightsActiondelegationtominingharmedcommunitiesinGuatemala,July2012
• coordinatedfall2012FPSESpeaker’sTour:liaisedwithcommittee,organizedconferencecalls,communicatedwithlocalrepresentativesandFPSEstaffforprogressupdates,scheduleditinerary,bookedflights,managedbudget,supportedpromotions/publicity,attendedfinalFECQPresidentElianeLabergeeventsatSelkirkCollegeinCastlegar;completedfinalreport
• metwithEquityandDiversitysub-Committee(atFPSEAGM2012inWhistler,tele-conferencefall2012,
meetingFeb.3,2013);sub-committeeismovingforwardwithactionitemsre:ongoingresearchofsimilarcommitteesinotherorganizations,equityaudit/survey,andequitypresentationformembers
• attendedBCFedHumanRightsCommitteemeetings
• contactedMaxineKaufman-Lacusta(nonviolentresistancestrategiesinPalestine),andFernandaSanchezJaramillo(Colombianpeacedialogues)re:potentialguestspeakersatFPSEHRISCmeetinginfall2013
• contactedJimTurkandLindaRumleskiCAUT,andSusanLambertBCTFre:workplanresolutionrecommendingthebuildingrelationshipswithsimilarhumanrightscommittees
• wroteFPSEHRISCISFgrantapplicationforSpeaker’sTour2013
• preparingSpeaker’sTour2013viapre-coordinationworkwithsub-committee
• coordinatedlocalVIUFAeventsandinitiativesincluding:co-sponsoringGlobalFilmFest,organizingHemingway’sHOTHavanaproduction,hostingguestspeakerEsperanzaLuzbert(NorthAmericanDirectoroftheCubanInstituteofFriendshipwiththePeoples,ICAP),hostingGuatemalanforensicscientistMr.FredyPeccerelli(ExecutiveDirector,FAFG),co-sponsoringVDayOneBillionRisingandAnyOneofUscampaigntoendviolenceagainstwomen
Respectfullysubmitted,ElizaGardiner(Local8)Chair,HRISC
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COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS: HRISC
2. That FPSE strongly recommend to the locals that Academic Freedom, as defined by CAUT, be a high priority for bargaining [in the] this next round.
3. That the 2013/2014 budget include a line item of $5,000 for human rights and international solidarity events focusing on water, to be administered pursuant to FPSE policy.
Chair: Teressa Fedorak, Local 2Janey Lew, Local 1
Gerard Sinnott, Local 3Wilson U, Local 4
Jennifer Wolf, Local 5Brian Harvey, Local 6
David MacDonald, Local 7Eliza Gardiner, Local 8
Alan Rice, Local 9
Doris Hausleitner, Local 10Dina von Hahn, Local 11Debbie Hlady, Local 12Bradley Hughes, Local 14Lorraine Rehnby, Local 15Chris Madarasz/Matt Rader, Local 16Sean Finucane, Local 17Dan Starling/Beth Carruthers, Local 22Frank Cosco, Executive Liaison
NON-REGULARFACULTYCOMMITTEE
TheNon-RegularFacultyCommittee(NRFC)metinOctober2012andFebruary2013.Thecommitteemeetingswerewell-attendedthisyearwithalargeturnoverinmembershipduetothetransitionalnatureofNon-RegularFacultywhichdisallowsmanyrepresentativesfromcommittingtoserveonthecommitteeforanygreatlengthoftime.
AtbothmeetingsthesharingofreportsfromeachofthelocalsprovedtobeabeneficialexerciseasthisenablesmemberstokeepcurrentontheprominentissuesthatareaffectingNon-Regularemployeesineachareaoftheprovince.Theadviceandsupportfromotherrepresentativesonthecommitteeisso
valuableandencouragingthatthisportionofourmeetingsremainsthemostvital.TherecontinuestobediversityinthetreatmentofNon-Regularsacrosstheprovincebothincollectiveagreementlanguageandinthewaytheyaresupported,orfailtobesupported,bytheircolleagues.Mostlocalscontinuetoworktowardsstrengtheningtheirlocalcollectiveagreementlanguageinordertosupportapro-ratamodel.Theyareworkingongainingjobsecurity,benefits,professionaldevelopmentfundingandeliminatingpay-griddiscrepanciesorsecondaryscales.Gatheringdataonnon-regularmemberscontinuestobeproblematicinsomelocalsandthecommitteecontinuestodiscusspossiblesolutionstothisdilemma.
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STANDINGCOMMITTEEREPORTS
Thisyear,thefallmeetingincludedajoint regionalconferenceinwhichmembersoftheFPSENon-RegularFacultyCommitteemetwithcontractacademicstaffrepresentativesfromCAUTalongwithinvitedrepsfromBCIT,UVic,SFU,UBC,OlympicCollegeinWashingtonState,andtheCoalitionofContingentAcademicLaborinCalifornia.Thisexcitingventureprovidedallwithachancetoreallydelveintodeepdiscus-sionaboutsessionalissuesandidentifykeyob-staclesandgoals.Thekeyobstaclewasseentobetheculturalinertiaofthesystemwhich createsbarrierstounityandparticipationinunions,divisionoffaculty,andfearandprovideslimitedresourcesforcontractfaculty.Allpar-tiesagreedthatthemostimportantgoalwastoeliminatethecurrenttwo-tieremploymentsys-temandcurrentstateofprecariousnessbycreat-ingequitablecareerpathsforallfacultywhichincludeequityinpayandincreasedjobsecuritythroughnormalization.Itwasdecidedthatnet-working,sharingknowledgeandexpanding allianceswithotherinstitutesinourprovince,countryandtheUnitedStatesshouldcontinueasitisanempoweringmethodforinspiringmembersandmobilizingthenon-regularcause.
TheNRFCcontinuestopromotetheNon-RegularFacultycampaignkeygoalsandactionswhicharetoimproverightstofutureworkandtoachievepro-ratapayforeveryone.ThecommitteeasksforyoursupportofCAUT’sproratamodelinanefforttoeliminatesecondaryscalesatinstitutionsinordertoensurefairnessandequalitythat,besidesaffectingnon-regularfaculty,impactsthequalityofeducation,facultyworkingconditions,andsolidarityacrosstheentirepost-secondarysystem.
MostNRFCrepresentativesassistedwithFairEmploymentWeekeventsintheirownlocals
againthisyear.Theseeventsprovideavaluableopportunitytoconnect,shareinformationandbuildsolidarityfornon-regularemployees.Posters,pamphlets,fridgemagnetsandchocolateswithafairworkmessageonthemweredistributedthroughouttheFPSElocalsaswell.
TheNRFCisgratefultohavethevaluableguidanceandwisdomofExecutiveLiaisonFrankCosco,StaffRepresentativeWeldonCowan,andAdministrativeCoordinatorNancyYipattheFPSEoffice.WealsorecognizePresidentCindyOliverforhercontinuingattentiontoandsupportfornon-regularissues.ThankyoutoallmemberswhocontinuetolendtheirsupporttotheworkoftheNon-RegularFacultyCommittee.
Respectfullysubmitted,
TeressaFedorak(Local2)Chair,NRFC
COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS: NRFC
4. WhereastheCAUTproratamodelfeaturesthreeequallyvaluedandinseparablecomponents:teaching,serviceandscholarlyactivities:
BE IT RESOLVED That:a) FPSE educate members about
and promote the CAUT model for purposes of bargaining;
b) FPSE recommend to locals that non- regular faculty be canvassed and encouraged for participation on both union and institutional committees;
c) Locals work to open access for non-
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regular participation in the various governance bodies which include faculty within the institution; and
d) The scholarly activity component be defined broadly as publication, research, creative processes, scholarly teaching, and other professional activities.
5. That FPSE organize a regional non-regular conference for the fall of 2013.
6. That locals be encouraged to inform non-regulars about the College Pension Plan and encourage them to join immediately upon hire.
7. That FPSE develop and distribute enhanced campaign materials for the 2013 FEW campaign and that FPSE provide locals with assistance to promote and organize effective campaigns.
PENSIONADVISORYCOMMITTEE
Chair: Penny Heaslip, Retired AppointeeAllen Zhu, Local 1
Gordon Rudolph, Local 1 (observer)Marie Sinnott, Local 3
Jennifer kirkey, Local 4Suzanne Pearce, Local 5
Joan kaun, Local 6Norm Taylor, Local 7
Jean Blackburn, Local 8Doug Birtwistle, Local 9
Duff Sutherland, Local 10
Ken Shaw, Local 11Candace Fertile, Local 12Fraser Archibald, Local 14Alison Woods, Local 15 Sherrie Wang, Local 16Derek Knox, Local 17Al Fukushima, Local 19Christian Blyt, Local 22Gerard Sinnott, NRFC LiaisonFrank Cosco, Executive LiaisonPaul Ramsey, Retired Appointee
BC PUBLIC SECTOR PENSION CONFERENCE—APRIL 25/26, 2012 & APRIL 24/25, 2013
AfewPACmembersattendedtheannualBCPublicSectorPensionConferenceattheDeltaOceanPointeHotelinVictoriain2012andwilldosoagainApril2013.Thistwo-dayeventfocusesoninvestmentstrategiesandupdateson
economicconditions,organizedandsupportedbytheBritishColumbiaInvestmentManagementCorporation(bcIMC).
CLC CANADA PENSION PLAN CAMPAIGN UPDATE
TheCommitteemonitorstheCLCCanadaPensionPlancampaignandisactivelypromoting
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STANDINGCOMMITTEEREPORTS
itattheirrespectivelocalsbyspeakingatAGMsanddistributingmaterial.
BC PENSION PLAN INFORMATION
TheCommitteereviewedmaterialproducedbythePublicServicePensionPlanandontheirwebsite,whichisintendedforgeneralplanmemberstouseintheirowndiscussionswithneighbours,friends,etc.PAC’sfeedbackwassharedwiththeTrusteeswhowilluseitastheyproducetheirownmaterials.
BCRTA
TheCommitteekeepsabreastoftheBCRTAPost-SecondaryBranchactivitiesthroughtheliaisonPaulRamsEy,oneoftwoRetireerepsonPAC.DennisAnderson,theBCRTAPost-SecondaryBranchPresidentalsoattendsthespringmeetingtogivetheCommitteeanupdate.
SHAREHOLDER ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION (SHARE)
PeterChapman,SHAREExecutiveDirector,attendedthefallmeetingandexplainedtheroleofSHARE,andtherelationshipandchangingprinciplesofresponsibleinvestment,longterminvestmentstrategiesandfiduciaryduties.
BC FORUM BOARD
MaureenShaw,FPSEappointedBCForumBoardmember,attendedthefallmeetingandoutlinedthatBCFORUMisaprovincialorganizationwith2600membersrepresentingretiredunionmembers.
PAC SUB-COMMITTEE ON
ExTERNAL POLICY REVIEW
TheSub-CommitteeonExternalPolicyReviewproducedareportonFPSEpensionpolicywhichwaspresentedatthefallmeeting.Workingfromthereport,theCommitteemadeextensiverecommendationstoPCregardingpensionpolicychanges.
RETIREE ORGANIzATIONS
TheCommitteereviewedareportbyJeffMcKeiloutliningthevariousorganizationsretiredFPSEmembershaveavailabletojoinandpassedthefollowingmotions:
WhereastheBCTRAPost-SecondaryBranch(PSB)isre-organizingwiththeintentionofimprovingitsabilitytobeaneededvoiceforretireesintheCollegePensionPlan
WhereasPACrecognizestheneedforsuchavoiceandsupportsthegoalofBCRTAPSBtobeavoiceforretirees
That PAC recommends that FPSE support the efforts of the BCRTA Post-Secondary Branch to be a voice for retired College Pension Plan members.
WhereastheBCFORUMisameansforactivistretiredmemberstomaintainarolewithinthelabourandotherrelatedmovements
WhereasBCFORUMissupportedandendorsedbytheBCFederationofLabour(BCFL);ispartoftheBCFL,BCFORUMrepresentsthousandsofretiredunionmembers,providingpolitical
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bargainingpowerneededtospotlightissuesimportanttoretirees,demandtheattentionoflegislators,andnegotiatethebestdealsformembers.
That PAC recommends that PC appoint a formal liaison to attend BC FORUM meetings.
Whereas,bothBCRTAPSBandBCFORUMwouldbenefitfromCollegePensionPlanmembersjoiningoneorbothoftheseorganizations
Andwhereasthechoiceofwhichtojoindependsuponeachretirees’specificinterests;
That PAC recommends to PC that FPSE encourage members to join BCRTA Post-Secondary Branch.
That PAC recommends to PC that FPSE encourage members to join BC FORUM.
RETIREE BENEFIT PLAN OPTIONS
AfterreviewinganddiscussingresearchprovidedbyJeffMcKeilregardingbenefitplanoptionsavailabletoretiredFPSEmembers,theCommit-tee,byconsensus,passedarecommendationtoPCthatFPSEproducea“guide”regardingbenefitoptions,focusingonquestionsthatretireesneedtoask.Norecommendationsshouldbemadeandacleardisclaimerbeincluded.
“BEYOND ETHICAL INVESTING: THE RECONOMY PROJECT
AshortpaperwaspresentedtotheCommitteeatthefallmeetingbyKenShaw,AWULocal11
“BeyondEthicalInvesting”regardingalternativeinvestmentstrategiestotakeintoaccountglobalwarmingandotherissuesthat,itwasargued,neededmoreemphasis.Itisexpectedthatthisitemwillbeonthenextmeetingagenda.
PENSION SURVEY
TheCommitteemonitoredandprovidedongoingfeedbackontheFPSEPensionSurvey.WeldonCowanpresentedthefindingsoftheSurveytothePAConMarch2,2013.
FPSE CPP TRUSTEE NOMINATION
PACvotedbysecretballottorecommendtoPCthatCandaceFertile,Local12,shouldbetheFPSETrustee-Designateforthe2014-17term.
TheCommitteethankedPeggyMcKinnonforputtinghernameforward.
PAC “MINI- RETREAT”
TheCommitteeengagedina“mini-retreatexerciseatitsMarch2013meeting,whichinvolvedsmallgroupworkdesignedtohelpthecommitteereflectuponitsworknowandinthefuture.TheCommitteeconsideredquestionssuchasiftheTermsofReferenceneededupdating,Committeeeffectivenessandpensionissuesthatareexpectedtodominatetheforeseeablefuture.
COMMITTEE SERVICE
IwouldliketoexressmythankstothePACcommitteewhohaveservedduringthepastyearandexpressaspecialthankyoutoTomFriedmanwhohasservedaschairforthecommittee.
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STANDINGCOMMITTEEREPORTS
PAC CHAIR ELECTION
Finally,IwaselectedasPACChairattheMarch2013PACmeeting.
Submittedinsolidarity,
PennyHeaslip,(Local2)Chair,PAC
COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS: PAC
8. That the PAC Sub-Committee Report on Pension Policy be adopted.
(Report in AGM package)
9. That FPSE provide information on benefit plan options for retirees.
10. That FPSE support the efforts of the BCRTA Post-Secondary Branch to be a voice for retired College Pension Plan members.
11. That FPSE appoint a formal liaison to attend BC FORUM meetings.
12. That FPSE encourage members to join BCRTA Post-Secondary Branch.
13. That FPSE encourage members to join BC FORUM.
PROFESSIONALANDSCHOLARLYDEVELOPMENTCOMMITTEE
Bob Fuhr (Chair), Local 5Lyne Gareau, Local 1
Elizabeth Templeman, Local 2Bruce Bennett, Local 3
Norma Sherret, Local 6Vicki Bolan, Local 7
Alanna Williams, Local 8Sasha Johnston, Local 9Rita Williams, Local 10David Archer, Local 11
Kathy Tarnai-Lokhorst, Local 12Giselle Lemay, Local 14Maggi Trebble, Local 15Janice Nicklin, Local 16Juan Caldera, Local 17Nedra Mckay, Local 19Danuta zwierciadlowski, Local 22Alan Rice, NRFC LiaisonFrank Cosco, Executive Liaison
TheFPSEProfessionalandScholarlyCommitteeismainlymadeupofmemberswhoserveonPDcommitteesattheirlocalinstitutions.Aprimaryresponsibilityofthemembersisevaluating,supporting,andfundingprofessionalandscholarlydevelopmentactivitiesforfaculty.ThePSDC,asaresult,providestheopportunitytwiceperyearformemberstosharetheirexperiences
andseekadviceforimprovingprofessionalandscholarlydevelopmentattheirlocals.
ThePSDCwelcomednewmembersthispastyear:
• LyneGareau,Local1:CFA• BruceBennett,Local3:FACNC• SashaJohnston,Local9:OCFA
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• KathyTarnai-Lokhorst,Local12:CCFA• JuanCaldera,Local17:TRUOLFA
TheProfessionalandScholarlyDevelopmentCommitteemetonNovember30thandDecember1stinthefalltermandreturnedonFebruary22ndand23rdtoreviewrecentdevelopmentsatlocals,discussbestpracticesintheadministrationofPDcommittees,andcompilealistofpossiblespeakersforaworkshopatthespringAGM.AusefuldiscussionatourrecentmeetingrevolvedaroundissuesarisingfromPDapplicationsbroughttothetablebyKathyTarnai-LokhorstfromLocal12–CCFA:
• Exploitationoffunding• PDCommitteeorientationsessions• Communitypartnersquestion/philoso-
phyregardinghowtobetransparentaboutpaymentforexternalparticipantsatin-housefundedactivities
• In-housefundingfordepartment-orga-nizedtrainingevents
• Paymentforfacultytrainers:honoraria?Wages?
• Externalnon-profitapplicantsforin-housefundedactivities
Aconcernatseverallocalsisthepossibilitythatunused0.6PDfundsmightbereclaimedbyadministrationundernewcollectiveagreements.Somelocalscombinetheir0.6fundswiththeirregularPDallotmentssothiswillcreatebookkeepingproblemsandconfusionastotheamountoffundingavailableinafiscalyear.
ThePSDCComparisonChartcontinuestobeupdatedbylocals.Thoseinterestedinexaminingtheleveloffunding,educationleaveopportunities,PDdays,non-regularaccess,andreleasetimeatallmemberinstitutionscan
accessthischartattheFPSEwebsite.
TheComparisonChart,asalways,revealsthegreatdiversityamongmemberinstitutionsastotheleveloffundingandthewayprofessionalandscholarlydevelopmentissupported.
IhaveagreedtoreturnasChairofthePSDCfor2013-14.OurcommitteeappreciatesthesupportbySeanHillman,FrankCosco,andthestaffatFPSE.
TheProfessionalandScholarlyDevelopmentCommitteeisawarethattheremaybelimitedtimeforworkshopsattheAGMoninNanaimo.Shouldtheopportunityarise,thecommitteecompiledthefollowinglistofBCbasedspeakerswhomightbeavailableforworkshopsinMay.
ABORIGINAL EDUCATION THEMES
1. Dr.RichardWagamese–OjibwayAuthor–StorytellingfromaFirstNationsper-spective.
2. T.ScottWalker–Addressingaboriginalliteracy.
3. MartinBrokenleg–CofounderoftheCircleofCouragewhichconsultsworld-wideforReclaimingYouthInternational.TheCircleofCourageaddressesyouthdevelopmentbasedontheheritageofFirstNations.
4. KoryWilson–VancouverCommunityCollege.DirectorofAboriginalEducationandServices.
MINDFULNESS AND STRESS REDUCTION WORkSHOPS
1. GeoffreyB.Soloway–PhD.–Work-shopsonMind-well.Mindfulness-
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STANDINGCOMMITTEEREPORTS
BasedWellnessEducation(MBWE)isa“modelofhealthpromotionandstressreductionfocusingonthepresentwhilecreatingintentionforthefuture.Mind-wellengagesthepersonfromtheinsideoutandtransformshis/herabilitytobewithoneself,othersandintheworld.”
2. MarthaMcAlister–CamosunCol-lege–Mindfulnessspeaker.
3. ElaineDecker–BCIT–Humourasaresourceforteaching.
Respectfullysubmitted,
BobFuhr(Local5)Chair,PSDC
Chair: Candace Fertile, Local 12Jennifer Moses, Local 1
Gail Morong, Natalie Clark, Local 2Sandra Chulka, Local 3
Val Innes, Local 5Linda Olm, Local 6Lisa Morry, Local 7
Joy Gugeler, Local 8
Norah Bowman-Broz, Local 9Robin Higgins, Local 10Mia Reimers, Local 11Heather Chan, Local 15Yiling Chow, Local 16Kathie Ross, Local 17Eliza Gardiner, NRFC RepresentativeLeslie Molnar, Executive Liaison
TheStatusofWomenCommittee(SWC)metNovember16-17,2012,andFebruary22-23,2013.withseverallocalsinattendance.SWCprovidesanopportunityforrepresentativestosharetheirexperiencesatthelocallevelwithcolleaguesfromotherlocalsandtodiscussimportantissuesregardingwomenandFPSE.ThepurposeoftheSWCasnotedinitsmandateistosupportactivitiesatthelocallevelthathelpimprovethesituationofwomen.
Thispastyearthemainissuesdiscussedincludedthefollowingongoingissues:
CHALLENGES IN OBSERVING DECEMBER 6
Againseveralrepresentativesnotedthatitisdifficulttogetparticipationandthatstudentsgenerallyhaveminimalknowledgeofwhatthedaymeans.ThechallengeisheightenedwhenclassesendbeforeDec.6.However,localswillcontinuetoobserveDec.6insomecapacity,andasweareagroupofeducators,wecanuseourskillstohelpstudents(andothers)learnaboutthesignificanceofDec.6.ThesmallrosecardsthatFPSEproducedin2007andhavedistributed
STATUSOFWOMENCOMMITTEE
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sincethenarereceivedverywell.Wearelookingintogettingsmallbuttonswitharoseandthedateonit—asimplereminderofthedayandperhapsalesssomberwayofmarkingthedaytohonourthewishesofthefamiliesofvictims.
WAYS TO PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY (MARCH 8)
TheSWCreceivedcolourfulbookmarksandmagnetstodistributeatlocalstohelpcelebrateIWD.ThecommitteeexchangedideasandbrainstormedaboutwaystocelebrateIWD,andasitfallsonaFridaythisyear,thatpresentsabitofachallengeassomecampusesarequieteronFridays.
CHILD CARE
Obviouslythisissueisn’tgoingaway,noristhesituationimproving.Currentgovernments,bothprovincialandfederal,arenothelping.TheSWCisdedicatedtosupportingtheBCFederationofLabour’schildcarecampaign,alongwiththeCodeBlueCoalition.
COLLEGE PENSION CHANGES AND WOMEN
Wehopetohaveaspeakernextyeartoaddressissuesofpensionsandwomen.ClearlypensionsarebecomingmoreofanissueforallCanadians,andwomentendtohavelesspensionableserviceandthereforesmallerpensions.
SUMMER INSTITUTE ON UNION WOMEN
FPSEsponsoredtheparticipationoffiveSWCmemberstoattendtheSummerInstituteon
UnionWomen2012atSonomaStateUniversityinCalifornia,July23-27,hostedbytheUCBerkeleyLaborCenter.WewouldliketothankFPSEforthisopportunityandnotethatwhenmoremembersthanthenumberfundedwishtogo,wetrytoensurethatthosewhohavenotattendedgetthefirstchanceafterfollowingFPSE’sprioritylistforattendees.Manyoftheworkshopswereinspiringanddefinitelyeducational.Wearehopefulthatatleastfivewomenwillbeabletoattendthisyear’sSIUWtobeheldattheUniversityofWashingtoninSeattle,June25-30,2013.
WEBSITE
WearecontinuingtocollectmaterialfortheFPSESWCwebsite.
SURVEY
Weconductedasurveytoseethecurrentstateofsomeissuesatlocalsregardingwomen’sstudies,courses,childcare,andlocalsupport.ThesurveyandresultsareincludedinyourAGMPackage.
FUNDING
Wearegatheringinformationonlocalexecutivesandreleasetime,specificwomen/genderstudiescourses,andlocalfundingofSWC(adhoccaps).
DEPENDENT CARE
TheSWCrecommendsthatPresidents’Councilencouragelocalstoprovidedependentcareorreimbursedependentcarecostsforlocalunionevents(i.e.,childcare,eldercare,careforthedisabled).
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STANDINGCOMMITTEEREPORTS
VIDEOS
WediscussedthepossibilityofcreatingshortvideosforIWD.LesleywilltalktoPhillipLeggaboutFPSEassistance.
MINISTRY OF WOMEN’S EQUALITY
WemadearesolutionfortheAGM:ThatFPSElobbythegovernmenttorestoretheMinistryforWomen’sEqualityandfundingforwomen’sinitiatives.
EqUITY SUB-COMMITTEE
AsChair,IwasamemberoftheFPSEEquitySub-Committee.WemetonFebruary23todiscussthedraftsurveyonequityissues.
ELECTION OF CHAIR
JoyGugeler(Local8)wasacclaimedasChairfor2013-2014.
TheSWCwouldliketothankLeslieMolnar(ExecutiveLiaison)forherinvaluablehelponthis
committee.TheSWCwouldalsoliketothankMaryBruegeman,GiseledaSilvaandLesleyBurke-O’Flynn(FPSEStaffRepresentative).Ofcourse,wealsothankCindyOliverandrestoftheFPSEExecutiveandPresidents’Councilfortheirsupportofthiscommittee.
Respectfullysubmitted,
CandaceFertile(Local12)ChairSWC
COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS: SWC
14. That FPSE encourage locals to provide dependent care or reimburse dependent care costs for local union events (i.e., childcare, eldercare, disabled care).
15. That FPSE lobby the federal government through the CLC and CAUT to bring back the Ministry for Women’s Equality and funding for women’s initiatives.
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WORKPLACEHEALTH,SAFETYANDENVIRONMENTCOMMITTEE
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STANDINGCOMMITTEEREPORTS
Chair: Reto Riesen, Local 11Susan LeBlanc, Local 1
Neil Burnett, Local 2Yvonne Yaschuk, Local 3Sarah Stephens, Local 4
Bill Burgess, Local 5Melodie Hull, Local 6
Kathy Gowdridge, Local 7Chris Jaeger, Local 8
Youry Khmelevsky, Local 9
Rob Macrae, Local 10Tom Rippon, Local 12Leona Friesen, Local 15Alix Carrel, Local 16Marnie Wright, Local 17Lily Peters, Local 19Martin Rose, Local 22Brian Harvey, NRFC LiaisonJason Brown, Executive Liaison
TheWHSECommitteemettwiceduringthepastyear.November2012wasafullmeetingwithextendedreportsfromlocalsandapresentationfromJoePinto,WCB,regardingtheimplementationofBill14.TheFebruary2013meetingfeaturedalivelydiscussiononreportsfromthelocalsaswellasthejointsessiononSaturdaymorning.
ExCHANGE OF ExPERIENCE
Thecommitteeisanamazingresourceforthelocals.Therepresentativeshavealldifferentbackgroundsandareabletodiscusstopicsfromdifferentangles.WhilesomeoftherepresentativesaredealingattheirlocalinstitutionswithsupportiveorproactiveH&Smanagers,othersencounterinertiaorhostility,orareexcludedfromthemandatedoversight.Thismakesforusefulexchangesofexperienceandideasbetweenthereps.
Thestruggleforeffectivecommitteesisnotrestrictedtothepost-secondarysector.TheBCFederationofLabourHealthandSafetyCentrehasdevelopedanewcourseaddressingtheissue.Amotionwaspassedbythecommittee
• That the BC Fed Health and Safety Centre be asked to present its Committee Effectiveness course to the WHSEC during its Fall 2013 meeting.
Similarly,tosupporttheworkoflocalOH&Sreps,thecommitteecollectsinformationregardingthedatabasesusedofelectronicMSDS.Thishasprovedusefulforthoselocalsthatareonlynowswitchingfrompaperformstoelectroniccopies.
Sincethen,thecommitteehasalsocompiledalistofinstitutionalWorkingAlonePolicies.
TherecentemphasisonLockdownproceduresinthewakeofschoolshootingshasledtoacallforasimilarcollectionoflockdownprocedures;itwaspassed
• That FPSE collect information on lockdown procedures at the various campuses, as per the report on working alone policies, and report back to the committee for the next meeting.
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BILL 14 – AMENDMENTS TO Workers Compensation aCt IN REGARDS TO MENTAL DISORDERS
ThebillcameintoforceJuly1,2012afterlobbyingbymanyorganizations,includingFPSEandlocals.Thereweresomechangestothebillfromthedraft;theterm‘mentalstress’isreplacedwith‘mentaldisorder’,andtheycanonlybediagnosedbypsychologistsorpsychiatrists.Dataontheapplicationofthenewrulesarestillscarce,andthereisquiteabitofuncertaintyhowemployers,insurancecompaniesandWCBitselfwillreact.ThecommitteehasaskedthestaffreptotrackdeclinedandacceptedclaimsunderBill14,andtotrackwhothephysicianconsultantsare.
IMPORTANT ISSUES
Worlwidelobbyingagainstthecontinuedsupportof AsbestosfinallyshowedsomeeffectastheFederalgovernmenthasabandoneditsprevioussupportforasbestosmininginQuebec.Evenso,expectasbestostocontinueasahealthproblemduetothelong-termnatureofthisthreat,andhowwidelyitwasusedinbuildingsuntilafewyearsago.
WCBissupportingastudyledbyDr.TimTakaro,SFU,onBerylliumExposureinBCworkplacessuchaswelding.Thiscouldimpactmembersinseveralofourlocals,andBrianHarvey(CORFA)hasvolunteeredtogathermoreinformationaboutthestudyandhowlocalscouldsupportit.FPSEhasapprovedfundingforhimtoattendaninitialmeetingMarch14inVancouver.
Thecurrentsystemtoprotectworkers,calledWHMIS(WorkplaceHazardousMaterialsInformationSystem)willbereplacedinthe
nexttwo(?)yearswithGHS , the Globally Harmonized System.EvenasCanadahasyettoannounceitsnewregulations,GHSlabeledproductsalreadystartappearinginworkplaces.OurstaffrepwasaskedtolookintodifferencesinterminologyandsymbolssuedinWHMISvsGHS.
UPDATE
Duetoalackofresources,thetwoworkshopsthatweresupposedtobeofferedbyFPSE-‘RightsandResponsibilitiesinResponsetoStudentViolence’and‘WorkplaceStress’havenotyetbeendeveloped.
CHAIR FOR 2013/2014
RetoRiesenwasacclaimedaschairforanotheryear.
MythanksgotoZoeTowle,ourstaffrepresentativetotheWHSEC,forhersupportandcoverageofBCFedandCAUT;CarolynneFardy,pastchair,forhelpingmeeaseintothenewrole,andthemanyinitiativemembersofthecommittee.
Respectfullysubmitted,
RetoRiesen(Local11)Chair,WHSEC