Minutes of GSU LOCAL 20008 Special Meeting May 28th, 2002
5:00 p.m.   Room 1902- 800 Burrard Street, Vancouver

AGENDA ITEMS

1. Discussion and approval of resolutions for GSU First Triennial National Convention 
    from October 28 to 30, 2002, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

2. Adoption of resolutions to be presented at the convention.
3. Election of Delegates and Alternates to the National Convention.
4. Election for the Local Secretary's and Health & Safety Co-Chair positions.
5. Distribution of Local GSU 20008 Web Site survey.
6. Other Items.

Present
Bob Graves, Phil Robinson, Tom Gallagher, Larry Ghini, Arnold Bennett, Barbara Timewell (scribe), Jack Seto via teleconference.

Meeting began at 5:00 p.m.

AGENDA ITEM 1. Resolutions for Discussion and Approval. Six Received.

Resolution 1.
WHEREAS, most folk are not keen to pay for things they don't want nor need AND WHEREAS, we have a bloated Component Executive that seems to provide little value to the ordinary rank and filer AND WHEREAS the incremental costs0saved by right-sizing the Component Executive could be used to service the needs of the ordinary member.

Be it resolved that Component bylaw 6 be amended to read that each region henceforth would be represented by one Regional Vice-President only. This represents a reduction from 15 to 6.

Moved Larry Ghini

Seconded Arnold Bennet

Yeahs 2

Nay 3

Motion defeated

Resolution 2.
WHEREAS the current indirect method of electing the National Executive is demonstrably undemocratic

Be it further resolved Component bylaw 8 section 1.b be replaced stipulating that the election of Regional Vice-Presidents be referred back to the Region they reuresent and a direct vote be initiated and conducted among all members in good standing.

Be it further resolved that the incoming National Component President determine a legitimate and democratic way to ensure that his position and that of the four National Vice-Presidents are elected by a direct membership vote at the earliest opportunity. His recommendation is to be voted on and implemented at the 2005 Component Convention.

Moved Larry Ghini

Seconded Arnold Bennet

Yeahs 2

Nays 3

Motion defeated.

Resolution 3.
WHEREAS, the position of National President was created to serve the membership and not to enrich the incumbent, AND WHEREAS, the membership probably would be better served by a dedicated trade unionist than highly paid employee, AND WHEREAS, the cost of maintaining the Component's overhead is already more than the members would like to spend.

BE IT RESOLVED, our Component bylaw 8, section 5 .b and .c be redrafted to clearly identify that the National President is simply a full-time officer, not an employee, of the component. In lieu of pay, the National President will receive a yearly honorarium equal to his existing Government pay and benefits package.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, all disbursements and allowances paid out to the National President be posted on the Component's website not less than twice yearly.

Moved Larry Ghini

Seconded Arnold Bennet

Yeahs 2

Nay 3

Motion defeated

Resolution 4.
WHEREAS expenses incurred by our component officers should be of interest to our members AND WHEREAS there seems to be a general feeling from the rank and file that oftentimes our dues are misspent.

BE IT RESOLVED our Component bylaw 7 section 1 be amended by adding a clause instructing the National President to itemize, on a timely basis, on the Component website all travel expenses and allowances taken by Component officers and staff..

Moved Larry Ghini

Seconded Arnold Bennet

Yeahs 2

Nay 3

Motion defeated

Resolution 5.
WHEREAS: great confusion during the last strike was caused because members from different bargaining tables were required to withdraw their services at different times. And WHEREAS the regional strike strategy had limited positive effect on improving the contract.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the PSAC call for a general strike and only after all four bargaining tables are in a legal strike position.

And BE IT RESOLVED THAT: this resolution be forwarded to the GSU Triennial Convention for adoption and then forwarded to the PSAC Triennial Convention for adoption.

Moved Bob Graves

Seconded Tom Gallagher

Yeahs 1

Nays 4

Motion defeated

Resolution 6.
WHEREAS members desire a better collective agreement.

And WHEREAS: the strike pay of $35.00 per day picket duty is an extreme hardship on most members.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: members be compensated at 60% of their salary per day they are on the picket line.

And BE IT RESOLVED THAT: this resolution be forwarded to the GSU Triennial Convention for adoption and then forwarded to the PSAC Triennial Convention for adoption.

Moved Bob Graves

Seconded no one

Motion defeated

AGENDA ITEM 2 Adoption of resolutions to be presented at the convention.
no resolutions were adopted.

AGENDA ITEM 3 Election of Delegates and Alternates
Call for nomination of Delegates

1. Delegates Nominated

Phil Robinson
Jack Seto
Larry Ghini
Barbara Timewell

Stood

Phil Robinson
Jack Seto
Larry Ghini

Elected

First Delegate - Jack Seto
Second Delegate - Phil Robinson

2. Alternates Nominated

Larry Ghini
Barbara Timewell

Stood

Larry Ghini
Barbara Timewell

Elected

First Alternate - Larry Ghini
Second Alternate - Barbara Timewell

Motion to destroy all ballots All in favour.

AGENDA ITEM 4. Election of Secretary and Union OSH Representative
Election of Secretary, Barbara Timewell, will fill in until someone else can be found or until the next AGM.

Union OSH Co Chair
Dawn McRae has stepped forward and volunteered to take on this job. Membership present agreed and Dawn was elected by acclamation¼/font>

AGENDA ITEM 5 Web site Survey
Barbara Timewell is preparing a survey for members to get feedback on the GSU local 20008 web site design and usage. Survey will be distributed to members this week.

AGENDA ITEM 6 Other Items
Discussion about moving the Local GSU 20008 AGM to November after the GSU Triennal convention in Halifax in October 2002.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:09 p.m.

________________________________________

President

_______________________________________

Secretary