Attendees:

Also in attendance was Jack Lowe, RVP Scotia-Fundy Region. 

The AGM convened at 5:00 PM in Boardroom 1524, 45 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth.

Treasurer’s Report –   The Treasurer, Randy Sheppard, presented the Treasurer’s Report for the 2004 calendar year.  This report was accepted.  This report will need to be audited by two members of the local who are not on the Executive. 

Election of Local Officers:

Jack Lowe, RVP Scotia-Fundy Region, conducted the Election of Local Officers.

Local President:  Rhonda Doyle LeBlanc and Chris Smith were both nominated and both were willing to serve.  After a brief explanation as to why they would like to be elected local President, a vote took place.  Chris Smith was re-elected as President.

Local Vice-President:  Don Walter and Rhonda Doyle LeBlanc were both nominated for this position and were both willing to serve.  After a vote took place, Rhonda Doyle LeBlanc was elected as Vice-President.

Local Secretary:  Danielle Laprise, Joanne Haran and Don Walter were all nominated to be the Secretary.  Danielle and Don declined and as Joanne was willing to serve, Joanne Haran was elected as the new local Secretary. 

Local Treasurer:  Randy Sheppard was willing to serve another term as Treasurer and will remain in this position.

Congratulations to the Executive.  Jack Lowe had the Executive sworn in before the close of the meeting.  All officers of the Local shall take office immediately following the meeting at which they are elected.  This list of new local officers will be forwarded to HR for information.

Shop Stewards:  Interested Shop Stewards are appointed, not elected.  Chris Smith gave a brief description of the Shop Steward duties with the emphasis being on communication.  It was suggested that it would be great to have shop stewards representing the different branches.  The following interested members attending the meeting were appointed:  Don Walter and Jeff Lipton.

Other members who are interested in becoming shop stewards can contact the Local Executive. 

There is a requirement for people working on job sites to participate/attend Health & Safety meetings.  There should be a Local and a Regional OSH Committee.  The Local is also looking for people to do Health & Safety training and Canadian Labour Code training. 

Environment Convention – Discussion took place about the Environment Convention to take place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, August 14 to 16, 2005.  Chris was nominated and selected as the delegate and Rhonda Doyle LeBlanc was nominated and selected as the observer or as alternate delegate if Chris Smith is unable to attend.  Jeff Lipton was selected as alternate observer for the Convention. 

A motion was made that the observer get equal expenses and salary reimbursed for attending the Convention.  Forms will be submitted to the Environment Component to apply for financial assistance.

The delegate and observer reporting forms need to be sent off before April 14, 2005.  The local is to pay the $90 registration fee for the delegate and observer; this needs to be submitted prior to May 14, 2005.    

Resolutions to Convention should be forwarded to the National Office on or before April 30, 2005.  A Resolutions Committee was created consisting of Don Walter, Rhonda Doyle LeBlanc and Chris Smith.

Local Website:  The new Local website was recently launched.  The website link is:  http://jubenilee.tripod.com/local80820/index.html.  Members are encouraged to visit often for updates; sometimes it may be difficult to send emails out to the members.  Send any suggestions or comments on the website to Rhonda Doyle LeBlanc.

Strike Discussion:

A discussion took place about the strike of 2004 and of designates donating 25% of their pay.  A question came up about members who worked during the strike.  A Strike Disciplinary Committee was created to help with these matters.  The committee consists of Chris Smith, Don Walter and Rhonda Doyle LeBlanc.

Designates during Strike – Designates should have paid 25% of their pay during a strike but at the time of the strike this was voluntary and not mandatory.  Chris Smith made a motion that all designates in the last strike pay their 25%.  This will be further discussed by the Resolutions Committee. 

In the case of a future strike, members need to receive more information on the hardship fund.   It was suggested that a motion be made to allow designates to donate directly to the local strike fund.

There was a suggestion to increase local membership dues to allow for a local strike fund but before allowing this type of change, local members need to be notified 30 days in advance of such a vote/decision. 

Local Scholarship – Chris Smith suggested a change to the prerequisite for the scholarship fund.  For example, we may suggest that the students applying write an essay on trade unions.  Applications are currently rated on academic performance.   This year there will be one scholarship at $500.

Local Funding:

During the AGM the following decisions were made for local funding:

• $ 100 for International Women’s Day donation.

• $ 100 for Metro Food Bank now and another $100 to be donated in December.  In addition, Danielle Laprise volunteered to organize and help collect additional funds for this cause from the membership.  Any other funds that local members would like to donate will be much appreciated. 

• Atlantic Youth Initiative – The Local will consider donating to the Youth Barbeque.  A motion was made to give to the Youth Network Barbeque a total of $100 on the condition that the cost is shared and that government funding be provided.

• Fitness Centre – Some EC staff are currently trying to get a fitness centre in the building for members to use when they want to exercise and to use as a location for fitness classes.  The Local supports this cause and may donate money towards this cause or towards exercise equipment.  This will depend on if the fitness centre is created and will be re-visited. 

The final decision of the evening was where participants were going to eat.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM. 

Respectfully submitted,

Rhonda Doyle LeBlanc

Vice-President, Local 80820

(Recorded as Secretary)