MoveUP’s Executive Council met on Monday in Burnaby to go over the union’s regular business as well as a few unique presentations.
After new councillors took the Oath of Office and minutes of previous meetings were approved, Communications Representative Jarrah Hodge gave the Communications Report. She unveiled the newest ad from the BC Federation of Labour’s Fair and Reasonable campaign for public sector bargaining, which is already running in media markets outside the Lower Mainland and which will begin airing in Metro Vancouver after this week’s by-elections.
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Following the President’s Report, Vice-President Jeff Gillies took a moment to show a powerpoint thanking retiring Executive Councillor Tom Duncan (ICBC, pictured right) for his years of service to his community, COPE, and the labour movement in general.
Financial and committee reports came next. Constitution Committee Chair Tim Weigelt went through an extensive series of proposals for housekeeping amendments to the constitution and bylaws, which will be voted on at the next Council meeting.
Just before lunch, Council heard a presentation from Rod Germaine and Kyi Min Saw from the Just Aid Foundation, which assists individuals and groups adversely affected by the failure of democracy in Burma; raises public awareness of the situation in Burma; provides financial, technical and other support to individual and community initiatives intended to improve the living conditions of people in Burma, as well as Burmese people on or near Burma’s borders and in displaced communities elsewhere; and provides financial and direct assistance to individuals and organizations to help with health care and health promotion.
Kyi Min Saw of the Just Aid Foundation Speaks
The speakers described the current system in Burma as still very difficult, noting an ongoing lack of true democracy and the fact the country is rated second to last in the world by the WHO for health care.
After lunch, the Accenture members elected Rob Larson to the vacant Board position left open after the departure of Lucas Meyer.
Vice President Heather Lee gave the Education Committee report on behalf of Gwenne Farrell, focusing on the Job Stewards Seminar and future training opportunities for Stewards, including JS Level Two in May and a course on facing management, which will be offered in June.
During the Electoral Committee report, Tim Weigelt noted the committee is looking at how to ensure Council representation for the new Fortis Customer Care Centres and the AMS Security members.
Melanie Greenlaw’s Events and Social Planning Committee Report highlighted Sunday’s Sun Run. COPE’s team of 143 people meant that one out of every 300 runners was one of our members. Ours was one of the largest corporate teams. Upcoming events will include a June evening at Hastings racetrack and a family-friendly barbeque in Prince George.
Joyce Galuska used her Human Rights Committee report to outline the mandate of the committee and the community and international groups it works with. She also took a moment to update Council on ongoing issues including Attawapiskat, Shannon’s Dream, and the Missing Women’s Inquiry.
Later, for the Political Action Committee report, Vice President Jeff Gillies touched on the federal NDP leadership election of Thomas Mulcair and the ongoing by-elections in Chilliwack-Hope and Port Moody-Coquitlam.
Lori Mayhew and Susan Orr, speaking for the Women’s Committee Report, put out a call for new committee members, including those residing outside of Metro-Vancouver. They also reported on events held by the BC Federation of Labour around International Women’s Day on March 8.
Finally for the Youth Action Committee, Stephen Von Sychowski outlined three recent events the committee was involved in: an April 2 lunch and learn meeting at BC Hydro, the April 10 presentation of the “Bad Boss Award” to the Subway franchise, and an April 14 event outside Mac’s convenience store to protest the watering down of Grant’s Law protecting late-night retail workers.
