PSAC Ontario 6 th Triennial Convention Report of the Finance Committee

Transcription

1 PSAC Ontario 6 th Triennial Convention Report of the Finance Committee The Committee met on May 14 th, and 21 st 2014 and debated 7 resolutions. The resolutions are listed as provided to the Finance Committee. Chair: Bob Black Members: Donna Kinchen, Sue Soubra, Sandy Bello Resource Person: Debbie St. Germain Resolution # Page # Originator Concurrence 5A 2 Kingston Area Council; PSAC DCL 901; UCTE Non-Concurrence 1 2 Toronto and Hamilton Members with Disabilities Access Committees 2 3 Kingston Area Council; PSAC DCL 901; UCTE Kingston Regional Women s Committee 4 4 Kingston Regional Women s Committee; Kingston Area Council; UCTE B 4 Kingston Area Council; PSAC DCL 901; UCTE UNDE UCTE 00056; Kingston Area Council 1

2 Resolution F - 5: The Committee recommends Division of the BIRs F 5A The Committee recommends concurrence BE IT RESOLVED THAT: PSAC-Ontario declare its solidarity with AUPE, Rational: Union solidarity is a fundamental attribute of organized labour. Resolution F 1: The Committee recommends non-concurrence BE IT RESOLVED THAT PSAC shall ensure that members receive advance cheques prior to attending any PSAC fully funded function to ensure member ability to cash their cheque prior to participation in order to cover monetary needs; THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT PSAC shall issue members with disabilities advance cheques prior to attendance at fully funded functions as PSAC should ensure a barrier free environment, especially for members of this equity group. Rationale: The committee recognizes that an accommodation of this nature can be requested for persons that demonstrate need. The committee recognizes that any member who demonstrates a need for an advance cheque has a responsibility to request this accommodation, and further, that accommodation arrangements should be assessed on an individual basis, and include other personal circumstances such as hardship, and family status. The committee considered the challenges and potential risks associated with voiding cheques, and recovery of funds when circumstances such as event participant listings change and one becomes dis-entitled to funding. Sue Soubra is recorded against the committee recommendation. 2

3 Resolution F - 2: The Committee recommends Composite resolution with F - 3 BE IT RESOLVED: that PSAC Ontario conduct all banking thru credit unions or potential Postal Banking BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: PSAC National conducts all banking thru credit unions or potential Postal Banking. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That first BIFR be forwarded to the PSAC 2015 triennial convention. Rationale: Finance resolutions 2 and 3 are the same. Resolution F - 3: The Committee recommends non-concurrence BE IT RESOLVED: that PSAC Ontario conduct all banking thru credit unions or potential Postal Banking BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: PSAC National conducts all banking thru credit unions or potential Postal Banking. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That first BIFR be forwarded to the PSAC 2015 triennial convention. Rationale: The Ontario Region is not an independent entity in banking within the PSAC and is linked with Headquarters and National Office accounts. Postal banking is unknown, and a thorough review has not been conducted to determine the costs to change or to compare the benefits of this proposed change on items such as interest rates, service charges, insurance and other benefits. Some Credit Unions are in the process of changing their charter to become banks. The 3 rd BIR is a Regional resolution that should be dealt with in the Ontario Region. 3

4 Resolution F - 4: The Committee recommends non-concurrence BE IT RESOLVED THAT delegates to Ontario Regional Convention are funded as follows: ONE (1) delegate per Local fully funded; any additional delegates of a Local be funded under the existing funding guidelines. Rationale: The Committee estimated the cost at approximately $321, (214 locals x $1,500 ea). This increase to convention costs exceeds the financial ability of PSAC Ontario Region. Delegate assistance has been increased from previous years, and funding options may be available through other PSAC sources. Reduced membership from Workforce Adjustment (WFA) has had a negative impact on PSAC dues revenue, and to propose additional costs is not recommended at this time. F 5B The Committee recommends non-concurrence BE IT RESOLVED THAT PSAC-Ontario offer a reasonable financial contribution to AUPE s court fight, should they need it. Rationale: The word reasonable is too subjective and this BIR does not provide sufficient direction to PSAC-Ontario. While the committee acknowledges that the outcome of the court challenge will have implications for public sector employees across Canada and as such, is of national interest, the committee believes that potential financial support should be considered, and if appropriate, offered and administered by PSAC National. 4

5 Resolution F - 6: The Committee recommends non-concurrence BE IT RESOLVED THAT PSAC Ontario subsidizing parking expenses up to 100% of local delegate/representative entitlements for a particular Regional/Area Committee. Rationale: The costs attached to this resolution are unpredictable. There is no suggestion of the subsidy formula to be used. There is no indication of where this expense would be funded from. The logistics of control would include submission of receipts, confirmation of attendance and obtaining signature of the appropriate signing authority. This proposal does not include members at large who should also be encouraged to attend and participate with voice. It is unclear what is meant by representative entitlement. Resolution F -7: The Committee recommends non-concurrence BE IT RESOLVED THAT any money that would have been directed to specific political parties be redirected to the education of our members on party philosophies, party policy and party lines and to foster a greater voter turnout. Rationale: The resolution is vague and too general. This would restrict PSAC from offering support to parties and candidates that support PSAC member issues, or our members who are running for a political position. This approach may be detrimental to our efforts and achievements made to political campaigns such as We are All Affected, Standing up for Sick Leave, Human Rights etc. Through such vehicles as Area Councils, Regional Committees and Councils, Bargaining committees and conferences, and through local activists, members are offered this education and awareness and are encouraged to promote a greater voter turnout. Education opportunities are available to achieve this result without redirecting money from political parties through social media, e-learning, PSAC education programs, etc. 5