Our December meeting went very well.
We had much to discuss and there were quite a few members in attendance. Thanks to all that showed up and discussed the merits of staying with a council we affiliate with. In the end we decided to stay with the council but very specific direction was given for our further involvement.
Also we will be sending a few people to some conventions with some from the floor, If you don't have your 3 meetings in, you must start coming to qualify to go to the events.
Job stewards we will be having their 2010 dinner in January 2011. Deadline for RSVP will be January 12. Meet at the restaurant at 6pm dinner at 7pm. If you as a job steward don`t get the letter in the mail, please phone the hall for more information in the new year.
Merry Christmas all and have a great New Year.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Conventions a plenty.
Like every year, a few of our affiliations are having their general convention calls. As a local we are involved on many different levels. As we approach our year end we will be talking at the meeting about a few of the conventions we feel we need to go to. As well we will be talking about disaffiliating from a group and you should be here for those discussions.
A few money motions, grievances that are at arbitration stages, , bylaw clean up will be introduced and of course the reports will be coming to the floor.
Also, our Christmas Open House is on Friday the 10th. Please join us for some solidarity, meet new people and your executives.
A few money motions, grievances that are at arbitration stages, , bylaw clean up will be introduced and of course the reports will be coming to the floor.
Also, our Christmas Open House is on Friday the 10th. Please join us for some solidarity, meet new people and your executives.
Monday, October 25, 2010
New Potential Investment
Please be at the next general meeting (2nd Tuesday of the month) in November. We will be discussing a new investment purchase for the union hall. For more information please contact the hall.
As well the bargaining committee should have exchanged their proposals with the city. Which means we can then see where both sides are coming from as members.
Considering we are entering a tight fiscal year, it would be nice to know where we and the city are going to be besides the obvious money issues.
As well the bargaining committee should have exchanged their proposals with the city. Which means we can then see where both sides are coming from as members.
Considering we are entering a tight fiscal year, it would be nice to know where we and the city are going to be besides the obvious money issues.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Training
Last week I was thrust into the world of Full Time Officers. Not knowing what to expect, I was excited. What did I learn last week that I couldn't forget to do this week? Two words, bring food. I think I spent so much time dealing with phone calls, lawyers, conversing with staff, traveling and the executive I forgot to stop and just eat. Funny what you will overlook when you want to just be there whenever your needed.
The most surprising message I took from our Lawyer was that when he says that the case is "not viable". He means that the chances of it winning are in the single digits percentage wise. Floored me because when I sat in executive/general meetings, the translation on the floor is never so cut and dry. Life in the union is all in the wording. A total reversal from my life at work. When we say things in construction, it is concise, to the point and strong in language. In lawyer land, cases are looked at from angles, information is tailored and argued, and used however either side sees a win. Never cut and dry, a lawyer must make a recommendation that will be of a sound opinion. With some of the information being confidential, as a member or executive member we have to read between the lines. A hard decision to make in the 5 minutes we are given in a general meeting.
The table officers start their day at 7am... well more like 6:30am. You need 30min just to sit down, read through the regular bits of union business like mail, messages, emails, staff requests just to free your day for the scheduled appointments with staff, members, management, and the out of left field phone calls that can leave you stuck to a chair for literally hours.
Most of the questions are cut and dry. Members may not like the answers, but full time officers must relay the information be it bad or good to prepare people for where their questions are headed. It's the gears that you see turning in a members head. Trying to think 3 steps ahead. Sometimes they just don't realize that the hall has seen a lot of the same stuff going on everywhere. They know exactly where your thought process is headed. At least that is the way I am seeing it as I job shadow them.
Quite an interesting experience here at the hall. You don't know what to expect, so your training is specific to the issues being presented. So far I have really looked forward to the phone calls. Members call in to ask us questions, and we get back to them with answers. Simple, and to the point. The mishmash of meetings can be interesting. Being prepared is especially important to the process. You never know what is going to be covered. I have one more day, and then my training will be complete. Waiting for the day they need me to fill in.
I have to say that what I thought the Full Time members did and what I now know they do has had a positive effect on my views of the office. In the case of understanding what goes on at local 37. Doing is by far my choice then seeing.
The most surprising message I took from our Lawyer was that when he says that the case is "not viable". He means that the chances of it winning are in the single digits percentage wise. Floored me because when I sat in executive/general meetings, the translation on the floor is never so cut and dry. Life in the union is all in the wording. A total reversal from my life at work. When we say things in construction, it is concise, to the point and strong in language. In lawyer land, cases are looked at from angles, information is tailored and argued, and used however either side sees a win. Never cut and dry, a lawyer must make a recommendation that will be of a sound opinion. With some of the information being confidential, as a member or executive member we have to read between the lines. A hard decision to make in the 5 minutes we are given in a general meeting.
The table officers start their day at 7am... well more like 6:30am. You need 30min just to sit down, read through the regular bits of union business like mail, messages, emails, staff requests just to free your day for the scheduled appointments with staff, members, management, and the out of left field phone calls that can leave you stuck to a chair for literally hours.
Most of the questions are cut and dry. Members may not like the answers, but full time officers must relay the information be it bad or good to prepare people for where their questions are headed. It's the gears that you see turning in a members head. Trying to think 3 steps ahead. Sometimes they just don't realize that the hall has seen a lot of the same stuff going on everywhere. They know exactly where your thought process is headed. At least that is the way I am seeing it as I job shadow them.
Quite an interesting experience here at the hall. You don't know what to expect, so your training is specific to the issues being presented. So far I have really looked forward to the phone calls. Members call in to ask us questions, and we get back to them with answers. Simple, and to the point. The mishmash of meetings can be interesting. Being prepared is especially important to the process. You never know what is going to be covered. I have one more day, and then my training will be complete. Waiting for the day they need me to fill in.
I have to say that what I thought the Full Time members did and what I now know they do has had a positive effect on my views of the office. In the case of understanding what goes on at local 37. Doing is by far my choice then seeing.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
CUPE Weeklong School 2010
Today I am starting the Red Deer School. Sunday night we had lots of fun meeting each other at the dorms, and today we are jumping right into the programs. I am in the Advanced Stewarding course, and many of our other 37 members are taking courses throughout the college. Overall 100 participants are here to take courses. Great turn out indeed.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Report for March 21, 2010 – NDP Leadership Levee
I must say the leadership levee in Edmonton was enjoyable. I met the NDP organizers, party members, MLA Brian Mason and my highlight of the evening was with Federal NDP leader Mr. Jack Layton. Other CUPE brothers/sisters included. Rh’ena Oake and Trudy Grebenstine who took the time to talk to me and I enjoyed the food platters.
The evening was full of new and old faces and I thank the membership for sending the eight members from our local. I would not recommend sending the eight members if we endeavour to do this again. The levee is not as it was described to the members. We purchased a table at a standing room only event. Our need to be at what can only be described as a fund raiser would have been better spent if we just donated the money to the party and sent just one to three representatives.
I enjoyed being part of the NDP Levee and I thank the members of Local 37 for sending me to Edmonton.
The evening was full of new and old faces and I thank the membership for sending the eight members from our local. I would not recommend sending the eight members if we endeavour to do this again. The levee is not as it was described to the members. We purchased a table at a standing room only event. Our need to be at what can only be described as a fund raiser would have been better spent if we just donated the money to the party and sent just one to three representatives.
I enjoyed being part of the NDP Levee and I thank the members of Local 37 for sending me to Edmonton.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Think Tank.
The Executive at Large are having their biannual think tank. We are talking about your issues, one at a time.
The first day was very productive. Next days meeting should be a continuation of today. Lots of issues to discuss.
The first day was very productive. Next days meeting should be a continuation of today. Lots of issues to discuss.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Exec at Large
Just wanted people to know I am now an exec at large. I have just been to my first event. I was at a NDP event in Edmonton. I will be uploading the video for your enjoyment.
Last months general meeting we authorized over sixty grand worth of things our local will be involved, in. If you forgot to come to the meeting, you missed out on many opportunities. Make sure you come to the next meeting.
Last months general meeting we authorized over sixty grand worth of things our local will be involved, in. If you forgot to come to the meeting, you missed out on many opportunities. Make sure you come to the next meeting.
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