Minutes of the UVic PEA Chapter Annual Retreat


Held March 11th at Dunsmuir Lodge starting at 9:05 AM


In attendance: Tony Bute, Vincent Connor, John Foxgord, Tom Gore, John Hall, Sheryl Karras, Bert Klatt, Kim Lewel, Bill McGhee, Inez St. Dennis.


Guests: Jodi Jensen and Phil Reusing


Minute taker: Hall


  1. Opening. Bill conducted an opening session involving sharing of personal interests.

  2. Nomination of PEA Member for Alumni Teaching Awards. As the Gillian Sherwin award is targeted at PEA laboratory teaching staff and limited term and sessional instructors, a PEA member has been asked to join the awards committee. Inez St. Dennis was appointed. (Klatt/Hall) Carried

  3. Election Campaign Kit. After review of the document CLA example document and some discussion two ideas were put forward:

    1. Free Collective Bargaining: The importance needs to be stressed and the candidates thoroughly grilled on this issue.

    2. True Cost of Living Increases: What 0-0-0 really means given changes to premiums, provincial tax, housing and energy prices, etc.

  4. Revitalizing the PEA. Tom gave a sketch of the five strategic directions identified by the association Executive

    1. Involvement of the membership: balancing youth and experience in committee and representative membership.

    2. Building strategic alliances: 7 of the 9 units depend on the government; the various licensing bodies; reappraisal of joining the BC Fed.

    3. Growth: seeking potential new chapter; Bill is working on that initiative.

    4. Support our staff: recognize and thank the association staff; increase educational support for staff.

    5. Communications: update chapter Exec manuals; increase interactions between chapter and association executives; hire professional designer for The Professional and the website.

The discussion then turned to what UVic can do to improve member activity. John H. suggested geopolitical sub-regions be used to create smaller LR functions aimed at getting members in similar areas together. Tony suggested using JE as a hook to get LRs and other members involved. One suggestion was to have LRs help disseminate JE information. Better support of our LRs, such as basic training and documentation including membership lists as a turnkey UVic driven operation. Sheryl suggested that a series of smaller events could build up to a larger event.

  1. Phil came up to join Tony in discussing JE Progress. Phil handed out page 1 of the 2-page time line for JE Phase 3 (completion stage). Tony asked then we send any questions we have to him so they can identify likely common questions prepare answers for our members. Phil and Tony stressed that an appeal rate greater than 15% would significantly delay implementation of monetary adjustments. The appeal committee should be different form the initial evaluation committee so Bert, Agnes and Tony will represent the PEA on that joint committee. Two ways to streamline the appeal procedure were proposed: a) initially screening for appeals based on the relative importance of the position instead of the specific factor ratings with examples, and b) ruling on those appeals that have the potential to have a monetary impact first.

  2. Jodi gave an overview of what labour expects for 2006, as several contracts will come due that year and labour is aiming to catch-up on wages.

  3. Advanced Local Rep Training. Deferred to a later date.

  4. Convention Resolutions. After some discussion no resolutions were put forward. As the submission deadline is after the next Chapter Exec Meeting we can bring forward any suggestions then.

  5. Action Plan. The main issue beyond JE that we will focus on in the coming year is increasing membership involvement. We will do this via LRs, use of JE as a hook to get members to come out to meetings, and seminars on JE. The Exec will meet with Tony to go over the JE factors, followed by meetings with the LRs to give them additional information on JEs and the appeals process. Sheryl will arrange a seminar by HR to let staff know what the changes are.

  6. Budget for 2005/2006. Based on the action plan above, we amended the budget as follows:

    1. Union building to $1200 (up from $200 last year)

    2. One social event to $1200 (same as last year)

    3. Inter union activities to $0 (no longer relevant)

    4. Local Reps to $1000 (up from $500)

    5. Annual Retreat $700 (up from 600)

    6. Donations down to $1000 (same as last year)


Retreat adjourned at 5:10 PM