1. Call to order

0900

Action Item: None

2. Introduction of Officers and Guests:

Peggy Hoffman

Sandra Dodd, membership services.

3. Minutes of Previous Meeting

October 29: M/S/C

No changes needed.

Action Items:

a.

4. Business Arising From Minutes

We need to replace Wes Nimco on EMAC.

We will put action items under new business.

Action Item: None

5. Correspondence

M/S/C

No correspondence, other than some funding requests.

Action Item:

6. Report Of Officers

Chair – Robert Glover has been granted life membership in AUPE.

Verbal Report: Attended 2 meetings, one with management, and one with other Local chairs. Chair of Local 1 called meeting of chairs to exchange information. Topics included: the advantage of holding regular meetings, the difficulty of knowing who Local contacts are in AUPE main offices, privatization and outsourcing, PREP discussion ( we now have two positions to assist with PREP - Mark Seville, Local 2 on secondment for six months, and Lynne Gingras, VP and Local 1 member); and the next round of bargaining (wage re-opener) starting in June. M/S/C

Vice Chair - Nothing to report. M/S/C

Secretary - Verbal report on convention. Some problems noted with bookings at Ramada. M/S/C

Treasurer - written report dated November 29 submitted. Also, please remind chapter treasurers to use new funding request forms he gave out today. M/S/C

Motion: to make a $100 gift certificate donation for breast cancer for the silent auction at convention. M/S/C

P.E. report: there was a fatality at County of Strathcona (AUPE member run over by bus); the meal allowance rates were increased; child care expenses went up slightly; discussion on amount of money some locals have in their possession vs. what a local treasurer can be bonded for. Referral to finance committee to see if everyone following audit procedures. Also, may have to move some money into headquarters.; the St. Paul regional office lease has been renewed until November of 2004; next meeting is December 7th in Leduc. M/S/C

Peggy Hoffman talked to us about CUPE attempting to sign up members of Local 54 Chapter 1(Alberta University Hospital) using so of Local 54Chapter 1's executive. Local 54 Chapter 1is now in trusteeship as a result. It looks like AUPE will be able to retain Local 54. Drive to recruit to CUPE is by former Local 5 member Dave Chipchura.

Action Item: Rocky chapter will present plaque for Life Membership to Robert Glover.

7. Committee Reports

Meeting with SRD Human Resources (Brian Randall): Brain brought Doug and Kim with him, and invited PAO people along to the meeting. Meeting was November 13th. Issues: the wage employees, vs temp employees (issue arose in High Level). We emphasized that there are certain positions in fire that need more respect than usual. The grievance was over a wage employee being sent home when he reported to work without pay. We have settled the grievance, the wage employee was paid.

The next item discussed was growth series F01 -11. Some FO's sitting for number of years in FO1 position. Management agreed there was no consistency across the province. On December 3rd, LFD managers are meeting to get agreement on how to deal with FO 1's. A criterion is needed to show growth into the FO 11 position.

The towerman concerns with the high hazard modifier was discussed. A document will be made available, that will show how the modifier is calculated, by Chris Twaits, the HR consultant. This document will come out by the spring. We will put it on the website once it comes out. The calculation was not fair to towers that were up for extended periods of time.

Northern living allowance was discussed. Follow-up is coming.

HR issues: try to resolve it through area corporate offices before going to Edmonton.

Concerns with who was on EMAC from management: we don't feel that the reps from management necessarily carry a strong voice in being able to represent the government.

Q: What is northern living allowance? A: $400 extra pay for employees living in the north. There is a problem with taxation of this amount, and how do we get around it?

GSPC meeting (Kim): discussion on PREP. GSBC will meet in January to see where they want to go with the wage re-opener. M/S/C

Action Item: Doug Gamble to contact Dan to send letter to PAO director Brian Supervich regarding the problems with taxation of Northern Allowance.

The AUPE website has very little info on PREP. Doug will speak to Dan about getting more info onto the site.

8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS & NEW BUSINESS

Convention Report: Rick Stewart. Recommendations to spice up the hospitality room. M/S/C.

EMAC and Wes Nimco: Wes needs to be replaced on the committee (he represents the fire guys) so we are looking for a replacement. Ken Podulsky will ask Byron Kessler, chapter 10, if he is interested. (Next meeting is in March). If Byron isn't interested, we will ask Chris McGuinty.

Public Lands (information): budget for some forest officers is through public lands, although report to LFD. Q: how do you raise an issue with upper management if you are paid by public lands, since they don't have a position on EMAC?

Request for funds: Game Warden's Association would like a donation to help cover expenses for their 30th. annual dinner meeting. The association suggested they would like a donation of $3000. There will be several politicians speaking as well as Dan MacLennan. Discussion followed on costs associated with the 3-day meeting. Motion from Wayne Bowles: to make a donation of $1000 to the association.

Motion is: M/S/C

Note: vote was not unanimous, with 4 people voting against it.

A Calgary hockey team (Environment) with members from Locals 12, 5, 4. Looking for money for jerseys, logos. 3 members are Local 5 (out of 20 AUPE members). Comment: should be referred back to Calgary Area Council. Motion to refer to Calgary Area Council: M/S/C

Action Items:

9. GENERAL DISCUSSION

Some discussion on problems with recruitment in LFD. Very few people are applying for F0 1-11 jobs.

Mike Benedictson has idea for reactivating Edmonton chapter by having the chapter meetings in more convenient locations, such as Stoney Plain. The chapter would be dissolved and made a part of chapter 10 (Whitecourt).

Action Item: Mike Benedictson and Ken Podulsky will look into the Edmonton chapter revitilization ideas.

10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

February 28, 2003

Action Item: None

11. ADJOURNMENT

M/S/C at 1330 hrs.