Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC

AGM 2012 WORKSHOPS

 

1.1    Pension Plan Design: What the Partners are Considering and Why?

The College Pension Plan Partners are discussing possible changes to the pension plan that would improve indexing and other aspects of the plan. The changes under discussion present both opportunities and challenges. This workshop will present the plan design changes being discussed by partners and discuss their effects on plan members. The workshop is an opportunity for members to get informed and to offer their views on the issues the partners are discussing.

Presenter: Weldon Cowan, Staff Representative, FPSE

Weldon Cowan is a Staff Representative at FPSE as well as a Trustee on the College Board of Pension Trustees and Vice-Chair of the Pension Corporation Board of Directors.


1.2    Activism and Social Media: Tapping the Online World’s Power to Organize and Mobilize Union Members

This workshop will discuss some of the recent innovations undertaken by the BC Federation of Labour and other major unions in BC as they have turned to social media to augment their various campaigns and organizing efforts. Delegates will learn how various web platforms provide new opportunities to engage and connect with colleagues, allies and communities.

Presenter:  Jason Mann, Director of Organizing and New Media, BC Federation of Labour

Jason Mann is the author of books such as Promoting Your Union and Win More Union Organizing Drives and creator of video training series such as the “New Media Bootcamp for Union Activists” and “Promotional Strategies for Unions.”

 

1.3    Watersheds to Drinking Water: A Discussion of Aboriginal Title and Rights in Canada—the Crown’s Honour

In this workshop, Chief Bob Chamberlin will discuss the complexities involved with providing safe drinking water to First Nation reserves in Canada. The workshop will also discuss some of the implications of various Supreme Court of Canada rulings as well as relevant constitutional issues connected to this very important topic.

Presenter:  Chief Bob Chamberlin, Kwicksutaineuk Ah-kwa-mish First Nation (Gilford Island)

Bob Chamberlin is the elected Chief Councillor of the Kwikwasutinuxw-Haxwa’mis First Nation serving his fourth consecutive two-year term. He is also in his first three-year term as Vice-President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.

Chief Chamberlin’s home community of Gwa-Yas-Dums on Gilford Island experienced a 10 year Do Not Consume order as a result of salt water intrusion to the villages of Wells. In successfully dealing with this issue, through a $5.5 million project, he learned of the complexities involved with providing drinking water on a First Nation reserve.

Chief Chamberlin represented the BCAFN on the AFN First Nation Water Technical Advisory Working Group for three years and still remains a strong political advocate for safe drinking water for First Nation communities.

 

1.4    Bargaining Surveys

Success at the bargaining table is not possible in isolation. Your bargaining leverage and strength depends upon membership engagement and support. Ensuring that your proposals accurately reflect your members’ interests and priorities is the first step to solidifying that support.

Membership surveys are one tactic used by Faculty Associations to seek input from members. While surveys should not be the only way feedback is solicited, they are a very important and useful method of gaging member priorities, concerns and ideas when preparing for bargaining.

This workshop will review the basics of membership surveying, survey design and questions, distribution and collection, tips to improve response rates, online options, and putting the data to use.

Presenter:  Jeff McKeil, Staff Representative, FPSE

Jeff has been a labour relations practitioner in the post-secondary sector for over 18 years and has been with FPSE as a Labour Relations Staff Representative since January 2001. Along with providing labour relations support to assigned locals, Jeff’s responsibilities include coordinating provincial bargaining and providing professional support for a number of FPSE Standing Committees. Jeff obtained his MA in Political Science from Simon Fraser University in 1995 with a focus on political theory, political economy and labour. Jeff also has a long history working with co-operative housing and other voluntary organizations, with a particular interest in organizing, team building and organizational effectiveness.

 

1.5    Media Training for Local Activists

As local unions prepare for the 2012 round of bargaining, it is important for them to understand some of the basic do’s-and-don’t’s when it comes to dealing with local media. Phillip Legg, FPSE Staff Representative, Policy and Communications, will provide workshop participants with an overview of how local activists can ensure that they advance a strong and consistent presence in their local media.

Presenter:  Phillip Legg, Staff Representative, FPSE

Phillip joined FPSE in 2005. Prior to his work with FPSE he was the Director of Policy and Research and Assistant to the President at the BC Federation of Labour. In 2009, Phillip was appointed to the Board of Directors of WorkSafeBC as the Worker Representative. WorkSafeBC is the regulatory agency for workplace health and safety in BC. The seven person Board oversees the development of occupational health and safety regulation in BC.