The present moment is critical for Local 3903 and, more-so, for Unit 2. The terminus of Administration is fast approaching. Structural choices to be made during the next several weeks will define future conditions of Unit 2 within Local 3903.
The Unit 2 Working Group has been working vigorously and diligently since Summer, 2010, to secure more recognition and autonomy pertaining to our distinctive Unit 2 issues. In order to ensure that the membership of Unit 2 is properly informed and adequately prepared to mobilize as need be, there can be no further delay circulating this, the first issue of Unit 2 News.
Draft Bylaws
At the bequest of Local 3903 Administrator Lynn McDougall, The Unit 2 Working Group (U2WG) completed a full set of draft bylaws that would reflect some of the changes called for by members at Unit 2 meetings. These draft bylaws were completed and given to the Administrator in September, 2010, several months prior to the work produced by the Bylaw Committee. Unfortunately, the U2WG’s bylaws draft was ignored by the Administrator and not forwarded to the Bylaw Committee.
On January 21st, 2011, 3903 Administrator Lynn McDougall tabled new bylaws prepared by the Bylaw Committee for the Local. The original draft of these bylaws was developed absent any consultation with Unit 2 members or the U2WG. Although the U2WG submitted a lengthy and detailed commentary on the drafted bylaws on January 9th (these documents can be viewed at: http://cupe3903unit2.cupe.ca/. ) few of the recommended changes were incorporated into the bylaws tabled on January 21st. These bylaws will be voted on at an all-units GMM on February 3rd,; the bylaws and amendments approved at that meeting will govern our Local after administration ends on March 18th.
As they currently stand, these new bylaws pose numerous difficulties for Unit 2. Contrary to every assurance given to the U2WG by the Administrator, the most important Unit 2 issues and concerns – reflecting months of careful prior work by the U2WG – have been relegated to mere amendment suggestions.
Unit 2 issues and concerns should have been addressed and included in the bylaws ratification process from start to finish. This would have been in keeping with the prior work of the U2WG and the assurances of the Administrator. But instead? There has been no consultation. There has been no negotiation. The Administrator has effectively shut critical Unit 2 issues and concerns out of the bylaws ratification process.
Unit 2 cannot and will not continue to be shut out in the future. The U2WG has designed the Unit 2 Proposal in order that Unit 2 issues and concerns be addressed.
Action Item: Please attend the February 3rd GMM when the bylaws ratification vote will take place. At this critical juncture every U2 member in attendance will make a tangible difference to us all. There will be no opportunity to vote on these bylaws other than at this critical February 3rd meeting.
The Unit 2 Proposal
Response to the Unit 2 email campaign which called for the Unit 2 Proposal to be mailed out has proven tremendous with 100% of those responding in support of a mail-in vote on the proposal.
At the January 21st GMM, U2WG and other Unit 2 members demanded to know why the Unit 2 Proposal had not yet been mailed out. Following spirited and only occasionally acrimonious debate, the Administrator once again promised it would be. So long, that is, as the U2WG does the actual mailing.
An individual member inquired from the floor how, after so long, after so many promises and reassurances, could the Unit 2 membership trust the administrator to hold a Unit 2 vote? Was the Administrator prepared to offer any surety? In reply, the Administrator made it quite clear there can be no surety – but reiterated her support for a Unit 2 vote.
The U2WG will do everything in our power to ensure that the Unit 2 membership has the opportunity to vote on the Unit 2 Proposal. If all goes as planned (we’ve got all our fingers, toes and eyes crossed) you will shortly receive your Unit 2 Proposal and ballot in the mail. The return envelope is already postage paid. Please: vote! If ever there was an instance where your vote can make a real impact and tangible difference – this is it!
January 31st GMM
IMPORTANT: Please note the change in time and venue for the Monday January 31st GMM:
102 Accolade East, 5:30 PM-8:30 PM
CUPE National President Paul Moist will chair, and the auditor, David Burkes, will be there to present the results and take questions.