2025 AGM Resolutions - Policy

P01 – Carbon Offset Credits (E)

Whereas PIPSC is a national labour union, necessitating cross-country member travel to carry out institute functions.

Whereas it is essential for organizations to take environmental accountability in the face of the climate crisis.

Whereas offsetting carbon emissions is a mechanism that allows individuals and organizations to address their environmental impact by mitigating their emissions associated with one activity (such as necessary air travel) with another activity elsewhere that reduces an equivalent amount of emissions.

Be it resolved that PIPSC purchase carbon offset credits from a reputable, audited, Canadian offset company, such as Less. Offsets shall be purchased in bulk for constituent body travel, including the AC and committees of the board, and individually for board member travel.

Be it further resolved that the cap be kept at $50000.

Note: The intent would be for emissions to be presented annually at the AGM. A policy should be created to this effect.

RSC: No Comment

Finance: The cost to buy 1 tonne of CO₂ from Less is $24. Per BCD travel, PIPSC members took 7,090,812 km of flights in 2024. Domestic flights emit around 254 g (0.254 kg) of CO₂ per passenger per km. Therefore, PIPSC member’s flights emitted 1,801,066 kg (1801 tonnes) of CO₂ in 2024. Using Less to offset this carbon from 2024 flights would cost PIPSC approximately $43,224.

P02 – HRDC Member Selection Process (E)

Whereas the Human Rights and Diversity Committee (HRDC) plays a key role in shaping PIPSC’s equity and inclusion efforts;

Whereas the voices of diverse equity-deserving members are essential to guiding this work and their lived experience must be meaningfully included in these discussions;

Whereas the current regional selection model for HRDC members does not guarantee representation from each equity-deserving group, leaving a gap in considering the lived experiences of our diverse membership;

Be it resolved that PIPSC restructure the Human Rights and Diversity Committee to include one designated seat for a representative from each equity deserving group, per the Modernized Employment Equity Act (Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, Racialized Persons, Black Persons, Women, Persons with Disabilities).

Be it further resolved that Each equity caucus (Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, Racialized Persons, Black Persons, Women, Persons with Disabilities) shall select a spokesperson amongst the members of their respective caucus to be their representative member on the HRDC.

Be it further resolved that For the purpose of committee membership selection, demonstrated lived experience relevant to human rights, equity, diversity, and inclusion shall be considered the primary qualification. In addition, the committee should make every effort to ensure that candidates with such lived experience are considered with priority and selected to reflect representation from all regions across Canada.

Note: the intent of this resolution is to allow for each equity caucus to pick their “spokesperson” to be on the HRDC to represent their group. This shifts the focus from a regional model to an equity focused model. Regional considerations would come secondary to the equity focus. As a possible way to make this happen, we could ask for 2-3 recommendations from each caucus and can have the chair/board pick from those individuals while considering region.

RSC: No Comment

Legal: Privacy considerations are minimal because participation is voluntary and members choose to self-identify. For HRDC’s equity-deserving group representative selection, and consistent with PIPSC’s Policy on Privacy, the process to select representatives should clearly state the purpose, obtain express consent, collect only the minimum self-identification needed, and limit use and disclosure.

Privacy is also not expressly addressed in the By-Laws. PIPSC’s Policy on Privacy is the governing instrument for any privacy-related matters. That said, the By-Laws do make confidentiality enforceable (breaching closed-session details or another member’s personal information is disciplinable misconduct).

P03 – CLC Convention Delegates (E) 

Be it resolved that the PIPSC Board Of Directors decide on the number of delegates sponsored to the CLC Triennial Conventions up to half of the amount of seats belonging to the Institute.  The Board will work together with the Advisory Council in how to fill the seats ensuring that the members of the CLC Committees are delegates.

RSC: No Comment

Finance: 
Cost savings = $486K
Maximum attendance of 170 @ $967K
Revised attendance of 85      @ $481K

P04 – Policy on Negotiations and Labour Disputes (E)

Whereas the strike pay was last increased in 2005, and

Whereas the federal minimum wage rate at the end of 2024 was $17.30 (or $138.40 per day for a 5-day, 40-hour workweek), and

Whereas the Ontario Living Wage Network calculated that Ottawa had an hourly living wage of $22.80 in 2024 (or $159.60 per day for a 5-day, 35-hour workweek), and

Whereas $50.00 per day is insufficient for strike pay, and

Whereas strike pay should reflect inflation and PIPSC’s funding capacity, and

Whereas member fees are currently set to $90.06 per month per regular member, and

Whereas the strike fund is solvent and is substantially more than the minimum,

Be it resolved that the Policy on Negotiations and Labour Disputes be revised as follows:

7. Professional Institute

Strike Fund …

3. Disbursement of Fund

1. Each Regular member, whether a full-time or part-time employee, who suffers loss of pay arising solely from participation in legal and authorized strike activities, whether it be for a full day or a part day, shall be compensated at the rate of $50.00 $100.00 per for each day of pay lost. The value of the compensation per day of pay lost shall equal the monthly regular member fees. Picket line activity is required to be eligible for strike pay.

2. Strike activities, for example, rotating or sporadic strike activity, requiring the participation of not more than 10% of the members in the bargaining unit, may be funded on the following basis:

i. Size of Group membership determined as of December 31 of the  preceding year;

ii. Groups with up to 200 members - $15,000;

iii. Groups with 201 members or more - $80.00 per member per Group twice the monthly regular member fees per member per day of pay lost due to strike activity;

iv. Additional entitlements to be determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

3. If funds are advanced, the unused funds shall be returned to the Strike Fund

within ninety (90) days of the cessation of legal strike activities, accompanied by appropriate accounting of disbursements.

4. Claims

RSC: No Comment

Finance:

$90.06 per day @ 30 days = $2,702 per month multiplied by the amount of members based on picketing every day. 

Projections for 5,000 members $13.5M per month

Strike activities $180.12 per day @ 30 days = $5,404 per month multiplied by the amount of members

Projections for 5,000 members $27M per month

P05 – Activity Guides (E) 

Whereas members feel disconnected and disengaged from their union and we currently have limited opportunities for low-barrier member engagement; and

Whereas National Consultation and Groups need clarity on measures that they can exercise outside of grievance and adjudication processes; and

Whereas the labour movement, as a whole, is being marginalized by capitalism, anti-labour governments and the disenfranchisement of unions by employers; and

Whereas there is no time to waste in organizing and fighting back against anti-labour practices, and union busting:
 

Be it resolved that PIPSC develop four guides for activities

-       Front-Line Organizing to Protect Members’ Rights

-       Building Unity and Solidarity

-       Creative Tactics for Engaging the Employer

-       Formal Labour Actions When All Else Fails;

Be it further resolved that the guides clearly identify the potential risks, benefits, resources required, and steps to implement a given approach or activity as well as identifying any specific approval bodies needed to undertake the approach or activity;

Be it further resolved that a steering committee of 8 people be created, with no more than two members being from the Board of Directors, that will meet in-person a maximum of two times, and virtually for all other meetings;

Be it further resolved that the guides be ready for, and presented to, the next AGM for approval by the AGM body.

RSC: No Comment

Finance:

Meeting costs = $15,543

Assumptions – All meetings take place on a Saturday at the PIPSC office and maximum of four (4) virtual meetings non working hours.

P06 – Provide Personal Email Addresses to Constituent Bodies (E)

Whereas we must have an engaged membership to support a difficult round of bargaining and to fight back against government austerity measures;

Whereas our hybrid work model makes it essential that local subgroup and branch executives have the ability to electronically contact their members on a timely basis;

Whereas the employer prohibits union communication with our members through their email systems or other electronic means;

Whereas the PIPSC national office has personal email addresses but does not share this information with its constituent bodies;

Whereas there are significant delays and restrictions on sending information to local subgroup and branch members through the PIPSC national office;

Whereas rules are already in place for the appropriate use of employee information by constituent bodies;

Therefore, be it resolved that the PIPSC Board change its current policy so that PIPSC will provide members personal email addresses to subgroup and branch presidents upon a request for this information.

RSC: No Comment

Legal: From a practical perspective, it would almost certainly breach the Privacy Policy and the Privacy Act. While theoretically feasible, ensuring compliance would be nearly impossible. If passed and a breach occurs, it should be addressed at that point.

P07 – Website (E) 

Whereas the PIPSC website is the main point of communication and,

Whereas the website is outdated and not easily navigable for members and,

Whereas members and activists have been promised a new website for years,

Be it resolved that the Board of Directors make production and release of a member focused website a priority and that the new member focused website be released and fully functional by January 31, 2026.  The website's primary client would be PIPSC’s rank and file members, their needs for information and required services.   It should also contain up to date information on PIPSC positions and responses to current day issues and have the ability for members to access the information from the work sites regardless of location or employer security controls. 

Be it further resolved that Governance, Executive, supports for stewards, etc. be scheduled for later releases or additional websites but be supported in the current form until the release of replacements.

RSC: No Comment

P08 – Lobbying (E)

Whereas the PIPSC did have an annual lobbying event and,

Whereas PIPSC’s lobbying has deteriorated to the point that we are not able to influence politicians on issues important to our members,

Whereas PIPSC’s lack of a lobby program has left the organization unable to promote members issues during elections and respond to changes in government direction like Return to Office and Comprehensive Expenditure Review

Whereas the Advisory Council was promised a national lobbying program three years ago,

Be it resolved that the Board of Directors implement a fully functional lobby program that includes multiple annual engagements per year, which supports Federal and non-Federal  lobbying, tracks all contacts and engagements, builds the necessary skills amongst our activists and creates and maintains the required information on PIPSC lobbying topics to be used in our lobbying efforts by January 31, 2026.

RSC: No Comment

P09 – Steward Program (E)

Whereas the stewards are the core of our organization and,

Whereas support for steward activities has decreased,

Whereas training and development of stewards differs from Region to Region,

Whereas there is a lack of tools, checklists, sample language and guidance documents to help stewards when they are trying to support our members

Be it resolved that the Board of Directors make fixing our current Steward Program a priority including clearly defining a steward and the role of a steward, implementation of a multiyear steward training and development program that will be implemented via Steward Councils and Labour Schools, and implementation of steward tools including info sheets on common issues for members and stewards, checklists for stewards to follow, sample grievance cases that can stewards can learn from and a sample grievance wording library for common issues by January 31, 2026.

RSC: No Comment

P10 – Provide Personal Email Addresses to Constituent Bodies (E)

Whereas we must have an engaged membership to support a difficult round of bargaining and to fight back against government austerity measures;

Whereas our hybrid work model makes it essential that local subgroup and branch executives have the ability to electronically contact their members on a timely basis;

Whereas the employer prohibits union communication with our members through their email systems or other electronic means;

Whereas the PIPSC national office has personal email addresses but does not share this information with its constituent bodies;

Whereas there are significant delays and restrictions on sending information to local subgroup and branch members through the PIPSC national office;

Whereas rules are already in place for the appropriate use of employee information by constituent bodies;

Therefore, be it resolved that PIPSC provides members personal email addresses to subgroup and branch presidents upon a request for this information.

RSC: See P06. Conflicts with Policy on Membership Lists “work addresses”

P11 – Meetings of Committees of the Board (E)

Whereas Committees of the board meetings were reduced from six (6) to four (4) in person meetings.

Whereas There was no immediate budget impact to each committee.

Whereas The budget impact of a minimum audio visual cost of $4,300 - $6,200 per virtual meeting was not factored

Whereas Committee members span time zones from the Atlantic to British Columbia

Be it resolved that the Policy on Committees of the Board of Directors be amended as follows:

6. Meetings of Committees of the Board

The number, timing, and location of Committee meetings will be as per the budget approved by the AGM. Committee budgets will be calculated on the basis of six (6) in person meetings. A meeting will only be held if there is sufficient business to conduct. Committees can meet 4 times in person and have as many virtual meetings as their yearly budget allows. will meet a maximum of six (6) times during the year. Whenever feasible, Committee meetings should be held in Institute facilities.

In person Mmeetings will normally be 1 day and held on any of Fridays, Saturdays or Mondays and are normally held in the most cost-effective location. Virtual meetings can be held on any day of the week. To facilitate a balance between union activities and family life, the availability of the members of the Committee will be taken into consideration in addition to the Board’s schedule when scheduling Committee meetings. When and where feasible, Committees are encouraged to use electronic means (such as e-mail, teleconferences, and video-conferences) to conduct the business of the committee in order to reduce the burden of travel on Committee members, and to minimize cost.

RSC: No Comment

Finance: Committees are budgeted for six (6) in person meetings

P12 – Guidelines on Constituent Body Elections (E)

Whereas there are 2 kinds of elections in the Institute: those conducted during a Council or a General Meeting where everyone with the right to vote can be present (including hybrid attendance) to exercise their rights to vote on the day of the election (similarly to be at a polling station in a federal or a provincial election); and those election where everyone with the right to vote may not be present to vote;

Whereas those unable to be present at the polling station or in a Council or General meeting on election day can vote by mailed-in ballot, which was the norm for elections of PIPSC officers and large groups  executives, first by mail (with colored envelopes and detachable back flap to identify voters) and then later by emailing single-use ballot keys;

Whereas the new PIPSC voting system acquired from NeuVote and in use for every election in PIPSC (other than those conducted during a meeting) since October 2024 does not send or receive ballots or ballot keys, instead the PIPSC voting system allows registered voters to access any election/ratification that they are eligible to vote for when the voting is open;

Be it resolved that the Guidelines on Constituent Body Elections which is Appendix A of the Policy on the Structure and Function of Constituent Bodies be amended for large size (nation wide) Groups that need to use the PIPSC voting software, to replace “ballots”, any reference to “ballots” and any deadline set on sending or receiving ballots with “voting opens” and “voting closes”.

Be it further resolved that large size Groups (nation wide) are reminded to review the nomination and voting procedures in their constitution.

RSC: Resolution is vague but not inadmissible. May need definitions for “large-sized group” and “nationwide.”

P13 – Alias for @pipsc.ca email addresses (F)

Whereas PIPSC email addresses all end with the domain name @pipsc.ca;

Whereas PIPSC is the English acronym for the Institute;

Whereas IPFPC is the French acronym for the Institute;

Whereas PIPSC is an organization that welcomes and supports bilingualism among its members;

Whereas Google Suite already allows the creation of email aliases with a different domain name like @ipfpc.ca;

Therefore be it resolved that PIPSC systematically assign email aliases with the domain @ipfpc.ca to all members who currently have, and who request in the future, a PIPSC email address, regardless of the user’s preferred language.

RSC: Implementation would be handled by staff

P14 – Allocations for Branches and Subgroups (F) -

Whereas the consumer price index (CPI) has risen significantly in recent years, by 31% over the past 10 years:

(Source: Statistics Canada)

Whereas the branch and sub-group allowances have not been indexed to the cost of living for several years;

Whereas the allowances for the active branches and sub-groups are insufficient to cover the costs of mobilization activities for members;

Whereas mobilizing members is essential to the health of the union;

Whereas PIPSC increased membership dues by 25% last year;

Whereas it would be more effective and efficient for branches and sub-groups to each receive a sufficient operating allowance at the beginning of the year, rather than having to request additional funds from the group, region or Better Together during the year;

Whereas a sufficient operating allowance at the beginning of the year eases the administrative burden and simplifies activity planning for the current year;

Therefore be it resolved that allowances to branches and sub-groups be increased by 25% as of now, in order to alleviate the financial difficulties of the branches and subgroups.

RSC: No Comment

Finance: Branch and sub group bank balance as of 31/12/24 = $2.M

Branch allowances would increase by $1.19M

Sub group allowances would increase by $1.6M if all were entitled to a full allowance

Total hit $M1.15

P15 – Subgroup Visits (E)

Whereas it is more cost effective and time efficient for Presidents and Vice Presidents of geographically dispersed Groups to combine visits to multiple Sub Groups into one trip; and

Whereas a Group cannot reasonably expect that dispersed Sub Groups coordinate the timing of their AGMs to facilitate the schedule of the Group President; and

Whereas earlier versions of PIPSC policy reimbursed Presidents or Vice-Presidents for visits to meetings of 1/3 of Sub Groups per year, rather than their AGMs specifically;

Be it resolvec that the “Policy on Accessing PIPSC General Funds ” be amended such that “Group Executive Member(s) Attendance at Subgroup AGMs” become “Group Executive Member(s) Attendance at Subgroup Meetings”;

Be it further resolved that the description “President or VP of a group executive, or their designate / alternate from group executive, can be reimbursed for allowable expenses for attendance at up to 1/3 of the subgroup AGM” should be amended to allow reimbursement attendance at meetings of 1/3 of the Sub Groups in a year.

RSC: No Comment

Finance: This is restricted to one sub-group executive meeting or AGM per year, so no financial impact.

P16 –  Withdrawn (E)

P17 – Group AGM Delegates (E) 

Whereas the purpose of a constituent body Annual General Meeting is to govern that constituent body; and

Whereas regular members of group should be able to meaningfully influence and modify the direction of the Group Executive and outvote the Group Executive as necessary; and

Whereas there are significant fixed costs to holding a Group AGM, regardless of delegate cost; and

Whereas Group Executive size is based on the need to represent regional and departmental diversity, which also applies to Group AGM delegates,

Be it resolved that for Group AGM meetings made up of delegates, the Policy on Accessing PIPSC General Funds be modified to make the number of accredited delegates funded from PIPSC general funds be the members of the Group Executive plus either: one delegate per two hundred (200) members of the Group, or, one greater than the size of the Group Executive as calculated in By Law 10.1.5, whichever is greater.

RSC: No Comment

Finance: Calculated impact is 16 additional delegate seats.  The total impact would range from $14,000 to $40,000 depending on local/out of town composition.  Assumes a Saturday AGM.

P18 – Constituent Body Meeting Minutes (E)

Whereas PIPSC strives to be transparent in how it conducts its affairs;

Whereas PIPSC members want to be informed of the decisions made by constituent bodies on their behalf;

Whereas constituent body meeting minutes must be accessible to its members;

Be it resolved that Section 8 of the Policy on Structure and Function of Constituent Bodies be modified to include guidelines on the publishing of constituent body meeting minutes:

8. Document Filing and Retention

Approved minutes of constituent body Executive Meetings and Annual General Meetings shall be filed with the Institute for long-term storage. Minutes will be published on the PIPSC website within one (1) month of being received from the constituent body.

Be it further resolved that the one month timeline for publication of meeting minutes will apply to meeting minutes received once this resolution goes into effect. For unpublished meeting minutes already received, the Institute will have until the end of the calendar year 2026 to publish them.

RSC: Timeline for posting on the website may be longer depending on staff availability and the level of work in translation. Some CB may not want certain information posted on the website.

P19 – Policy on Financial Support for Member Participation Meal Stop (E)

Whereas the Policy on Financial Support for Member Participation provides accommodations the night of the meeting if that member cannot arrive home by 8pm (meeting location time zone). This applies whether the member is driving or flying from

the meeting and is predicated on the member traveling in the most direct manner including a one-hour meal stop; and

Whereas the Policy on Financial Support for Member Participation provides accommodations the night before the meeting if that member cannot arrive at the meeting location on time without leaving their home before 7 am. This applies whether

the member is driving or flying to the meeting and is predicated on the member traveling in the most direct manner without a meal stop; and

Whereas the distance travelling to the meeting location is the same as the distance travelling from the event; and

Whereas there is an unbalanced importance put on the evening accommodation and meal entitlements; and

Whereas some members may have strict meal requirements that would cause undue hardship to attend the event;

Be it resolved that the Policy on Financial Support for Member Participation be amended to include a meal stop when travelling to the meeting as follows:

 Policy on Financial Support for Member Participation

1. Accommodations

The Institute shall establish a per-night city maximum for hotel stays and provide members with preferred rates where available.

Members attending a meeting will be entitled to accommodations the night before the meeting if that member cannot arrive at the meeting location on time without leaving their home before 7 am. This applies whether the member is driving or flying to the meeting and is predicated on the member traveling in the most direct manner without a meal stop including a one-hour meal stop.

Members attending a meeting occurring on two (2) or more consecutive days are entitled to accommodations, upon request, on the nights between the meeting days.

Members attending a meeting will be entitled to accommodations the night of the meeting if that member cannot arrive home by 8pm (meeting location time zone). This applies whether the member is driving or flying from the meeting and is predicated on the member traveling in the most direct manner including a one-hour meal stop.

Delegates attending the PIPSC AGM or a Group AGM are entitled to accommodations on the night prior to the start of the AGM, upon request.

RSC: No Comment

P20 – PIPSC Elections Transparency (E)

Whereas election transparency is essential to ensuring members are able to make an informed decision,

Whereas not all elections disclose the candidate’s current classification and membership status,

Therefore, be it resolved that the following addition gets incorporated into the proper PIPSC policy: For all PIPSC elections a candidate’s current classification and category of membership must be clearly identified, on all Bio’s, Candidate Election Material and Ballots.

RSC: No Comment

P21 – Policy on Better Together Funding to Support Other Unions on Strike (E)

Whereas PIPSC is a union that supports strike action of its members to attain fair collective agreements and,

Whereas PIPSC supports and provides training to its members in mobilization activities and,

Whereas PIPSC supports member rallies as an opportunity to demonstrate union and public support for or against an issue and,

Whereas PIPSC’s greatest strength is our membership. Leveraging that strength requires engaging members on important issues, developing collective solutions, and empowering them to be change-makers and,

Whereas the purpose of the Better Together funding program only enables members to organize activities to support “member engagement with the union” and,

Whereas PIPSC has supported unions like PSAC and CUPW on the Strike Line,

Therefore be it resolved that PIPSC amend the Better Together Funding Program Policy to support the provisioning of funds to constituent bodies to provide support in the form of coffee, snacks, meals, etc. to other unions that are on strike.

RSC: No Comment

Finance: BT Funding is very limited.

P22 – Policy on Constituent Body Allocations Increase (E)

Whereas the funding formula for constituent bodies has not changed since 2019 and;

Whereas there has been significant inflation since 2019 and;

Whereas smaller groups, branches and subgroups are more significantly affected;

Therefore be it resolved that the following changes be made to the policy for constituent body allocations;

Policy on Constituent Body Allocations

1. Funding Formula

Regions will receive $5.00 per member for the first 5,000 members plus $2.00 per member in excess of 5,000 members;

Groups will receive the greater between the following options:

Option 1 - Base amount of $1000 $2000, plus $10.00 per member per year for the first 5,000 members and $3.00 per

member per year in excess of 5,000 members.

Option 2 - $ 10 per member per year for the first 2,000 members and $ 8 per member per year if there are more than 2,000.

Sub-Groups and Branches will receive the greater between the following options:

Option 1 - Base amount of $750 $1500, plus $13.00 per member per year for the first 1,000 members and $4.00 per member per year in excess of 1,000 members. (AGM 2019)

Option 2 - $ 10 per member per year for the first 2,000 members and $ 8 per member per year if there are more than 2,000.

RSC: No Comment

Finance:

Change is an increase of costs of $265,238

Current

Regions @ $260,628

Groups @ $792,576 REVISED @ $835,776

Branch @ $952,035  REVISED @ $1,012,561

Sub group @ $957,184  REVISED @ $1,118,697

P23 – Statement on resource extraction in the Democratic Republic of Congo (E) 

Whereas international labour unions should take a stand on safe and fair working conditions for all workers;

Whereas resource extraction of copper and cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo is mined by workers, including children, labouring in slave-like conditions;

Whereas PIPSC is a consumer of technologies that utilises copper and cobalt mined in inhumane conditions;

Whereas PIPSC members benefit from technology that utilises copper and cobalt mined in inhumane conditions;

Whereas advocating for positive change is an important part of the international labour movement;

Be it resolved that PIPSC lobby the Canadian Government to hold tech companies accountable for their supply chains for minerals such as copper and cobalt.

Be it further resolved that PIPSC make a statement educating members on the human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and demanding as a consumer that technology companies take accountability for their resource supply chain.

RSC: No Comment

P24 – Amendment to the Policy on Constituent Body Allocations (E) 

Whereas the Board of Directors recently made the decision to amend the policy on Constituent Body Allocation limits on the acceptable use of Institute funds where any reference to a per person limit is now a “per member” limit;

Whereas this blanket change made to the policy restricts constituent bodies’ ability to run any event where funding could be used to include member’s family participation;

Whereas access to childcare or eldercare is not equitable across Canada, and this causes a barrier to member participation in union events that disproportionately affects women, particularly those living in rural areas;

Whereas PIPSC recognizes the importance of removing barriers to participation and recognizes the importance of increasing member engagement with the union;

Be it resolved that PIPSC reverse the changes to paragraph 7 of the policy on Constituent Body Allocation limits on the acceptable use of Institute funds under NETWORKING, RECOGNITION OR SOCIAL EVENTS to $50 per person per event.

Finance:

RSC: No Comment

P25 – Divestment from Genocide (E)

Whereas the International Criminal Court of Justice has found reasonable grounds to believe that the state of Israel has committed the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts;

Whereas Canada is a signatory to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (Rome Statute), the Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention), the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and the Geneva Conventions, and is legally bound to act to prevent war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide (the most serious breaches of these are crimes of universal jurisdiction under Canada’s Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act (SC 2000, c. 24));

Whereas the Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967: From economy of occupation to economy of genocide identified that many corporations profit from Israel’s economy of illegal occupation, apartheid and now, genocide in Palestine;

Whereas business and human rights obligations cannot be isolated from Israel’s illegal settler-colonial enterprise in the occupied Palestinian territory, and the corporate sector, including its executives, must be held to account, as a necessary step towards ending the genocide and disassembling the global system of racialized capitalism that underpins it;

Whereas PIPSC represents scientific and health service public servants, with professional obligations to science and healthcare integrity, both in Canada and globally, PIPSC must call on other labour unions to oppose Canada’s active support of international human right violations;

Whereas even in the absence of any legal or professional obligation, every conscionable person would still have a strong moral obligation to prevent and oppose genocide;

Whereas PIPSC likely retains investments that financially support the state of Israel and illegal occupation of Palestinian land, which may make PIPSC and its members complicit in severe human rights violations;

Be it resolved that PIPSC identifies and withdraws all investments from Israeli-owned companies and from all international companies that provide financial support to sustain the illegal occupation of Palestinian land. This includes the following actions and commitments:

1. Commit PIPSC resources to identify and withdraw from all implicated investments;

2. Review and assess all future investments for risk of financial implication in the illegal occupation of Palestinian land, according to Palestinian labour and civil society’s call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS);

3. Document the process of divestment and, in order to build transparency and collective knowledge, report progress to membership, annually at minimum; and

4. Demonstrate leadership by encouraging other Canadian labour unions to immediately divest their applicable investments.

RSC: No Comment

P26 –  Shift Workers Attending PIPSC Events and Meetings (E)

Whereas the current policy on accessing general PIPSC funds creates an inequity for shift workers attending branch and subgroup meetings and events. For example, at an AGM, this is when voting occurs. This puts shift workers at a disadvantage, forcing them to choose between using vacation leave or personal leave to attend an event that other members can attend no problem outside of their hours of work. To add further to this problem there is typically only a set number of leave spots allowed per worksite and once these are filled the member has no other option. The number of shift workers within PIPSC is low and thus the financial impact would be minimal, however the impact on morale and engagement within these small pockets of shift workers would be huge.

Be it resolved THAT the board of directors investigate ways for members that do shift work to equitably participate in subgroup and branch meetings and AGMs in a manner that is fiscally responsible.

RSC: Set number of leave spots not true for all work places.

P27 – Withdrawn

P28 –  Accountability for Social Media statements and subsequent impacts on affected members

Whereas social media can amplify political, ideological or social divisions and polarize union members and such divisions can negatively affect the reputation of a union and reduce its reach for mobilization, solidarity, and labour-related issues; and

Whereas the PIPSC Policy on conduct (2019) specifies that dealings with members shall be in accordance with values of Respect, including being sensitive and responsive to the rights of individuals, and Accountability, including being answerable to members for actions made; and

Whereas the PIPSC Equality Statement printed in the first pages of the “Leveraging union power for health and safety” Participant’s workbook states: “We neither condone nor tolerate behaviour that undermines the dignity or self-esteem or any individual or creates and  intimidating, hostile or offensive environment”; and

Whereas the PIPSC Policy on Communications (2019) specifies that The Institute expects all members to engage respectfully and to conduct themselves in accordance with the Institute’s Guidelines for Use of Social Media (Appendix 1), being mindful of their obligations to respect others and not post materials that may be considered racist, hateful, sexist, homophobic,

defamatory, abusive or threatening, humiliating or belittling; and

Whereas complaints and concerns directed to the President’s Office and Board of Directors (BOD) related to social media content deemed defamatory, divisive, and dangerous by multiple complainants have remained unresolved since August 2024; and

Whereas the PIPSC Policy on Representational Services (2019) does not cover Members who want to contest a decision or action by the office of the President or BOD;

Therefore, be it resolved that complaints related to PIPSC social media posts be swiftly acknowledged and formally reviewed by the PIPSC BOD and the Human Rights and Diversity Committee (HRDC), who will provide a written outcome assessment;

Be it further resolved that affected member(s) be invited to meetings between PIPSC BOD and HRDC to assess the potential human rights violations;

Be it further resolved that the President’s Office be directed to comply with the committee’s decision on appropriate course of action, including taking disciplinary measures and/or legal action, as necessary;

Be it finally resolved that the affected party is provided with the minutes of the meeting(s) in which the course of action was discussed, and that these minutes be made public at the discretion of the affected party.

RSC: Contrary to the Policy on Committees of the Board since the HRDC has no authority to direct the President

Recommendation: rule out of order on grounds of (a) conflict with existing disciplinary process/policy and (b) confidentiality/privacy/improper delegation of authority.

Legal: The HRDC is an advisory committee (makes recommendations), does not have decision-making power over complaints, and cannot direct the President’s Office, unless further By-Laws and the PIPSC Policy on Conduct are amended.