Day Two - Tuesday, August 9

Dawned another beautiful day in Halifax. The first order of business occurred before the Convention even opened. National President John MacLennan was front and centre in an interview in the Halifax Chronicle Herald. Therein he highlighted a recent conversation with the Chief of Defence Staff in which Gen Rick Hillier advised him that civilian support personnel on bases across the country could be called upon for extended overseas deployments. In turn the CDS was put on notice that “these assignments will in no case be mandatory.” The rights and benefits of non-military staff in a war zone remain unclear and of concern to the Union.

The appeal against the recent placing of Local 641 into Trusteeship took up a considerable portion of the morning. Brother Dave Lake argued in favour of the Appeal citing Union principles, democratic rights and recent successes enjoyed by the Local. He emphasized that the Local should be allowed to conduct its own investigation. Sister Mary Chamberlain, Ontario VP, read a prepared statement that outlined a lengthy series of problems encountered with the Local over a considerable period of time. Numerous questions ensued. A vote was then held, and the Floor upheld the decision by the National Executive to put the Local into Trusteeship.

At that point, the Bylaws Committee took front and centre. Considerable interest was generated in a proposal combining two Resolutions and a National Executive recommendation to transform the Employment Equity Advisor into an EE Vice President with full voting rights. In the words of one supporter of the plan – “A member of the Executive with voice, but no vote, has no real power.” Some speakers expressed concern at combining three proposals into one vote. Others felt that Regional VPs could bring issues to the Executive, which already has an OPI for Human rights. The vote did not generate the required two thirds majority and thus was lost.

The session closed with an all candidates meeting run by Jeannie Baldwin, PSAC Vice-President for Atlantic. Brother John MacLennan declared his candidacy for National President, Sister Mary Chamberlain and Brother Doug Pike for Executive Vice-President. After each individual gave a brief speech, a number of interesting questions were posed of them. The delegates then took a well deserved short break before a scheduled evening boat cruise about the harbour.