Season’s Greetings to all members.
It is with great pride that I announce that I have been acclaimed as your President for a second term and another 3 year mandate. The new term will begin in January 2017. I welcome this opportunity to once again represent the membership. I feel confident that the RCEA will continue to make significant contributions for our members and the National Research Council.
New stewards who have joined your union this year:
Jim Beasley, Ottawa
Michael Birt, Ottawa
Bouchaib El Bahh, Charlottetown
Mark Lowery, Ottawa
Michelle Macfarlane, Toronto
Cédric Martin, Fredericton
Cara Pelletier, Ottawa
Sandra Robertson, Ottawa
Jack Saini, Vancouver
Nelson Santos, London
Amal Zerhloul, Ottawa
Arnold Tabaro, Ottawa
All of their contact information, along with all other stewards is available on the www.rcea.ca website.
Thank you to stewards who have stepped down, moved on to other positions or retired this year: Adriana Catalli, Charlottetown; Kerry Foster, Ottawa; Gina Holmes, Ottawa; and Franz Moraw, Vancouver.
Steward nomination forms for unrepresented areas were sent out in November. Results will be announced on the www.rcea.ca website in January 2017. Thank you to those who stepped forward, and to those currently on the National Executive Committee who renewed.
The RCEA Constitutional revisions ballot was sent out on November 14, 2017. It was passed by 74.7%. Thank you all for taking the time to read and vote. These amendments allow your RCEA office and National Executive Committee to function is a more up to date manner.
The Annual General Meeting in October was well attended this year. Thank you for joining us. Most of the attendees were on the video link. It may still be viewed at www.livestream.com/BaldwinRentals/rcea2016
We will keep this format for next year accompanied by in person and conference call-in.
Several consultation meetings with the NRC and Bargaining Agents have occurred over the past months. Included are Joint Consultation, National Occupational Health and Safely, National Joint Council, RCEA Management and RCEA Finance committees, Union Management Relations, and a Public Service Mental Health in the Workplace workshop.
Bargaining for all groups will begin in 2017. Several of your groups (AD, AS, PG and OP) require volunteers to join the bargaining committee and teams. I encourage you to join a team as it is an interesting experience to be involved in the negotiation process. Please email joan@rcea.ca to volunteer.
I wish you all a happy and safe holiday season.
Sincerely,
Cathie Fraser, President