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June 27, 2002
Convention votes to use money from the temporary
dues increase in 2001 to defray strategic worker costs
incurred during PCA bargaining
The decision means the special dues levy now in effect to replenish the defence fund will be needed for only two years rather than three
Delegates to Convention 2002 this month voted to use money raised through the temporary dues increase imposed in 2001 to defray some of the salary reimbursement costs for strategic workers during the last round of provincial bargaining.
The decision means the special dues levy imposed by Council last October will be required for only two years, rather than three, in order to replenish the defence fund to its previously attained maximum of $4.5 million.
The alternative would have been a dues holiday for members that would have lasted for five weeks.
Background to decision
At Convention 2000 delegates approved a constitutional amendment allowing Council by a four-fifths vote to institute a temporary dues increase whenever the union goes into bargaining for a new Provincial Collective Agreement.
The motion as amended read: "These dues shall be accounted for separately from all other union funds and shall be used for defense fund payments. Any funds remaining shall be repaid to the membership covered by the PCA by suspending the payment of any dues until the fund is depleted.
The members who proposed the amended motion intended that this temporary dues increase could only be used to fund defense fund payments for nurses who lost wages on picket lines, and many of the convention delegates who voted on the resolution may have had the same intent. However, when job action began in 2001, picket lines were not a major component of BCNU’s strategy. As a result, lost wage payments for people on picket lines totaled only $273,149. Salary reimbursement for strategic workers to organize the overtime ban, however, cost almost $5 million. Following the intent of the movers of the motion, we would have had to return $2,664,639 to members in the form of a dues holiday that would have lasted about five weeks, and the strategic worker costs would have had to be paid along with other defense fund costs by the special dues levy now in place.
Cost of Bargaining 2000/2001
As at December 31st, 2001
| 2000 |
Operating Fund |
|
| |
Provincial bargaining conference |
$618,725 |
| |
Regional bargaining conference |
200,000 |
| |
Bargaining committee |
210,380 |
| |
Association bargaining |
36,610 |
| |
Essential services |
24,871 |
| |
Total 2000 Operating Fund |
$1,090,586 |
| 2001 |
Operating Fund |
|
| |
Bargaining Strategy Conference |
$381,230 |
| |
Bargaining Committee |
584,060 |
| |
PJAC |
158,592 |
| |
Essential services |
203,300 |
| |
Bargaining communications |
605,300 |
| |
Strike and ratification vote |
184,030 |
| |
Total 2001 Operating Fund |
$2,116,512 |
| 2001 |
Defense Fund |
|
| |
Strategic worker salary reimbursement |
$4,931,640 |
| |
Defense fund claims paid to members |
273,149 |
| |
PJAC & Strategic worker travel and meal expenses |
334,006 |
| |
Rallies, advertising, etc. |
249,983 |
| |
Total Defense Fund |
$5,788,778 |
| |
Total |
$8,995,876 |
|
 |
|
