Special Meeting Pension Motion Update

by

Hello All,

Just providing an update from tonight’s Special Meeting.

The motion to spend up to $10 000 to have a lawyer examine the pension performance, and MOUs “Pensions #1” & “Pension Plan #2” was passed. The law firm being hired is Goldblatt and has previous history with the union and pension plan. This is in conjunction with Local 1431 who has also passed a similar motion, also allowing up to $10 000 ($20 000 total between the two Locals).

As well we also gave notice that we will be voting on By-Law amendments at the November General Membership meeting on Nov 5th, 2025.

Aside from minor changes and corrections from the previous by-law amendments submitted last year, the main changes are:

  • Allowing e-voting (This is for secret ballot elections, which are currently only allowed to be done in person).
  • Changing Executive “Out of Pocket expenses” to “Honorariums” (not changing the amounts). CUPE National had pointed out as being practiced these were Honorariums not expense reimbursements.
  • Allowing the monthly general meeting to be held on any day Monday through Thursday within the first 10 days of the month instead of only the first Wednesday of the month. This is to allow more flexibility in what day we can have the meeting.
  • Updating the allowed amounts the union can spend without a motion from $150 to $250, and death of a member donation from $100 to $500. Updating per diem reimbursements for union events/training to $25 for ½ day in HRM, $50 full day in HRM, $50 for ½ day outside of HRM, $100 for full day outside of HRM, from $20, $40, $40, and $80 respectively. Removing the specified out of province reimbursement, as costs are usually similar to out of HRM events.
  • Better specifying what years, what executive positions are up for election.
  • Expanding Parental leave for executive members to include other types of leave recognized by the NS Labour Board, (Medical, Bereavement etc.).
  • Updating Section 10 – Fee, Dues and Assessments to better reflect what is currently practiced with automatic collection of dues vs “old fashioned” collection no longer being done.

 

If you have any questions regarding the pension motion or pension in general, please reach out to Joel O’Neil or Steve Kerr. If you have any by law related questions you can reach out to Nick McPherson.

For any questions in general, please reach out to a member of the executive board.

 

In Solidarity,

President Steve Kerr

Vice President Anthony Riley

Vice President Joel O’Neil

Vice President Paul Harder

Secretary-Treasurer Kristyn Surette

Recording Secretary Nick McPherson

Membership Officer Nick Durant

Special Meeting October 23rd, 2025

by

RE: Special Meeting Notice: By-Law Amendment Notice & Pension Update

Hello All,

The Executive Board is calling a Special Meeting on Thursday October 23rd, 2025, at 5:30 PM. This meeting will be online only!

Due to not having quorum for the October General Membership, we were unable to have the meeting. This Special Meeting is called to discuss two matters:

  1. Give notice of upcoming by-law amendments to be voted on at the November General Membership Meeting (We will not be voting on them at this meeting).
  2. Discuss and vote on a motion to approve hiring a lawyer to review the pension performance and MOUs “Pensions # 1” (Collective Agreement Pg. 67) & “Pension Plan 2” (Collective Agreement Pg. 80) to evaluate the feasibility of arbitration against Halifax Waters recouping of “special payments” made.

We will only be discussing the above two matters and no other business will be conducted during this meeting. The meeting is expected to be no more than an hour long (depending on number of questions, if any).

Please check your email for the zoom link. If you did not receive it, reach out to Recording Secretary Nick McPherson

If you have any questions, please reach out to a member of the executive board.

In Solidarity,

227 Executive Board

2025 Elections Update

by

Please see the Executive Election and Committee Election memos for an update on the upcoming elections in March 2025.

Executive Elections Update

Committee Elections Notice

If you have any questions regarding the elections or the duties of the positions up for elections please reach out to your Shop Steward or a member of the Executive

An update will follow when the venue of the March General Membership meeting is confirmed

Second Week of Contract Bargaining Concludes

by

The CUPE 227 bargaining team met with the Employer Bargaining Team on March 7th and 8th.

At the end of the round, 18 articles were agreed to between the two bargaining teams.

Brad Dale, CUPE Job Evaluation Expert attended on March 8th and presented joint job evaluation information and fielded questions from both bargaining teams.

Bargaining will resume in May, with definitive dates to follow; prior to the May dates, the joint job evaluation project will be worked on.

In Solidarity,

Your Bargaining Team

Kristyn Surette (Utility Operator, Park Ave)
Paul Canning (SDO, Cowie Hill)
Adam Bryson (SDO Spare/Utility Operator, Park Ave)
John Keirstead (PSSP Subforemen, Cowie Hill)
Dwayne Bell (PSSP, Mann St)
Brandon Fields (Utility Technician, Park Ave)
Martin Austin (Process Technician, Community Plants)
Naomi Stewart (CUPE National Representative)

First Week of Contract Bargaining Concludes

by

 

The CUPE 227 bargaining team met with the Employer Bargaining Team (Ashley Kendell,
Karen Kearney, Colin Waddell, Shawn Rowe, and Rollie King as their chief negotiator) on
February 21st, 2024 to exchange bargaining proposal packages.

On February 26th the Employer took a day to review our proposal package as it was substantial.
On February 27th and 28th the two teams met to discuss the proposal packages.

Productive and open conversations were had on large bargaining priorities for both parties.

Further bargaining dates are scheduled for March 7th and 8th, 2024. A further update will be
provided at the conclusion of the next bargaining session.

In Solidarity,

Your Bargaining Team:

Kristyn Surette (Utility Operator, Park Ave)
Paul Canning (SDO, Cowie Hill)
Adam Bryson (SDO Spare/Utility Operator, Park Ave)
John Keirstead (PSSP Subforemen, Cowie Hill)
Dwayne Bell (PSSP, Mann St)
Brandon Fields (Utility Technician, Park Ave)
Martin Austin (Process Technician, Community Plants)
Naomi Stewart (CUPE National Representative)

Local 227 Christmas Party!

by

Conveniently, the local 227 Christmas party will be held December 15, the same time and place as Halifax Water’s, at the Westin Nova Scotia Hotel!

 

Local 227 will gladly pay the admission cost for 227 members and a +1. To RSVP, just reach out to Halifax Water HR to confirm.

 

Your executive team will be present and partying! Hope to see as much of the local as possible.

Solidarity and happy holidays.

Bargaining Prep

by

Your Local 227 bargaining team has been meeting at least monthly for close to a year to prepare for upcoming negotiations.

We will be ready to negotiate when Halifax Water finally meets us at the table, likely in the New Year.

Your 227 bargaining team:

  • Brandon Fields
  • Martin Austin (President)
  • Dwayne Bell
  • John Keirstead
  • Adam Bryson
  • Paul Canning
  • Kristyn Surette

*Note that we will be scheduling an info session for the membership soon to discuss bargaining proposals and as a last chance for local members to give input before bargaining begins.