Annual Meeting Canadian Committee on Labour History Victoria BC, June 6, 2013

In Attendance

• Marcia Braundy,

• Patrick Craib,

• Alvin Finkel,

• David Frank,

• Gordon Hak,

• Larry Hannant,

• Craig Heron,

• Betsy Jameson,

• Linda Kadis,

• Greg Kealey,

• Linda Kealey,

• Kathy Killoh,

• Tom Langford,

• Mark Leier,

• Eryk Martin,

• Jim Naylor,

• Andrew Parnaby,

• Richard Rajala,

• Sarah Reilly,

• Jeff Taylor,

• Janis Thiessen.

• Minutes recorded by Patrick Craib

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 5:00 pm, with Alvin Finkel in the chair.

2. Approval of the Agenda

Greg Kealey moved approval of the agenda as presented, Larry Hannant seconded the motion. The agenda was approved unanimously.

3. Approval of Minutes of 2012 Annual Meeting

No comments were made regarding the minutes from the 2012 Annual Meeting, as published in Labour/Le Travail. Tom Langford moved to approve, Richard Rajala seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously.

4. Business Arising

There was no business arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

5. President’s Report

Chair Alvin Finkel thanked Ben Isitt for organizing the annual cclh workshop, as well as updating the cclh website. The chair also thanked Craig Heron and Marcia Braundy who aided with the ad hoc workshops as well as those who served on the website committee. The Chair also thanked the University of Victoria Social Justice Studies program.

The Chair announced the winners of the 2012 Forsey Prize, and asked for volunteers to serve on the 2013 Forsey prize committee. A member commented that there has been a shortage of entries for the undergraduate award, and requested that cclh members keep in mind exceptional undergraduate essays for submission.

The Chair noted the two new publications in the “Working Canadians” series, David Frank’s Provincial Solidarities: A History of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour / Solidarités provinciales: Histoire de la Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Nouveau-Brunswick and Eric Strikwerda The Wages of Relief: Cities and the Unemployed in Prairie Canada, 1929–39.

Jeff Taylor moved adoption of the President’s Report, seconded by Mark Leier. Approved unanimously.

6. Editor’s Report

As Bryan Palmer was unable to attend the meeting, Greg Kealey provided the Editor’s report on his behalf.

Kealey noted that the Journal continues to receive French-language papers, and remarked on the importance of bridging French and English Canadian academics. While digital subscriptions for l/lt are important, he noted that it is important to retain subscriptions for print copies, and suggested that the four-year subscription is affordable and graduate students should be encouraged to subscribe.

l/lt continues to seek increased graduate student submissions. As well, there will be a new section of the journal, ‘Other Shores’, which is to cover transnational and controversial findings. Finally, the Editor thanked Athabasca University Press for their continuing hard work, and expressed appreciation to the Journal’s editorial committee and board members.

From the floor, Craig Heron discussed his attendance at a meeting of the Canadian Association for Work and Labour studies, noting the Association’s plan for a new journal, which resulted in discussion from the floor regarding its relation to l/lt, and reports that Stephanie Ross is the contact point for questions regarding the new journal.

Greg Kealey questioned the need for a second Canadian labour journal, with Craig Heron responding that this sentiment was expressed at the Association meeting, but that l/lt’s narrow focus on labour history is problematic. The Chair responded, arguing that l/lt is supposed to go beyond labour history, and observed that the field would be crowded with two labour journals. However, the Chair also noted that it is important for l/lt to remain focused on labour history. Craig Heron explained that the Association may want a Journal which focuses more on the social sciences, and suggested that cclh members may want to join the Association.

Greg Kealey concluded the discussion by asking Craig Heron to circulate the Association’s material on the matter.

7. Treasurer’s Report

Greg Kealey drew attention to the consolidation of revenues of AU Press and the cclh, explaining the $12,000 decline in revenues partially as a result of...