April 23-25 , 2012

National Executive Minutes
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National Executive Meeting

April 23-25 , 2012

Ottawa, ON

ChairmanJohn MacLennanNational President
MembersMary ChamberlainExecutive Vice-President
Debbie GrahamVice-President (NL/NB)
Terry KileyVice-President (NS)
Philippe TurcqVice-President (QC)
Paulette BarkerVice-President (NCR)
Arlene PrestonVice-President (ON)
Randy WalkerVice-President (MB/SK)
June WingerVice-President (AB/North)
T. Mark MillerVice-President (BC)
Louise CourbronVice-President (NPF)
Clay JoyceVice-President (CSE)
Gloria KellyHuman Rights Advisor
Recording SecretarySandra Montpetit

 

 

MONDAY APRIL 23

 

OPENING REMARKS

 

The National President welcomed members to the Spring meeting of the National Executive.

The harassment statement was read by Human Rights Advisor Kelly and VP Preston was named intervener.

 

The hours of sessions were set as follows:

 

Monday, April 23, 9:00 – 11:30 / 1:00 to 5:00

Tuesday, April 24, 9:00 -11:30 / 1:00 to 5:00

Wednesday, April 25, 9:00 – 11:30 / 1:00 to termination of business

The agenda was adopted as amended.

 

The previous minutes of the winter NE meeting were adopted.

 

 

STANDING ITEMS

 

Employee Assistance Program – VP Walker presented his written report.              m/s/c Walker-Turcq

                                                                                               

VP Walker stated that there have been no meetings since the 1-800 number was introduced. UNDE will continue to support the EAP program.

 

The EAP Program will celebrate their 30th anniversary this year.

RV 1 – CARRIED

 

Notice of Motion was served by EVP Chamberlain.

 

 

FR Steering/Wellness – VP Walker presented his written report.  m/s/c Walker-Chamberlain

 

VP Walker informed the group that the FR Steering Committee met in February 2012 where the two day meeting was spent working on the FR standards, work descriptions as well as a pay study.

 

The joint FR Wellness Committee met in January 2012 where it was decided that an improved communications initiative need to be in place so that information be passed on from committee members to fire hall representatives.

 

A conference call is scheduled for May 8, 2012 as well as another meeting in the Fall.

RV 2 – CARRIED

 

 

MOTION – Employee Assistance Program                                      m/s/c Chamberlain-Walker

 

“Whereas UNDE wholeheartedly supports the members’ EAP program.

 

Be It Resolved that UNDE continue to contribute, on a per capita basis, to the National EAP fund in conjunction with the other DND bargaining agent representatives.”

 

Rationale: Reinforces UNDE’s support to UNDE members and the EAP Program.

       RV 3 – CARRIED

                       

 

Health & Safety – VP Graham presented her written report.                     m/s/c Graham-Turcq

 

There was a DND National Policy Committee meeting held in April 2012 where topics of discussion included: Workplace Committee Structure, Work Refusals, Chemical Sensitivity, Violence In The Workplace and a Department Learning Event on Nov. 19-23, 2012.

VP Graham reiterated the importance that when completing any harassment complaints not to use the Department’s or Treasury Board’s policies but rather to follow the guidelines in the Collective Agreement, otherwise there is no recourse. Also, the Canadian Labour Code should be referred to as it is the law.

RV 4 – CARRIED

 

 

Young Workers Initiative – VP Barker gave a verbal update as the Committee has not had a meeting and is still missing one representative from the Quebec region.

 

 

Human Rights Report – Human Rights Advisor Kelly presented her written report.

m/s/c/ Chamberlain/Winger

 

This Committee had a successful meeting in March where a presentation was developed which will be used by the Regional Human Rights Coordinators to assist them in providing valuable information to Locals.

 

As a way to identify all equity members within UNDE and to ensure an updated list is retained, there will be a self-identification form developed for all UNDE conferences and training sessions and a confidential database, similar to the PSAC’s, will be maintained by UNDE National Office.

           RV 5 – CARRIED

 

Human Rights Advisor Report – Human Rights Advisor Kelly presented her written report.

m/s/c/ Miller-Preston

 

Human Rights Advisor Kelly listed her activities over the past months in her capacity as the National Human Rights Advisor to the National Executive. She stated that mental health continues to be a concern with increasing stress levels in the workplace.

                                                                                                                                RV 6 – CARRIED

 

British Columbia Report – VP Miller presented his written report.                       m/s/c Miller-Preston

 

VP Miller outlined meetings and activities that have taken place over the past few months with the help of his DVP as well as ADVP due to the budget dominating much of his availability.

                                                                                                                                  RV 7 – CARRIED

 

Alberta & The North Report – VP Winger presented her written report.  m/s/c Winger-Turcq

 

VP Winger spoke of various meetings and conference calls that took place since the last meeting, as well as training in her region and more to follow in the coming months. VP Winger also noted the Council of Locals in Moose Jaw in mid-April was a huge success!

                                                                                                                                   RV 8 – CARRIED

 

Manitoba/Saskatchewan Report – VP Walker presented his written report.

m/s/c Walker-Preston

 

VP Walker informed the group that his region held a teambuilding session which was very successful and provided useful tools for those in attendance. There was also a Council of Locals in the Prairies which was well attended and very informative.

                                                                                                                               RV 9 – CARRIED

 

Non Public Funds Report – VP Courbron presented her written report.

m/s/c Courbron-Turcq

 

VP Courbron has visited some locals as part of her handover to ensure continuity as she takes over as Vice-President for this region. There are problems retaining members on the Local Executive in Local 181 in Goose Bay, therefore they are now in trusteeship.

 

VP Courbron suggested that the COMTRA Committee look into developing an EAP training module for the NPF local to fill the void in the employer’s program.

 

In most Locals, negotiations are ongoing but showing good results. VP Courbron hopes to host a Regional Conference in Fall 2012.

                                                                                                                              RV 10 – CARRIED

 

Communications Security Establishment Report – VP Joyce presented her written report.

m/s/c Joyce-Chamberlain

 

VP Joyce informed the group that bargaining has been ongoing in this region. It also seems that luckily only 2 employees will be displaced due to the P3 project.

                                                                                                                             RV 11 – CARRIED

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

MOTION – Young Workers Conference                                                 m/s/d Walker-Graham

 

Whereas the need for young workers to become more active within the Union is paramount, and

Whereas young workers are the future of our Union, and

Whereas young workers would benefit from a forum to promote networking, collaboration and solidarity in raising awareness and advancing common cause among the membership, therefore

Be It Resolved that UNDE host a fully funded Young Workers Conference within the current mandate and that each Local be entitled to send one young worker as a delegate from their respective Local, and

Be it further resolved that the UNDE Young Workers Committee organize and set the agenda for a two day weekend conference costed at $150,000.00”

A discussion ensued. Some members of the National Executive expressed concerns that there has been a lack of involvement of some of the Young Workers Initiative Committee Members. Therefore a conference would not be justified at this time. Although this Committee needs to continue to grow and develop, this is not the right time for a conference with the current WFA situation.

                                                                                                                           RV 12 – DEFEATED

 

 

Executive Vice-President Report – EVP Chamberlain presented her written report, which includes the USO Reports. The training activity list was separated by region and sent electronically to each VP covering their respective regions.

 

EVP Chamberlain also added that the Module 1 and Module 7 training held for the UNDE Private Sector Locals in March, with 26 participants from across the country, was successful and well received.

                                                                                                                             RV 13 – CARRIED

 

National Capital Region Report – VP Barker presented her written report.

m/s/c/ Barker-Courbron

 

VP Barker outlined meetings and conference calls she participated in. She noted that some Locals in her region question the strategies they receive from National Office.

 

National President MacLennan explained that all Locals were sent much communication on various subjects. He identified that in 2010 all Treasury Board Locals were provided a list of questions to ask at upcoming UMCC and LMRC meetings concerning vacancy management and reductions to staff but that little feedback was returned to National Office. Also, a Business Case Writing course to deal with contractors has been offered to members but that NCR Locals did not request the training. Lastly, important information on imminent budget cuts was sent to all Locals in a timely fashion to identify strategies that were in place.

                                                                                                                             RV 14 – CARRIED

 

 

Ontario Report – VP Preston presented her written report.                      m/s/c Preston-Chamberlain

 

VP Preston outlined the many activities that have taken place in her region. Among them, Local 641, which had been in trusteeship, now has a new Local Executive. Also, Local 629 has undergone an investigation.

 

There will be upcoming training sessions offered in Fall 2012 as well as a Regional Conference.

                                                                                                                        RV 15 – CARRIED

Quebec Report – VP Turcq presented his written report.                              m/s/c Turcq-Winger

 

VP Turcq presented the many activities and meetings that he has attended concerning his region. He was busy fielding all the French media calls for interviews when the WFA announcement was made which could lead to departmental cuts.

                                                                                                                               RV 16 – CARRIED

 

 

TUESDAY APRIL 24

 

Nova Scotia Report – VP Kiley presented his written report.                     m/s/c Kiley-Turcq

 

VP Kiley stated that Brother Wayne Little and Sister Donna McMillan received well deserved UNDE Lifetime Membership awards in January.

 

He also informed the group that hours of work have been a major issue in FMFCS for the past few months resulting in many grievances being launched due to the employer ignoring the Collective Agreement.

                                                                                                                               RV 17 – CARRIED

 

 

Bylaws Report – VP Miller presented the Committee’s written report.    m/s/c Miller-Winger

 

VP Miller informed the group that the Committee is introducing a new method when voting by secret ballot when not done in person. This would involve sending a ballot book to each National Officer with pre-addressed double envelopes for sending in to Sandra Montpetit at National Office.

 

There was some discussion on the forum for the website. The legal opinion received indicates that UNDE will be held liable. Therefore, a disclaimer will be identified on the forum and when members sign in with their PSAC id numbers and password they will need to agree to the terms of use.

                                                                                                                             RV 18 – CARRIED

 

DCC Report – VP Turcq was accompanied by Tim McGrath as they presented a written report indicating the progress on visits to bases.

RV 19 – CARRIED

 

Finance Report – VP Turcq along with Comptroller Brian Loshuk presented their financial report which included the financial statements as at December 2011 and the auditor’s report as at September 2011. It was noted that when sending in a claim to ensure receipts are only supplied once to the Accounts section in order to avoid having a duplicate claim paid.

RV 20 – CARRIED

 

Notice of Motion was served by VP Turcq.

 

Honour Roll – National President MacLennan has requested that we add the honour roll to every National Executive meeting to remember those members who have passed. Below are the names of members that were presented:

 

Brother Paul Douglas Nickerson, Local 406
Sister Keltie Martell, Local 406
Brother Jean-Guy Hamilton, Local 501

Brother Thédore Bagordo, Local 526

Brother Richard Hébert, Local 526

Brother Daniel Moreau, Local 527

Sister Pauline Porter, Local 607

Brother John O’Brien, Local 637

Brother Tom Thorpe, Local 639

Sister Shirley Ann Rushton, Local 704

Brother Denny Evans, Local 704

Brother William Appleton, Local 705

Brother Dave Korpesho, Local 705

Sister Sarah Maines, Local 705

Brother Steve Covell, President of UNDE Local 905 from 1996 to part of 1998. Then he was VP AB North from 1999 until part of 2005.

 

A moment of silence was observed by the National Officers.

 

 

Newfoundland/Labrador and New Brunswick – VP Graham presented her written report.

 

VP Graham outlined elections held in her Locals as well as the new Local Executives. There has also been training in a few of the Locals.

                                                                                                                               RV 21 – CARRIED

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

NPF cuts – VP Courbron asked if there will be a WFA list identified for NPF members. National President MacLennan said as soon as he finds out he will inform her.

 

NPF Education and Regional Conference – VP Courbron was concerned that due to budgetary constraints any training sessions or a Regional Conference might not be approved. The National President assured her it would have no affect and that training and conferences would continue as normal.

 

Joint Consultation, Article 21 of the CA – VP Kiley asked for a clear definition of what it means so that it may be interpreted properly. After some clarification, Sister Montpetit forwarded by e-mail the link of the DAOD to the National Officers.

 

UNDE website for affected employees – VP Barker asked if UNDE will have a database for affected employees to sign up for job alternation, however after some discussion it was decided that this would lead to confusion. UNDE EVP Chamberlain encouraged members to register on both the Treasury Board and DND’s sites and not rely on DND to look out for their interests.

 

MOTION – Lifetime Membership for Jérôme Turcq

 

VP Kiley, on behalf of the Honours & Awards Committee, presented a motion to award Brother Turcq with a Lifetime Membership award. The certificate will be presented to Brother Turcq during the week of PSAC Convention.

CARRIED (by secret ballot)

 

 

MOTION –Auditors Fiscal Year 2012                                                                m/s/c Turcq-Winger

 

“Whereas UNDE has to reappoint an auditor for every fiscal year to verify their financial statements; and

 

Whereas UNDE has used the services of McCay Duff LLP as auditors of their financial statements in the past and are satisfied with the results and costs.

 

Be It Resolved that UNDE reappoints McCay Duff LLP for the audit of their 2012 fiscal year”

                                                                                                                               RV 22 – CARRIED

 

WEDNESDAY APRIL 25

 

UNDE Triennial Convention 2014: Two bids were presented to host the next convention, one for the National Capital Region and the other for Quebec City. Following a secret ballot vote by the National Officers, the next convention will be in Quebec City. The National President will visit Quebec City within the next few weeks to choose the venue.

 

CARRIED (by secret ballot)

 

 

Adjournment.