Local 00625 Toronto

Orientation presentation and training opportunities

The Local’s orientation program is based on the introductory orientation to ones steweard. As the Local composition changes, so to does the orientation program, thus members are oriented to changes in the Local structure processes and procedures through monthly presentations of approximately 10 minutes in duration. In this way, the Local promotes a continuous learning opportunity and is able to respond to recent developments in a cyclical manner

Orientation Presentations for this session includes:

• Joint Management Labour Consultation
• Building Unit Coheasion (Enhancing a Mutually Benefitial Relationship with Management)
• Duty to Represent and Right to Inform
• CLC Part II and the DND General Safety Program -2018
• NJC Cyclical Review and Collective Agreement Negotiations

• NPSW (Proudly Serving Canadians)
• Social Justice Fund (Local Outreach Developments)
• Union Benefits, Dues and the Rand Formula
• Accountability (Transparency and Confidentiality)
• Conflict Resolution (Harassment, Discrimination, Human Right Legislation)

Campaigns Local 625 participates in are related to UNDE/PSAC and Local Committee actions. As a member of the Federal Public Service it is important that you participate in these campaigns to have your voice heard and ensure that the Union is meeting its obligation to represent you. Please ensure your contact information is current and complete. Identify your preferred mode of contact and preferably your cell phone info to ensure the local can reach you in an emergency.
See the Action Committee mandate and Records of discussion for more details on Local campaigns

Current Campaigns

Standing up for Canada. With the various commitments by the Federal government to repeal antiunion legislation Members are asked to keep encouraging their MPs to do the right thing and follow through on commitments to ensure fair collective bargaining, health workplaces and the protection of employee rights.

The Ontario We Want Campaign. Based on the OFL’s Nov2015 Action Plan  the local is supporting efforts by PSAC’s Greater Toronot Area Council to engage members in efforts to participate in Rallies and  speak to their MPs around the opening of labour legislation. Of particular emphasis is the $15 for fairness initiatives that have been endorsed by the OFL

Ongoing Campaigns

We Own It is a campaign to keep public assets public prevent improper privatization

Protect Our Pension is a response to the second unilateral change to federal public service pensions recently introduced into legislation and hoped to die on the order paper.

Election Reform is a long standing goal of unions to replace the current first past the post process with a method that is more inclusive and representative of the electorate

1. Executive Committee

The Executive Committee  is scheduled to meet once every other month or as required to address priority matters. The Committee is Chaired by the President who’s leadership creates the vision and mission to be executed in accordance with the mandate from the membership. The Vice President addresses operational matters in the local and ensures that priority issues can be addressed in the absence of the President. The Treasurer ensures that the best practices of financial transparency and accountability are pursued to enhance confidence in the value offered by the services provided by the local.  The Recording Secretary and Correspondence Secretary  ensure that members received timely and useful information. The Chief Steward ensures members issues are escalated as required. A youth Rep is a member of the local to enhance help address new member issues. Two auditors are ex-officio to provide  arms length awareness of financial developments

2. Finance Commitee

is Chaired by the Treasurer and includes the two auditors as full members with vote and voice. The President is an ex-officio member of the committee. The Committee is required to meet once a year. This last session it has greatly increased the visibility of local expenses in an structured and effective manner. The advance distribution of the Financial Report to members for whom the local has e-mail addressed for is also  considered a further beneficial initiative to enhance confidence in the Local.

3. Grievance Committee

is Chaired by the Chief Steward and includes all local stewards as full members with voice and vote. In addition, the Bargaining Demand Reps have standing in this committee to ensure Demands can address some of the matters that stem from grievance issues. In addition, the President is an ex-officio member of this committee. The committee is required to meet 4 time a year.

4. Bargaining Committee

is Chaired by the Vice President and includes all local representatives of UMCCs, LMRCs and the 4 Bargaining Demand Representatives. In addition the President is an ex-officio member. The Committee addresses key issues that impact the effectiveness and efficiency of Local Commands and Formations. Matters include standing items on HR Plan Transparency (how vacancies will be addressed…), Personal Learning Plans (orientation, JLP and Union presentations, completion rates), HR/Personal resources available to members, Cyclical Policy review (Strike Protocol…), Recognition Programs (NPSW…) Joint Initiatives (GCWCC…)

5. JOSH Committee

is Chaired is selected by the Committee members in January of every other year. The Members of the Committee include UNDE625 Labour reps from the CFC or Denison JOSH Committees and appointed OSH rep for members in commands/formations not covered by the existing JOSH Committee. The Committee ensures the requirements of the Canada Labour Code Part II are upheld. This has recently included ensuring meetings of committees are being held, DGSAFE requirements are being addressed (weekly safety briefings) and Office inspections are being conducted at the monthly frequency required and Safety investigations for civilian employees include the appropriate Labour Rep.

6. Action Commitee

is Chaired by one of the local delegates to regional councils and committees. It is comprised of two delegates to the Greater Toronto Area Council and one delegate from Youth, Women, Racially Visible, Indigenous and Members with Disabilities committees.

Current Campaigns being pursued include: Fix Phoenix, Make It fair ( 15 and Fairness) We Own It, Save Canada Post, Hands off our pension and Area Committee initiatives to increase awareness of equity issues and engagement in relevant campaigns

7. Membership Commitee

Is chaired by the Communications Officer and coordinates the locals communication strategy and orientation presentations . The Committee has been used to address WFA matters and membership profiles updates

8. Recreation and welfare committee

Coordinates initiative for recognition, celebration, remembrance and sympathy. Current campaigns include GCWCC and NPSW and the EAP Program.

UNDE 625 duty to represent with respect to grievances extends primarily to Labour Relations Grievances, 1st level NJC grievances, and Group grievances.  However the Local is in a position to assist the component with classification grievances, staffing complaints to Public Service Staffing Tribunal (PSST Complaints) and Policy grievances.

When you require representation, contact your assigned steward or Chief Steward.  Steward assignments are identified above in Committee contact tabs

The primary trends of grievances seem to relate to three primary issues:

1. The absence of a transparent HR plan for members.  This impedes the ability to translate the units mission and vision into goals that can be effectively implemented.  Although this document does exist for most commands and formations, it is not easily understood many cases. In the absence of clarity on required position competencies, core activities for each level of the organization the duties performed by members become difficult to relate to the statement of duties and way to develop ones career.
2. CPRR Objectives are often vague. The subjective nature of expectations lead to misinterpretations and dissatisfaction with assessments and the way in which performance counselling is conducted. SMART goals in CPRRs is believed to be the best way to enhance effectiveness of the employee and provide meaning to a process that is currently in flux to an undetermined form.
3 PLP under-utilization appears to be another key issue in preventing misunderstandings and in efficiencies. Too many members do not obtain approval for requested training in April  and October. In addition, the use of orientation sessions from the Local and an attempt to provide access to JLP training through LMRC need to be better developed. All public servants have certain core training requirements. Coordinating such training regionally with other commands and formations would be a much more cost effective approach than not spending training budgets.

Best Practices:

Resolution to concerns should be pursued through a timely (not more than 25 working days to get to step 2) and persistent approach (ensuring follow-up every 25 working days is pursued). The following steps have helped many members resolve situations quickly before a formal grievance was required.

1. Orientate yourself to the issue:
-ensure you are aware of the resources available to you to resolve an issue (i.e.: policy procedure your co-workers perspectives on the issue, etc.)

2. Seek clarification on the matter of concern from your supervisor:
-request informal discussion in accordance with your collective agreement

3. Request consideration of matters that may seem missing from managements visibility:
-generate a record of discussion of matters of consideration to ensure common understanding is held by yourself and your supervisor

4. Suggest a resolution of the matter based on past practice

5. Recommend a resolution of the matter based on previous suggestions and new information

Communication with your supervisor is key to a rewarding career in the Government. Ensure you advise management of what they need to know in accordance with professional standards of privacy and ethical considerations.