NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETING
Westin Hotel, OTTAWA
Oak Meeting Room
May 22-24, 2024
| Chair | June Winger | National President |
| Members | Paul Jones | EVP |
| Steve Warren | VP (NL/NB) | |
| Johanne Rouillard | DVP (QC) | |
| Marcelo Lazaro | VP (BC) | |
| Stéphane Dépot | DVP (ABN) | |
| Bill Kroeger | DVP (NS) | |
| Cathy O’Kane | VP (NPF) | |
| Mona Simcoe | VP (MS) | |
| Patrick Bourassa | DVP (NCR) | |
| Tin Tang | VP (CSE) | |
| Sandra Griffith-Bonaparte | Human Rights Advisor | |
| Recording Secretary | Sandra Mombourquette | |
| Absent | Danielle Poissant | VP (ABN) |
| Craig Smith | VP (NS) | |
| Shawn King | VP (NCR) | |
| Gérald Grenon | VP (QC) | |
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OPENING REMARKS
The National President welcomed the National Officers to the Spring National Executive Meeting. President Winger reminded everyone that the meeting stays in session during the week of the PSAC Convention.
Hours of session:
Wednesday May 22, 2024 9am to 12pm – 1:30pm to 5pm
Thursday May 23, 2024 9am to 12pm – 1:30pm to 5pm
Friday May 24, 2024 9am to 12pm – 1:30pm to 5pm
Adoption of agenda Jones/Lazaro CARRIED
Previous Minutes Simcoe/O’Kane CARRIED
Honour Roll – Moment of silence
| Laura Rondhuis, Local 70605 |
| Vikki Hunziker-McLean, Local 60303 |
| Gregory Stairs, Local 60303 |
| Martin Byrne, Local 90125 |
STATE OF THE UNION UPDATE FROM NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Telework – Treasury Board – In the last round of bargaining via a Letter of Agreement, it was determined telework requests would be decided on a case-by-case basis, with the option to have a joint panel review/recommendation during the grievance process. Then TBS unilaterally directed public service employees were to work in office 3 days a week, with no consultation with the unions despite the LOA. PSAC NBoD will put forward an emergency resolution. National President Winger will be sending email to National Executive on the process and language to use for telework grievance. UNDE panel consists of Lisa Greenspoon, UNDE LRO and Danielle Poissant, VP ABN and two HR people from DND to review requests/issues with telework.
Phoenix Pay Damages – members have received award for previous damages but nothing from 2021 forward. We were successful in getting refunded the taxes deducted from the previous damages award. Work being done to secure awards for the damages sustained since the last award on an ongoing basis.
SunLife Disability Insurance – National President Winger said that members employed with DND need to be advised that when they submit a worker’s compensation claim they may want to consider also submitting a SunLife disability insurance claim and placing it in abeyance pending the outcome of the worker’s compensation claim. The National President has requested that the Office of Disability Management advise their clients accordingly. Reviewing antiquated plan now.
MemberLink – VPs are reminded to respond to Kim’s email asking them to verify who within their region should have MemberLink access. There will be a presentation on Friday followed by an email notifying the Locals.
Federal Budget & Defence Policy – Both have come out, lots of theories, no specifics, rumours of loss of public service jobs. DVP Kroeger advised at one of his meetings he was told that management is being pressured to stop using contractors and instead use public service employees. The National President asked VP Potts to confirm this at his next ADM Mat meeting.
UNDE 2026 Convention – This week decision to be made on next location. Only one submission received.
NPF Strike – On day 129 of strike, Ontario and NCR settled, Quebec Locals still on strike. There will be a rally at lunchtime during PSAC Convention. Information on scab discipline will be sent out to NPF Locals.
TBS Strike – The National President said she needs a report back from each VP on scabs in their region.
National Public Service Week – With May 1 Treasury Board telework announcement, there will be a boycott this year as per PSAC decision. The National President says if members go, encourage them to speak with the employer and members, to remind them of ongoing Phoenix issues, Canada Life issues, contracting out/in, recent telework direction with no consultation with the union, NPF strike, health and safety issues, fair staffing, ect. VP Potts suggests panel of VPs to prepare talking points/brochure/bulletin. VP Potts, VP Rouillard and VP O’Kane have volunteered to put a bulletin together. VP Lazaro suggests bringing this up at UMCC meetings. VP O’Kane says to use opportunity and take over the BBQ, talk to members. The National President reminds Officers to get Locals involved in plans to ensure buy in.
Presentation from Military Police Complaints Commission (MPCC) – Tammy Tremblay and Elsy Chakkalakal gave a presentation to the group on how their role interacts with the military police and engages the union. UNDE Labour Relations Officers were invited to join this portion.
NOTICE OF MOTION – Trusteeship Local 70608 – DVP Bourassa gave notice of motion.
2025 Federal Election – The National Executive discussed the importance of members making an informed decision for the upcoming election. The National President suggested Locals be encouraged to host meetings or debates with local candidates to discuss issues pressing to the membership.
Treasury Board Bargaining – The National President explained the PSAC process and dates for 2024 input for bargaining demands. In Fall 2024 PSAC will send out a survey for bargaining priorities from the membership and then the PSAC bargaining Committee will prepare strategic documents and then proposals are prepared related to that. In December 2024 UNDE will have a Bargaining Conference on Dec. 13-14, 2024, in Toronto, in order to choose our priorities and select members to attend the PSAC Bargaining Conference in February 2025. The National President will send these dates to the National Officers after the Jun NBoD meeting.
Strategic Plan
Elanor Sherlock, UNDE Special Projects Officer, joined the group and presented her findings on contracting out. Everyone discussed draft document and made amendments and/or corrections as required.
MOTION to adopt Strategic Plan m-s O’Kane/Lazaro RV 1 – CARRIED
The National President said that now that the Strategic Plan is adopted in general, we will need to move towards implementation as there are a number of timelines in the plan to follow-up on. COMTRA will need to look at the workshops to be developed. VPs need to think about training to be offered in the Fall for the Bargaining Conference.
Contracting Out – UNDE Special Projects Officer Elanor Sherlock gave an update on her activities with UNDE since she started in August, included are the successes as well as the barriers she has noticed and specifically how to deal with these in the future until the end of 2026. She has developed a bulletin for health & safety and will develop more bulletins on different issues to bring awareness to members. Important for her to be invited to meetings and townhalls with the VPs.
Presentation on pay calculation – André Renaud, UNDE VP Local 70605 NCR, gave a presentation to the group on how pay is calculated by Treasury Board.
Presentation for UNDE Triennial Convention in 2026 – Blair Winger, UNDE lifetime member, as well as Charley Paul, past Local President and DVP for NPF, presented to the group Banff, Alberta as the only site location submission received for the upcoming 2026 UNDE Triennial Convention.
MOTION – Alberta and the North host the 2026 Triennial Convention m-s Depot/Simcoe RV 2 – CARRIED
STANDING ITEMS / COMMITTEE REPORTS
Air Division RCAF L2 m-s Simcoe/Potts
VP Simcoe said that these meetings are now flowing and on schedule. The FAcT program, project still undecided and contract not signed, no consultation. Firefighters, been working on it since 2014, filling vacant positions although staffing still low. VP Simcoe asked for an update about IMP in Comox. VP Lazaro said that the IMP arbitration is settled. RV 3 – CARRIED
Air Division RCAF L1 m-s Simcoe/Potts
VP Simcoe talked about direction from management-sanctioned events, they presented a brief and want to work with UNDE on this. VP Simcoe told them it’s more important to focus on morale-building not teambuilding. They asked UNDE to write up what they want.
Maritime Forces Pacific m-s Lazaro/Bourassa
VP Lazaro said it is considered a hate crime when female dispensers were vandalized in the male washrooms on the base. Union and Management are working together to deal with this.
Royal Canadian Navy m-s Lazaro/Kroeger
VP Lazaro said that with the new budget, 10M has been allocated for the Halifax Class Frigate Maintenance. A classification review is under the away for the Ship’s Officers and will most likely be an upgrade for them, this is expected to happen after successful compliance of the ASD Training. This will not have any impact on UNDE members Classification from Ship’s Crew. RV 6 – CARRIED
2nd CDSG m-s Rouillard/Bourassa
DVP Rouillard said there was a discussion on telework but the problem is that management does not have the proper tools to manage this file. On the staffing side, they are creating staffing pools. There are a lot of CR-4 vacant positions. There was an issue with members wearing swag in the workplace, management have been advised that grievances could be filed.
3rd CDSG m-s Simcoe/Depot
VP Simcoe said no meeting since December, next meeting in June. Main topic will be on funding.
4th CDSG m-s Potts/Kroeger
VP Potts said next meeting is in June, the main highlight will be concerning trade certification, specifically with mechanics, and loosening the requirement for licensing. He recommends the apprenticeship portfolio look into this to ensure it doesn’t trickle down to other trades.
5th CDSG m-s Kroeger/Warren
DVP Kroeger attended this meeting along with co-chair Dan Frost, DVP NL-NB. He said lots of discussion with onboarding and offboarding as it needs to be improved. Service levels are not being met concerning Office of Disability Management (ODM).
RPOPS Quebec m-s Rouillard/Lazaro
DVP Rouillard presented VP Grenon’s report. The meeting had a training component of ChatGPT, there are questions about its usefulness in the day to day work.
RPOPS Ontario m-s Potts/Lazaro
VP Potts said the main highlight at the last meeting was stand-by pay for members working in the central heating plant, not being equitable, and grievances have been filed. This will be brought up for discussion at the ADM (IE) UMCC.
RPOPS West m-s Simcoe/Depot
VP Simcoe said the main highlight of the meeting in December was an update on FAcT in Moose Jaw. There are no details or information, just that it’s coming. There have been public service employees hired to work on this project implementation.
RPOPS Pacific m-s Lazaro/Bourassa
VP Lazaro said the main topic was the maintenance budget for the region, this is a big concern as it was cut in half, last fiscal it was $123M this fiscal it is $63M, this will affect contracts and some work orders will never get done.
ADM-IE m-s Simcoe/Lazaro
VP Simcoe gave verbal highlights from the meeting on external non-advertised staffing processes and an update CF RP Ops Group Evolution Teamwork. VP Simcoe said she would like to create a group on contracting to get better traction.
Material – ADM Mat m-s Potts/Warren
VP Potts said relevant items discussed were safety concerns around a few buildings and plans being put into motion to move these employees, also will see how the 3-day in office mandate will work with spacing.
Material – CMSG m-s Potts/Bourassa
VP Potts reminded the group to send work refusals to someone on the health & safety portfolio to keep everyone in the loop. VP Simcoe asked for update on 202 workshop apprenticeships concerning levels of skill and knowledge for next meeting. RV 17 – CARRIED
DRDC m-s Depot/Potts
DVP Depot presented VP Poissant’s report which highlighted work on the budget to have the least amount of impact on programs but also no reductions in salaries or staff.
Health & Safety m-s Potts/Warren
VP Potts said main issue is language of business at these meetings, an official languages complaint being filed as meetings are not bilingual. Dealing with work refusals which is why it is important to be made aware of them all.
Firefighters m-s Jones/Simcoe
EVP Jones made mention of the FR situational table, it has not been functional in a while. The plan is to move the facilitation of the table to the CFFM from HR-Civ. Also, with the fitness modernization project, there are plans to redevelop the PT test (physical training). Two FRs have been asked to sit on the management team.
Apprenticeship m-s Jones/O’Kane
EVP Jones said there has not been a meeting. Further research on past and current apprenticeship programs within DND will need to be conducted, EVP Jones will be reaching out to the other unions and to the VPs on this. VP Warren asks if separate employer groups can be included in this report, not just Treasury Board. RV 21 – CARRIED
COMTRA m-s Jones/O’Kane
EVP Jones said the VP Orientation Manual is a living document and for the VPs to send updates and suggestions as necessary. VP Potts asked for an update on the Human Rights training module creation. EVP Jones said it’s not developed yet, the Committee is waiting on the Human Rights Advisor’s input in order to move forward. It was noted significant input was previously provided during the August 2023 NE meeting by the HRA.
UNDE Swag
There was discussion on ordering new swag specifically for the NPF strike and also generic swag items. It was decided that generic UNDE car flags be ordered and then also order stickers to support NPF.
The bilingual flag would say: “We Support our members” and the bilingual clear static cling stickers (6 x 6) say: “Support for NPF – Not paid fairly”. Window flags to be sold in the UNDE boutique.
Presentation on MemberLink – Kelly Grieg, PSAC, gave a presentation to the VPs on the new
online interactive tool designed specifically for Local Elected Officers and Vice Presidents in the regions which will provide them with access to their Local membership.
Honours & Awards m-s O’Kane/Bourassa
VP O’Kane presented the Committee’s report. The Committee wishes to make some changes to the memorial scholarship application, most are housekeeping. The requirement of T4s from parents will be removed. The Committee also wants to add a section called “Additional Information – Hardships” to help the Committee determine who needs more help.
The Committee will work with the Human Rights Advisor to accurately correct gender specifics in the application.
Application for a 30-year pin for retiring member Kevin Foran was also part of the report. Kevin contributed to the union during his 34-year career.
MOTION – Scholarships m-s O’Kane/Kroeger
Whereas – UNDE Scholarship application deadline is currently 30 September;
Whereas – Many students have just started their final year of high school and have not yet started applying to colleges;
Whereas – Many schools require registrations to be done in January or February of the following year.
Be It Resolved that the application process at UNDE be changed from 30 September to 30 March to allow these students time to acquire the information.
Finance Report m-s Warren/Tang
VP Warren presented the Finance Committee’s Report as well as the Audited Financial Statements. RAND members need to get assigned to a Local. Local computers coming from National Office has been working well.
MOTION – AUDITORS m-s Warren/Tang
WHEREAS the Auditors have recommended that UNDE’s National Executive make a motion each year to appoint or reappoint Auditors.
BE IT RESOLVED that UNDE reappoint McCay, Duff & Company, LLP as the auditors for fiscal year 2024.
REGIONAL REPORTS
B.C. Report m-s Lazaro/O’Kane
VP Lazaro said that Local 21017 has been dissolved and is now inactive, the members have been distributed to the other Locals.
STANDING ITEMS / COMMITTEE REPORTS
Bylaws Report m-s Potts/Depot
VP Potts presented the Committee’s report. He said that all the housekeeping has been completed on the Bylaws and will look at other documents. If anyone wants anything changed, please send to one of the Committee members. Next meeting these documents will be presented. Committee is looking at proposing language to be added in Regulations about remote workers.
Young Workers Report m-s Warren/Potts
VP Warren said there is an issue getting the young worker representatives to go to meetings. He said the next invite to a meeting will include the VPs that will be cc’d, hopefully this will encourage the young worker reps to attend. The National President said that VPs or DVPs need to reach out to their young worker reps and should have an offline discussion with VP Warren to determine engagement of their young worker reps also add this as a subject on the next agenda for Young Workers Meeting. VP Tang suggests the VPs being their mentors. VP Simcoe suggests putting a tally on the report of who attended meetings.
REGIONAL REPORTS
NL-NB Report m-s Warren/O’Kane
VP Warren highlighted that the Gagetown Local has gone through a restructure. IMP in Gander just got arbitration decision back, not happy with outcome. Planning the first regional conference of this mandate.
Nova Scotia Report – No Report
Quebec Report – No Report
Ontario Report m-s Potts/Rouillard
VP Potts says it was a busy time with the NPF strike in Kingston and Petawawa. There are pockets of hiring freezes across the region, including the Royal Military College in Kingston. There is a grievance handling course (Module 8) being held in June in Kingston.
NCR Report – No Report
CSE Report m-s Tang/Depot
VP Tang said the region had training in March of Module 1 and Module 8 with 14 attendees.
CSE was able to negotiate a one-year pilot with the Joint Learning Program (JLP) in their collective agreement. The region also supported NPF strikers in Ottawa, Local 70682, donated funds and bought them a pizza lunch.
NPF Report m-s O’Kane/Jones
VP O’Kane said the big focus for the last 4.5 months has been the NPF strike. They really need a national pay grid across the board.
Human Rights Advisor – No Report
Human Rights Advisor Griffith-Bonaparte gave a brief verbal report and said there was a Human Rights Coordinators meeting in Ottawa in May.
Manitoba Saskatchewan Report m-s Simcoe/Lazaro
VP Simcoe presented her report which gave highlights in all her Locals. There is training in her region coming up in June for Modules 1, 4 and 6 and hoping to plan a training session for Module 8 in the Fall.
Alberta and the North Report m-s Depot/O’Kane
DVP Depot presented VP Poissant’s report. Gave an update on highlights of the Locals in the region. With a lack of shop stewards in the region, trying to set up training of Module 8 for the Fall. The telework panel has a draft, terms of reference, which will be finalized at the next meeting and then it will be shared. RV 35 – CARRIED
MOTION – Trusteeship Local 70608 m-s Bourassa/Lazaro
WHEREAS NCR Local 70608 has been unable to maintain the responsibilities of Bylaw 7 Article 3 of UNDE National Bylaws;
WHEREAS after several attempts to maintain the responsibilities of Bylaw 7 Articles 3 and 6, Local 70608 is now considered inactive;
WHEREAS all avenues have been exhausted to maintain Local 70608 as a functioning and active Local;
BE IT RESOLVED that the UNDE National Executive, in accordance with UNDE’s National Bylaws 7 Article 8, act upon this motion as the request from the Vice-President National Capital Region placing Local 70608 in trusteeship.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Executive, in accordance with UNDE’s National Bylaws 7 Article 9, appoint Shawn King, VP NCR or his designate, as the Trustee Officer with authority for managing Local 70608 day to day affairs, the finances and the coordination of union/management consultation forums until the Local rises from trusteeship as described in UNDE Bylaws and Regulations. RV 36 – CARRIED
NATIONAL OFFICE
EVP Report m-s Jones/Bourassa
EVP Jones presented highlights from his report which included staff negotiations, DND grievance backlog and reports from the Labour Relations Officers.
NEW BUSINESS
National Public Service Week (NPSW) Brochure – VP Potts, VP O’Kane and DVP Rouillard prepared a draft brochure which the group reviewed and discussed. The brochure will be finalized in the next two weeks and sent out to Locals to use during the National Public Service Week.
Adjournment.