APRIL 22-24, 2009

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETING
APRIL 22-24, 2009
VANCOUVER, BC

OPENING REMARKS

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

The harassment statement was read aloud by Human Rights Advisor McGrath.

Administration announcements were delivered by EVP Chamberlain concerning specifics on convention centre information, PSAC registration, National President announced Day of Mourning rally on April 28 at 7:30am in front of Art Gallery, UNDE hospitality suite will sell beverage tickets with proceeds going towards fight against cancer.

The hours of sessions were set as follows:

Wednesday, April 22, 9:00 – 11:30 / 1:00 to 4:00
Thursday, April 23, 9:00 -11:30 / 1:00 to 4:00
Friday, April 24, 9:00 – 11:30 / 4:00 – NE is considered in session throughout the PSAC convention.

Changes to the agenda were as follows:

• Addition to agenda re: New Parking Policy – EVP Chamberlain
• Finance Committee’s Report will be moved to Thursday – VP Turcq
• Addition to agenda re: Hiring of Commissionaires – VP Verreault
• Addition to agenda re: FR Progress Report – VP Miller
• Addition to agenda re: contracting out re: stock taking, mechanics, armouries and ground keepers – VP Buck

The agenda was adopted as amended.

STANDING ITEMS

Human Rights Report – Human Rights Advisor McGrath provided a written report which is attached to these minutes (Annex 1)

VP Graham concerned that PSAC used acronym of LGBT when constitution clearly states it is GLBT.  HRA McGrath informed the committee that she verified with PSAC and that it is a typo, however, she will bring it up on convention floor next week.

RV 1 – CARRIED

Employee Assistance Program – VP Winger provided a written report which is attached to these minutes (Annex 2).

RV 2 – CARRIED

VP Graham reminded the NE about how the Union Liaison responsibilities were agreed to in the past when the past OPI EAP was also the co-chair of the meeting and that those circumstances no longer exist.  VP Graham suggested that VP Kiley assume the Union Liaison responsibilities for the Atlantic Region.

Discussion ensued. VP Winger advised that a National EAP Coordinator position will be staffed after a WD is developed and classified. Questions arose as to the union’s role in the selection process: do we have to agree to the selected candidate?

Discussion took place in regards to local committees and their structures and responsibilities.

National President informed the committee that Tom Denault was given a cheque for $2500 to cover cost of refreshments for joint meetings and that UNDE is paid in full for 2 years, we should not be asked to contribute.

VP Barker was approached by regional coordinator concerning requirement for furniture in space provided for EAP services. EVP Chamberlain said that management should provide the space for EAP and the furniture.

VP Buck concerned that union is too far away from process of choosing new RAs, she suggests that detailed training on the union’s role be given at President’s Conference in the Fall.

EVP Chamberlain advised VP Buck to submit the subject for the President’s conference.  It was also decided that COMTRA will review modules and report back at next meeting. VP Turcq strongly suggests that management should be present at President’s Conference in order to be involved in training.

VP Verreault urged the committee that something needs to be done to get separate and private sector members the same EAP assistance that is offered to all other members of Treasury Board.

VP Winger admitted to being new on this committee and promised to expand on his knowledge of EAP as soon as possible.

Report on Local 619 Trustee Officer Report – VP Nadeau (Annex 3)

VP Nadeau gave a detailed update on what was presented to the local executive of Local 619 and that the National President informed them on a conference call of the decision that the local be placed in trusteeship until all investigations are concluded and seen by the National Executive. And an exit committee report is approved by the National Executive.

RV 3 – CARRIED

Honours and Awards – VP MacNeil

Committee does not have any update to give however will meet and inform if anything to report.  VP MacNeil requests to change name of one of the scholarships, will also be discussed and reported on.

Bylaws – VP Graham reminded the Committee the bylaws state that a written report must be presented at each NE meeting.

FR Committee – VP Miller (verbal)

Report of Progress:

One year trial of rotational 24 hour shift schedule rotations; will monitor to see how it goes.  Question raised that possibly VP Winger should assume this portfolio since he is employed in this field. CFFM supports the joint compensation study.

GS Committee – VP Buck (verbal)

Report of Progress:

Some jobs being done half by contractors and half by public service workers, need to find classifications, work descriptions and contracts and see if the functions can be brought back as PS jobs. It is anticipated that a meeting will be held in June (dates tbc).

GLT Committee – VP Miller (verbal)

Report of Progress:

There is a 3-day meeting coming up in June (dates tbc), about 16 agenda items are ready to be presented.  EVP Chamberlain stated that Sister Gallagher had been assigned as the USO Resource to both the GS and GLT Committee since both fall under the SV Collective Agreement and sometimes, in the past, the committees have met together to compare similar issues.  VP Winger stated he could get copies of signed agreements for VP Miller.  VP Buck stated that there have been problems with back-pay.

DCC  – VP Turcq (verbal)

Report of Progress:

Meeting scheduled for May 25-26 (travel days are May 24 and 27). Participants will be told to contact Sister Montpetit to confirm their participation and also travel arrangements.  Strategy in place to meet before the committee meets In response to the question, can DCC employees supervise our members?  The National President stated no because they do not come under Schedule 1 and are a Crown Corporation.

REGIONAL REPORTS

Manitoba/Saskatchewan – VP Buck’s written report is attached to these minutes (Annex 4).

RV 4 – CARRIED

Ontario – VP Nadeau’s written report is attached to these minutes (Annex 5).

RV 5 – CARRIED

GUEST SPEAKER – PSAC, NEVP – Patty Ducharme

Discussion re: Drug Cards 

NEVP Ducharme informed the members that there is still no new drug card but that there should be one hopefully by 2010.  A proposal of 2500 pages RFP went out and the bids are in.  A team of experts from Coughlin will be reviewing them and will have an answer by next month.  If Sunlife is not chosen, there will be a transition that will take place.  She informed the members of alarming statistics such as there are 300 new plan members per day, which 75% have dependents; $3M paid in benefits daily and that there are over 2500 call to the call centre.  New bulletin is out on website including a form which can be downloaded.  There is a whole issue on appeals where there are major issues of concern such as reimbursement of certain birth control only.  Everyone needs to voice improvements needed to the plan and are urged to actively participate.

There was discussion around the issue of having different benefits plans in different cities and with differing drugstores and that it would be good to have a national program.

REGIONAL REPORTS (continued)

Communications Security Establishment – VP MacNeil’s written report is attached to these minutes (Annex 6).

VP MacNeil spoke of an occupational health and safety hazard at the CSE building where the data centre has faulty floors which are caving in that management has neglected to fix.  Management says it would cost $1.2M for construction to repair the floors.  VP MacNeil is asking the Health & Safety Committee to push this forward as it is a danger to employees.

VP MacNeil announced that unfortunately the P3 project seems to be moving ahead.  This would see a partially privatized CSE.  VP MacNeil explained that management have accepted P3 privatization and was not forthcoming with details.  Defence Minister MacKay wants to get new building built which might result in loss of 100 “non-core” jobs at CSE.  Not sure which jobs those would be.  UNDE has started to lobby the politicians.  We are going to fight it.  NEVP Ducharme stayed for this discussion since P3 is a standing committee on the PSAC National Board.  She said there will be information on the website regarding this possible privatization and also information on whistleblower protection.

RV 6 – CARRIED

Non-Public Funds – VP Verreault’s written report is attached to these minutes (Annex 7).

RV 7 – CARRIED

Newfoundland/Labrador and New Brunswick – VP Graham’s written report is attached to these minutes (Annex 8).

VP Graham gave feedback from Health & Safety Conference of Feb. 2009.  There will not be any modules presented at the next conference so as not to confuse it with “training”.  Not all assessment forms came in from each local however most did. Comments were mostly positive and all were answered with copy to the VP in the region. Top priority seemed to be Return to Work. COMTRA to update Module 9.

RV 8 – CARRIED

Alberta and the North – VP Winger’s written report is attached to these minutes (Annex 9).

RV 9 – CARRIED

British Columbia – VP Miller’s written report is attached to these minutes (Annex 10).

RV 10 – CARRIED

National Capital Region – VP Barker’s written report is attached to these minutes (Annex 11).

Problem of some members being forced to get a Health Canada assessment done, this is used by management as discipline, union needs to look into this.  Members should be aware of their rights.  Union Services Officers have informed members that they must participate in the assessment.  UNDE will get an interpretation from the bargaining agent.

RV 11 – CARRIED

NEW BUSINESS

Hiring Commissionaires – VP Verreault

VP Verreault distributed a hand-out on organizing which also appears as a link on the UNDE website.  This is good at informing members about organizing and how to go about it.  VP Verreault explained that management on bases across Canada are hiring ex-military to be commissionaires and to teach some military training.  These new jobs should be closely looked at to be organized.  There is word that the future build-up of civilian employees will grow within the next 5 years to 40,000; need to find out who they will be and where.

Thursday April 23, 2009

Review and adoption of previous day’s minutes with minor changes.

RV 12 – CARRIED

REGIONAL REPORTS (continued)

Nova Scotia – VP Kiley’s written report is attached to these minutes (Annex 12).

RV 13 – CARRIED

Quebec – VP Turcq’s written report is attached to these minutes (Annex 13).

RV 14 – CARRIED

NATIONAL OFFICE

Executive Vice-President – EVP Chamberlain’s written report is attached to these minutes (Annex 14). (Report includes grievance lists by region, USO reports and the updated list of members trained across the country.)

There was some discussion on grievances received at National Office.  EVP Chamberlain informed committee that files remain open until responses are received by National Office. There have been instances where a Local has received a response through a member but the USO has not received it.  There have been instances where we have found responses to files on the PSLRB website but we have not received a hard copy. EVP Chamberlain to check with Brother Dagenais concerning his files.

VP Nadeau commented on the successful transition of files between Brother Bisson and Sister Pavia.  She would like to recognize Sister Pavia for her hard work and Sister Gallagher on her work on grievances.

There was also much discussion around the table concerning the various bargaining processes and Local submissions of bargaining demands. It was suggested that bargaining demands could be another subject for the Presidents’ Conference.

RV 15 – CARRIED

Finance Committee Report – VP Turcq’s written report attached (Annex 15).

VP Turcq went over the report for the benefit of new NE member VP Winger.  Each page was looked at in detail with discussion on cleaning up some language and administrative corrections.

RV 16 – CARRIED

Motion to appoint Auditor for 2009 audit

Whereas UNDE is obligated to conduct our 2009 audit; and
Whereas McCay & Duff & Company is the company UNDE has used for many years; and
Whereas McCay & Duff & Company are familiar with our finances and have conducted accurate and professional audits over the many years;
Be it resolved that UNDE hire McCay & Duff & Company to conduct our 2009 audit.

m/s Graham and Winger

RV 17 – CARRIED

GUEST SPEAKER – Colonel Richard Pucci, Chief of Staff, Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) (presentation attached to these minutes – Annex 16)

Colonel Pucci addressed the committee on the initiatives and challenges faced by the CFHS system and presented statistics on its employees and positions. This was followed by a question and answer period.

Colonel Pucci also announced that Sister Zelma Buckley, President Local 607, would be receiving the Deputy Minister’s award in recognition of her outstanding work in employment equity.  It was decided that UNDE would officially congratulate Sister Buckley in caucus for hard work and dedication.

NEW BUSINESS

Local 60303 2nd Report – VP Graham written report is attached to these minutes (Annex 17).

RV 18 – CARRIED

Protocol for future conferences – The National President informed the committee there must be clear and precise guidelines and instructions in future when putting together business cases for conferences.  There was much discussion around the table on what constitutes a conference and what is training and when the $75 should or should not be paid.

LMRC training and the use of JLP – VP Buck is concerned that the learning centre is being managed by HR and does not have enough military managers.  EVP Chamberlain explained that the one Management Facilitator was hired as a casual and as such can only work a certain amount of days in a year.  EVP Chamberlain will follow up on status of this employee.  In response to the other questions raised EVP Chamberlain explained that the VPs are responsible for training in their Regions.  Although UNDE promotes the DND/UNDE program, VPs can use the JLP UMCC.  VP Graham reminded everyone that the JLP UMCC does not include the other unions in our workplaces whereas the DND/UNDE Program includes all unions.  EVP Chamberlain also advised that if a Local does not support a particular facilitator, for example a PE employee from the LCC, they do not have to accept that facilitator.

UNDE 2011 convention – Sister Montpetit informed committee that the Calgary site was visited in March by the National President, VP Winger and herself.  They had a detailed tour of the facility and were pleased. Contract will be signed in next few weeks and then convention dates and details can be posted on website.

Parking Policy – Final version of DND parking policy, which came into effect March 17, 2009, is posted on the DND website. Contrary to some statements, the unions did not agree to the policy when it was last discussed at the UMCC in December 2008. Very little has changed in the policy from the original draft despite concerns previously raised. UNDE Human Rights Advisor McGrath voiced concerns of how this policy will impact on members with disabilities.  She also voiced concerns that departmental senior higher paid managers will pay a discounted rate for parking yet our members will have to pay a full amount.  The policy does not clearly identify what worksites will be impacted. The National President asked each VP to inform their local presidents to take this issue back to their members for discussion. EVP Chamberlain will send electronic copy of final draft to NE.

Union forces Parks Canada to cry uncle – VP Buck informed members that Parks Canada is losing members due to contracting out. Contracting out is happening in the Army as well as the Air Force.  UNDE should try to get these jobs back in-house. VP Turcq is to raise UNDE’s concerns at the next AIRCOM LMRC on May 21.  VP Turcq stated that a lot of this depends on the Air Command and DCC. It was also decided that UNDE will seek an interpretation from bargaining agent whether or not the Parks’ decision can be used in support of the contracting out in DND.

Health & Safety Website Proposal – VP Graham proposed a new link for Health & Safety on the website where various documents will be added such as the minutes from the National Policy Committee and the reports from the Health & Safety Conference in February.  She also would like if each local posted their committees, list of members (union and management), RTW, Terms of Reference and minutes of local meetings. This link would also be used as a tool for issuesto be identified and addressed.

Friday April 24, 2009

Review and adoption of previous day’s minutes with minor changes.

NEW BUSINESS

VP Winger has accepted to assume the FR Committee portfolio from VP Miller.  The National President to write letter to inform committee members of this change.

Honours & Awards Committee

Whereas the Honours & Awards Committee have one unnamed scholarship left; and
Whereas VP Nadeau requested it be named after Don Butcher, a long-time union motivator and leader;
Be it resolved that the last scholarship will be named the Don Butcher Scholarship.

m/s Turcq and MacNeil

RV 44 – CARRIED

Investigations