National Executive Meeting
November 14-18, 2022
Lord Elgin Hotel – Ottawa, ON
| Chair | June Winger | National President |
| Members | Paul Jones | Executive Vice-President |
| Dan Frost | Vice-President (NL/NB) | |
| Craig Smith | Vice-President (NS) | |
| Gérald Grenon | Vice-President (QC) | |
| Jeff Wrinn | Vice-President (NCR) | |
| James Potts | Vice-President (ON) | |
| Mona Simcoe | Vice-President (MB/SK) | |
| Bryan Meakin | Vice-President (AB/North) | |
| Marcelo Lazaro | Vice-President (BC) | |
| Cathy O’Kane | Vice-President (NPF) | |
| Eugene Stone | Vice-President (CSE) | |
| Stephanie Torrealba | Human Rights Advisor | |
| Recording Secretary | Sandra Mombourquette |
OPENING REMARKS
The National President called the meeting to order and welcomed members to the Fall meeting.
The harassment statement was read out and Human Rights Advisor Stephanie Torrealba was named intervener.
The hours of sessions were set as follows:
Monday, November 14, 9:00 – 11:30 / 1:00 to 5:00
Tuesday, November 15, 9:00 -11:30 / 1:00 to 5:00
Wednesday, November 16, 9:00 – 11:30 / 1:00 to 5:00
Thursday, November 17, 9:00 – 11:30 / 1:00 to 5:00
Friday, November 18, 9:00 – 11:30 / 1:00 to termination of business.
The AGENDA was adopted. m-s Wrinn/Meakin
CARRIED
Previous minutes from May 2022 were adopted. m-s Stone/Wrinn
CARRIED
Honour Roll
| Joanne “Jay” Castonguay-Gordon, Local 70605 |
| Robbie Colling, Local 30908 |
| DJ Caron, Local 70611 |
| Russell Teters, Local 00629 |
| Catherine Bryson, Local 00619 |
| David Warning, Local 00619 |
| Kathleen Anne Goodman, Local 70607 |
| Eleanor Murphy, Local 50705 |
| Richard Fletcher, Local 50705 |
| Gaganjit (George) S. Nijjar, Local 21008 |
| Bob King, Local 00629 Lifetime Member |
| John Giverson, Local 60303 |
| Robert Tonge, Local 60303 |
| Angus Grant, Local 60303 |
National President Update – State of the Union:
–AGM season has been busy, National President Winger has been touring various Locals across the country with VPs and although she would like to, time does not permit her to attend every AGM in the fall. National President requests VPs contact Sandra to schedule her to attend meetings and will fit in where possible, she says it’s good to reconnect with members in person.
–Mobilization presentation by Jill O’Reilly from PSAC this week, she will be reviewing the ULink database as well as the PSAC mobilization plan. National President says the mobilization of members is the foundation of the union and would like to plan a mobilization conference for UNDE members in Ottawa in the Spring of 2023. This is for all Locals, 2 members per Local as well as the VP of the region. This will be intense training and asks that only those members who are committed and willing to do the mobilization work should be chosen to attend. If it is adopted by the National Executive, an email will be sent out once the initial planning is complete.
–Phoenix pay issues presentation by Donna Lackie from PSAC this week concerning primarily the recovery of overpayments but will be available to address any pay-related concerns.
–Contracting In Campaign Committee, National President had asked for names at the last NE meeting of the National Officers wanting to be part of this Committee, however she only received one name. She asks VPs who are interested to send their name to Sandra, and suggested UNDE may need to hire a staff member to coordinate this campaign.
–Harassment and sexual misconduct at DND, National President Winger did receive the update report from Madame Arbour’s investigation, but it was disappointing, recommendations were made to different bodies to review, briefing meeting to come within next two weeks. If any VPs have questions to be raised, please send them to National President Winger and she will get answers.
–EG decision on pay parity, Grievances were filed and are still being filed because the first payment increase still has not been processed as negotiated. PSAC raised this issue with the Arbitrator who ruled that the employer may delay payment until this round of bargaining is complete. This ruling was quite surprising given the language in the decision however it is unlikely that another Arbitrator would rule otherwise.
–PSAC settlement of health benefits, as of July 1 members are changing from Sunlife to Canada Life (formerly Great West), plan is changing as well. PSAC has been able to modify the plan according to members’ input. A full explanation of the changes are posted on the PSAC website.
STANDING ITEMS
Air Division – RCAF L1 m-s Simcoe/O’Kane
VP Simcoe presented her written report.
Summary: Fairly new meeting, only had two meetings so far. Meeting coming up on Dec. 2. Subcontractors doing work, paying 3 people to get job done when most of this work is public service work; huge issue with the SWE, every level says they do not receive it, VP Simcoe says she wants to find out where the problem is. No SWE coming with new projects, VP Simcoe will find out what the plan is. VP Simcoe says all the RCAF (L1 and L2) has changed, there is no succession plan.
Action Item: National President Winger says we need to push back, engage Locals and make them aware. RV 1 – CARRIED
Air Division – RCAF L2 m-s Simcoe/Jones
VP Simcoe presented her written report.
Summary: Staffing vacancy reports are improving; all agenda items from the L2 meeting will be brought to the L1 meeting including SWE; Issue with properly staffing Dundurn FRs, sick leave policy from Dundurn firehall, now everyone needs a note when sick. They are going to rescind policy but HAVE not YET let members know officially. National President Winger said there should not be policies where it already resides in the collective agreement.
Action Item: National President Winger says funding should be included on vacancy reports. RV 2 – CARRIED
Maritime Forces Atlantic m-s Smith/Frost
VP Smith presented his written report.
Summary: 32 UNDE grievances at various levels related to Covid or EG parity. 16 occurrences with 50% being resolved. Employment Equity report was presented, as with most committees they need volunteers. Staffing is an issue concerning SWE but hiring people fast enough is the issue, although they have hired people now. National President Winger says that the violence in the workplace policy doesn’t mention union, the support person can be anyone member wants to attend meeting with them.
Action Item: VP Smith to send EE report to the group including the Human Rights Advisor. VP Wrinn will send out EAP reports to VPs to identify EAP peer advisors. RV 3 – CARRIED
Maritime Forces Pacific m-s Lazaro/Stone
VP Lazaro presented his written report.
Summary: New rear admiral. ODM has received funding. EAP celebrated 40th anniversary. Terms of reference to be updated with new signatures. Issue with resources, half the staff to complete the work.
Action Item: National President Winger says we need to know what their targets are and if these are attainable. Employment Equity has 4 different committees, EVP Jones says they need to add pride advisory group to report. RV 4 – CARRIED
Royal Canadian Navy m-s Smith/Lazaro
VP Smith presented his written report.
Summary: Continuing to move forward with culture change. New direction on reconstitution. Remote work, management needs to be flexible and look at all options. Ships crew shortages. Security clearances backlog, need to change process.
Action Item: National President Winger says she needs names and position numbers if there are ongoing issues with security. RV 5 – CARRIED
CDSG 2nd m-s Grenon/Potts
VP Grenon presented his written report.
Summary: Shortage of uniformed personnel therefore recruitment not meeting its objective. Discussion on the difficulty getting good candidates for recruitment. Need to innovate when staffing to create more opportunity for better recruitment. RV 6 – CARRIED
CDSG 3rd m-s Simcoe/Meakin
VP Simcoe presented her written report.
Summary: Issue with not filling vacancies. Backlog is at ADM HR CIV, they are not spending SWE due to this hiring backlog and were not given enough funding to fill the positions. VP Meakin talked about BATUS, most have moved out since the pandemic. Suffield has the largest training area in Canada, other nations are interested if Britain leaves. They did a service delivery (ASD) visit in Moose Jaw, report did not have enough evidence to go through contracts, no loss of employment at this stage. VP Meakin will try to get report.
Action Item: National President Winger asked VP Frost to follow up with the Commander of the Army to find out what is going on. RV 7 – CARRIED
CDSG 4th m-s Potts/Frost
VP Potts presented his written report.
Summary: There has been no meeting yet in this mandate. There was discussion on Joint Learning Program Training which is not mandatory to be part of the UMCC but is available to all Treasury Board Locals. RV 8 – CARRIED
CDSG 5th m-s Frost/Smith
VP Frost presented his written report.
Summary: There has been no meeting this period and no confirmed scheduled date although there have been changes in Command. RV 9 – CARRIED
Canadian Army m-s Frost/Grenon
VP Frost presented his written report.
Summary: There has been no meeting this period, next one is scheduled for Nov. 28. VP Frost says that for the next meeting, they need to respect the union.
RPOPS Atlantic m-s Frost/Smith
VP Frost presented his written report.
Summary: They put in place the digital suggestion box for all RPOPS across Canada; VP Frost shared with the group the new HR Staffing Planning (MPPT-Master Projected Planning Table) which is only for the Atlantic Regional real property unit, showing all positions funded, unfunded and classifications; there are SWE challenges; essential services lists were sent out and reviewed by EVP Jones and LRO Paul Dagenais. National President Winger and EVP Jones explained the process of how essential services jobs are reviewed and determined. RV 11 – CARRIED
RPOPS Quebec m-s Grenon/Wrinn
VP Grenon presented his written report.
Summary: There has been a change in Command; there was another 2-day JLP UMCC workshop to keep the good working relationship going; they gave a review of what was in the Deloitte and Touche report, varying reviews of the report in different regions; need to review classifications to continue to be competitive in staffing. EVP Jones asked about the GPS systems in the vehicles, VP Grenon said there was no mention of that.
Action Item: National President asked to share the minutes of the meetings with her when any of the VPs receive them, even in draft form. RV 12 – CARRIED
RPOPS Ontario m-s Potts/Meakin
VP Potts presented his written report.
Summary: They had two meetings since the last period; SWE and staffing being two of the biggest issues; vacancy reports are provided regularly; meeting minutes are very detailed; masking protocols changed at some bases but did not inform anyone; they have not provided a report on the Deloitte and Touche study, VP Potts asked to have a sit down to discuss together but nothing yet. Discussion on interpretation of stand by/overtime/on call, this changes the status of employees, VP Potts will be following up with them. They did not discuss GPS tracking in vehicles although they are being used, not only tracks vehicles but the employees as well; issue of this being used for performance management. This will be raised, EVP Jones is involved as well as LRO Greenspoon at Local level and will be raised higher. VP Lazaro says they are not allowed to do this because the vehicles are not theirs, they shouldn’t be installing GPS systems.
Action Item: VP Potts will raise this with the Colonel and will continue to investigate further.
RPOPS West m-s Simcoe/Meakin
VP Simcoe presented her written report.
Summary: Change in Command; Overspent SWE for the last 2 years, now being looked at more closely. Staffing processes are unfair as there is a concern with military filling civilian positions, these positions are being held for retirement of military personnel. Staffing delays, stand-by pay looking at ways to cut that, therefore fighting that.
Commissionaires sitting in public service positions, given access to DREMIS which they should not have.
Action Item: National President Winger says tracking of vacancies need to be done by each VP to prevent management from doing this with positions, need to report these to her with full details. Also encourage Locals to get these vacancy reports as standing agenda item at LMCC.
PRESENTATION – PAY ISSUES: Donna Lackie and Alain St. Amour, both of PSAC, gave an update to the National Officers on pay issues and answered their questions.
RPOPS Pacific m-s Lazaro/Frost
VP Lazaro presented his written report.
Summary: Discussed issues regarding Covid protocols, the Deloitte & Touche study, PA classification conversion and staffing. The Pacific region is underfunded, they have no answers to correct this. RV 15 – CARRIED
ADM Infrastructure & Environment m-s Simcoe/Lazaro
VP Simcoe presented her written report.
Summary: Highlights included NORAD Modernization and Continental Defence, strategic review in the NCR, staffing actions, positions transferred without funding, actively looking at how to fix that. Looking at stand-by pay, don’t want members to lose this opportunity. Need to keep an eye on contracting out as this is big in RPOPS. Survey: only 37% of staff completed it. Question from VP Potts on contracting out, how do we stop this as this will affect a lot of members over time. Deloitte study shows this. VP Simcoe says this is discussed and they hope the Deloitte study shows where and how to change it. RV 16 – CARRIED
Military Personnel Command m-s Wrinn/Stone
VP Wrinn presented his written report.
Summary: They have had two meetings in this period mostly discussing Covid protocols and return to work posturing.
Action Item: VP Potts to work with VP Grenon to ensure flexibility with hybrid work to ensure to accommodate everyone on bases and in school settings. RV 17 – CARRIED
Material – Group Labour Mgmt Committee (GLMC) ADM Mat m-s Smith/Simcoe
VP Smith presented his written report.
Summary: This was the first meeting for VP Smith, it was a virtual meeting, another one coming in December. Discussed Carling campus being a hybrid workplace, addressing flexible working arrangements, online booking service for hotelling for those who want to come in to work; parking at Carling and other NCR locations is no longer a problem now with remote work. Gave update on FR station wear, more to come at December meeting.
Action Item: National President Winger will have offline discussion with VP Smith concerning EG allowances and premiums, which no longer exist. RV 18 – CARRIED
Material – CMSG LMCC
VP Smith did not submit a written report since there was no meeting yet.
Summary of discussion: VP Simcoe talked about the ammo and supply depots, she said we need to look for succession planning of ammo rep.
Canadian Forces Housing Report (CFHS) m-s Grenon/Wrinn
VP Grenon presented his written report.
Summary: Abolished all CR-3 and added them to CR-4 classification, 40 cases reclassified, still waiting on backpay, EVP Jones asked if it would it help if he sent the members’ PRI to him, VP Grenon says yes absolutely, send them to him with all their coordinates. Bagotville still not resolved. The employer says Calian is still being used because they say it’s hard to hire people in this profession.
Action Item: VP Simcoe to send info to VP Grenon about a member needing help. VP Grenon also asks the other regions to send him information of members who haven’t received backpay.
Canadian Forces Housing Authority (CFHA) m-s Frost/Potts
VP Frost presented his written report.
Summary: There has been a personnel change, new CEO; housing priorities, increase in demand, looking at how to best deliver. With standardized job descriptions they can create their own, tweak their positions; they have made headway with staffing; change in full time employees (FTEs). The National President is concerned with 33 non advertised jobs. VP Frost said the only reason they gave was to be fair because they promote from within, he will dig more into that to find out more.
Action Item: VP Frost will send out minutes when he receives them. RV 20 – CARRIED
Defence Research Development Canada (DRDC) m-s Meakin/Wrinn
VP Meakin presented his written report.
Summary: They provided their hybrid work environment report, now they have concerns over telework, concerned people will leave; acting position not posted; high turnover in procurement office resulting in members not getting working tools they need, VP Meakin said they should use UNDE pens if none being provided; DRDC used to be employer of choice but has changed. National President Winger did raise procurement issue with previous in-charge, Isabelle Desmartis. RV 21 – CARRIED
Information Management (ADM-IM) m-s Wrinn/Meakin
VP Wrinn presented his written report.
Summary: There have been no meetings, last one was pre-pandemic because there are delays in setting up the Committee. National President Winger says it’s concerning, and that VP Wrinn needs to push to schedule the Spring meeting now. Members have workplace concerns that need attention.
Action Item: VP Wrinn will look into finding the Terms of Reference for this Committee. RV 22 – CARRIED
Health & Safety m-s Potts/Grenon
VP Potts presented the Committee’s written report.
Summary: Last meeting was in person in Ottawa; discussed mask mandate; asked about how many unvaccinated CAF members but they don’t want to give numbers; discussed the return to work program including hybrid and working remotely; VP Grenon says there is a lack of safety training, need to improve system, re-work it. VP Grenon says need to protect members when they return to work. National President Winger talked about the composition of Committee, that there are too many sub committees. Human Rights Advisor Torrealba offered assistance from herself and her Coordinators with planning agenda items for H & S meetings. VP Grenon said it is welcomed, good to bring up issues from all regions to be brought to these meetings. National President Winger talked about the use of cannabis policy, intoxication in the workplace, union needs to close that loop.
Action Items: Add links on website on Duty to Accommodate.
National President Winger will continue to chase the numbers of unvaccinated CAF members in the workplace and asks the VPs to do the same. RV 23 – CARRIED
Firefighters m-s Meakin/Potts
VP Meakin presented his written report.
Summary: He said the Committee has been busy. Discussion with Health Canada and DND on carcinogens in their working environment during and after fire. The FR Wellness Committee was stood-up but UNDE not invited. They talked about brining back the fitness test. Nominations call went out to be on Wellness Committee. The Steering Committee met in Ottawa in September. RV 24 – CARRIED
EAP m-s Wrinn/Lazaro
VP Wrinn presented his written report.
Summary: The meeting took place yesterday. They are still working on a date for the 40th anniversary of EAP. Discussion on how EAP representatives and on the process of how they are chosen because they used to be chosen together by management and union, now the Local is less involved in the selection. There is less in person sessions now, more are using more 1-800 number. National President Winger explained that referral agents were proposed by the employer or union, then their supervisor would be approached about agreeing to release them, name would be nominated after that point. Now that process is done Nationally not Locally so this isn’t working as well, many cuts have also prevented this process from happening.
Action Item: The National President has asked VP Wrinn to look into this process and said if they don’t change the direction of EAP then UNDE will take ownership of it. RV 25 – CARRIED
Apprenticeship m-s Lazaro/Wrinn
VP Lazaro presented his written report.
Summary: VP Lazaro is looking for input from the regions on what is or is not working with the apprenticeship program, how to improve it and make it work. Funding was cut in 2018 and is not sure how the funding was negotiated in the past. He needs information to make this succeed.
Action Item: The National President says VP Lazaro needs to figure out if he wants to pursue this program and what he wants it to be. VP Lazaro says it will be tough battle but he’s doing it for young upcoming workers and for tradespeople. RV 26 – CARRIED
COMTRA m-s Jones/Simcoe
EVP Jones presented the Committee’s written report.
Summary: The privacy policy for the website is being reviewed by the Bylaws Committee first then back to COMTRA, The Human Rights Advisor says she would also like to review it, it will then come back to the National Executive for adoption. The Local Presidents Conference will be a 2-day conference in Ottawa in February 2023, agenda are being submitted by the LPC Committee. VP Grenon says the Committee should take into consideration ALL the agenda items from the Local Presidents since it is their conference. Also, the agenda items should not be specific to TB Locals but inclusive to Private Sector, CSE and NPF Locals. EVP Jones is working on orientation manual for new VPs. The Human Rights Advisor asked about the Human Rights module for UNDE, her Committee has come up with objectives and is now asking how to include that in the education modules. EVP Jones said it would come back to COMTRA for finalizing. The Human Rights Advisor also offers to help make the other UNDE modules Human Rights friendly. RV 27 – CARRIED
Bylaws m-s Lazaro/Potts
VP Lazaro presented the Committee’s report
Summary: The Committee has been reviewing all the UNDE policies. Human Rights Advisor Torrealba is preparing a motion to change Human Rights policy. VP Meakin asked about the daily allowance for National Officers’ daily allowance of $250 and if this can be increased, VP Lazaro is trying to find history on this and looking into it. The National President said the change should be passed at Convention or have explanation ready if passed at National Executive because it is a policy. RV 28 – CARRIED
PRESENTATION – PSAC MOBILIZATION PLAN – Jill O’Reilly, PSAC
Jill provided an orientation and some training on U-Link, then the group did some practice calls.
PRESENTATION – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TRAINING – Amanda Agnew, UNDE Comptroller.
Amanda gave a quick review of the UNDE financial statements and how to read and understand the information on them.
Finance m-s Meakin/Grenon
VP Meakin presented the Committee’s report.
Summary: VP Meakin said that membership fluctuates, the number of active members is down right now since last period; VPs are asked to ensure their Locals are going through their MUD sheets on a regular basis; gave an update on the Financial Statements; VPs and Locals are asked to submit their claims within a month following any UNDE event.
Young Worker m-s Potts/Lazaro
VP Potts presented his written report.
Summary: The Committee has had a few meetings, but lots of representatives changes so always working with new members; Working on resolutions for next Convention; Trying to engage them and empower them, letting them steer their own Committee.
DISCUSSION – COMPUTERS
The National President opened a discussion on the purchase of computers/laptops for the National Executive as well as for the Locals, in order to streamline the purchase and ensure everyone at UNDE has the same, or similar, compatible system and that these have adequate virus protection and warranties on them.
Honours & Awards Report m-s O’Kane/Frost
VP O’Kane presented the Committee’s report.
VP O’Kane separated the report into two parts:
- a) Scholarship Awards b) Motion for long service pins
A-Scholarship Awards m-s O’Kane/Smith
There was a total of 10 scholarship applications received at National Office. The four successful recipients met all the requirements and were therefore recommended for the $2,000 scholarships, and they are:
Ani Zwicker, Local 80403, Greenwood, NS, awarded the Ken Green Scholarship.
Brendan Varghese, Local 70654 CSE, Ottawa Ontario, awarded the Pat McGrath Scholarship.
Lenna Golem, Local 21018 IMP, Comox, BC, awarded the Gary Smith Scholarship.
Kinsley Vroom, Local 70654 CSE, Ottawa, Ontario, awarded the Don Butcher Scholarship.
B-MOTION – Long Service Pins m-s O’Kane/Frost
WHEREAS We want our members to take pride in being part of our union; and
WHEREAS Being part of an executive or Union Committees are not the only ways members participate in their union; and
WHEREAS long service pins are purchased with members money and no member in good standing should be denied one.
BE IT RESOLVED a member in good standing for the purpose of receiving a pin will include members who have supported the union throughout their career. as either executive officers, stewards, members on committees or workplace advocates
Honours and Awards Report RV 33 – CARRIED
REGIONAL REPORTS
NPF Report m-s O’Kane/Wrinn
VP O’Kane presented her written report.
Summary: VP O’Kane said the region had their first national townhall for NPF. They also created a National Mobilization Committee consisting of one member from each local. This committee helped the members decide what type of mobilization they wanted to do. Four Locals are at an impasse during negotiations. She has been doing AGMs across the NPF region accompanied by National President Winger. RV 34 – CARRIED
NLNB Report m-s Frost/Lazaro
VP Frost presented his written report.
Summary: VP Frost said he is looking at scheduling training of UNDE modules 2, 3, 4 and 5, will see if there is interest, says he needs names for training facilitators. He gave highlights on activities in his Locals. RV 35 – CARRIED
NS Report m-s Smith/Lazaro
VP Smith presented his written report.
Summary: VP Smith listed his activities and meetings that took place during this period. His region held a successful regional conference in October. RV 36 – CARRIED
Québec Report m-s Grenon/Potts
VP Grenon presented his written report.
Summary: VP Grenon says that the Valcartier Firehall file is ongoing, he is dealing with this on a monthly basis. He also listed his activities and meetings for this period. He has a monthly Teams meeting with the Presidents of the Quebec locals. VP Grenon asks for the VPs to send him and James issues with members so they can bring it up at Health & Safety meeting.
Ontario Report m-s Potts/Meakin
VP Potts presented his written report.
Summary: VP Potts listed activities and meetings for this period. He attended some rallies and visited the Locals in trying to mobilize members. Staffing issues continue. The UNDE Ontario Regional Conference was a success. RV 38 – CARRIED
NCR Report m-s Wrinn/Stone
VP Wrinn presented his written report.
Summary: VP Wrinn highlighted meetings he attended such as the Ottawa-Gatineau Union Locals (OGUL). He is working with management on employee issues; AGMs are continuing.
CSE Report m-s Stone/Lazaro
VP Stone presented his written report.
Summary: VP Stone said a new Chief of CSE was appointed. There continues to be issues with staffing and retention of staff. They are back in bargaining, negotiations are slowly progressing. The CSE local held a successful regional conference at the end of October.
Man-Sask Report m-s Simcoe/Meakin
VP Simcoe presented her written report.
Summary: VP Simcoe listed her meetings for this period as well as acitivities in her Locals. They held a Regional Conference in October. There will be some training coming up on UNDE Modules 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8. VP Simcoe said that members’ issues need to be dealt with at Local level, they should not be going to National Office. The National President said this is a case by case situation and will need to think about how to handle these. National President Winger thanked VP Simcoe for her work at the SV Bargaining table.
Alberta & The North Report m-s Meakin/Lazaro
VP Meakin presented his written report.
Summary: VP Meakin said grievance activity in his region has increased. He is getting more questions from members on the return to the work protocols re: hybrid/back to office. They had a regional conference in August. AGMs in his Locals are done. RV 42– CARRIED
BC Report m-s Lazaro/Smith
VP Lazaro presented his written report.
Summary: VP Lazaro itemized his meeting and events for this period. He has been trying to re-establish a Local Executive for Local 21017 which is in trusteeship. They organized a mobilization rally in Esquimalt in August with over 200 members and guests.
Action Item: National President Winger recommends everyone have the 3-day Anti-Oppression Training that was given at the training at BC Regl Conf, contact your PSAC Regional Office, get the full training, don’t add it to regional conference.
Human Rights Report m-s Jones/Meakin
Human Rights Advisor Torrealba presented her written report.
Summary: They have a full Committee now, HRA Torrealba thanked VPs; Human Rights Meeting had to be rescheduled but finally a successful meeting was held in November in Montreal. The Committee held a few virtual meetings and is working on a Human Rights Committee newsletter as well as a UNDE Human Rights training module.
MOTION – Human Rights Coordinators Observers m-s Jones/Stone
WHEREAS UNDE Human Rights (HR) Coordinators from each region represent all equity seeking members at a all levels of our Union; and
WHEREAS UNDE Triennial Convention is a great educational opportunity to promote human rights, gain support, and lobby the delegates who are in attendance to advance the portfolio of the Human Rights Committee; and
WHEREAS locals have restrictions on how many delegates/observers are able to attend the UNDE triennial Convention; and
WHEREAS convention would be an ideal venue to bring together and empower the HR Coordinators who haven’t been elected to attend, either as delegates or observers of their respective locals, to address the changing nature of work, promote equity, diversity and inclusion within our union, and lay the framework for a barrier-free labour movement; and
WHEREAS UNDE HR Committee members would be able to benefit from attending as Observers to the 2023 UNDE Triennial Convention and spend time working a booth in order to provide educational information about the value of human rights within the union, promote important human rights campaigns, volunteer time after hours to give back to a local charity of the host city, and work on a human rights video interviewing participants about their viewpoint on human rights (VoxBox* style) using pre-set prompts during convention.
BE IT RESOLVED that we send the UNDE regional Human Rights Coordinators as Observers to the 2023 UNDE Triennial Convention fully funded by UNDE.
* VoxBox is a tangible questionnaire machine that allows event attendees to share their views using a range of physical sliders, dials and buttons.
Call the question m-s Gerald/Smith CARRIED
MOTION – Human Rights Coordinators m-s Jones/Stone
WHEREAS the UNDE Bylaw 9, article 5, states that: “Each Vice-President of the Region shall be nominated and elected by a caucus of their respective regional delegations attending the Triennial National Convention. A Deputy for each Vice-President and two (2) alternates shall be elected at this time.”; and
WHEREAS the UNDE Human Rights Policy states that: “The Regional Human Rights Coordinators shall be elected by the Local Presidents in each region following the UNDE Triennial Convention and before the start of the fall National Executive meeting. The coordinators must be members of a designated equity group as defined in the Constitution of the Public Service Alliance of Canada.”
BE IT RESOLVED that UNDE Human Rights Policy be amended to allow the Regional Human Rights Coordinator to be nominated and elected by a caucus of their respective regional delegations attending the UNDE Triennial National Convention, similarly to the way the Vice-President of the Region is elected; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Human Rights Policy be amended to allow the election of one alternate Regional Human Rights Coordinator to be nominated and elected by a caucus of their respective regional delegations attending the Triennial National Convention, similarly to the way the Vice-President of the Region is elected.
NATIONAL OFFICE
EVP Report m-s Jones/Smith
EVP Jones presented his written report.
Summary: EVP Jones announced the recent move of National Office in order to downsize the need for space. There are two new LROs which are a good addition. Adopting a document retention schedule from PSAC to fit with information UNDE holds, will be digitizing most documents where possible. Still handling pay issues. Also included in this report were Labour Relations Officer reports and grievance reports. RV 47 – CARRIED
MOTION – Electronic Equipment Purchase m-s Meakin/Wrinn
WHEREAS the 2005 UNDE Convention adopted a resolution allowing for the purchase of a computer system for each UNDE Local to a maximum $1500 per system; and
WHEREAS the 2005 National Executive passed a motion which caused the purchase of a computer be the responsibility of the UNDE Local; and
WHEREAS the practice of each UNDE Local purchasing the computer system independently has resulted in a lack of consistency of operating systems with varying compatibility with software utilised by UNDE National Office; and
BE IT RESOLVED UNDE National Office manage the purchase and set up of electronic communication devices on behalf of the Locals.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Local may continue to use the difference between the cost of the electronic communication device and the budgeted $1500 on additional related equipment of their choosing. RV 48 – CARRIED
MOTION – Mobilization Conference m-s Jones/Stone
WHEREAS the strength of the Union lies in the solidarity of its members; and
WHEREAS Members/activists/representatives are ill prepared to effectively mobilize their members; and
WHEREAS UNDE is currently embroiled in negotiations with employers who are seemingly unwilling to negotiate in good faith; and
WHEREAS mobilization is crucial to empower our members to mobilize effectively now and in the future.
BE IT RESOLVED that the UNDE hold/undertake a conference to include 2 members from each UNDE local to educate, motivate, empower UNDE members to mobilize.
It was noted that it will be one member per Local attending as well as the VPs. Timeline is Spring 2023. ALL Locals are included for this conference.
MOTION – Electronic Equipment Replacement m-s Grenon/Smith
WHEREAS the evolution of electronic devices (including tablets, laptops and personal computers) is lightning fast in this day and age; and
WHEREAS the 2005 UNDE Convention adopted a resolution allowing for the purchase of a computer system for each UNDE Local to a maximum $1500 per system; and
WHEREAS the National Executive decided that each computer system required a 3-year warranty; and
WHEREAS the 2011 UNDE Convention adopted a resolution allowing for replacement of electronic equipment with quotes/estimates supported by a business case; and
WHEREAS the requirement to have a technician assess the condition of the device is a burden and replacement of parts is an unreasonable practice.
BE IT RESOLVED that the National Executive submit a motion to Convention in August 2023 to remove the requirement for quotes/estimates supported by a business case, in order to replace the electronic equipment.
This motion will be submitted to the UNDE Triennial Convention as a resolution.
MOTION – Responsible Officer Training m-s Potts/Meakin
WHEREAS Regional Vice-Presidents are engaged to serve as Responsible Officer in cases of internal investigations; and
WHEREAS the PSAC Internal Investigators Training Course does not provide participants the requisite knowledge with which to effectively serve as a Responsible Officer.
BE IT RESOLVED that the COMTRA Committee undertake the creation of a Responsible Officer training course/module. RV 51 – CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS
Contracting-In/Anti-Privatization – J. Potts
VP Potts showed a video to the group and led a discussion stating that UNDE needs to make these contracts expensive so that they are less desirable. Need to find out how much work is being contracted out and bring it back in. The National President suggested it might be a good time to hire a dedicated UNDE staff person to undertake this file as this is just as important as mobilization. Contracting out has been a big issue for many years, UNDE fights this every day, need to put more focus on it.
MOTION m-s Potts/Simcoe
WHEREAS contracting out remains one of the greatest threats to the union; and,
WHEREAS the contracting out of union work contributes to the perpetuation of precarious work and further increases wage inequality.
BE IT RESOLVED that UNDE hires a Labour Relations Officer who will be responsible for developing and leading a campaign to stop contracting out and promote contracting back in of work that should be performed by a member of the Public Service.
Adjournment.