CF HEALTH SERVICES UMCC
MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 28, 2012
UNDE EVP/OPI CFHS REPORT
http://www.forces.gc.ca/health-sante/default-eng.asp
http://www.forces.gc.ca/health-sante/default-fra.asp
Simone Gardezy, PIPSC representative, co-chair, called the meeting to order, followed by a round of introductions. Colonel Weger was in attendance as the outgoing Chief of Staff (COS), and Colonel Ruel, the new COS, was introduced, Colonel Goheen for Dental, and Colonel Ferris for Medical.
The agenda was amended to add 4.e. Health and Safety Committees. The July 12, 2012 minutes were accepted as presented.
| Old Business
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| Review of Excluded Positions AND Delegation of Grievance Responsibility. Closed at the last meeting. PIPSC raised the subject requesting if the CFHS policy on the grievance process would be amended. Colonel Weger stated that policy was in rewrite and would be distributed as soon as it is translated. He stated that nothing has changed in regards to the grievance process for the dental clinics, there will be one step in the clinic then one step at corporate. There will be two grievance steps in the medical clinics whenever possible. In the event a second step at the CO level is not possible, the second step will take place with the regional delegated officer.
Colonel Weger added that he has heard the unions’ concerns and is issuing direction that the delegated grievance officers will have the authoirty to resolve grievances.
PIPSC raised concerns that the greivances are sitting at the clinic level for months and not being transmitted to the next level?
NOTE: EVP is not aware that this is an issue for UNDE members? An extension of timelines must be agreed to by all parties otherwise the collective agreement timelines should be respected.
| Closed | ||
| Professional Development. Colonel Weger again agreed that the process must be fair and transparent. The policy is be drafted, it will be translated and distributed.
| Open | ||
| Varying Workwork. Colonel Wegfer stated that direction is being issued that there should be consultation locally when hours of work will be amended/varied. Futher, that earned overtime will be recorded and administered appropriately.
| Closed | ||
| Immunization. Colonel Weger stated that direction is being issued to confirm that immunization of civilian employees is a Health Canada responsibility. The Health Canada Guide will be provided and posted in the clinics.
| Open | ||
| PIPSC requested that a health and safety document be developed to identify the required immunizations and a reminder to remain current. Colonel Weger advised that this information can be found in the Health Canada Guide. He reconfirmed that it is not within the CFHS mandate to immunize civilian employees.
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| Health & Safety Committees. Colonel Weger stated that email direction is being issued to all clinics to reinforce the Canada Labour Code requirements and equal representation.
UNDE EVP corrected that the health and safety committee composition does not have to be equal – equal/balanced representation applies to LMRC committees. As long as there is at least one employer representative and appropriate union representation the meetings can take place. UNDE EVP advised that this can be found in the Canada Labour Code Part II.
UNDE EVP stated that the request for a review of the clinic committees was in conjunction with the review being conducted by D Safe G as requested by the unions at the National Health & Safety Policy Committee. The unions want to know where the committees exist, who participates and who nominated the participants. PIPSC reminded that only representatives nominated by the union can speak on behalf of the union.
PIPSC requested that updates regarding return to work (RTW) situations and ergonomic issues be reported on at the health and safety meetings. UNDE EVP questioned whether this infomration would be available within CFHS considering RTW falls under D Safe G and is administered at the Base/Wing level by the General Safety Officers? PIPSC believes that the information should be made available.
| Re-opened COS | ||
| DRAP. Colonel Weger advised that the department is now addressing “Government Wide Spending Reduction Review” which includes CF Transformation, Strategic Review, Support Services Review, Defence Reduction Action Plan (DRAP). He stated that he had no new information to provide, organizations are awaiting decisions from senior management.
CFHS has been targetted for 106 FTEs (could be more than 106 positions if someone is job sharing).
UNDE EVP asked if there will be program eliminations? Colonel Weger said no programs will be eliminated but positions could be lost within a program or some services could be regionalized.
Colonel Weger acknowledged that some operationally required positions are currently vacant. He stated that no hiring is being authorized by CMP at this time and that the SWE ceiling will continue, thus the continued use of the third party service provider. Once the SWE reductions have been met, vacancies will be prioritized for staffing.
PIPSC stated that there have been instances where term employees have been re-hired as a casual and then again as a Calian worker. UNDE EVP asked why a term employee would be converted to casual when there is a freeze on the term rollover policy?
HR stated that he did not know. He advised that term employees can be renewed until March 31, 2013, but that no extensions beyond that are authorized at this time. Casuals can be hired by Local managers. HR asked that Sister Gardezy provide the examples to his office.
Colonel Weger stated that CFHS continues to support public service staffing as the best value for the organization. He recommitted to the roll over of Calian workers but advised that to date there has been little interest, likely because of the public service salaries.
UNDE EVP stated that it is ironic that the Minister stood in the house just this week and committed his support to the CF and the veterans but that even CFHS is afftected by the cuts.
| Open | ||
| New Business
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| Presentation on Staffing Processes in Health Services. Submitted by PIPSC. Sister Gardezy stated that her questions had been answered during the budget discussion. It is understood that there is not staffing without higher authorization and that internal moves are allowed but the vacated position cannot be backfilled. UNDE EVP reiterated that DND is conducting a head count reduction.
| Closed | ||
| Collective Work Descriptions (CWD). HR advised that the current CWDs were created or reviewed in 2005-2007. Colonel Ferris provided an update on the way ahead. EVP stated that UNDE had asked for a seat at the CWD Committee at the July meeting but UNDE had not received a call. EVP stated that a member of the UNDE staff sits with the DND CWD Committee and that UNDE would like a seat at the CFHS CWD Colonel Ferris agreed.
Note: Email sent to HR with UNDE USO Classification contact information.
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| Standing Items
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| Contractors in Health Services Positions. Colonel Weger advised that there are currently 279 Calian employees occupying public service positions (an increase from from 260 in July and 233 in April).
He stated that the biggest concentration is in Edmonton, Halifax and Petawawa; Physicians – 137; Dentists – 35; and Physiotherapists – 22.
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| Employment Equity Statistics. HR advised that the statistics are only updated once a year.
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| Round Table
UNDE. UNDE EVP thanked Colonel Weger for his support to the consultative process during his two-year tenure and wished him luck in his position of Deputy Commander. EVP suggested that budgets be moved as a standing item.
PIPSC. Thanked Colonel Weger stating that progress had been made on issues brought forward during the last two years. PIPSC also advised that Mental Illness Awareness Week is September 30 to October 6.
Colonel Weger thanked the unions.
Colonel Ruel stated that he was looking forward to his tenure as co-chair.
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Next Meeting. December 12, 2012, 1:30 pm.
Questions/comments welcomed.
In solidarity,
Submitted Electronically
Mary Chamberlain
UNDE Executive Vice President