MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
DECEMBER 3 - 5, 2002
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2002
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 hours. B. Bannon was presiding. In attendance: Denis Lalancette, Bob Campbell, Pamela Abbott, Terry Dupuis, Shawn Bergeron, Kent MacDonald, Nick Stein, Diana Gee, Chris Aylward, Sabri Khayat, Marcel Bertrand, and Linda Cassidy.
2. HOURS OF SESSION OF THE REGULAR MEETING
m/s N. Stein/D. Gee
That the hours of session be as follows:
Tuesday: 9:00 - 11:45 ; 1:15 - 04:00 - 5:00 open discussion
Wednesday: 9:00 - 11:45 ; 1:15 - 05:00
Thursday: 9:00 - 11:45 ; NUMC 1:30 - 05:00
MOTION CARRIED.
3. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
m/s L. Cassidy/T. Dupuis
That the agenda be adopted with the following additions:
NEW BUSINESS
28. Residence Expense (S. Khayat)
21. Review of the trend of the Alliance (D. Lalancette)
22. Email Protocol (L. Cassidy)
MOTION CARRIED.
4. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
m/s C. Aylward/S. Khayat
That the minutes of the Executive Council Meeting of September 2002 be adopted.
Recorded Vote #1. MOTION CARRIED.
Brother Campbell assumed the chair.
5. PRESIDENT FOLLOW UP ITEMS (Appendix A)
m/s B. Bannon/D. Gee
That the president Follow Up items be adopted.
Recorded Vote #2. MOTION CARRIED.
6. REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT (Appendix B)
m/s B. Bannon/D. Lalancette
That the report of the President be adopted.
Recorded Vote #3. MOTION CARRIED.
Sister Bannon resumed the Chair.
7. REPORT OF THE FIRST NATIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT (Appendix C)
m/s Bob Campbell/T. Dupuis
That the report of the First National Vice-President be adopted.
Recorded Vote #4. MOTION CARRIED.
8. REPORT OF THE SECOND NATIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT (Appendix D)
m/s D. Lalancette/S. Bergeron
That the report of the Second Vice-President be adopted.
9. REPORT OF THE REGIONAL VICE-PRESIDENTS (Appendix E)
m/s T. Dupuis/M. Bertrand
That the reports of the Regional Vice-Presidents be adopted.
Recorded Vote #6. MOTION CARRIED.
Sister Bannon turned the Chair to Brother Campbell.
10. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (Appendix F)
m/s B. Bannon/D. Lalancette
That the report of the Executive Committee be adopted.
All matters and resolutions not dealt with by the Convention shall be referred to the Executive Council who will consider and act upon such unfinished business before the conclusion of the second regular meeting of the Executive Council following the Convention. The disposition of all Convention matters and resolutions by the Executive Council shall be published and shall include reasons for all decisions, shall include recorded votes on all decisions and shall be distributed to all Convention delegates.
Recorded Vote #7. MOTION CARRIED.
That the attached draft questionnaire be approved for distribution to the general membership.
m/s L. Cassidy/C. Aylward
That the questionnaire be referred back to the committee to make appropriate changes and report back for Thursday.
MOTION TO REFER CARRIED.
The meeting recessed at 11:45 a.m.
The afternoon session began at 1:15 p.m. with Sister Bannon in the chair.
That the UTE fund one youth member, as an individual, from each local to attend the February Presidents’ Conference as an observer and that a caucus of the youth be held during the Conference.
m/s N. Stein/D. Gee
That this be referred back to the committee in order to provide more specific details on the selection of the youth members to attend the Presidents’ Conference.
MOTION TO REFER was lost for a lack of majority.
Recorded Vote #8. MOTION CARRIED.
Union Management Consultation Agreement
m/s S. Khayat/S. Bergeron
That we take out ‘’up to one hour’’ under the section Leave for Union Representatives, Local Level as follows:
Union representatives are entitled to leave with
pay for preparation time, up to one hour, the meeting time and related
travel time. Travel time will vary depending on where the representative
is located. There is no entitlement to any paid travel expenses by the
Agency.
MOTION TO AMEND CARRIED.
m/s M. Bertrand/D. Lalancette
In the same section under National Level, that we take out the last sentence as follows:
Union representatives are entitled to leave with
pay for the meeting and related travel time. This time will vary from
a day to three days depending on where the representative is located. There
is not entitlement to any paid travel expenses by the Agency.
In the same section that the Regional Level be replaced with the Local Level wording and that the last sentence be deleted as follows:
Union representatives are entitled to leave with
pay for preparation time, the meeting time and related travel time. Travel
time will vary depending on where the representative is located. There
is no entitlement to any paid travel expenses by the Agency.
MOTION TO REFER lost for a lack of majority.
m/s K. MacDonald/D. Gee
That the National and Regional Level be replaced with the Local Level wording without the last sentence.
Union representatives are entitled to leave with
pay for preparation time, the meeting time and related travel time. Travel
time will vary depending on where the representative is located.
MOTION TO AMEND CARRIED.
m/s S. Khayat/C. Aylward
That the report be postponed until Thursday to permit corrections.
MOTION TO POSTPONE CARRIED.
The President resumed the Chair.
Brother Campbell served notice to amend the agenda.
Open Discussion Period – 4:00 p.m.
The Council members discussed the items under that section.
The meeting recessed at 5:00
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2002
MORNING SESSION
The Executive Council meeting was called to order at 9:00 hours with Sister Bannon in the chair.
11 a) REPORT OF THE STAFFING COMMITTEE (Appendix G)
m/s K. MacDonald/S. Khayat
That the report of the Staffing Committee be adopted.
Recorded Vote #9. MOTION CARRIED.
11 b) REPORT OF THE BY-LAW COMMITTEE (Appendix H)
m/s C. Aylward/S. Khayat
That the report of the By-Laws Committee be adopted.
Recorded Vote #10. MOTION CARRIED.
11 c) REPORT OF THE TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE COMMITTEE (Appendix I)
m/s S. Khayat/M. Bertrand
That the report of the Technological Change Committee be adopted.
Recorded Vote #11. MOTION CARRIED.
11 d) REPORT OF THE EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM COMMITTEE (Appendix J)
m/s S. Bergeron/D. Gee
That the report of the Employee Assistance Program be adopted.
Recorded Vote #12. MOTION CARRIED.
11 e) REPORT OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE (Appendix K)
m/s C. Aylward/M. Bertrand
That the report of the Health and Safety Committee be adopted.
Recorded Vote #13. MOTION CARRIED.
The meeting recessed at 11:45 a.m.
The afternoon session began at 1:15 p.m. with Sister Bannon in the chair.
11 f) REPORT OF THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMITTEE (Appendix L)
m/s L. Cassidy/T. Dupuis
That the report of the EO Committee be adopted.
Recommendation #1
That Appendix "A" be adopted as presented.
Recorded Vote #14. MOTION CARRIED.
Recommendation #2
That Appendix "B" be adopted as presented.
Recorded Vote #15. MOTION CARRIED.
That the report as a whole be adopted.
Recorded Vote #16. MOTION CARRIED.
11 g) REPORT OF THE HONOURS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE (Appendix M)
m/s P. Abbott/D. Gee
That the report of the Honours and Awards Committee be adopted.
Recommendation #1
That the attached Guidelines be adopted.
Recorded Vote #17. MOTION CARRIED.
That report as a whole be adopted.
Recorded Vote #18. MOTION CARRIED.
11 h) REPORT OF THE WORKFORCE ADJUSTMENT COMMITTEE (Appendix N)
m/s N. Stein/M. Bertrand
That the report of the Workforce Adjustment Committee be adopted.
Recorded Vote #19. MOTION CARRIED.
11 i) REPORT OF THE HARASSMENT COMMITTEE (Appendix O)
m/s M. Bertrand/D. Gee
That the report of the Harassment Committee be adopted.
Recorded Vote #20. MOTION CARRIED.
Brother Campbell wished to amend the agenda with the following item #23: Regulation 4 - Convention Committee under the section Open Discussion.
MOTION TO AMEND THE AGENDA CARRIED.
11 j) REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ( Appendix P)
m/s Bob Campbell/P. Abbott
That the report of the Finance Committee be adopted.
Recommendation #1
Be it resolved that the Union of Taxation Employees Monday to Friday per diem be increased from $65.00 to $70.00 to stay current.
Recommendation #2
Be it resolved that the following amendment be made to Regulation 16.1.2 to add a new (4) and re number old (4) to (5) .
(4) The local shall submit the amount of the loan and their proposed repayment schedule.
Recommendation #3
Be it resolved that the financial administration officer be granted limited signing authority to purchase GIC’s.
Recorded Vote #23. MOTION CARRIED.
Recommendation #4
Be it resolved that Regulation 12 be amended as follows:
12.3 ADVANCES
(1) to (4) to stay the same
(5) An approved advance for any member including staff shall only include the costs for travel, hotel and per diem. The travel portion of the advance shall normally be H class airfare. Any other airfare shall have prior approval of the President or in their absence the 1st Vice President.
(6) Travel advances for delegates or paid observers, to attend conventions and/or conferences, are paid directly to respective locals for their administration and accounting.
12.5 TRAVEL
12.5.1 Travel Grants to Locals
(1) Local travel grants for delegates and or paid observers, issued by the National Office for Conferences and Conventions will be issued in the name of the local for their administration and accountability.
(2) The travel grants for locals shall normally be two (2) times the cost of an H Class airfare or economy airfare, whichever is the lowest, without receipt. Any airfare other than as described herein shall have prior approval of the President or in their absence the 1st Vice President.
(3) If the local receives a travel grant and does not send participants, they must return the travel grant in full to the National Office.
12.5.2 Travel expenses
(1) Travel expenses for all others including staff shall be the actual cost incurred. However, if the cost exceeds an H class airfare without receipt, prior approval is required of the President or in their absence the 1st Vice President.
(2) If travel by car has been approved, the reimbursement rate shall be the highest rate set by the CCRA for the ten (10) provinces plus one (.01) cent.
Recorded Vote #24. MOTION CARRIED.
Recommendation #5
12.6 AUTHORIZATION
(4) Expense claims shall be submitted to the President. The president may delegate the executive assistant to the president the authority to approve expense claims or the Vice-President responsible for Finance for authorization.
Recorded Vote #25. MOTION CARRIED.
Recommendation #6
That the Draft Translation Guidelines be adopted.
That the $5000.00 local translation fund be used as follows:
(a) The fund will be distributed on a first come first served basis.
(b) A local may use no more than $1000.00 per year.
(c) It is the responsibility of the local to get prior written approval from the president to expend these funds. This approval is on the financial amount not on content.
(d) Translation completed with out prior authorization will be the responsibility of the local.
(e) The local will submit the invoice to the National Office for payment.
Recorded Vote #26. MOTION CARRIED.
Recommendation #7
That the Draft Guidelines for Regional Education budgets be adopted.
(1) The regional education budget is divided equally among the ten regions.
(2) For a region to use their educational budget, it must be matched dollar for dollar from their regional budget.
(3) The President may approve the use of the educational budget for approved UTE courses.
(4) Non-UTE educational courses shall need the approval of the Executive Council. Once Council has approved a course it will be an approved UTE course. Therefore only needing the approval of the President in the future.
UTE courses approved by Council:
Staffing, Grievance Handling, Harassment, Appeals and Local Development (in development).
Recorded Vote #27. MOTION CARRIED.
Recommendation #8
That the report as a whole be adopted.
Recorded Vote #28. MOTION CARRIED.
11 k) REPORT OF THE COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE (Appendix Q)
m/s B. Campbell/S. Khayat
That the committee report be adopted.
Recorded Vote #29. MOTION CARRIED.
11 l) REPORT OF THE BARGAINING COMMITTEE (Appendix R)
m/s D. Lalancette/C. Aylward
That the report of the Bargaining Committee be adopted.
Point of Order - MacDonald
I don’t believe that the committee was mandated to prepare these recommendations.
The Point of order was well taken by the President.
Brother Lalancette served notice to amend the agenda to include recommendations 1 to 4 as items 29, 30, 31, and 32 under New Business.
The meeting recessed at 5:00 p.m.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2002
MORNING SESSION
The Executive Council meeting was called to order at 9:00 hours with Sister Bannon in the chair.
The Executive Council reviewed the agenda items for the National Union Management Consultation Meeting.
(Continuation of item 11 l) REPORT OF THE BARGAINING COMMITTEE (Appendix R)
m/s Lalancette/N. Stein
Recommendation #1 -
Draft Policy of the UTE on the Holding of a Strike Vote or a Ratification Vote.
(Attached to the minutes)
Recorded Vote #30. MOTION CARRIED.
That the report as a whole be adopted.
Recorded Vote #31. MOTION CARRIED.
m/s K. MacDonald/T. Dupuis
That the agenda be amended to deal with New Business item 18 and Open Discussion item 10 before we adjourn.
MOTION TO AMEND CARRIED.
12. ADOPTION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Appendix S)
m/s B. Campbell/P. Abbott
That the Financial Statements of October 31, 2002 be adopted.
Recorded Vote #32. MOTION CARRIED.
18. REGIONAL CONFERENCE BUDGET 2003 /
m/s B. Campbell/T. Dupuis
Be it resolved that the following be the Regional Budget allocations for the year 2003. (Total budget amount $290 000.00).
Pacific 10% 29,000.00
Rocky Mountain 10% 29,000.00
Prairie 09% 26,100.00
Greater Toronto 07.5% 21,750.00
Southwestern Ontario 10% 29,000.00
Northern & Eastern Ontario 11% 31,900.00
National Capital 07.5% 21,750.00
Montreal 11% 31,900.00
Quebec 11% 31,900.00
Atlantic 13% 37,700.00
Recorded Vote #33. MOTION CARRIED.
Brother Campbell assumed the chair.
(Continuation of item 10. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (Appendix F)
UTE Membership Questionnaire 2003
Under: Personal Information question no. 9 changes as follows:
If you would like to be added to the UTE’s database and be contacted directly from time to time, please complete the following optional section. This information will only be used for this stated purpose.
Under: Topic – Collective Bargaining: question no. 30 was changed as follows:
30. What parts of the UTE Bargaining Process are you aware of? (indicate below ü )
a) Have you ever read regulation 9 of the UTE By-laws on the bargaining process?
_____ Yes _____ No
b) Do you know that the UTE has a Standing Bargaining Committee?
_____ Yes _____ No
c) Do you know that the UTE has a National Bargaining Committee?
_____ Yes _____ No
d) Do you know that the locals are to solicit bargaining demands from the membership?
_____ Yes _____ No
e) Are you aware that during the last round of collective bargaining the Negotiating Team consisted of members from the UTE and CEUDA?
_____ Yes _____ No
f) Have you ever been advised that the PSAC establishes a National Strike Coordinating Committee (NSCC) at the beginning of every bargaining process?
_____ Yes _____ No
g) Have you ever participated in a strike while employed by the Federal Government?
_____ Yes _____ No
h) Are you aware that you vote on the Tentative Agreement reached at the bargaining table?
_____ Yes _____ No
i) Did you attend the last strike vote meeting for your local?
_____ Yes _____ No
j) If yes, how satisfied were you with the structure of that meeting? (indicate below by circling 1 meaning very satisfied and 5 meaning very dissatisfied)
1 2 3 4 5
very satisfied very dissatisfied
k) Did you attend the last ratification meeting for your local?
_____ Yes _____ No
l) If yes, how satisfied were you with the structure of that meeting? (indicate below by circling 1 meaning very satisfied and 5 meaning very dissatisfied)
1 2 3 4 5
very satisfied very dissatisfied
That the report as a whole be adopted.
Recorded Vote #35. MOTION CARRIED.
Sister Bannon resumed the chair.
Open discussion item 10 – Hospitality Suite
The Council discussed the above item.
13. EXPENSE CLAIMS OVER 90 DAYS
None
14. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
Open discussion took place on that topic.
m/s L. Cassidy/S. Khayat
Whereas it was brought to the attention of Council that the cost of our internet usage was increasing and in some cases was extremely high;
Whereas the average costs per month for council appears to be in the $60.00 to $70.00 range;
Whereas we should be fully utilizing this effective communication tool as opposed to constantly monitoring our usage;
Whereas our current provider, attglobal, is costing us $2.50 per hour for every hour of usage;
Whereas attglobal does not actual provide service in all areas required;
Whereas Sympatico is available at
a cost of $24.95 per month unlimited usage and has 350 available remote locations
in
Be it resolved that Linda cassidy be allowed to switch internet providers from attglobal to Sympatico for a cost savings to this union;
Be it further resolved that any other member of council who can demonstrate a cost savings be allowed to switch their internet provider to the most cost effective provider.
Recorded Vote #36. MOTION CARRIED.
16. NON UTE EVENT FUNDING
m/s L. Cassidy/C. Aylward
Whereas the Solidarity Network has scheduled a Solidarity Assembly for Jan 16-19, 2003 in Memramcock , New Brunswick ; and
Whereas this will be a fully bilingual assembly which will provide a unique opportunity for activists from every corner of the country and social justice movement to network and share information, ideas, strategies and skills;
Be it resolved that the New Brunswick Solidarity Assembly scheduled for Jan 16-19, 2003 be recognized as a Non UTE Event; and
Be it further resolved that regulation 14 of the UTE By-Laws will be applied to the New Brunswick Solidarity Assembly
Recorded Vote #37. MOTION CARRIED.
17. ATLANTIC UNION-MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE (AUMI)
Whereas the AUMI adopts a philosophy of union-management co-operation that we have approved;
Whereas the AUMI reaffirms our commitment to a positive union-management relationship;
Whereas the infrastructure adopted for the AUMI allows for full participation by our Union ;
Whereas the Québec Region is ready to follow the same process developed by the AUMI; and
Whereas the national application of the AUMI is stalled.
Be it resolved that the Québec Region be authorized to apply the AUMI; and
Be it further resolved that any region that, through its RVP, makes such a request to the National President, be authorized to apply it.
Recorded Vote #38. MOTION CARRIED.
23. HEALTH AND SAFETY CONFERENCES
m/s C. Aylward/B. Campbell
Whereas the Health and Safety Committee has decided that participants to the Regional Health and Safety Conferences will be members of the Health and Safety Work Place Committees; and
Be it Resolved that the funding for travel expenses for the Regional Health and Safety Conferences be in accordance with Regulation 12.3 (5) (6).
Recorded Vote #39. MOTION CARRIED.
25. MFL HEALTH AND SAFETY CONFERENCE MAY 2003
m/s S. Bergeron/K. MacDonald
Whereas the Manitoba Federation of Labour is conducting a 3 day conference on Health & Safety; and
Whereas other provincial federations of labour Health & Safety conferences have been approved as a Non-UTE Event.
Be It Resolved that the MFL Health and Safety conference be approved as a Non-UTE Event.
Recorded Vote #40. MOTION CARRIED.
26. NDP CONVENTION
m/s N. Stein/C. Aylward
Be it resolved that if the President of the UTE is selected by the PSAC, from among the Component Presidents, for a Union delegate seat for the up coming NDP Convention that all applicable expenses be reimbursed by the UTE; and
Be it further resolved that if an RVP is selected by the PSAC, from among the members of Ontario, for a Union delegate seat for the up coming NDP Convention that all applicable expenses be reimbursed by the UTE.
Recorded Vote #41. MOTION DEFEATED for a lack of majority.
m/s D. Lalancette/T. Dupuis
That the following items 19, 29, 30, 31 and 32 be postponed to the next Council in February/March 2003.
m/s S. Bergeron/K. MacDonald
That item 27 be postponed to the next Council in February/March 2003.
MOTION TO POSTPONE CARRIED.
24. EAP NATIONAL REFERRAL AGENT TRAINING COURSE
m/s S. Bergeron/K. MacDonald
Whereas the Union fully supports EAP as stated in Appendix 1 of the EAP Policy; and
Whereas there are now currently 230 Referral Agents and greater recruitment in the coming years; and
Whereas 11.7% of Union members accessed RA's in 2001-2002; and
Whereas there is increasing questions from the locals on what role UTE members are to have in this process.
Be it resolved that National EAP committee members interested to attend the EAP national Referral Agent training course as observers in 2003 be permitted to attend. And therefore report to Executive council their observations and recommendations and prepare a report for President's conference.
Recorded Vote #42. MOTION CARRIED.
20. UTE SPONSORSHIP (Hockey Team)
m/s L. Cassidy/C. Aylward
Whereas UTE is in the current practice of sponsoring teams and or individuals to increase our visibility;
Whereas it is beneficial to provide this support not only to communities but to our members;
Whereas a member of UTE has requested that we consider sponsoring the St John’s AAA Maple Leafs.
(see attached documentation)
Be it resolved that UTE provide a sponsorship of $300.00 to the St John’s AAA Maple Leafs to purchase a full page ad in their yearbook.
(Jocelyn O’Brien, a member of UTE from the St John ’s TC has a son who is a member of this Hockey team)
Recorded Vote #43. MOTION CARRIED.
21. UTE SPONSORSHIP (Survivorship Dragon Boat Team Society)
m/s P. Abbott/L. Cassidy
Whereas, UTE has a commitment to contribute too charitable causes;
Whereas, the Survivorship Dragon Boat Team Society from Penticton, B.C. has contacted UTE and requested a financial contribution to assist their Team in competing at the Inaugural South Pacific Breast Cancer Regatta in Auckland, New Zealand in March 2003;
Whereas, the Dragon Boat Society has grown wildly in popularity and has been the forefront of Breast Cancer Fundraising and awareness.
Whereas, 1 out of 9 women will develop breast cancer and 1 out of 27 will die from this disease.
Whereas, the Union of Taxation Employees has a high percentage of female Members;
Whereas, a commitment from UTE to contribute funds over $1000 will guarantee advertising/exposure in all newspaper articles covering the event; including radio/television exposure. As well, they will have UTE on there team uniforms;
Whereas, our commitment will also carry out promotion and advertising for the International Dragon Boat Regatta to be held in the Okanagan Valley, B.C. in 2004;
Be it resolved that UTE contribute $1500 to The Survivorship Dragon Boat Team Society; and
Be it further resolved that the contribution be made effective January 6, 2003 .
Recorded Vote #44. MOTION CARRIED.
m/s S. Khayat/M. Bertrand
That item 28 be postponed to the next Council in February/March 2003.
MOTION TO POSTPONE CARRIED.
22. INTERNET CONNECTION
This item was withdrawn by the mover Brother Aylward.
The meeting adjourned 12:30 a.m.
Betty Bannon Bob Campbell
National President First National Vice-President