Item - 6
President’s Report
September 2002
Executive Council
CEUDA:
Since the National President of the Alliance announced at our convention that a committee would deal with any of the disputes of component membership between CEUDA and ourselves we have begun to deal with the anomalies first. The largest is the membership in Quebec and we have also dealt with the anomalies of the GS’s in the Ottawa Technology Centre. We have found that in one region in Quebec (Montreal) some of the requested transfers from CEUDA to UTE have been completed but not all. I am awaiting a list from the Quebec region in order that we may validate their names as well. However, the committee will be convened, as there are disagreements on some of the individuals in the Quebec regions. Upon checking most of the GS’s from the Ottawa Technology Centre were transferred but again not all. We have requested that the outstanding names be transferred to UTE. We will progress with the balance of the anomalies and then go on to the remaining membership.
As far as the merger is concerned we will have to wait and see what CEUDA does with the resolution that is being tabled at their convention.
NEGOTIATIONS:
The 5 committees that were established during the bargaining process are all in place. There is also a Steering Committee to oversee the smooth running of all of the committees and a place for the committees to go to if there are disputes. The Policy Committee (old NJC) has met a couple of times and are in the process of finalizing Terms of Reference for Consultation issue and then they will deal with the Terms of Reference for the Recourse side of the memorandum. It appears that all of the Union representatives are on the same side of the issues that have been discussed to date. It should be noted though that the National OSH Policy Committee will take the responsibility of all consultation on Policies relating to Health and Safety and the Mobility Policies are already being consulted directly with the CCRA and Bargaining Agents.
CCRA MEETINGS OR UPDATES:
MOBILITY POLICIES:
Both the Relocation and Travel Policies have been sent to the field. It is expected that training will take place in September for those having to implement and enforce the policies and it should come into affect October 1st. THE 16 MILE RADIUS ISSUE HAS BEEN CORRECTED I’M HAPPY TO REPORT.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS “REVENUE COLLECTIONS”:
The pilots are now up and running after having a second meeting to clarify the “hours of work” issue. Again, these pilots involve: PM1 Collection Contact Officers, T1 DAC2 new intake up to $50,000 and four regions.
ADMINISTRATION REFORM AND RENEWAL:
The decks outlining the changes have been distributed to the Executive Council and Locals. This is one of the largest Workforce Adjustment situations that we have had to deal with. The names of the affected individuals have been provided to the WFA Committee and I expect that the Chair of the Committee will be providing us with an update either verbally or in their report.
COMPENSATION SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL:
The CCRA has yet to
make any decisions on the changes that may or may not take place in this
section. They have briefed the unions on their ideas but Senior Management has
not made any decision as of the date of writing of this report. The CCRA has
issued one bulletin or update to the staff in this section as it is well known
that Management is looking at ways to change the way they do business. Rumors
are abound but no decisions have been reached. In the event that this is a WFA
situation we have made it well known of the employer’s responsibility in that
regard.
UTE/PSAC:
Nycole Turmel, National President of the PSAC addressed the convention and spoke a little on this issue. She did recognize our contribution to the Alliance as a whole. I have been selected to sit on an NBOD Committee to review the roles and responsibilities of all of the arms of the Alliance i.e.: Alliance Centre, Regions, and Components etc. One of the things that this committee will look at is “who” or “what” section of the Alliance is best suited to provide what service. I suspect that any Constitutional changes that may be required will be recommended to the NBOD by this Committee. Due to the component conventions taking place this committee has not met yet but will so in the near future.
Due to the summer schedule and other conventions neither Nycole nor myself have been able to meet face to face on the issue of our relationship to delve into specifics but we have had some informal discussions on two big issues that are important to us. That is, Staffing in the CCRA and the protection of our members and the DETAX movement. The PSAC is now fully involved in our Staffing grievances and complaints and we hope to work together, in all aspects, on a joint plan of action regarding the “DETAX” issue. Nycole will address this a little bit more in her speech at the President’s Conference.
PUBLIC SERVICE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION: (PSI)
The Convention was held in Ottawa from September 2nd to the 6th. It was the first time that this convention was held in Canada. It certainly was an informative forum for the Public Service
representatives of the world. We may think that we have a hard time with the Canadian Governments and Agencies at all levels but to hear how union representatives and members are killed, their families kidnapped, unions outlawed and other atrocities certainly opens your eyes on the meaning of being a union representative and the commitment that is involved. We have it pretty easy in Canada when looking at some of the other countries in the world.
However, there are a few things that seem to be prevalent across the world and the Public Service: Privatization, the impact of Globalization, downsizing and the lack of respect for the jobs that we do by our employers and the monetary value of the work that we do are a few that I can name. This is based on the speeches that were given over the week by many, many representatives at the convention.
The convention was hosted by the four Canadian affiliates to the PSI: PSAC, CUPE, NUPGE and SEIU. Our National President, Nycole Turmel had the honor of chairing the opening ceremonies. One of the highlights was a speech by Stephen Lewis on AIDS/HIV. The PSAC has obtained a copy of his presentation and the UTE will be obtaining a copy. It will be a long time before this convention ever comes back to Canada so it was an experience of a lifetime for me to attend. I have copied the daily updates for the Council and Presidents to give you an idea of the issues that were discussed during the week.
A meeting was arranged with the Australian, New Zealand and United Kingdom representatives to discuss the “Detax” movement and each experience, if any by those affiliates. The height of the movement in Canada has yet to reach these affiliates.
However, we have their unconditional support in any of endeavors that we take on in our fight against this movement and the protection of our members. The union that represents the IRS in the USA is not affiliated to the PSI so they will be contacted by phone or e-mail. More on this issue will be discussed by Nycole Turmel at the President’s Conference.
NATIONAL OFFICE ACTIVITIES:
GENERAL:
I will be reviewing the allocation of regions among the Labour Relations Officers, as well as, the assignment of committee advisory work over the next couple of months. When that has been completed the Council and Locals will be advised accordingly. The First Vice-President, the Executive Assistant and myself also hope to conclude a collective agreement with our AEU Unit. We have had one initial meeting prior to convention but due to vacations we have not been able to meet a second time. We are currently attempting to find a mutual date for the next meeting.
GRIEVANCES: