Item 5

PRESIDENT’S FOLLOW UP ITEMS

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

SEPTEMBER 2003

·        The petition regarding Local union involvement in orientation sessions for new employees of the CCRA for the Local Presidents to sign has been prepared and will be distributed at the Presidents Conference.  It will then be given to the CCRA.  It should be noted that this was a major issue raised by the members who supplied written responses to question 61 of the UTE Membership Questionnaire. 

·        The covers for the “new member’s kit” are currently at the printers and will be forwarded in bulk to the locals as soon as they are returned.  The booklets “Owners Manual and UTE Achievements” have already been received from the printers.  The other inserts will be copied by the National Office and forwarded with the covers and booklets to the locals for their use.  It is our intention for the Council members and Local Presidents to receive a complete kit at the President’s Conference. 

• In keeping with the resolution passed at the last Convention, the amendments to the “Help” manual will be distributed at the Presidents Conference.  The only outstanding amendment is the final version of the Policy and Procedures Manual which is nearing completion by the Chair of the By-laws Committee.  We have not duplicated the Regulations since the locals receive them as they are updated throughout the year.  They are already in possession of the most up to date version.

·        The Communications Committee will be launching the UTE Newsletter at the Presidents Conference. 

·        The Honours and Awards Committee will formally announce the winners of the UTE Scholarships at the Presidents Conference. 

·        In July I supplied the CCRA with a printout of our “awaiting reply” grievance list which they have reviewed.  After vacation period for both Jacques Cloutier and myself, a meeting has been scheduled for September 10^th to go over the list.  In the past we have met approximately three times a year to go over the outstanding list.  From now on I will be providing him with a list each month and Jacques and I will be reviewing the list. 

·        An electronic copy of the UTE Membership Questionnaire was again provided to the Council members after the June meeting. 

·        On the question of what happens to demands submitted regarding the National Joint Council (NJC) issues; we submit them to the Director of the Collective Bargaining Section who compiles all of the demands from the Components, Direct Charter locals and Bargaining Tables.  The demands are then given to the appropriate PSAC representative on each NJC Committee.  As the issues come up for cyclical review the demands are acted upon by the PSAC in their consultation process on the issue at the NJC.  There is no formal reporting back process to the Components, Direct Charter Locals or Bargaining Tables on the individual demands.  However, everyone is notified at the time of the cyclical review and additional input is also requested at that time.    As the issues are dealt with we see the results or lack of results concerning our demands when the issue has been finalized by the NJC. 

·        I was requested to check my e-mail groups, which I have done.  To the best of my knowledge, the groups are correct. 

·        We have continued to request from Environics the comments from the UTE Membership Questionnaire in the language that they were written for questions 61, 62 and 63.  To date we have not made any headway.  All submissions were translated to English as per our original request. 

·        The issue of flying West Jet is again on the agenda for discussion. 

·        An e-mail was sent to the CCRA regarding the affect of pensionable time while on Leave Without Pay (LWOP) for union business.  Due to the vacation period I have not had a response as of yet.  However, I have followed the issue up with the CCRA. 

·        A meeting was held regarding the DETAX issue with the PSAC and CEUDA also in attendance.  Jacquie De Aguayo reported on her earlier meeting that was held with her and the legal representatives of the CCRA.  A follow up letter has been sent which has been distributed to Council. 

·        I have received the Job Description for the Assistant to the Financial Administration Officer from the Staffing Committee.  It is currently being reviewed and we expect to start interviews prior to the end of September or the first part of October at the latest. 

In Solidarity

Betty Bannon
National President
Union of Taxation Employees