MINUTES
OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 19, 20, 24, 2006
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
MORNING SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER OF THE REGULAR
MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 hours. President Betty Bannon
was in the chair. In attendance: Denis Lalancette, Bob Campbell, Pamela Abbott,
Terry Dupuis, Shawn Bergeron, Kent MacDonald, Nick Stein, Jerry Dee,
Hugh McGoldrick, Sabri Khayat, Marcel Bertrand, Linda Cassidy, Pierrette Labrie
and Shane O’Brien.
Brother Chris Aylward was absent with permission.
2. HOURS OF SESSION OF THE
REGULAR MEETING
m/s S. Bergeron P. Abbott
That the hours of session be as follows:
Tuesday: 9:00
a.m. - 11:45 a.m.; 1:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
4:00
p.m. - 5:00 p.m. open discussion
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.; 1:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00
p.m.
3. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
m/s D. Lalancette/S. Khayat
That the agenda as printed plus the following additions be adopted:
New Business
20. National Office Staffing (B. Campbell)
21. Bill C-269 (D. Lalancette)
4. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF
THE PREVIOUS MEETING
m/s N. Stein/T. Dupuis
That the minutes of the Executive Council Meeting of June 2006 be adopted.
- Recorded Vote #1. MOTION CARRIED.
1st Vice-President Campbell assumed the chair.
5. PRESIDENT’S FOLLOW
UP ITEMS (Appendix A)
m/s B. Bannon/D. Lalancette
That the President’s 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.
Brother MacDonald and Sister Cassidy served notice to amend the agenda.
President Bannon resumed the chair.
7. REPORT OF THE 1st VICE-PRESIDENT
(Appendix C)
m/s B. Campbell/D. Lalancette
That the report of the 1st Vice-President be adopted.
- Recorded Vote #4. MOTION CARRIED.
8. REPORT
OF THE 2nd VICE-PRESIDENT (Appendix D)
m/s D. Lalancette/B. Campbell
That the report of the 2nd Vice-President be adopted.
- Recorded Vote #5. MOTION CARRIED.
Recess for lunch
AFTERNOON SESSION
The meeting was called to order at 1:15 hours with President Bannon in the
chair.
m/s K. MacDonald/L. Cassidy
That the agenda be amended to add the following items:
Open Discussion – item 14
Convention Costing
New Business – item 22
Non-UTE Event
MOTION CARRIED.
9. REPORT OF THE REGIONAL
VICE-PRESIDENTS (Appendix E)
m/s S. Bergeron/S. Khayat
That the activity reports of the RVPs be adopted.
- Recorded Vote #6. MOTION CARRIED.
m/s S. Khayat/T. Dupuis
That the Supplemental Reports be adopted.
- Recorded Vote #7. MOTION CARRIED.
First Vice-President Campbell assumed the chair.
10. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
(Appendix F)
m/s B.Bannon/S. Bergeron
That the report be postponed until the Addendum to the report is available.
MOTION CARRIED.
President Bannon resumed the chair.
11 a) REPORT OF THE STAFFING COMMITTEE (Appendix G)
m/s L. Cassidy/P. Abbott
That the report of the Staffing Committee be adopted.
- Recorded Vote #8. MOTION CARRIED.
11 b) REPORT OF THE BY-LAWS COMMITTEE (Appendix H)
m/s S. Khayat/P. Abbott
That the report of the By-Laws Committee be adopted.
- Recorded Vote #9. MOTION CARRIED.
11 c) REPORT OF THE TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE COMMITTEE (Appendix I)
m/s S. Khayat/D. Lalancette
That the
report of the Technological Change Committee be adopted.
- Recorded Vote #10. MOTION CARRIED.
11 d) REPORT OF THE EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM COMMITTEE
(Appendix J)
m/s J. Dee/L. Cassidy
That the report of the Employee Assistance Program Committee be adopted.
- Recorded Vote #11. MOTION CARRIED.
11 e) REPORT OF THE HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE (Appendix K)
m/s K. MacDonald/S. Bergeron
That the report of the Health & Safety
Committee be adopted.
- Recorded Vote #12. MOTION CARRIED.
11 f) REPORT OF THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMITTEE (Appendix
L)
m/s S. Bergeron/T. Dupuis
That the report of the EO Committee be adopted.
- Recorded Vote #13. MOTION CARRIED.
Brother Bergeron was absent with permission and was replaced by Brother Esslinger.
11 g) REPORT OF THE HONOURS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE (Appendix M)
m/s T. Dupuis/D. Lalancette
That the report of the Honours and Awards Committee be adopted.
m/s T. Dupuis/D. Lalancette
That the
following recommendation be adopted.
Recommendation 1: (Change to Regulation 24)
24.6 (new) The Union of Taxation Employees Humanitarian Award
(1) All nominations for this award must
be received by the Chair of the Honours and Awards Committee by December 7th
of each year.
(2) The award shall be a suitably inscribed
plaque and if warranted will include an award of $2500.00.
(3) The amount of the award and the recipient
will be recommended by the Honours and Awards Committee to the Executive Council.
(4) The monetary award will be paid to
the cause espoused by the recipient or to a charity of their choice.
(5) Nominees must have:
(a) To be a member of UTE in good standing;
(b) Demonstrated their
commitment to a humanitarian cause where there is extreme need;
(c) Exhibited exemplary service to others within their community,
their country or throughout the world.
- Definition of Exemplary Service:
- outstanding;
- serving as an example;
- admirable, commendable, ideal model, praiseworthy
or exceptionable.
m/s K. MacDonald/P. Abbott
That the recommendation be referred back with instructions to delete the
words "if
warranted” in no. 2 and "amount of the" in no. 3.
(2) The award shall be a suitably inscribed
plaque and if warranted will include an award of $2500.00.
(3) The amount of the award and the recipient
will be recommended by the Honours and Awards Committee to the Executive Council.
MOTION TO REFER CARRIED.
The Committee met and accepted the referral as per the instructions above:
(2) The award shall be a suitably inscribed
plaque and will include an award of $2500.00.
(3) The award and the recipient will be
recommended by the Honours and Awards Committee to the Executive Council.
- Recorded Vote #14. MOTION CARRIED.
That the report be adopted as a whole.
- Recorded Vote #15. 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 #16. MOTION CARRIED.
11 i) REPORT OF THE HARASSMENT COMMITTEE (Appendix O)
m/s M. Bertrand/S. Bergeron
That the report of the Harassment Committee be adopted.
- Recorded Vote #17. MOTION CARRIED.
OPEN DISCUSSION
The Council members discussed the items under this section.
The meeting recessed at 5:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2006
MORNING SESSION
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. with President Bannon in the
chair.
President Bannon introduced from CRA, Daryl Mahoney, Director of Employment,
Organization and Operations, Lyane Swanlund, Project Manager for ACS-SP and
Jean Urtubise, Communications Manager for ACS-SP who gave a short briefing
on ACS. They informed Council that the related documentation would be
available on the CRA web site.
11 j) REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE (Appendix P)
m/s B. Campbell/P. Abbott
That the report of the Finance Committee be adopted.
m/s B. Campbell/P. Abbott
That the following recommendations be adopted.
Recommendation #1:
Amend Regulation 13.2.2 to read:
(1) (a) Members of UTE who are not officers of the Executive Council shall
be entitled to receive a per diem of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) while
on union business authorized by UTE outside their home metropolitan area
or while attending a President’s Conference, or
any other UTE Conference within
their home metropolitan area. However, a per diem of one hundred ($100.00)
shall be paid for Saturday and Sunday to those on authorized UTE business
and not otherwise compensated by UTE. Per Diem for Regional and Inter-regional
Conferences shall be established by Regional Vice-Presidents
(We are recommending that the bold be added and that the words National Committee
meeting and Regional Bargaining Conference be deleted.)
The following would be new:
(1) (b) For a National Committee meeting where the Member is staying at a
hotel with prior approval of the President or in their absence the 1st Vice-President,
they shall be paid the per diem referred to in Regulation.
(1) (c) Members attending a meeting of a National Committee being held
in the UTE National Office and not receiving a per diem under clause (b), shall
be paid the lunch per diem referred to in Regulation. A dinner per
diem referred to in Regulation may be paid with the approval of the President
or in their absence the 1st Vice-President.
- Recorded Vote #18. MOTION CARRIED.
Recommendation #2:
Regulation 13.2.1 be amended to read:
13.2.1 (2) (a) Officers of the Executive Council attending a meeting of
the Executive Council, a Presidents Conference, National Committee meeting,
Regional Conference, Inter-regional Conference, Convention, Federation of
Labour Convention, a CLC Convention or any other UTE
Conference within their
home metropolitan area shall be paid the per diem referred to in Regulation. For
a National Committee meeting where the Officer is staying at a hotel with
prior approval of the President or in their absence the 1st Vice-President
they shall be paid the per diem referred to in Regulation.
(We are recommending that the bold be added and that the words Regional Bargaining
Conference be deleted.)
- Recorded Vote #19. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Per Diem Rate
As the per diem rate for CRA has been increased, there was a general discussion
as to whether UTE should change our daily per diem rate. It was concluded
that since UTE does not break down the daily per diem (i.e. breakfast, lunch
and dinner) whereas the employer does based on travel times, the rate is sufficient
to cover travel costs. Brother MacDonald recommended that this item
be reviewed at a later date.
3. Presentation for Local Treasurers
The committee developed a presentation for Local Treasurers to be given
at the Presidents’ Conference, September 21-23, 2006.
4. Latitude Air Fares
There was a general discussion on fluctuating Latitude air fares. Finance
will monitor the situation and ensure that the rates taken for Local travel
grants are fair and consistent; if Locals should have questions on the rates
used, they should contact Brother Campbell, 1st Vice-President.
5. Computers
Brother Alex Thon, the Information Systems Officer at National Office, presented
the computer upgrade requirements for the National Office. The committee
had a general discussion regarding the above and concluded that we should
go forward with the upgrades in 2006.
Recommendation #3:
That the budgetary amount of $30,000.00 be moved from line item <Professional
Fees: Legal> to line item <Office Expenses: Computer Expenses>.
- Recorded Vote #20. MOTION CARRIED.
6. July 2006 Financial Statements
Recommendation #4:
That Council approve the overspending on line items <Organization and Education:
Committee Meetings> and <Organization and Education: Employer/CPP,
EI, EHT>.
It was also noted by Brother Campbell that the line item <Organization
and Education: Education-National> has been previously approved for
overspending until the completion of the “Developing Membership Activism
Course”.
- Recorded Vote #21. MOTION CARRIED.
That the report be adopted as a whole.
- Recorded Vote #22. MOTION CARRIED.
1st Vice-President Campbell assumed the chair.
Continuation of item 10 - REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (Appendix
F)
m/s B. Bannon/D. Lalancette
That the report of the Executive Committee be adopted.
That the following recommendations be adopted:
m/s B . Bannon/D. Lalancette
Recommendation #1:
Be it resolved that UTE:
- Create a line item in our budget for the “ICA International Fund” ~$10,000
including promotional items
- Make an annual donation of $500 to ICA
- Advise our members to use the United Way to direct some or all of their
donation to ICA
- Sponsor a student who wants to go with Captain
Smith to Africa. This
would be approximately $5000 and the Honours and Awards Committee would
solicit names and pick the person
- Subsidize a member with $2500 to go with Captain Smith to Africa
- Develop a joint promotional item(s) with ICA and a portion of the sales
would go to ICA
- Recorded Vote #23. MOTION CARRIED.
Recommendation #2:
Be it resolved that the Modules of the PSAC Local Officers Kit identified
by the Executive Committee be approved for use of the UTE Education Fund and;
Be it further resolved that the Guidelines for use of the Education Fund be
as follows:
- If the education portion of a Regional session put on by the RVP lasts
a full day or more then they may expend 50% of the expense from their Education
monies.
- If the education portion of a Regional session put on by the RVP lasted
only an AM or PM (less than a day but at least half a day) then they may
expend 25% of the expense from their Education monies.
- Recorded Vote #24. MOTION
CARRIED.
Recess for Lunch
AFTERNOON SESSION
The meeting was called to order at 1:15 p.m. with President Bannon in the
chair.
Recommendation #3:
Be it Resolved that UTE create a new Position for the National Office for
a Senior Labour Relations Officer.
- Recorded Vote #25. MOTION CARRIED.
That the report be adopted as a whole.
- Recorded Vote #26. MOTION CARRIED.
Sister Bannon resumed the chair.
11 k) REPORT OF THE COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE (Appendix Q)
m/s B. Campbell/S. Khayat
That the
report of the Communications Committee be adopted.
- Recorded Vote #27. MOTION CARRIED.
11 l) REPORT OF THE BARGAINING COMMITTEE (Appendix R)
m/s D. Lalancette/P. Abbott
That the report of the Bargaining Committee be adopted.
- Recorded Vote #28. MOTION CARRIED.
11 m) REPORT OF THE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (Appendix S)
m/s K. MacDonald/N. Stein
That the
report of the Political Action Committee be adopted.
- Recorded Vote #29. MOTION CARRIED.
12. ADOPTION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Appendix
T)
m/s B. Campbell/P. Abbott
That the financial statements of July 31, 2006 be adopted.
- Recorded Vote #30. MOTION CARRIED.
13. EXPENSE CLAIMS OVER 90 DAYS
m/s B. Campbell/H. McGoldrick
That the expense claims over 90 days be adopted.
- Recorded Vote #31. MOTION CARRIED.
14. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
A short discussion took place.
15. TELUS (postponed from June Council)
m/s S. Khayat/S. Bergeron
Whereas TELUS’s service leaves much to be desired, for both cell phones
and Blackberrys; and
Whereas the more economic cost that TELUS promised has not turned out to be
true.
Be it resolved that UTE officials obtain authorization from the President
to change cell phone and/or Blackberry service providers at an equal or lower
cost.
- Recorded Vote #32. MOTION CARRIED.
16. EDUCATION TRAINING FOR NEW EXECUTIVES MEMBERS
m/s T. Dupuis/S. Khayat
Whereas when a local is placed into trusteeship, and that there are no expenses
covered for education training courses of new executives members by the National
UTE; and
Whereas the expenses for this training is to come out of regional budgets;
and
Whereas this training is very costly.
Be it resolved that the expenses for education training of new executive members
from a local that is placed in trusteeship be paid for by the National Union
of Taxation.
Be it further resolved that the costs of this training come out of surplus.
- Recorded Vote #33. MOTION DEFEATED.
17. INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE REPORTS
ms K. MacDonald/S. Bergeron
That the reports be postponed until Sunday to give Council members some time
to read the reports.
- MOTION TO POSTPONE CARRIED.
18. DONATION TO THE CHILDREN OF CONGO
FUND
m/s N. Stein/P. Abbott
That this motion be postponed until the December 2006 Council.
- MOTION TO POSTPONE CARRIED.
19. SPONSORSHIP
m/s K. MacDonald/L. Cassidy
Be it resolved that the Union of Taxation Employees sponsor Neil Rose in the
amount of $600.00 for his participation in the Thunder Bay Minor Hockey Association
(2006/07).
- Recorded Vote #34. MOTION CARRIED.
20. NATIONAL OFFICE STAFFING
This item was withdrawn by the mover as it was already dealt with under the
Executive Committee Report - Item 10, recommendation #3.
21. BILL C-269
m/s D. Lalancette/S. Khayat
Whereas several of our members are affected by the employment insurance reform
and no longer have access to this program; and
Whereas the qualification period is not equitable; and
Whereas only workers and employers participate in this program; and
Whereas Bill C-269 will be submitted for second reading on September 21, 2006
and will come up for third reading in December; and
Whereas the Liberal and Conservative MPs have to be convinced to pass this
Bill; and
Whereas the current program emphasizes poverty.
Be it resolved that the UTE ask the PSAC to establish an email campaign to
MPs to have Bill C-269 passed in the House of Commons; and
Be it further resolved that the UTE promote this campaign among members by
whatever means are deemed necessary.
m/s N. Stein/K. MacDonald
That the
motion be divided to deal with the 2 Be it Resolved separately.
- MOTION TO DIVIDE CARRIED.
Be it Resolved that the UTE ask the PSAC to establish an email campaign to
MPs to have Bill C-269 passed in the House of Commons;
- Recorded Vote #35. MOTION CARRIED.
m/s N. Stein/M. Bertrand
That the 2nd Be it Resolved be referred to the Political Action Committee
(PAC).
President Bannon introduced Sister Jacquie de Aguayo, Coordinator of the Representation
Section within the PSAC who was invited to talk about adjudication.
The meeting recessed at 5:00 p.m.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2006
MORNING SESSION
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. with President Bannon in the
chair.
Brothers Bergeron, Bertrand and Dee were absent with permission. Both
Bergeron and Dee were replaced by their alternates, Brother Esslinger, Prairie
Region and Sister Johnson, Greater Toronto Region, respectively.
At the request of President Bannon, the session went ‘’ in camera ‘’.
Continuation of item 17 - INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE REPORTS
ms K. MacDonald/G. Esslinger
Be it Resolved that the Investigative Committee Reports be accepted.
m/s K. MacDonald/G. Esslinger
That the Investigative Committee Report no. 1 be accepted.
Lori Hall (Complainant) against Des Scott (Respondent)
- Recorded Vote #36. MOTION CARRIED.
m/s K. MacDonald/G. Esslinger
That the Investigative Committee Report no. 2 be accepted.
Des Scott (Complainant) against Lori Hall (Respondent)
- Recorded Vote #37. MOTION CARRIED.
The Council then moved back into its regular session.
22. NON-UTE EVENT
m/s L. Cassidy/K. MacDonald
Whereas Dalhousie University is holding a Labour Symposium in November 2006;
and
Whereas the Symposium is "Building a better Workplace": Fostering
Labour Management Collaboration.
Be it Resolved that the "Building a Better Workplace" Symposium
to be held November 14-15, 2006 in Halifax be approved as a Non-UTE Event.
- Recorded Vote #38. MOTION CARRIED.
BUSINESS FROM THE PRESIDENTS’ CONFERENCE
1. NATIONAL POLICY ON LANGUAGE
m/s L. Cassidy/G. Esslinger
Be it Resolved that the Union of Taxation Employees develop and adopt a
National Policy that UTE does not endorse creation of this National Third
Language Directory
and that the employer cease making the request for employees.
- Recorded Vote #39. MOTION CARRIED.
OPEN DISCUSSION
The Council members discussed the remaining items under this section.
Item 7 was postponed to the December 06 Council as Brother Bergeron was absent.
The meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
|
|
| Betty Bannon |
Bob Campbell |
| National President |
1st Vice-President |
|
