The meeting was called to order at 1:15 pm. Betty Bannon, President of the Union of Taxation Employees presided. All members of the Executive Council were in attendance.
Sister Bannon advised all participants that Marcel Bertrand, Diana Gee, David Quist and Lyson Paquette have been appointed Harassment Complaint(s) Administrators for the duration of this Conference and that any harassment issues during this conference can to be addressed to them.
She then introduced Brother Greg Krokosh, President of the new Local of Lethbridge, Alberta. Earlier during the week Council passed a motion establishing the new local.
She asked the Local Presidents to introduce themselves. She then introduced the Executive Council members, the Labour Relations Officers, and her Executive and Administrative Assistants.
Sister Bannon updated the attendees on the following topics:
A petition on Orientation Sessions for New Members will be circulated during the Conference. The petition requests that all offices be instructed to conduct orientation sessions for new employees and that Alliance representatives be provided the opportunity to be part of the orientation sessions.
A walk to the Connaugh Building was planned for early Friday morning to show the employer our displeasure with respect to the bargaining dates that have been proposed by the employer. The group will be leaving at 6:45 am and will distribute information to the members entering the building. Herself, brother Lalancette, and the members of the bargaining team will try to meet with the Commissioner, Alan Nymark.
Sister Bannon emphasized on the importance of using the e-mail system to communicate during the bargaining process and encouraged all locals to check their e-mail frequently. She went on to say that it’s also very important to share the access code with other people on the executive to avoid limiting the access to one person. The National Office has checked which locals have not opened their email and this process will be done from time to time. She explained that it will become a big problem if the locals do not cooperate.
With respect to Rand members, the president suggested that locals should have one executive member or a committee whose responsibility would be membership. This issue should be a major concern for the locals and they should invest the time to sign up people. The more people that are signed up the more delegates attend conferences and conventions. She expects to see some improvement by the next Presidents’ Conference.
Workshops on the UTE questionnaire are planed for Friday. The Regional Vice-Presidents will give the national, regional and local results. The purpose of the workshops is to develop a plan of action for improvement. Further meetings may be needed to complete the action plan. Some regions have already scheduled meetings to do this. This is a great opportunity for us to look at the way we do business and make changes that are requested or identified directly by the membership.
On the subject of West Jet, she said that a bulletin will be re-issued on the fact that we should not be flying West Jet because it is a non-unionized Airline Company.
| M/S/C | Denis Brunette/Doug Gaetz | |
| That the hours of session be as follows: | ||
| Thursday: 1:15 to 5:00 Friday: 0900 to 11:45; 1:15 to 5:00; Saturday: 0900 to 11:45; 1:15 to 4:00. |
| M/S/C | Doug Gaetz/Jean-Pierre Bonin | |
| That the agenda be adopted as circulated with the following additions from the delegates. | ||
| 1. Compensation Service Delivery (Belleville) 2. EAP (Montreal) 3. Call Centres/Shift Work (Halifax) 4. Provincial and Federal Elections and Employees’ rights (Peterborough) 5. PSAC Pride Conference and component seats (St. Johns TSO) 6. Administration Reform and Renewal (Belleville) 7. UTE email (Windsor) 8. UTE Membership Questionnaire (Peterborough) |
Brother Nick Stein thanked everyone for their good wishes on the recovery from his accident. He also mentioned that their will be a 50/50 draw for Brother Gary Kashak’s campaign as he is seeking election on November 10 as a city councilor in Windsor, Ontario.
Brother Denis Brunette from the Montérégie Local asked his brothers and sisters to bring down any toiletries from their room to be given to a charitable organization.
Brother Jerry Dee from the North York Local said that it was a privilege to ride last July from Toronto to Montreal for the Aids Foundation. He thanked everyone for their donation which helped raise over $5000.
Sister Joy Harrison from the Southern Interior B.C. Local 20026 reported on the fire situation in the B.C. region that occurred throughout the summer. To assist in raising money for the members in need, she brought a food basket to be raffled at the end of the meeting.
Sister Janet Graham from the Vancouver Local presented a cheque to Local 20026 in the amount of $1200.00 which was collected by local members during a plantgate on bargaining to help the fire victims.
Sister Bannon added that during the week Council had approved a donation of $5000.00 to both BC and Alberta Red Cross and also that we will be having a raffle consisting of a 3 in 1 UTE Jacket for this cause.
Brother David Quist: from the Peterborough Local thanked Sister Bannon and Brother MacDonald for their letter of congratulations on the local’s 10th anniversary. Brother Quist added that all his executive members were attending this conference.
Sister Barb Stewart from the Ottawa TSO wished to raise money during the Conference for the upcoming Sunday Mothers and Daughters Heart and Stroke Society walk. She would be passing around a pledge sheet.
All the above points of privilege were well taken by the President.
The Chairperson reported briefly on the following business conducted by the Executive Council earlier during the week.
1. New Local - Lethbridge
2. Donation of $5000.00 to both the Red Cross in British Columbia and Alberta
3. Feasibility to obtain software to support a Grievance Data Bank
4. Remove ‘remote’ from Regulation 25 to read: Alternate Location Fund
Remaining outstanding items will be dealt with on Sunday morning.
The Chair of the Bargaining Committee, Brother Lalancette introduced the other members of the committee Brothers Nick Stein, Chris Aylward, Denis Brunette, John Kosiba and Sister Linda Cassidy. He also included the alternate members Brothers Kent MacDonald and Sabri Khayat. The chair reported on the bargaining process by saying that the members of the bargaining team have prepared themselves according to discussions held between our union leaders and management in order to establish an effective process, we hope allowing us to obtain a collective agreement before the expiry of the present one. He also mentioned that the employer did not demonstrate that he wanted to bargain in good faith but chose to do it his own way and by doing so gain time to prepare the Agency Classification Standard (ACS). He said that many members think they will automatically get a raise as a result of ACS. Nothing is further from the truth. However, the employer has the responsibility to negotiate salary levels affected by ACS. We must attempt to bargain and obtain what is best for all our members before talking about ACS salary levels. He concluded with information on the Negoquiz of which a copy was provided to all participants. The committee answered questions from the delegates.
Local: Moved the following motion.
Whereas the Nancy Riche decision was issued with an effective date of March 1st, 2003:
Whereas the transfer of members was supposed to be included on the May Rand List:
Whereas the dues of the affected members should have been going to the applicable component as of March 1st:
Whereas many of our locals have AGMs in the month of October and the members have not yet been allocated to the proper component; and
Whereas members who are not paying dues and do not belong to a component are not allowed voice and vote at an AGM:
Be it Resolved that the transfer of all CEUDA members located in a Tax Service Office, with the exception of those members in Finance and Administration, IT and HR be transferred to UTE within the next 30 days;
Be it Further Resolved that the dues that were deducted from the affected CEUDA members be transferred to the UTE Local to which they have been allocated as of June 1st, 2003 and that this money be remitted to the applicable local no later than October 31st, 2003; and
Be it Finally Resolved that if the transfer of all members does not take place as required within the next 30 days, that the Riche decision be declared null and void.
The President ruled out of order the 3rd Be it Resolved stating that the decision of Sister Riche was binding.
Brother Gaetz challenged the ruling of the president.
The President did not accept the challenge and asked for a seconder.
m/s Doug Gaetz/Gerard Ennis
After a debate on the motion, it was withdrawn by the mover.
The Peterborough Local brought forward the following motion on CEUDA/UTE transfer of members as follows.
Whereas the binding decision by an independent third party was rendered on February 20, 2003; and
Whereas the transfers of members resulting from the binding decision have not been completed.
Be it Resolved that the UTE National President immediately pursue, through whatever means necessary, the transfers of all members resulting from the binding decision; and
Be it Further Resolved that all anomalies be dealt with after all the transfers have been completed.
m/s David Quist/Cosimo Crupi
A debate took place on the motion.
Brother Denis Brunette asked that his dissidence be recorded.
Sister Diana Gee was presented with a 20-year pin in recognition of her dedication and hard work.
The meeting recessed at 1700 hours.
The members attending the Presidents’ Conference walked to the Connaugh building to show their displeasure with the bargaining process.
The Conference was called to order at 09:00 a.m. with President Bannon presiding.
Brother Lalancette thanked everyone and stated that he was proud to be a leader of the Union of Taxation Employees that morning. He added that it was the best participation ever and that it shows that members want things to change. He concluded saying that it was a great pleasure to see "Solidarity".
The point of privilege was well taken by the President.
The President updated the participants on information received with respect to the CEUDA/UTE transfer. She said that the employer’s disk was received and the PSAC was able to match all but 141 IAN and they will be done manually. A meeting was scheduled at the PSAC the following Monday with Céline Pétrin the PSAC Membership Supervisor, Sylvie Bastien from UTE and Elizabeth Byars from CEUDA. After the meeting, a tentative schedule will be issued to determine when it could be done. Locals with anomalies will be dealt with last.
The Chair of EO Committee, Sister Cassidy reported that the Committee had met during the week-end and finalized the National and Regional Conferences. The first Regional was to be held Jan 16-18, 2004 in Vancouver for the joint Toronto/Pacific regions. The format would be the same as previous conferences. The Committee answered questions from the delegates.
The Chair of the Honours and Awards Committee, Sister Abbott introduced the members of the Committee, Brothers Dupuis and Lalancette and reported on the 24 scholarship applications received. Following are the name of the winners:
Christiane Pigeon
Parent: Angèle Rivest
Northern and Eastern Ontario Region
Natalia Korczynski
Parent: Grace Korczynski
South Western Ontario Region
| Chantall Doll Parent: Carole Bougie Prairie Region |
Jim Brittain Parent: Robert Brittain Atlantic Region |
| Lawrence Bradley Parent: Alex Bradley Northern and Eastern Ontario Region |
Roxane Campeau Parent: Louise Vallière Montréal Region |
| Nathan Linkletter Parent: Paul Linkletter Pacific Region |
Erin Lalonde Parent: Kathy Lalonde Rocky Mountain Region |
| Haley King Parent Janie King Rocky Mountain Region |
Angela Worbec Parent: Janice Worobec Northern and Eastern Ontario Region |
| Alexandra MacDougall Parent Jyl MacDougall Toronto North Region |
Laurence Lussier Parent: Louise Lussier Montréal Region |
The Chair of the Communications Committee, Brother Campbell introduced the members of the Committee, Brothers Barry Melanson, Sabri Khayat and Brent Fournier. He reported on the New Member’s Kit and asked for comments and suggestions. The first edition of the UTE Newsletter was distributed to all participants. The next issue will be published in December and Brother Campbell asked members to send any articles, comments and suggestions by October 24. He answered questions from the delegates.
The Saskatoon Local asked that Item 7 Donation/Sponsorships be moved to be dealt with immediately and requested that Item 2 be dealt with as Item 7.
Be it Resolved that the UTE budgeted line item entitled Donations be restricted to the following definition:
Donations are defined as monies given which must be made to a registered charity, strike fund or benevolence of UTE members.
m/s Linda Kinhnicki/Ian Daykin
A debate on the motion took place.
| Local : | Asked if there were any updates on the issue of the no-scent policy from the National Policy Committee? |
| L. Ruel: | Member of the OSH Committee stated that it has been very difficult to meet with the employer. She said that many employers have guidelines on how to deal with environmental sensitivity, perfumes etc. but that there was no public service who has a no-scent policy not even the Treasury Board. She added that it is not an easy project and that they are working on it at the national level. |
| N. Wenzel: | Member of the OSH Committee referred to a few internet sites, publication and courses for more information on the subject:
Workers Health & Safety Center – Fragrances a no non-scent approach PSAC publication: PSAC Awareness Kit on Scent Free Environments HRDC has developed a joint union/management course on Scent Awareness and how to handle the problem in the workplace. Contact: Sister Lynn Meston, PSAC in London. |
Sister Cassidy gave a quick update on the Agency Classification Standard (ACS). She said that the next meeting is scheduled for October 27 and by that date she would expect to have the points, bands, weights and levels and the opportunity to provide comments and feed-back on what is expected. She also added that we would have started to receive job descriptions to provide the employer with comments and feed-back.
Brother Terry Dupuis presented Brother Ian Daykin with the Godfroy Côté Award of Merit in recognition of Brother Daykin’s dedicated work. This award is given to members who have demonstrated their commitment to achieving the aims and objectives of UTE, who exhibited exemplary service at any level of UTE and have accumulated service at any level of UTE for a minimum of five (5) years.
Brother MacDonald gave an update on Incremental Pay Rates. UTE Bulletin 21/03 has been issued on the subject and distributed to all participants. The referred bulletin can be found on the UTE web site. Brother MacDonald answered questions from the delegates.
| Local: | Asked if, as discussed at a previous conference, we are still to use competencies in the performance management process? What about grandfather competencies in our current job? Re-test period, would the first time count? |
| S. O’Brien: | Member of the Staffing Committee stated that the first PQP results are forgivable. As for the competencies being rolled-in to the performance evaluation process, where possible managers and supervisors should fold that in the current duties and goals and the PQP process. As for being competent in the current job, Brother O’Brien said that he had read in a recent PIPSC newsletter that Alan Nymark the new commissioner has agreed to grandfather PIPSC in their current jobs and that UTE had received no such communication. He said that he had followed up on that but he had no further news as of yet from the Agency. |
The meeting was called to order at 1:15 p.m. with Sister Bannon presiding. The afternoon was reserved for workshops where the Regional Vice-Presidents gave the national, regional and local results on the UTE Membership Questionnaire. The purpose of the workshops was to develop a plan of action for improvement of our union.
The meeting was called to order at 09:00 a.m. with President Bannon presiding.
Be it Resolved that the following Smoke Free Policy be implemented effective September 22, 2003:
The Union of Taxation Employees is committed to providing a healthy, clean and safe environment for members, staff, elected officials and visitors. The present policy replaces all previous smoking policies adopted by the Union of Taxation Employees.
The Union of Taxation Employees adopts the following policy on smoke-free environments:
All Union of Taxation Employees staff, members and elected officials are expected to comply with this policy. Formal complaints can be directed to your local health and safety representative, joint occupational health and safety committee, chairperson or organizer of a Union of Taxation Employees activity/event.
m/s Ian Daykin/Norbert Wenzel
That the President of Burnaby Fraser Sister White, who’s ill, be replaced by her alternate Sister Hilde Sellmeyer.
The point of privilege was well taken by the President.
A debate took place on the motion.
The following were proposed as suggestions: Keep the door shut from the smoking room. Smokers should stay away from the non-smoking area. Have the suite on a non- smoking floor. Make the non-smoking room more comfortable and cosy. Have a room just for smoking where smokers would stand up and then go socialize with others. To have liquor in both rooms (if we go with the solution of having two rooms). Have the hotel provide better ventilation. Refer this issue to the OSH committee. Obtain open patio from hotel.
Sister Bannon suggested that the hospitality room be non-smoking until 8:00 pm until we find a suitable solution for everyone. The suggestion was accepted.
| Local: | Stated that it was important to participate in this and that we should have a union representative look into this to prevent the employer from receiving all the credit. |
| Chair: | Replied that we should ensure that the campaign was done jointly including all notifications and information sessions and that the certificates were signed by both parties etc. |
| Locals: | This was tried but it didn’t work. The employer still takes all the credit. |
| Local: | This item is linked with the previous one where the employer seems to receive all the credit. There should be a way to collect money for our brothers and sisters other than collecting at conferences like this one. |
| Chair: | There is a wide definition of benevolent. Please define exactly what it is you want to do and send it the National Office for translation and distribution to all locals. The locals could then reply directly to the Edmonton Local President. |
Sister Bannon introduced our negotiators Sue Jones, PSAC Negotiator and David Orfald, PSAC Research Officer, who happened to be meeting next door.
The President Bannon introduced Sister Nycole Turmel, National President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
Sister Turmel reported on a number of issues, one being that Mr. Nymark, CCRA Commissioner, has finally agreed to add two days to the negotiating session in November and hoped that we can push him a bit further. She stated that in order to see a real bargaining commitment from the employer we needed consistent and concerted pressure from CCRA members from coast to coast to coast. There will be mobilization activities organized by the PSAC Strategy Committee, to which she will participate and one is scheduled on Halloween. With respect to the Riche decision, Sister Turmel stated that she has taken action on the matter and that the transfers should be completed in late October. The anomalies will be dealt with also in October or November depending on everyone’s schedule. One of the upcoming priorities of the PSAC will be to put together an election program that we want implemented by the new government that will include expansion of public services as well as job security and most importantly whistle blowing legislation. She reminded the participants that an emergency fund was available and asked proposals from UTE to put these dollars to work for the benefit of all UTE members. She concluded on two subjects. The first being that the NBoD will be asked to approve a set of by-laws and the operation structure for the PSAC Social Justice Fund at its October 2003 meeting. The second subject was that the PSAC was making bargaining as accessible to the membership as possible by preparing a bargaining info publication that will be directly mailed to all PSAC/CCRA members and a bargaining toolkit that can be used by our CCRA activists. This tool kit will explain bargaining demands, the bargaining process and hopefully educate, mobilize and engage as many members as possible.
Sister Bannon turned over the Chair to Brother Lalancette, 2nd NVP to meet with Sister Turmel on different issues.
The Chair of the Finance Committee, Brother Bob Campbell reported on the Financial Statements dated July 31, 2003. The Chair stated that a draft only of the Financial Statements would be sent to all locals electronically once a month because they would have to be adopted by Council at their following meeting. The Chair answered questions from the delegates.
Brother Lalancette turned the Chair over to Brother Bob Campbell 1st NVP.
Local: Commented that UTE should educate members on what other public servants are getting with respect to vacation. We have to look at what the employer is prepared to offer in the next round of negotiation. As taxpayers we want a better deal on vacation.
| Local: | With respect to the Ontario black out in August the timeframe to help people in need was unacceptable. People were trapped in elevators for hours. Elevators should have backup power to permit people to get to the first floor safely. |
| C. Aylward | Chair of the OSH Committee responded that he will refer this matter to the National President for her to refer it to the OSH Committee. |
| Brother Wenzel | Member of the OSH Committee brought some light on the subject by saying that it was the employer’s responsibility to ensure that Health and Safety issues are resolved in a timely manner. He also referred to Part IV of the Regulation on Elevating devices that provides judicial information on the matter. A copy was available through Brother Wenzel to look at. |
The afternoon session began at 1:15 pm with Sister Bannon presiding.
Point of Privilege – D. Gee
That Sister Anna Gill, who’s ill, be replaced by her alternate Brother Al Noormohamed.
The Point of privilege was well taken by the President.
Sister Bannon reported on her meeting with Sister Turmel on the following topics:
Sister Bannon stated that her understanding was that all locals that are having their AGM in October would be dealt with first and they were: All the Atlantic, Toronto West, Windsor and Winnipeg TSO Locals followed by the locals with no anomalies, then the locals with anomalies. It’s a three-phase project. We will keep you informed.
Sister Debbie Ferguson from Saint John, N.B. was presented with a 25-year pin by the Atlantic RVP, Sister Linda Cassidy, for her exemplary service.
| Local: | Stated that in the last Federal Budget, the government wanted to recuperate moneys from their departments including the Agency. In May 2003 a document identified 18 ways/programs to recuperate moneys. Have we found out what is the CCRA contribution? |
| Chair: | This had nothing to do with the budget. The intent was to streamline the way they do business more efficiently. The Agency portion of the pull back was 22 millions according to the Ottawa newspaper. |
The chair said that to her knowledge no projects have been abandoned but some of them are more advanced, some of them have more impact than others. UTE is briefed from time to time on individual projects and at some point we will have an overall briefing on the horizontal project as a whole.
| Local: | Thanked the Committee for the Minutes and Appendices that were provided to the participants. This is a very good tool and it’s very well done. The local asked if we had any updates on determinate employees vs. electronic filing and would that affect indeterminate employees eventually? |
| P. Mulvihill: | Advisor on the Tech. Change Committee responded that the committee followed very carefully what was happening in the locals to be able to go back to the employer with this information. He asked the participants to keep the committee informed of any changes in their local. He also said that he would bring these concerns to the next committee meeting in November. |
| Local: | Were there other sectors that could be centralized as it happened with collections? |
| Chair: | We have not been briefed on any initiative that some services would be centralized or moved to a new location. She asked Brother Stein to comment. |
| N. Stein: | Commented that there were two known initiatives: Compensation Delivery Model, AS-02 members, they are going to a Call Centre approach but no dates have been provided yet and the other one is the Administrative Reform & Renewal that has been going on in one region. No new ones.
Other locals stated that they have been reduced from 7 to 5 points of service. Brother Gaetz asked to have the Call Center/shift work item dealt with now as it relates to the question on the floor. He was granted permission by the chair. He stated that Management was looking for shift work in Revenue Collections and wanted directions from the chair. Was there any discussion with CCRA on that? |
| Chair: | Brother Mulvihill was briefed on that and the information had been provided to the Executive Council and the locals. The UTE position on the change of hours has always been: You will not change our day workers to shift workers and in most cases we were able to keep our members with their hours. If the employer wants to change the working hours he has to consult with us. During consultation meetings our position has always been NO. Do not let the employer tell you otherwise. Let your RVP know about what management wants to do with shift hours and we will deal with it. What about Call Centers? |
| Chair: | We have not been advised of any shift work on that project. |
Local: Commented briefly on the decision and thanked brother Ian Daykin for representing her and brother Dupuis.
Local: Were there any offices that were using lateral transfer requests?
A show of hands demonstrated that this was happening across the country.
Item withdrawn by the submitting local.
Item withdrawn by the submitting local.
Local: They should be made available to all locals.
Chair: We will see if we can get them. If yes, we will be checking the cost.
| Local: | Stated that up until April the doctor was based in Edmonton but worked also in Calgary and that he had now retired. The new doctor works 2 days/week and will not travel to Edmonton. Members are advised to travel to Calgary on very short notice and some members cannot travel. What can be done to change this. |
| Chair: | This was raised at the NUMC. |
| C. Aylward: | Chair of the OSH Committee reported that this was presented at the last NUMC meeting in June which had precipitated an OSH meeting with the employer late June on the issue. We presented specific issues that happened across the country. A draft report was received last night and we will keep you inform. Please provide any case to your RVP. |
| Local: | When are we getting a new commissioner? |
| Chair: | They are conducting interviews at this time |
For the fire in the BC region the amount raised was $1623.
Terri Uebele was the winner of the 3 in 1 UTE Jacket.
Normand Pelletier was the winner of the Food basket to raise money for the fire in BC. The amount raised $530.
50/50 draw for Brother Kashak ‘s campaign: $265. Brother Marc Lefebvre was the winner and he gave his share back to Brother Kashak.
Local: The employer is withholding/denying increments. Is this happening to other locals?
Edmonton and Toronto Center said yes.
Chair: Grievances should be filed.
Item withdrawn by the submitting local.
Local: How many locals have members who serve the public and finish at 4:30, while other members in the office finish at 5:00?
Most locals answered they did.
Item withdrawn by the submitting local.
| Local: | The employer does not want to renew the contract for their psychologist and want to replace the position by a 1-800 number. This initiative comes from the central administration. The local feels this is not acceptable and asked what was UTE’s position on the issue. |
| S. Bergeron: | Chair of EAP Committee reported that the committee was aware of the situation and that they were concerned with what was happening. He asked that details be forwarded to the committee so they may bring it to the next meeting in November. |
Note: Call Centres/Shift Work (Halifax) was dealt with under the Saskatoon items.
Local: Could the National Office issue a memo to remind us of our political rights and responsibilities with reference to time-off for voting, participation limits, posting, canvassing etc…
Chair: Agreed.
| Local: | Has UTE been advised of our seat allocation? |
| Chair: | We will find out. In the past the PSAC took the applications, sent us the names and the EO Committee ranked them. |
| L. Cassidy: | Chair of EO Committee reported that for the Unity Conference the PSAC picked the names of who would attend for our Component. However, for the Women conference they did what the Chair stated. We have to make sure that they are consistent. The participants were reminded that the deadline was September 29. |
Item withdrawn by the submitting local.
Local: Will the Executive Council reconsider its policy/decision on the payment of Internet fees and hardware/software tools for locals in light of this request to go paperless?
Chair: The answer was no.
Whereas the Environics Questionnaire provides a general overview of the UTE questionnaire results; and
Whereas UTE members/locals/regions may wish to review their respective questionnaire results.
Be it Resolved that the UTE National make available upon request the complete questionnaire results that were summarized in the Environics questionnaire report; and
Be it Further Resolved that the UTE National make available upon request from the locals and /or regions the detailed questionnaire results of their respective locals and /or regions, if possible.
m/s David Quist/John Kosiba
Point of privilege – Harrison, Brunette
Sister Joy Harrison thanked everyone for the money raised for the fire victims in the B.C. region.
Brother Denis Brunette thanked the members for bringing down the toiletries.
Both points were well taken by the President.
Sister Bannon thanked the delegates for the civilized debate that took place this week on some delicate subjects. She restated her intention to get information out on the transfer as soon as she receives it. A student was hired to work on our website during the summer and we hope to have a revised website by October 1st. She went on to say that in the upcoming months we will be very active with AGMs, bargaining and activities surrounding bargaining schedules and that we should be ready for a strike vote by the last day of the team meeting in November. She also mentioned Regional meetings to work on the UTE questionnaire and look at the ways to do business. She concluded by stating that she hoped this conference brought the participants some ideas that they can share with their membership.
The meeting adjourned at 4:00 PM.