Our third day of convention opened with 163 delegates, 134 observers, 13 Life Members, 1 Honorary Member and 14 guests. The By-Laws Resolutions Committee continued with resolution 412 which would automatically increase the travel time to a full day when the travel time was more than 3.5 hours or 2 or more flights were required. There was much debate on the resolution and it was ultimately defeated. Next was resolution 413 which would increase the observer stipend, used to bring observers to the presidents’ conference, from $500 to $750. The committee’s recommendation of concurrence was adopted. Resolution 418 which would increase the national scholarship amounts from $2,500 to $3,000 and regional scholarships from $1,000 to $1,500 was also adopted. The committee’s recommendation of concurrence was also carried for resolution 422 which increases the maximum reimbursement for membership appreciation events from $500 to $1,000.
The Bargaining Resolutions Committee was called up with Adam Jackson, 2nd National Vice-President in charge of bargaining and chair of the committee. The committee’s recommendation of concurrence was carried unanimously for resolution 201 which resolves that UTE ask PSAC to take whatever action is necessary to raise the limits of eligible costs for such services as Dental Care, Vision Care, Massage Therapy, Chiropractic Services, etc. covered by the federal Public Service Health Care Plan. Similarly, resolution 202 which has the committee’s concurrence and resolves that UTE recommend to the PSAC to increase the benefit amounts under the Public Service Health Care Plan, was carried.
After lunch, the Credentials Committee submitted their report with 163 delegates, 134 observers, 13 Life Members, 1 Honorary Member and 14 guests.
The General Resolutions Committee was called. Resolution 313 resolves that UTE consider a Mental Health education aspect as a component of all national conferences. The committee’s recommendation of concurrence was carried. Resolution 302a resolves that UTE National create an ad hoc telework committee to review and make recommendations related to the unique challenges of membership engagement with teleworkers. The committee’s recommendation of concurrence was carried. Resolution 303 resolves that the PSAC create new membership application forms to include gender designations as optional before the next convention and that there be additional gender designation to incorporate non-binary gender designation. The committee’s recommendation of concurrence was carried unanimously. Resolution 309a resolves that effective immediately the word “Friends” be included in all general addresses during UTE events and publications and that activists will endeavour to use “Friends” when requested to. The recommendation of concurrence was carried. Resolution 304 resolves that the UTE Communications Committee be tasked with developing guidelines on the use of Social Media by Locals. The recommendation of concurrence was carried.
Chris Aylward, PSAC National President was our guest speaker. He began by remembering Bob Campbell, past UTE National President, who passed away in November 2019. Brother Aylward spoke of the challenges that will face us with virtual workers among many other topics. Marc Brière thanked Chris Aylward for his speech and for his effort in speaking French, which was appreciated by the francophone members.
The General Resolutions Committee continued with resolution 312a which resolved that the UTE National Office develop a Talking Union Basics course and roll it out within the next two years. The recommendation of concurrence as carried. Resolution 307a resolved that UTE develop and publish the principles, values and behaviours that UTE expects its union executive members to uphold and that UTE develop and deliver conflict resolution training to UTE activists. The recommendation of concurrence was carried. Resolution 307c resolved that the UTE National President determine when a Local should be provided with the services of a professional mediator. The recommendation of concurrence was carried.