Our fourth day of convention opened with 163 delegates, 134 observers, 13 Life Members, 1 Honorary Member and 14 guests. The General Resolutions Committee continued with resolution 315 which resolved that UTE Executive Council explore options to manage the distribution and waste of alcohol at UTE national events. The committee’s recommendation of concurrence was carried. Resolution 306b resolved that UTE National office commit and make every attempt to reduce the use of paper and engage in finding more environmentally friendly means to run its operations. The committee’s recommendation of concurrence was carried. Resolution 310 resolves that the Alliance transfer service delivery functions to components upon request and that the dues structure be amended to return the associated monies. The committee’s recommendation of concurrence was carried.
The By-Laws Resolutions Committee was called up and continued with resolution 416 which deals with virtual conferences and conventions. The resolution was divided so that each of the ‘be it resolved’ were dealt with separately. The first resolved that when conferences and/or conventions cannot take place in person that they not take place over the weekend or on paid holidays and that in those rare occasions where the meeting must take place over the weekend or on a paid holiday, delegates would be paid a stipend equal to a full day’s per diem for the Saturday, Sunday or holiday. The committee’s recommendation of concurrence 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 Chair of the Nominations Committee, Betty Bannon explained that each of the national positions had received one nomination each and that all of the PSAC delegates had been chosen and all but one region had elected their RVP and alternate RVP. Sister Bannon also explained the procedures for Friday’s elections.
The By-Laws Resolutions Committee continued with the second 'be it resolved' of resolution 416. This would have changed the hours of session for virtual conferences and conventions to 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Ottawa time. The committee’s recommendation of concurrence was defeated.
Larry Rousseau, Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Labour Congress was our guest speaker. He spoke of having a plan for recovery after the pandemic, how 2 million jobs will not come back and how we need to work for a new normal that is more equitable. Brother Rousseau also spoke about CLC’s new campaign which can be found at canadianplan.ca.
As all of the concurrence resolutions had been dealt with, the National President called up the General Resolutions Committee to start on their resolutions of non-concurrence. The first was resolution 305 which would create a national mental health conference to be held before the next convention. Delegates defeated the committee’s recommendation of non-concurrence and moved concurrence. Concurrence was carried.
The By-Laws Resolutions Committee was called up to deal with their non-concurrence resolutions. The first was resolution 403 which would require the 1st National vice-president to table an annual report to council and to one of the two presidents’ conferences. The committee’s recommendation of non-concurrence was carried. The next was resolution 411 which would make changes to how travel time is calculated. The committee’s recommendation of non-concurrence was carried. Resolution 417 also dealt with travel time. The committee’s recommendation of non-concurrence was carried.