THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2022
AFTERNOON SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 1:15 p.m. Marc Brière, President of the Union of Taxation Employees, presides the meeting and welcomes everyone. This President’s conference is the first in person conference since 2019. UTE is pleased to offer the conference in a hybrid format as part of a pilot project.
He acknowledged the Algonquin and Anishinaabe peoples for the land in which we are gathered.
President Brière presented administrative details related to the conference.
The delegation sang Solidarity Forever in both French and English.
President Brière asked the delegation to respect a moment of silence for members who have passed away since the last conference.
He went over the Harassment Policy and introduced the Complaint Administrators: Doug Gaetz, Brian Oldford, Mathieu Juneau and Jennifer MacPherson.
The First Aid and CPR attendants were introduced as follows:
Josh Atwood. Imre Bene, Ken Bye, Mike Chartrand, Cosimo Crupi, Patrick Ferguson, Doug Gaetz, Trixie Gorzo, Mathieu Juneau, Alex Thon and Linda Walters.
He introduced the members of the Executive Council, the members of the staff from the National Office and each local president.
Richard Goguen-Moncton 60008 was introduced as new local president.
President Brière acknowledged the Life Members at the conference, Brothers Doug Gaetz and Kent MacDonald.
1st Vice-President Gaetz gave finance instructions and UTE store information.
ADOPTION OF THE HOURS OF SESSION
m/s Richard Hyatt - 20050 / Richard Weintrager-70030
That the hours of session be as follows.
- MOTION CARRIED
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
m/s Heather Kenny - 20029 / Trixie Gorzo-30022
That the agenda be adopted as amended.
- MOTION CARRIED
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2022
1:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Call to Order
Administrative details
Hours of Session
Adoption of Agenda
Opening Remarks - National President
Highlights on Items dealt by the Executive Council
3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Break
3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Presentation from the Honours and Awards Committee
ICA presentation
Mental Health Conference update
Call Centre Committee update
Collective Bargaining Committee Update
4:00 p.m. – 5: 00 p.m. Items submitted by Local Presidents
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022
09:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Workshop- UTE structure review (including a 20-minute break)
11:30 p.m. – 02:00 p.m. Rally-Lunch
02:00 p.m. – 05:00 p.m. Workshop – UTE structure review (including a 20-minute break)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2022
09:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Items submitted by Local Presidents
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Presentation-The Personal Insurance Co.
10:15 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Break
10:30 p.m. – 11:45 p.m. Items submitted by Locals Presidents
11:45 p.m. – 01:15 p.m. Lunch
01:15 p.m. – 02:00 p.m. Presentation by Allison McEwen, Ravenlaw - Repeal of Roe vs Wade
02:00 p.m. – 03:00 p.m. Items submitted by Local Presidents
03:00 p.m. – 03:15 p.m. Break
03:15 p.m. – 05:00 p.m. Items submitted by Local Presidents
Closing remarks by National President
POINTS SUBMITTED BY LOCALS
Subject to the timeline of the specified hours of sessions.
VANCOUVER – LOCAL 20027
- Booking Convention Committees, the same weekend as a PSAC Regional Conference. Withdrawn by the Local
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER– LOCAL 90000
- Availability to members outside of work - what is expected by National, what is expected by members?
- Suitability check list for managers to fill out regarding their employees to be able to approve Virtual Work Arrangement Agreements (VWAA) - causing stigma and avoiding dealing with issues.
SHAWINIGAN – LOCAL 10005
- Article 48: leave with pay for participation in a staffing process.
- Assignment rules.
PACIFIC REGION CALL CENTER – LOCAL 20050
- CCAAT - Changes made to status of MOU in the Collective Agreemen.t
- Members and how they’re allocated Virtual work Arrangements.
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER– LOCAL 90000
- Occupational Fitness Assessment Forms (OFAF) and their intentions, when to use, and when can/should it be avoided.
- Local and Regional Newsletters causing people to miss important information.
OUTAOUAIS – LOCAL 70035
- Request to know the UTE's position on the application of bonuses to Third Language.
- Request regarding potential training following the implementation of the new medical insurance plan.
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER– LOCAL 90000
- Rejection on probation vs discipline Process - does UTE have a preference as to which route is followed?
- PSAC Vaccination Policy - communication and enforcement thereof.
SHAWINIGAN – LOCAL 10005
- Members’ list.
OUTAOUAIS – LOCAL 70035
- Substantial increase in the use of students to complete tasks that were previously completed by members.
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER– LOCAL 90000
- Accessibility of processes and procedures (putting By-laws and Regulations into practice) and how to's for activists.
- Are current systems and protocols stifling innovation and activism? (Example: Manipulating rules of order to stifle and avoid debate, directly adversely affecting newer, less experienced activists, often belonging to equity deserving groups)
ADDITIONS:
ST-JOHN- LOCAL 60005
- Changes to Official Languages Act requiring supervisors to be bilingual.
OTTAWA TECHNOLOGY CENTRE- LOCAL 70030
- End of local UMC’s.
- Employer’s response to Black Class Action litigation hold.
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER– LOCAL 90000
- Mandatory use of web cams during training.
TORONTO NORTH- LOCAL 00048
- Update on Black Class Action lawsuit.
OPENING REMARKS
President Brière addressed with the following remarks:
A copy of the Bonnie Robichaud book will be handed out to each local.
He expressed his pleasure of being able to hold a in person conference and being able to accommodate with the hybrid pilot project. He reminds in person participants to be mindful of Covid safety, he encourages mask wearing even if not mandatory. Masks will be distributed, and extra servers were added for the hospitality suite and health break services.
Workshop for structure review: first step at seriously looking at the structure. Important for UTE to have the local’s input. A balanced Had Hoc Committee will have to be struck. An external firm was hired to guide the process.
Bargaining: expressed his great frustration with the process and lack of progress with Treasury Board and CRA. Legislation is problematic. Our members delivered day in and day out and they did not even present us with a wage offer while all the other bargaining units had one. We will push back; we need our locals. Rally at Connaught Building tomorrow, declaration of impasse.
Roe vs Wade presentation a prelude to the EO Conference.
Local AGM’s: Resolution at the NBoD “at the discretion of the locals, AGM’s can be held in person following safety precautions.” If a local opts for virtual AGM and requires technical assistance from UTE national, a request must be submitted.
Phoenix taxability of damages: we have repeatedly asked for more information; we have put additional information on the UTE web site. We will resend the actual agreement of PSAC and Treasury Board agreement. He explained the deadlines to file. Objective is for PSAC to represent all the cases.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BUSINESS
President Brière made a brief report on some of the business conducted by the Executive Council earlier during the week. (For additional details, please refer to the Executive Council Minutes and Committee Reports of September 2022.)
Distribution of a Workers History Museum calendar per local.
Expressed worries about members harassing local representatives and staff. Advises that such behavior should not be tolerated.
Distribution of thank you cards and gift cards for all local executive members, Executive Council, and staff. President Brière expresses his recognition and appreciation of all the hard work being done for members.
The 2023 Convention Committees meeting date was reviewed because the event was scheduled on same date of another PSAC event. The hotel contract was successfully amended.
Health break
President Brière calls session back to order at 3:15 p.m.
The National President turned over the chair to 1st Vice-President Doug Gaetz.
PRESENTATION FROM THE HONOURS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE
Brother Cosimo Crupi, Chair of the Honours and Awards Committee, introduced the committee members. Brother Gary Esslinger, Co-chairperson, Sister Darlene Bembridge and Sister Louise Dorion.
Over 70 applications were received. Each region was able to receive a scholarship.
Thanks to the partnership with the Personal Insurance Co., UTE was able to give an additional 10 regional scholarships.
Presentation of the Service pin of fifteen years to Brother Mike Chartrand for the years of dedication and involvement towards the members of local 70000, Ottawa Headquarters.
President Brière returns in the chair.
Brother Eddy Aristil RVP - Montréal region presented Brother Henri Bégin a Service pin for his 30 years of strong implication in defending the well being of all the members in local 100009, Rouyn-Noranda.
PRESENTATION ICA
ED Smith, International Children Awareness (ICA) addressed the assembly and explains the importance and relevance of their implication to support children internationally. He encourages donations.
UPDATE MENTAL HEALTH CONFERENCE
Doug Gaetz, chair of the well Being Committee introduced the committee members Gregory Krokosh, co-chair and Mathieu Juneau, technical advisor and gives an update on the 2023 Mental Health Conference that will be held April 20-23, 2023. Additional information will follow.
UPDATE CALL CENTRE COMMITTEE
Brother Aristil chair of the Call Center Committee introduced the committee members, Brian Oldford co-chair, Brother Justin VonBornhoft and Brother Kent MacDonald.
The chair informs that he commits to keep locals informed of the work of the committee. There are 3 meetings per year. Information will be posted on the web site. Review with CRA of the challenges. CCAAT is not used in a uniform manner across the Agency and will be replaced by another tool. He invites the employees of the Call Centers to submit suggestions that would be useful for the committee. A meeting with CRA is scheduled on October 31st.
The meeting recessed at 5:00 p.m.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022
MORNING SESSION
The conference participants were assigned in different groups for the workshops on the UTE structure review.
11:30 p.m. – 02:00 p.m. Rally-Lunch
AFTERNOON SESSION:
Participants returned to the workshop groups on the UTE structure review.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2022
MORNING SESSION
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. with National President Brière in the Chair.
REPORT OF THE BARGANNING COMMITTEE
Adam Jackson 2nd Vice-President, Chair of the Committee introduced the committee members. Jamie vanSydenborgh co-chair, Brian Oldford, Eddy Aristil, Kim Koch, David Lanthier, Andria Cullen, Ashley Green, Dan Aiken and Shane O’Brien. The committee met 7 times, now at impasse. They are trying to move things along. The economic proposal was submitted, and the employer still hasn’t come back. Encourages participants to speak to the membership about bargaining has the locals are the strength of bargaining.
There was a period of questions and answers.
ITEMS PRESENTED BY THE LOCAL PRESIDENTS
VANCOUVER – LOCAL 20027(1)
Booking Convention Committees, the same weekend as a PSAC Regional Conference.
-Sister Sharon Cowie thanks UTE for having addressed the issue. She withdrew the item.
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER– LOCAL 90000
Availability to members outside of work - what is expected by National, what is expected by members? (1)
-Ashley Green - 90000: Asked what should be reasonably expected of activists outside of their working hours. Expectations of Union and members.
Marc Brière - National President: Is conscious of the pressures of balancing duties of Union and CRA. Important to minimize the hours spent outside of work on union business. There will always be a part of voluntarism in union work. Negotiate your union time with employer. Important to not accept not having time allowed.
-Joanne Coish - 90001: Explained the pressures and expectations of members. Says that leaders are burning out and this is why locals end up in trusteeship.
Marc Brière - National President: Stated that this is unacceptable, with the size of her local, he invites her to have her workload lowered with employer or if not delegate amongst her team.
-Heather Kenny - 20029: Work life balance is hard even if we delegate. Demands are high, the workload is over the top. This needs to be looked at. Members just go to national. The youth of today are not interested in outside work for the Union.
-Ashley Green - 90000: We need to talk about stuff like rands-best practices and learn how to do this stuff.
Suitability check list for managers to fill out regarding their employees to be able to approve Virtual Work Arrangement Agreements (VWAA) - causing stigma and avoiding dealing with issues. (2)
Ashley Green - 90000: Is there anything we can do about this part of the employer policy where managers have full say? Managers are using this as a carrot at the end of a stick.
Shane O’Brien - SLO: We had a bargaining proposal tabled. We had no positive response from them. They want to completely leave the virtual and telework as an employer policy under full unfettered discretion of the employer. We are strongly opposed and will not tolerate the full discretion of the employer. We have identified this as a bargaining priority for UTE. If they do not move on the issue, they will see job action from our members. For manager and the suitability check and work arrangement there is not much we can do right now about it because it’s not in the agreement. You have to mobilize your members, rally them and make sure we get that in the agreement.
PRESENTATION-THE PERSONAL INSURANCE Co.
Marie-Eve Lavigne, representing the Personal Insurance Co. She addressed the participants as to the partnership with UTE. Invited to participate in a draw and to address questions about insurance. She will be present until 2:30 p.m. at the exhibition table set up in foyer.
SHAWINIGAN – LOCAL 10005
Article 48: leave with pay for participation in a staffing process. (1)
Julien Nobert -10005: Wanted to hear from other locals about Article 48. Employees not paid for time for selection process. Exams are online and not supervised, therefore employer refuses to pay for the time. We do not get the code hours anymore. We have filled over 20 grievances. I would like to know if National is conscious of this and what will be the actions taken.
Shane O’Brien - SLO: This is happening all over. Employer as a ridiculous position because processes are online, they say attendance is not required. For now, continue to grieve it and we will pursue the issue at the bargaining table.
Richard Weintrager - Local 70030: Widespread across country. Labour Relations refuses the time. We have to grieve it.
Ashley Green - 90000: Our members need to know how to ask the question. We have to educate. The information given when a request is made should be limited. Request under Article 48: specify only the number of hours requested. According to her, there no need to specify that the process is online etc. We will see after if they ask questions.
Alexandre Dumont - 70035: Labour relations is the problem. It is discriminatory for members who are single parents. When are they expected to make the exam, when they are at home? We will need to be more aggressive with this issue.
Heather Kenny - 20029: The problem is when the manager or new team leader goes to LR and it is denied. The issue is members do not know what is in the contract. We need to educate. We need something that goes out. People need to stop telling management why they need things.
Marc Brière - National President: Indicates that the problematic is noted and will be followed with SLRO.
Health break
The session resumed at 10:30 a.m.
Motion to amend agenda:
m/s Nicholas Thompson - 00048 / Ken Bye - 00052
Move item Update on the Black Action Lawsuit to the next order of business.
VOTE to amend agenda as requested: CARRIED
ITEMS PRESENTED BY THE LOCAL PRESIDENTS (CONT’D)
TORONTO NORTH- LOCAL 00048
Update on Black Class Action lawsuit
Nicholas Thompson - 00048: Explained what Black Class Action is about. Monumental legal action that was filed in December 2020 to address systemic discrimination in the Public Service. Aims to address the harms made in denied hirings and promotions causing significant psychological injuries and economic losses. Since the start of this action, the government amended the Public Services Act as it pertains to discrimination, has started reviewing the Employment Equity Act where changes are expected to ensure that no unrepresented group is left behind. They are also calling for separate category for black workers apart from the other visible minorities. The government has pledged to create a mental health program to address the significant racial trauma caused. With barriers removed, we will start to see a better representation in the Union. Encourages to proactively work to engage the workers that were left behind. Asking the support of the assembly in the campaign.
SHAWINIGAN – LOCAL 10005
Assignment rules (2)
Dany Gélinas -10005: Thanked, the Membership Committee, and the staff for the excellent work. We are way up in the rands, hard to serve when you don’t know where the members are. The lists should be well prepared by National PSAC and CRA, this is not too much to ask.
Shane O’Brien - SLRO: Problems with membership, massive amount of recruiting, processing of membership, Union Ware as limitations. The employer provides the list, but not accurate. By the time the employer creates a pay list and we send it out to locals, it is already too old. Patterns of hiring hard to catch up. PSAC dumps the membership workload on the components. Insufficient or inaccurate lists. A lot of progress has been made, UTE has prioritized the membership file, the results are encouraging, the Unallocated members list is down to 500. Encourages locals to mobilize further to have the membership cards signed.
Mike Chartrand - 70000: The rand list is a constant issue. The dues not collected is an enormous problem. The rand list went down. Encourages locals to do the work. Union Ware is a useful tool.
Shane O’Brien - SLR: Multiple locals in a same city is problematic. Advise name of local and local number. Saves administrative work. Encourages to get info processed on a timely manner.
Dany Gélinas - 10005: 2 spaces on rand card to fill, hard to identify which one.
PACIFIC REGION CALL CENTER – LOCAL 20050
CCAAT - Changes made to status of MOU in the Collective Agreement (2)
Richard Hyatt - 20050: Following the MOU the review program is at a standstill.
Proposal to simplify process for team leaders. In August they rolled out new parameters in respect to CCAAT. Questions as to what is happening with MOU. Too many items were not addressed. Team leaders micromanage employees and are subjective when imposing ways of answering calls. We need better communication with the front-line staff on this.
Eddy Aristil - RVP-Chair Call Center Committee: The committee is working on this; they are committed to better communications with members. Encourages suggestions from locals.
Shane O’Brien - SLRO: Status of MOU, in his opinion, what is not negotiated successfully goes into a MOU and then is ignored by employer. At bargaining we are trying to eliminate CCATT, but maybe there are just better ways to fix CCAAT.
Kent MacDonald - LRO-Technical advisor: MOU is appendix G, put in to be able to further discussion on monitoring. We worked with the employers on the guidelines, we do not know if guidelines were completed and sent out. CCAAT is called ‘monitoring”.
Employer wants to eliminate CCAAT or make it significantly better and find a better solution. We need local input.
Trixie Gorzo - 30022: Liked the CCAAT. Need for our agents to be assessed.
Gena Degner - 00014: CCAAT caused a lot of problems in her local over the years. It is so subjective, it’s been too negative, needs to be rebranded. Not being used consistently.
Darlene Bembridge - 60005: CCATT, should be tweaked, employer needs a tool to evaluate. Team leaders should be trained, not sure it needs to be completed scraped, tweaking is needed. Team leaders are over worked in the Call Centre. Agents are being let go because they were never assessed with CCATT.
Joanne Coish - 90001: Consistency is not possible, it’s too subjective. Team leaders are not able to do it all. CCAAT needs to be streamlined. The process is too long, there is not enough time to do the statistical part of it. The administrative burden is insane. Lost excellent employees that were so good on the phone but couldn’t write the test to save their lives. Subjectivity is the primary problem.
Michelle Spencer - Observer 00048: CCAAT’s are horrible. Agents panic when they get the memo, they are going to discuss their CCAAT. A lot of our members don’t know that they can grieve a CCAAT. We need to remind them that this is possible.
Team leaders often do not have the experience to be able to assess properly because of the subjectivity of it.
Catherine Majore - Observer 00014: Team leaders do not have the right tools; they do not have the experience to apply. CCAAT caused our members severe mental health issues. Would like the CCAAT be eliminated. Causes so much more work, tripled the amount of work for monitoring and performance reviews.
Anaël Haché -10008: The updates received shows that there’s a strong battle to eliminate CCAAT. People that want to keep CCAAT only want a tool. The stress and mental health related to it is a factor in my local. We used to have objective tools, now it is subjective, this is not inadmissible. With the growth of the Call Centre in Montréal, management is working on a pilot project to join LQAP and CCAAT to make the tool a quality one, exclusively a coaching tool. Assessments would be tangible.
Eddy Aristil - RVP-Chair Call Center Committee: The committee wants to reassure that they are ready to battle the issue. The tool is not being used consistently because of time issues.
Richard Hyatt - 20050: Closing the point. We need something that works for the benefit of all.
Recess for lunch.
AFTERNOON SESSION
The meeting was called to order at 1:15 p.m. with President Brière in the Chair.
PRESENTATION: REPEAL OF ROE vs WADE
Allison McEwen, from the firm Ravenlaw addresses the assembly on the repeal of Roe vs Wade. The American decision to overturn and render abortion illegal. Gives history on the timelines of abortion laws. Talks about the differences between Canada and the United States. Speaks to the importance of protecting abortion rights in Canada.
There was a brief period of questions and answers.
ITEMS PRESENTED BY THE LOCAL PRESIDENTS (cont’d)
PACIFIC REGION CALL CENTER – LOCAL 20050
Members and how they’re allocated Virtual arrangements (3)
Richard Hyatt - 20050: Considering the work done to review, he withdrew the item.
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER– LOCAL 90000
Occupational Fitness Assessment Forms (OFAF) and their intentions, when to use, and when can/should it be avoided. (2)
Ashley Green - 90000: The Occupational Fitness Assessment Forms which indicates limitations on instructions. Concerned it could be used in a way to say an employee is not suitable for a job. Question’s the intentions of these forms, should we avoid using them? OFAF is setting up barriers and flooding the health systems.
Kira Turner -70001: The benefit of OFAF is that it becomes part of the employee’s record, and a new manager can’t come in and unilaterally undermine the recommendations. There is a process that can be followed to make recommendations on appropriate accommodation for the limitations.
Trixie Gorzo-30022: Asked if Sister Green’s question will be answered, if the form should be used?
Ken MacDonald - LRO-Technical advisor: The issue with OFAF’s is that as a Union we do not want that. The first issue is the primary medical practitioners give information. OFAF is not needed in 99% of cases. Sometimes the information from the medical practitioner is insufficient. The form is an employer thing, it is used widely, we must avoid it. Our job is making sure the employer is requesting the right information. Union can intervene to make sure the employee receives the accommodations they need.
Nicholas Thompson - 00048: Doctors do not usually know how to fill in the form. His local advises and gives guidance to their local members has to the form. Question on jurisprudence, on the right of the employer and what the exceptions could be?
Shane O’Brien - SLRO: The employer’s right is a very basic right. If you look at your collective agreement, employees are entitled to sick leave but only to the extent that they can satisfy the employer that they are sick. There’s an obligation to demonstrate that you’re sick if you’re requesting leave. An employer also has the right to know if the employee is fit to work. That is as far as their rights go. They should not ask for diagnostic or the condition. They have a right to know the prognosis. Concerning the prognosis for long term disability or long-term leave, brother O’Brien suggests doctors should only state that with continued treatment there is a reasonable expectation that they will have a fulsome return to work in the foreseeable future. As to the employer’s right to demand an OFAF, the employee must satisfy the employer that he is sick, the doctor is critical to provide sufficient information without diagnostic while listing limitations and accommodations needed. They cannot just ask for more information unless you have not provided sufficient information. The key is for the doctor to provide sufficient information.
Nicholas Thompson - 00048: Wanted to know the specific jurisdiction.
Shane O’Brien - SLRO: There is not one decision that stands but rather dozens. Every case has its own merit. Every case is about what information is missing. In concert with the LRO’s, he will draft up some type of bulletin that will help guide locals.
Gena Degner - 00014: Most problems are because we do not know what is going on. If an employee goes from one job to another, does the original OFAF follow?
Shane O’Brien - SLRO: Depends if same job description and nature of accommodations. It depends on the significant changes in responsibilities. Each case must be regarded separately. Look at the nature of the accommodations.
Local and regional Newsletters causing people to miss important information. (3)
Ashley Green - 90000: Concerned about Local and Regional Newsletters that are sent out by the employer to employees. Many employees are on production and do not have time to read it and are missing out on the information. Why don’t they give us 15 minutes a month to read the information.
Marc Brière - National President: Suggested locals bring the issue to UMC’S and that RVP’s monitor on what action National should take.
Joanne Coish - 90001: Theirs agents get 15 minutes a day to read the information.
OUTAOUAIS – LOCAL 70035
Request to know the UTE's position on the application of bonuses to Third Language. (1)
Alexandre Dumont -70035: Would like clarity on the issue because of the PSAC statement to the media. Bilingual bonus for third language, for First Nations language. A member of his local as brought forth the statement from National PSAC and asked if he would get the 3rd language bonus if spoke Mandarin, the third spoken language in Canada.
Shane O’Brien - SLRO: That position does not represent UTE’s position on the subject. The bilingual bonus came about many years ago through negotiations for Canada’s two official language, French and English. Years ago, the Agency in the new service initiatives started to ask for employees to voluntarily offer services in languages other than French and English. Employer wants to profit from employees by asking them to use a language other than French and English without being compensated. Employees should refuse if third language is not in job description and compensation negotiated.
Marc Brière - National President: Commented on the PSAC’s statement on the issue, the elements were not consulted.
Shane O’Brien - SLRO: Referred participants to UTE’s position in bulletin 05-2012 We should not be going outside the job descriptions: (2 official languages)
Alexandre Dumont -70035: Commented that he still has to answer the member.
Shane O’Brien - SLRO: The UTE’s position as not changed since bulletin 05-2012. We should not be going outside the job descriptions (2 official languages). If employer wants to negotiate, they know where we are.
Health Break
The session reconvened at 3:20 p.m. with President Brière in the chair.
President Brière invited participants to submit the Conference evaluation forms.
ITEMS PRESENTED BY THE LOCAL PRESIDENTS (CONT’D)
OUTAOUAIS – LOCAL 70035
Request regarding potential training following the implementation of the new medical insurance plan. (2)
Alexandre Dumont - 70035: New plan that replaces Sun life, understands that bargaining is underway. Asks for tools once the negotiations are done.
Marc Brière - National President: Stated that this issue is National PSAC related. It was bargained by PSAC National, they should therefore be responsible to offer information.
Doug Gaetz - 1st Vice-President: Explained that the issue was discussed at a NBoD meeting. The issue was brought up, UTE asked for detailed information for members. Should follow in the next few months with the roll out change.
Shane O’Brien - SLRO: We don’t expect major changes, all that changes is the plan administrator. Should not require training.
Alexandre Dumont - 70035: Wanted to make sure an information package will be available.
Marc Brière - National President: The collaboration with the PSAC is better, we have to be fair in our affirmations.
Richard Quesnel - Observer 70009: People should be mindful of the new terms on physiotherapy. There will now be a cap of $1500.00 per year which is not a lot.
Draw from Workers History Museum: Barb Stuart thanks everyone for the support. Amount of the draw is $390.00.
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER– LOCAL 90000
Rejection on probation vs discipline Process - does UTE have a preference as to which route is followed? (5)
Ashley Green - 90000: Item was withdrawn
PSAC Vaccination Policy - communication and enforcement thereof. (6)
Ashley Green - 90000: Who enforces the policy PSAC Vaccination policy. Is it UTE’s policy or PSAC policy?
Shane O’Brien - SLRO: Understands the confusion. The way we interpret it is, a PSAC event is an event sponsored by the PSAC not by the local and not by the UTE. However, if you are utilizing the PSAC premises-properties it applies. Would like further information from the PSAC as to what is still effective in their policy.
Ashley Green - 90000: That policy was sent out in advance of the end of the August bargaining session. The bigger issue is a communication issue, either within the PSAC, the UTE, or the union movement. How are we as activists supposed to know what is expected of us, when we don’t get the policies? We don’t know when we are PSAC and when we are not. Are we picking and choosing which policies that apply now? How can we do our job when information is not conveyed to us in a timely and efficient manner? We should all be on the same page and focus on the same goals and instead of all this crap in our own house.
Marc Brière - National President: Your communication problem is noted. If UTE can do better, we will. UTE is not bound to their policy; we are bound by the policy if we are on their premises.
Dany Gélinas -10005: Withdrew Members’ list for Shawinigan as it was placed there by error.
OUTAOUAIS – LOCAL 70035
Substantial increase in the use of students to complete tasks that were previously completed by members. (3)
Alexandre Dumont - 70035: Increase by the employer to use students to replace our members. Told employer if they were doing same job, should be paid accordingly. Would like to know if this is an isolated issue.
Shane O’Brien - SLRO: The issue is not new. What is interesting is that the numbers of students are not shown to be increasing. The agency has complete discretion of the staffing regime. We strongly advocated at the National level that students should not be doing bargaining unit work, we tried unsuccessfully to have a no contracting out clause. The recruitment of students will increase as the shortage of workers will only increase.
CLOSING REMARKS
President Brière thanked the participants and highlights the participation of delegate and observers on the virtual platform. The format of the conference will be evaluated, to see what worked and what did not.
Received the following confirmation of intent for election: Adam Jackson, 2nd Vice- President, Doug Gaetz, 1st Vice- President, Marc Brière National President.
Structure Review Committee: reiterated the importance of a well-prepared request to sit on the committee.
Has heard the struggles and concerns and will look at actions to be made.
Acknowledged the hard work of the local representatives.
Commits to have a meeting with the PSAC to process the back log.
UTE will be adding a position of Communication Officer. Commends the hard work and dedication of Susan.
He thanks interpreters and Encore technicians, ELC technicians. Thanks all the staff involved, members of the Executive Council and his front table colleagues.
He closes in thanking the participants for always being there for the members and the Union, important front-line work. For bargaining, we will need to unite like before.
Wishes everyone safe travels home.
PRESENTATION: Brother Kent Mc Donald’s retirement. Labour Relations Officer, friend, colleague, mentor, LRO and Union activist.
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.