THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
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, presided the meeting and welcomed everyone. The session opened with the song 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.
President Brière went over the Harassment Policy and introduced the Complaint Administrators: Doug Gaetz, Shane O’Brien, Mathieu Juneau and Annick Lamoureux.
The CPR attendants were introduced as follows:
Atwood, Josh - Halifax
Brière, Marc – National President
Chartrand, Mike -Ottawa HQ
Crupi, Cosimo – RVP, Northern and Eastern Ontario Region
Degner, Gina - Hamilton
Ferguson, Patrick - Regina
Gorzo, Trixie - Calgary CC
Koenders, Linda – RVP, National Capital Region
Lamoureux, Annick - Laval
Leinhos, Justin - Montérégie South Shore
Martin, Chris - Charlottetown
Pallotta, Lee - Ottawa HQ
Pawlovich, Barb - London
Rocheleau, Patrick - Outaouais
Scott Cadieux, Lynne - Ottawa Centre
Thon, Alex – IT Officer
The members of the Executive Council were introduced. He also introduced the employees from the National Office. He then asked the Local presidents to introduce themselves.
President Brière indicated that there were two Local presidents who are here for their last conference. He thanked Marina Robbins from the Peterborough Local and Terry Ruyter from the Fraser Valley TSO.
New Local Presidents
Nicholas Thompson, Toronto North
Henri Bégin, Rouyn-Noranda
President Brière mentioned that we had two Life Members at the conference and presented Brother Bob Campbell, past president and Brother Kent MacDonald. He also wants to recognize a member of the NBoD, the REVP from the National Capital Region, Brother Greg McGillis.
HOURS OF SESSION
m/s Daniel Gagnon / Jackie Whyman
That the hours of session be as follows:
Thursday: 01:15 to 5:00
Friday: 09:00 to 11:00; 1:15 to 5:00
Saturday: 09:00 to 11:45; 1:15 to 5:00 or closure of business
- MOTION CARRIED.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
(See attached agenda, participants list and Items submitted by the Local Presidents)
m/s Daniel Gagnon / Brad Feraday
That the agenda be adopted with the following additional items:
- Single Tax Return for Quebec (Jonquière)
- Precarious Work Term Hiring and Student Hiring Practices (Toronto East)
- Processing Delays and Scripting (St. John’s)
- UMA Cards (Shawinigan)
- Monday, September 24th (Ottawa TC)
- UMA and UMA Training (Ottawa TC)
- Union Bulletin Boards (Ottawa TC)
- Confidential Disclosure Reviews (St. John’s TC)
- MOTION CARRIED.
OPENING REMARKS
President Brière spoke about the tornado that happened in the Gatineau/Ottawa region. It was a rough few days in the region. He also mentioned that the government was asked to close the offices on Monday to give space for the first respondent and Ontario Hydro, especially for Ottawa downtown. There were over 60,000 people without electricity on Monday. This is why the National Office was closed on Monday. The excluded employees came in the office to have everything ready for the Executive Council meeting.
He also spoke about the members that are not assigned. This file is linked to the change file. In the meantime, until the change file is resolved, there is nothing to be done.
He also mentioned the implementation of the reopening clause for the retroactive payments. The employer kept the union informed of the progress every two weeks. They had 150 days to reimburse the membership and the employer respected the deadline.
The participants were informed of the purchase of UTE flags. President Brière advises the Locals that 11 extra flags were purchased for the purpose of activities in the Ottawa region and can be borrowed by Locals.
He mentions that the office received good news from the Compensation Advisor for Winnipeg and Ottawa. An agreement to sign an MOU with the employer to extend the incentive and retention package until June 1, 2019. As soon as it is signed, a message will be sent out to advise the membership.
President Brière mentions that the RVPs should have announced the situations of the Counter Services during their caucus. The National Office is compiling information and is asking the help of the Locals to gather information from the Locals on the precise situation in their offices and is open to suggestions. The Union wants to sit down with the employer with a proposal. Approximately 300 people were affected in 2013. The employer was informed that we would roll out a major campaign probably in early spring to add pressure on the government before the election if they don’t start a discussion with the Union.
He also mentioned that there was some Political Action done. Brother Jamie vanSydenborgh will provide the delegation with a short briefing. We are having an issue in the province of Quebec. They want to produce a Single Tax Return for Quebec. The only political party that is against the Single Tax Return is the Liberal Party. For the rest of Canada there is only one Tax Return except for Quebec. In the corporate field, everyone files one tax return except for Alberta and Quebec. They file two tax returns. The NDP told the union that there are no jobs that should be lost in CRA. We are trying to pressure the government to drop the Single Income Tax Return for Quebec.
President Brière thanked the Locals for carrying out the CAS Campaign. He also thanked the RVPs and the Political Action Committee for their support. A message was sent to the Prime Minister’s office to discuss and advising them of the rally and the delivery of thousands of cards that will be held on Friday morning. Brothers Brière, vanSydenborgh and Camara were invited to meet with three parliamentary secretaries. He thanked everyone for a great campaign.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BUSINESS
President Brière reported briefly 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 2018 that were sent earlier.)
Points of Privileges
Sister Lynne Scott Cadieux, the Ottawa Centre Local will be conducting a 50/50 draw on Friday and Saturday. The money raised will be going to the victims of the tornados in the Ottawa and Outaouais region.
The point of privilege was well taken by President Brière.
Sister Gesine Campbell, the Ottawa TSO Local will be conducting a 50/50 draw for Bikers Against Child Abuse. The money raised will be going directly to the children.
The point of privilege was well taken by President Brière.
Recess for coffee break
Point of Privilege
Brother Alan Craig, the Ottawa East Local indicated that his sister was touched by the tornado. He asks the participants to bring their room toiletries, hygienic products that they will not be using during the week. He will distribute them to the Red Cross for the victims that were touched by the tornados.
President Brière announced that Sister Patti Wright from the Lethbridge Local had to vacate her seat. The observer Sister Kathy Dorchack is replacing Sister Wright.
PRESENTATION FROM THE HONOURS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE
The Honours and Awards Committee was invited to the podium. The Chair of the Committee, Brother Cosimo Crupi presented the committee members. Brother Gary Esslinger, Co-Chairperson, Regional Vice-President – Prairie Region, Brother Ken Bye, Co-Chairperson, Regional Vice-President – Greater Toronto Region, Sister Gesine Campbell, Presidents’ Rep. The Chairperson of the Committee read a submission that was received for the Honours and Awards Committee to make an award presentation. Brother Crupi invites Linda Koenders, RVP of the NCR. Brother Hugh McGoldrick is invited to the podium to be presented with the Godfroy Côté Award.
REPORT OF THE UTE NATIONAL BARGAINING COMMITTEE
The Collective Bargaining Committee and the Bargaining Team are invited to the podium. The chairperson, Brother Jackson introduces the committee and the bargaining team, Brother Eddy Aristil, Brother Brian Oldford, Brother Shane O’Brien, Brother Cosimo Crupi, Sister Michelle Neill, Brother Gary Esslinger, Brother Greg Krokosh and Brother Jamie vanSydenborgh. Brother Jackson gave a quick briefing on the meetings with the employer. He also mentions that, from the bulletins that were sent out, not a lot was accomplished. He indicated that they had dates to meet in October and December. Brother Jackson points out that this round of bargaining is about work/life balance. He took a moment to express his gratitude to the Locals for their support. We want to improve vacation, hours of work, term conversion, etc.
Brother Jackson addressed the issue of the posters that the members received. The ones that they should have received were to be thick card stock. Brother Brière was very clear on getting thick card stock, but did not show up that way. We will be getting new posters, but they will be sitting in the PSAC Regional Offices until we need them for a demonstration or a rally. The first poster that was received is to be put on your work station.
On behalf of the membership, President Brière thanked Brother Jackson and the Bargaining Team for all their hard work.
The chairperson answered some questions from Locals.
REPORT OF THE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
The chairperson, Brother Jamie vanSydenborgh wants to thank the committee, Brother Crupi, the Co-Chairperson, RVP for the Region of Northern/Eastern Ontario, Brother André Michaud, President’s Rep and Vice-President of the Quebec Local and Brother Daniel Camara, the Technical Advisor. He wants to recognize the delegation for their hard work. There are over 13,000 cards to be delivered to the Prime Minister’s office. He also mentions the Single Income Tax Return in Quebec. He thanked brothers Marc Brière, Jérôme Martel, and André Michaud and the UTE activists in Chicoutimi and Jonquière. He also thanks Normand Pelletier from the PSAC Regional Office and Magali Picard, the National Vice-President of PSAC for their help.
Brother vanSydenborgh wants the members and the activists from the Quebec Region to know that the Union is there to support them and will do everything they can to assist them. As we close the CAS Campaign, we will be focussing on the Counter Services Campaign. On behalf of the Political Action Committee, Brother vanSydenborgh thanked everyone on the work that was done in the CAS Campaign.
REPORT OF THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMITTEE
The Equal Opportunities Committee was asked to the podium for an update. The chairperson, Linda Koenders introduced the members that are present, the Technical Advisor, Andrea Holmes, Greg Krokosh, Co-Chairperson for the Rocky Mountains Region and Lea Serron is the Womens’ Rep on the Committee. She also mentioned the members of the committee that are not present. She provided an update on the first Regional EO Conference that took place in Calgary. The registration for the second Regional EO Conference is closed and it will be held in Montreal. She also added that when the last Input Call for the third Regional EO Conference being held in Toronto comes out, not to miss the deadline and asks the Local presidents to approve the registrations. Unless there is a system failure at the National Office, without any exception, registrations that are late will not be approved. The theme is “Awareness - Empowerment – Action”. The National EO Conference will be held in the fall of 2019 in Ottawa.
Sister Koenders also mentioned that Sisters’ Stasi L’Hirondelle and Adeleen Greer from the Edmonton Local has made little orange T-shirt pins for Orange Day (recognize the victims and survivors of residential schools) which is being held on September 30th. She is asking the delegation to wear the pin in solidarity for the Aboriginals sisters and brothers.
President Brière made a point on the late registrations. If someone registers late, the person will not be going. He advised the Local presidents that they have a responsibility when they get a registration. An email will be sent to the Local email box and it needs to be approved before the deadline. He also mentioned that the first conference was very good and thanked the committee for their hard work.
The meeting recessed at 5:00 p.m.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018
MORNING SESSION
The meeting reconvened at 9:00 a.m. with National President Brière in the Chair.
Point of privilege
Brother Kevin Welgush from the Saskatoon Local would like to circulate an envelope to help two UTE family members that have a 10-year-old daughter named Anna, who has Prader-Willi Syndrome and has now been diagnosed with Scoliosis.
The point of privilege is very well taken by the President.
President Brière added that a tentative agreement between the Union of Taxation Employees as an employer and the employees of the National Office who are represented by their Union. On September 25th, the employees voted and ratify the agreement. The contract will be signed and we’ve concluded an agreement for 3 years which will end on March 2021.
Also, he would like to mention that under Regulation 29 on Donations and Sponsorship, UTE had sponsored the daughter of our member, Sister Sylvie Héon from the Shawinigan Local to participate in a world Taekwondo competition in Australia. President Brière has learned that the Sister Héon daughter Stephanie, has won the gold medal.
President Brière gave a short update of the meeting he attended with Brothers Daniel Camara, Jamie vanSydenborgh and the three parliamentary secretaries from the CRA, PSPC and Treasury Board with regards the CAS Campaign. The government wants to focus on Phoenix so that all employees are paid on time. President Brière made a clear statement to them that the union disagrees in the sense that we can get CRA members out of the Phoenix system, which could take 2 years, while it will take 4 years to get the Phoenix stabilized. If CRA already has a system that is 2/3 developed, it’s better than starting from scratch. The government was really receptive. They even told the union that if they come back with arguments supported by IT specialists, they will take it into consideration. They also offered to participate in a subcommittee that is working on the Next Generation system and talking about Phoenix. At this time, the federal government understands, but they don’t think it’s the best solution.
ITEMS PRESENTED BY THE LOCAL PRESIDENTS
PENTICTON – LOCAL 20026
1. Air Canada Promo Code
The Local wants to know if it’s possible to have the promo code earlier so they can take advantage of cost saving. In small regional airports, the flights are limited.
Brother Gaetz mentions that his staff will now send the promo code 60 days prior the event.
2. Members being moved to part-time status due to medical accommodation
The Local indicated that due to medical accommodation, the employee cannot be in the office on a full-time basis and the employer is moving them to a part-time status. The Local learned that once they become a part-time status and then they go on Sunlife, they get 60% of their 60%. Can the National President or Executive Council talk to the employer to stop moving the employees to a part-time status?
President Brière asked the Local if the issue was brought up to the RVP.
The Local indicated that they’ve talked to the RVP and it was also discussed at the UMC.
Sister Koch, the Regional Vice-President of the Pacific Region, indicated that she was in consultation with Brother MacDonald from the National Office and still had to push back at the Local level.
Brother O’Brien, Senior Labour Relations Officer, mentions that, unfortunately, we just lost a critical adjudication on that issue. It gives the employer the right to move employees to a part-time status if there is not a reasonable expectation that the employee will move to a full-time employment in a foreseeable future. The case we lost has established a principle that the employer has the right and that each case has to be examined on its own merit. The employer has to look at specific circumstances, medical diagnosis and prognosis for the individual. He suggests that if the Locals have specific cases, to contact their RVP and their Labour Relations Officer to review it and provide advice, if necessary. The National Office will also provide a list of services that PSAC Human Rights Section and James Infantino in the Disability Section provide.
The Local mentions that they have been in consultation with James Infantino from PSAC. The advice that was given to the Local is that, if the employee wants to work reduced hours, they are better to take time away for a short period of time. When they come back on a reduced workload, they are then on an accommodation and they gradually return to work.
Brother O’Brien, SLRO, mentions that one of the biggest problems is the information that is provided by the medical doctor.
President Brière authorizes Brothers Aristil and Gaetz to attend an important conference call on UMA.
Point of Privilege
Brother Cosimo Crupi, RVP of the Northern/Eastern Ontario Region and Chairperson of the Honours and Awards Committee mentions that a National Scholarship was given to a recipient from the St. Catharines Local. The name of the recipient is Rachel Gillespie. A copy of her visual print was given Brother Crupi. Brother Crupi is asking President Brière to display the print so that the delegation can examine it.
KELOWNA – LOCAL 20003
1. Regulation 20 Complaints
The Local mentioned that for the last six months, the Pacific Region has been using Regulation 20 Complaints. The Local is finding that all across their region and at the management levels, the employer does not know anything about Regulation 20 Complaints. The Local is wondering if it’s happening across the country. If so, can the National Office ask the employer to provide training to their employees on the Regulation 20 Complaints so that we are consistent across Canada?
Brother Gaetz, 1st National Vice-President, indicates that there are still a number of problems out in the field with competent persons and the employer that is assigning them. The working group at the national level approved the criteria for a call out letter to competent persons within the CRA. The HR people should not be given any advice on Workplace Violence, it should be the OSH officer. Brother Gaetz also mentions that he will bring up the issue with management in CRA. He added that there is an external government list of competent persons, and the problem is, there are only five names on the list. So, it is not only CRA that has issues, it’s also within the entire government. Brother Gaetz added that they are trying to resolve the issue to have competent persons trained. It has been brought up at the Policy Committee meeting and they are working on a tool kit for managers.
2. Media Scan Emails
The Local wants to know if it’s necessary for the National Office to send the media scan emails.
Locals made various suggestions.
President Brière made the decision to keep sending the media scan. He also indicated that if the Locals are not interested in receiving them, they can implement a rule in their emails to go directly in the garbage bin.
ST. JOHN’S TC – LOCAL 90000
1. Decision Review
The Local mentions that they are trying to educate their members with regard to recourse. The Local is finding that the employer is hiding behind the Privacy Act and they are not turning over the requested documents. The Local wants to know if other Locals have the same issue.
A few Locals went to the microphones to voice their concerns and frustration on the subject.
President Brière mentions that the employer has a Staffing Program that they need to respect. There are also problems with backlogs of ATIP (Access to Information and Privacy) requests at CRA and within the entire government. They have an increase in demands for ATIP requests from employees, the public, etc. every year. At the last NUMCC, the priority for the Commissioner was to bring down the backlog. President Brière will meet with the AC of HR, Dan Couture and will pass the message.
Brother O’Brien mentions that the issues that were described are not new and the Union has been arguing this for years. He also mentions that the Policy people are hiding behind the provision of the Privacy Act. There is a clause that is called the Consistent Used Clause. It says that the Agency can release things as long as it is consistent with the purpose for which it is collected. The employer’s and employee’s corner on the intranet have a checklist of things that the employer is to provide to the employee. The previous National President decided that the issue of recourse was not a staffing issue but a national issue. The Staffing Committee is in the process of working with the employer in Staffing Redesign to help identify the problem and make corrections. Brother O’Brien is very optimistic that once we get away from the Policy people and deal with the issue in Staffing Redesign, they will make some progress.
OTTAWA HQ – LOCAL 70000
1. Dues Refunds
The item was withdrawn by the submitting Local with the approval of the floor.
Recess for coffee
Point of privilege
Brother Josh Atwood from the Halifax Local wants to advise the Saskatoon Local that the Halifax Local will donate $100 for his UTE member 10-year-old daughter. He challenges the Local presidents to donate as well.
President Brière gave some information to the participants about the rally being held before lunch on the CAS Can Do It Campaign.
SUDBURY – LOCAL 00042
1. Harassment Sessions
The Local wants to know when the union will enter the Joint Consultation Harassment Sessions. The Local’s concern is that they hope that the union stay away from online training.
President Brière mentions that Brother O’Brien and Brother Gaetz were talking with the employer. The Union wants to set the conditions before accepting to return to co-facilitate the sessions. President Brière made it clear that all the conditions will be approved before going back to the Joint Consultation Harassment Sessions.
Brother O’Brien indicates that they are in talks with the employer. The employer has a tendency to use the Canadian School of Public Service for all their education. Since the union and the employer will be co-facilitating, this should be a formal class training. Brother O’Brien advises that he had sent out to the Executive Council a copy of a submission that was drafted by the Union on the Discrimination and Harassment Procedure. When Brother O’Brien receives the final draft, he will forward it to all Locals. He is convinced that it will be a true co-hosted training class.
2. Students
The Local mentions that Sudbury seems to have a high volume of students being hired. They are working the full scope of the job. Under the policy, students are not expected to be responsible for all the duties of the position. The Local wants to know if other Locals have the same issue and are wondering if the policy changed and if it did, when did it change?
To answer the Local’s question, Brother O’Brien, SLRO indicated that every Local should have their hands up. In the policy, there was never anything indicating that students did not do the full range of the job. The Co-op Youth Internship Program was the only exception for the one type of student employment. With that specific hiring tool, which no longer exists anymore, the agreement the Union had with the employer was that the students were not going to do any bargaining work. When the Agency came in 1999, a lot the Students Programs were eliminated and they basically use a couple of the Students Programs that are approved by the Commissioner. One of the programs is the Federal Public Service Work Experience Program. There is also the Co-op Program and an Aboriginal Student Hiring Program. There is nothing that says they cannot do bargaining unit work. The Staffing Committee and he had lots of meetings with the employer to object on bargaining unit work done by students. On behalf of the Staffing Committee, Brother O’Brien drafted a bargaining demand for this round of bargaining that deals not only with students, but anyone outside the bargaining unit that shall complete bargaining unit work.
A few Locals went to the microphones to voice their concerns and frustration on the subject.
Brother O’Brien added that based on a number of surveys that were sent out, a lot of students are being hired not only during the summer but any time during the year. The students are being bridged to permanent jobs and are being appointed without competition. Four times a year, Brother O’Brien forwards to the Executive Council a report he receives from the Agency on long-term acting, terms and students for their Locals. He also mentioned that if the Locals have specific cases of abuse, to let the committee know. He indicated that if Locals have issues with students, he suggests to deal with it at the local management level. If it cannot be dealt with at that level, the Local should bring it up to the RVP and if it cannot be resolved at the regional level, it should be brought up to the National Staffing Committee. Under the Public Service Labour Relation Employment Act, students are not employees under the Act. Therefore, since they are not employees, they cannot be bargaining unit members. PSAC does have a policy to try to organize the students. It is a great policy statement, but no action has really been taken. The only way to do that is to have a Political Campaign on student employment.
Participants participated in the rally for the CAS Can Do It campaign. The attendees marched to the Prime Minister’s office to deliver the signed CAS campaign postcard.
Participants broke into “Collective Agreement Workshop,” “Political Lobbying Workshop” and “Chief Shop Stewards Workshop” for the rest of the day.
The meeting recessed at 11h00 a.m.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2018
MORNING SESSION
The meeting reconvened at 9h00 with National President Brière in the Chair.
Points of Privileges
Sister Colette Fortin, President of the Bathurst Local would like to circulate an envelope to help to support one of her members. Micheline was diagnosed with a Stage 2 Lymphoma Cancer in 2016. She went through a lot of surgery, chemotherapy treatments and radiation. During summer 2017, she received good news that she was in remission. Unfortunately, during the summer of 2018, she received the news that her cancer was back. Her husband will not be going back to work in order to support his wife Micheline and in order to help her through her second battle against cancer. She will need to have chemotherapy, a surgery and a bone marrow transplant. On behalf of the family, thank you for your support.
The point of privilege was well taken by President Brière.
Brother Kevin Welgush, President of the Saskatoon Local wanted to thank everyone for their contribution. The total raised is $704.60 and it does not include pledges that were text to him personally.
Sister Wanda Pannone, President of the Barrie Local wants everyone that was in the Hospitality Suite to thanked Brother Ken Bye for hosting and running the karaoke.
The point of privilege was well taken by President Brière.
Brother Cosimo Crupi, Regional Vice-President of the Northern/Eastern Ontario Region with the permission of President Brière, wants the observer Doug Mathews from the Belleville Local to sit in for Miranda Coutu who is attending an emergency with her other observer.
President Brière authorized the brother to sit in as the delegate.
President Brière mentions that Sister Susan Duncan of the Web/Communication, has been scanning the news in regard our rally from Friday. The rally has been put only on CTV and advised the delegation that UTE will be sending the link of the news story.
ITEMS PRESENTED BY THE LOCAL PRESIDENTS (cont’d)
SUDBURY – Local 00042
3. Recreational Marijuana
The Local is concerned with what is going to happen when recreational marijuana is legalized. It is mainly because of the inexperienced Team Leaders, Managers and AD. The Local is wondering what action National Office plans to take to prepare for it.
Brother Doug Gaetz, 1st National Vice-President, indicates that the members need to know the difference between medical and recreational marijuana. Medical marijuana has been around for a while and the employer recognize and treats it like any other medication. Recreational marijuana will be treated the same as alcohol. Employees do not work under the influence and the employer already has a policy for employees under the influence. If you are under the influence of recreational marijuana, it is not under Health and Safety, it’s under Labour Relations. There will be a follow-up to the last email that came from Treasury Board not only from CRA. If the employer goes around smelling the employees, he suggests that they file a complaint. If the Locals have issues, Brother Gaetz request that they contact their RVP.
One of the Locals wants to know how the team leaders and managers are able to identify employees that are under the influence.
Brother Gaetz, 1st National Vice-President added that it is no different than coming to work under the influence of alcohol. As long as the employee is capable of doing their job, there should be no issues. If the employee is drunk or is falling asleep, the employer will certainly ask questions.
Brother Shane O’Brien, SLRO reconfirmed what Brother Gaetz said. The employer does not have the right to do drug tests. He mentioned that he spoke with a friend that works at National Defence and they will be putting training courses in DND for their military supervisors and management positions. It’s going to be on how to detect and it's very similar to what they did with alcohol. It’s how to observe, what’s a demeanour, what a person looks like when they suspect a person is under the influence of drugs. Brother O’Brien suspect that we will see that down the road with the Agency.
The Local is satisfied with the answer.
Brother Jérôme Martel, Regional Vice-President of the Quebec Region with the permission of President Brière, would like Brother André Michaud of the Quebec Local to sit in for Josée Verret that cannot attend at this time.
President Brière authorized Brother Michaud to sit in as the delegate.
4. Staffing without process
The Local would like to know how many offices across Canada that are seeing an influx of processes that are not really happening. In addition, the Local is wondering if anything can be done at the National level or Regional.
Brother Shane O’Brien, SLRO acknowledges that the topic has been on the agenda with the employer for about a year and a half. He has also been hearing complaints from the Locals. He mentions that there is a new term that management is throwing out there to enable them to conduct appointments without a selection process. In the past, preference used to be given to internal candidates before they would hire externally. We are now seeing a lot of strategies when they are hiring from the outside, lots of external staffing even though they have internal pools. There have been appointments without competition, which the staffing program allows them to do as long they post recourse. A lot of time the employer does not posts recourse. Brother O’Brien suggested to the Locals to keep an eye on the appointments without competition and ensure that the employer posts recourse and advertise recourse and members exercise recourse. It’s happening in a lot of offices across the country and they’ve talked about the issue with the Agency. The Agency does not really want to do anything about it and we do not have the ability to force them to do anything about it. Save and except the fact that we have a table bargaining language for this round of bargaining, and that we are going to try and deal with it.
One Local indicated that he was confused because he has situations in his office where people have been acting or have been a term for three to four years now. They have been aggressively pushing management to give them their permanency. He mentions that in small offices, the ADs do not submit their staffing plan all the time and obtain the approval from the AC. He would like to see all of his term staff to the max. At one point, they had the approval of the region and had the approval for a number of people to be staffed permanently. Not all of them have been advocating the opinion of the union that you don’t have to wait five years to turn out to be permanent to do the conversion. You can do it at any time. Some of these people were not in pools. On one hand, management tells them to wait five years and on the other hand, I’m telling management to give them their permanency without process. In his office, what is happening is that some people have been in pools and other people were not in pools were given their permanency because they are getting closer to their five years. What should we be doing in this situation?
Brother O’Brien, Senior Labour Relations Officer, after listing to two speakers, indicated that we are talking about two different things. The previous speaker talked about conversion and conversion is for term employees, not for acting positions or employment without competition. In fact, for term conversion, they don’t have to wait for five years. In our union position, if you know the job is supposed to be permanent, don’t wait five years, staff it permanently now. There is a vehicle, if they want to appoint without competition for long-term terms and that is called a change of tenure where they are made permanent and there is not ITPR. It is not subject to ITPR, its individual feedback and decision review. Second part is the acting, because there is no vehicle and there is nothing in the collective agreement. We have adopted a position as a union but we have no vehicle to enforce it for long-term actors to be appointed permanently. Once again, if you have seen the bargaining demands, you see that the Staffing Committee has put a bargaining demand. He thinks that it’s a one-year provision, if they run a process and the person got an acting out of a process, after a year they should be appointed permanently. What we don’t want is management coming out and appointing someone without running a process and give the person an acting for a year and automatically appoint them. If they run a process and establish a list for a pool and that job later becomes permanent, then our position at the bargaining table is that the person that received the acting should be appointed after a year.
TORONTO EAST – LOCAL 00001
1. Follow-up on information about ATIP request
The Local stated that it’s in regard Access to Information request for an employee’s information that was sent to the Chief Privacy Officer. For all of CRA employees, they are asking for the job title and any specialized title related to the position. The date of first employment, as well of the end of employment if applicable, for each employee, the most recent place of primary employment, the classification of the position and the salary range of the position. ATIP Act and Access to Information Act, if he understands it, the date of first employment, as well as the end of employment and the most recent place of primary employment are not allowed to be given out. Also, they say in the Privacy Act that they could go and get information in outlook and does not understand how it is possible. The Local wants to know if anything was done by UTE or PSAC to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of all our information.
President Brière indicated that Brother O’Brien, Brother Camara and he had a meeting with Maxime Guenette and talked about the person in charge of that department on different topics including ATIP Request and the delays and we specifically addressed your question.
Brother O’Brien, Senior Labour Relations Officer, indicated that in his opinion, we do not have to do anything. We are not going to change the Access to Information and Privacy Act. He noted that some information is not allowed to be disclosed, but the other information like the salary, group and level of the position, position numbers, that is all public information. At this point of time, the date of hiring and the date of ending, the indication we have is that they will not release that information. If someone wants to challenge that, they can file a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner and they will be directed to do, otherwise. At this point of time as Brother Brière said, we addressed it at the meeting, the Agency seems to be on the side. There is nothing the Agency can do. It’s a legal request under the Act.
The Local thanked Brother O’Brien for the information. He would also like to add that when he tried to do a follow-up because of the email that was sent out to employees that said that if your management team has any concerns about this kind of request, they suggest to share the email with them. If they require more information, they can contact the ATIP Director. He never received a call back.
President Brière indicated that he is meeting with them on Monday and he will gladly forward the brother’s message.
2. Current Status of PSAC Security Clearance Court Case
The Local wants to reiterate that when the Conservatives were in office, they change what was required for Security Clearance. Originally, they had reliability + and that entailed more rigorous background check including financial information, fingerprinting and credit checks. They said that they will not go forward with that reliability +, they will just go back to just reliability. What they did is that they also kept the credit check and fingerprinting. PSAC and the Union of Correction Canada Officers have court cases going forward and wants to know what is going on with that.
Brother O’Brien, Senior Labour Relations Officer indicated that the Alliance has indeed filed a court challenge. The good news is that we heard a few months ago that they are going to do it, but the bad news is that it hasn’t been filed yet. The Alliance is still working on it. He will follow up with PSAC and try to put a push on it to know where they are on this and get moving. On the issue of fingerprints and credit checks, Brother Camara and himself went to a meeting with Finance and Admin about receiving some concerns from different Locals that their members are being called and being lectured about their debt problems and their finances. Also, members complain about being called at their workplace and the person doing the interview is forcing them to take the call without their privacy. We’ve received the assurance that this is not to happen. The Local is satisfied with Brother O’Brien's reply.
3. Potential National UMA Agenda Item
The Local indicated that through UMA and Management Consultation Committee meetings, the Local has asked their Local management for information related to TLMs, PLMs and new hires. They have new orientation for new people that are coming into the office most of the time. They also have to go around to find the new members. In the GTA, there is a lot of movement throughout the GTA Modernization. There are a lot of transfers between Locals and lots of new hires. Given that, the Local management is not willing to give the information about transfers in, TLMs, PLMs and new hires. The only thing the employer needs to do is to send the information to the National Office. The Local is asking the President if he could bring this up so that the Locals will get their money that is due to their Local so they function effectively and efficiently.
Brother Shane O’Brien, Senior Labour Relations Officer, indicated that we have raised it a number of times with the employer. We are not getting a successful solution to our problem. We have a bargaining demand for it and without sharing too much, this is one of the things that we’ve talked about in our earlier session. We recognized that this is for orientating our new members and there is a big financial implication, especially if you have a big Local that members are moving in and out. He also confirmed that if President Brière brings it to a National UMA, you will get a standard response. Since it’s a bargaining demand, he cannot talk about it.
4. CRA Press Releases
The Local indicated that CRA releases information before sending it to the employees. For example, something was released in August and even the Local management was surprised and upset about it. The Local wants to know if they can get a heads up before CRA releases information to others?
President Brière is asking the Local to clarify what was released in August.
The Local believes that it was related to Madame LeBoutillier. It announced service improvement for Canadians in the territories. It came out on August 24.
President Brière confirmed that we were briefed. He indicated that the Local needs to know the difference between Infozone (Internal News) and a Public Press Release. They did have a quick conference call before and it was contained information. It was a Public Press Release from the Minister and not an internal news.
The Local is suggesting that if they are going to send a press release, maybe the members could receive it a few hours before it is released.
President Brière indicated that if it’s a public press release from the Minister, they don’t give heads up to the employees. We were aware and if we would receive phone calls from the media, we were prepared. He thinks it’s in order, just as long as it is done in a timely fashion, it’s in order.
Recess for Coffee Break
President Brière announced that we have sponsored the 2019 Workers History Museum calendars. With that, we were able to get 100 free calendars and will be distributing them to the delegates and to the Executive Council. We will have few extra copies for the observers.
With the indulgence of the delegation, President Brière would like to amend the agenda in the afternoon. He will try not to have an impact of the items submitted by the Locals. He advises the delegation that Brother Aylward will be around 3:15 pm to give us an update on the PSAC change file.
Point of Privilege
Brother Alan Craig wants to take the time to congratulate the sisters who took the time to cut 1,500 small orange vests by hand. He also mentions that he is part of the Aboriginal Circle for the National Capital Region. He asked President Brière permission to take a picture of the people during the break. To show our support, he will send the picture to the PSAC Aboriginal Action Circle and to the people who had the initiative.
5. Pre-Retirement Leave
The Local indicated that before, if you were eligible for Pre-Retirement Leave, you would get it automatically. Now, you need to contact compensation with the detailed information as to when you became eligible for the Pre-Retirement Leave. The Local wants to know what can National Office do about this issue?
President Brière gave permission to Brother Daniel Camara, Executive Assistant to the National President and Technical Advisor for the Communication Committee to take the mike.
Brother Camara mentions that, yes, there is a new procedure. He asked people who work in compensation about the fact that the automatic entitlement to pre-retirement leave is not automatically available. He was told that the new procedure is in place because the Compensation Agents are no longer able to see on the system when the employee is pensionable which would make them eligible to get the pre-retirement. Now the employee needs to advise Compensation when they are eligible.
One Local indicated that she spoke to a supervisor at the Compensation Centre in Winnipeg about this issue. She was told that there was a glitch in the system, after they initially fixed Phoenix to make the corrections. The system is not catching all the employees that are now eligible for Pre-Retirement Leave. Employees do need to ask for it at this time. She was told that they are working on a way to recognize the employees who are eligible. But in the meantime, she sent an email to the members who are eligible, to open a ticket.
With certainty, the National Office will follow up with management.
6. Great-West Life Dental Insurance
The Local indicated that Great-West Life has been giving $1700 per year for dental expenses. As part of the NJC, the Local wants to know if there is going to be an upcoming negotiation and can the amount be increased.
President Brière mentioned that NBoD were given a brief presentation. He indicated that they were looking for any improvement in the plan. It is on the table for sure and he will ask Brother Aylward for an update.
The Local just wants to reconfirm that one of the items that is up for discussion is the increasing of the maximum eligible expense for dental. The Local is asking if we can get increased as much as possible.
President Brière added that the information that he received at the NBoD at that time was contained. He confirmed that all the maximum amounts under the plan were asked to be increased significantly.
The Local would like the total amount increased on all services per year and not only on teeth cleaning. That is the main issue.
President Brière also indicated that it is on our list of demands. It is obvious that some amount has been the same for many years and needs to be updated with inflation. Everything has been asked to be raised.
Presentation of the Staffing Committee.
The presentation was given by Brother Shane O’Brien.
The meeting recessed at 11h45 a.m.
AFTERNOON SESSION
The meeting was called to order at 1:15 p.m. with President Brière in the Chair.
Point of privilege
Sister Colette Fortin, President of the Bathurst Local, thanked the delegation for which $353 was raised. The sister will be proud to tell the member that she received the support from her brothers and sisters from across Canada.
Election of the TSO Presidents’ Representative to UTE Workforce Adjustment Committee
m/s Sue Moser / Derek Johannson
Nominee: Andrew Wickens
Brother Andrew Wickens was acclaimed as TSO Representative to the Workforce Adjustment Committee.
ITEMS SUBMITTED BY THE LOCAL (CONT’D)
TORONTO EAST - 00001
7. GTA Service Modernization
The Local would like to briefly give an update on the GTA Service Modernization that has been ongoing since June 28, 2017. So, with the first model that was rolled out by management, without any consultation with the Union at the Local, Regional and National level. There were so many issues like SP-04 that would be travelling up to three hours per day would have been forced to go to different TSOs. They would have to pay in transit fees, an extra between $300 to $500 more per month. It would have affected the daycare and impact their quality of life. In addition, they had their career opportunities drastically changed because the opportunities that were available are no longer available under the first model. Over 1,400 grievances were filed between UTE members, primarily in the Toronto West Office and PIPSC. So, because of the work of the GTA Service Modernization Committee, including the members, Regional Vice-Presidents and the National level, significant changes were made. It was because of the feedback that we were able to provide at the meetings that resulted in significant changes, like having workplace flexibility that is already available to us. Having career opportunities within each of the TSOs so that people could at least afford it and won’t have to go and give up their work-life balance. In addition, because of everything that being done, 256 members were given permanent positions. With thanks to the RVPs and the brothers at the National Office, we pushed it up to the previous Deputy Commissioner and we are very grateful for the decision she made. The Local just wanted to point out that this is what happens when we all stand up and say no, this is not good enough. We can do better, we must do better.
President Brière thanked the Local for giving an update. He stated that this is a prime example he uses at the National level when an initiative starts on the wrong foot (without any consultation). After this, came after the Service Renewal initiative and we were not consulted at all. President Brière commended the Locals and the membership for fighting back, the RVP, Brother Bye and Brother Crupi who participated in all those meetings. He used it in many AGMs across the country and used that has an example what can be accomplished when we are mobilized.
In addition, the Local mentioned that they floated a business plan to make the 256-term employees permanent. He sent an email to the Assistant Commissioner of Ontario to show her why it should be done. She replied by saying she will take it under consideration. After a few emails with amendments, which came out at the same time of the Auditor General that said that CRA is not collecting $355 billion and it continues to grow about 66% per year, which was included in the email. Within 4 hours after the Deputy Commissioner received the email, he sent an email to the Assistant Commissioner of Ontario to make this happen. So, this is what can happen when we don’t take no for an answer.
8. Use of Indirect Time Codes
The Local is having problems with team leaders and managers not allowing members to use time codes for reading of emails, doing time sheets, etc. The Local wants to know if other Locals have issues and what the position of the National Office.
Some of the Locals have indicated that they have the same issue.
President Brière indicated that we will take note. He also mentioned that it was not brought to the National level. He will check with Brother Shane O’Brien on this issue and bring it up with the employer. President Brière will have Brother O’Brien reply to everyone.
In addition, the Local’s concern is now that we have national inventories, for example, if the Barrie Local is down all the time and they are going back to the region and are saying we have a lower production, then those jobs are taken unfairly out of that Local because they were not able to show that indirect time. The Local does not want stats manipulated which will affect our members who are doing excellent work.
VANCOUVER – LOCAL 20027
1. Discipline Processes
The Local has a problem in the office with discipline processes. Not the large IAD investigations, but the smaller items, which are taking several months and it’s adding a lot of stress to the employees who are not very productive. Do other Locals have the same issues? If so, is it being addressed at the National level?
Some of the Locals have indicated that they have the same issue.
President Brière mentions that, even though it is not an IAD investigation, they still need to do an investigation. It does take time and it is something that has been going on for some years. President Brière asked the LROs if it was discussed at the National level recently with the employer on this issue.
Brother Mathieu Juneau, Labour Relations Officer confirmed that it is an issue that we talk generally. We do have cases where there are extenuating circumstances. So, the investigations might take longer, but it is really case by case. They are jurisprudence on what is reasonable or not. If you have a case that you feel it is not, he suggests to bring it up with their RVP and we will look into it at the National level.
President Brière added that if this is a situation that regularly occurs and you feel it is misunderstood, you should report it with your Local management and then bring it up to the RVP. It should be brought up to the AC of the region first and see if it’s happening in other offices. The work should be done locally, regionally and then nationally.
VICTORIA – LOCAL 20028
1. Fake CRA phone calls
The Local stated that when they put fake CRA phone calls on the agenda, nothing much was happening from the government or CRA directly. The Local is happy to say that CBC took up the cause and has shamed the government to take some action and follow up on this. We were looking at over 60,000 phone calls and millions of dollars being scammed. Our concern is for the members that are out on the field or make legitimate phone calls and are being harassed.
President Brière mentions that it is a concern that was discussed with the employer. The employer is well aware of that. When people get those fraudulent calls, there is an anti-fraud online site. They’re the most prominent frauds in Canada right now.
Brother Gaetz added that, at their policy meeting, Sister Lamoureux brought it up because she goes out in the field. The taxpayer she was visiting called the department and they couldn’t locate her name in the system. It was brought up at the Policy Committee on the fake phone calls and the ID card that are being used are not very official. It’s at the AC level in Human Resources.
One Local mention that CRA scams, phone call scams, etc. are always CRA that informs the RCMPs but nothing has been done yet. He hasn’t seen anything from CRA from their communications or anything else, saying that they are the ones that are responsible to go through the RCMP. They say that CRA always sends a letter first. Anyone in non-filer or any other departments, phone calls go out immediately and they are under pressure to make sure the phone calls get done to get their files completed. The CRA is not putting out the message themselves. We got disconnected between the Call Centers and the TSOs. The Local would like it to be addressed somehow.
President Brière indicated that we are taking notes and will see what can be done about it. It was brought to the employer’s attention because we are worried about the well-being of our members. It is addressed at the National Health & Safety Committee level. The employer always refers it to the RCMP which receives all the complaints. They have a special team and are working with the anti-fraud people. They could push on the employer to have more awareness toward the public and see what can be done at the Health and Safety level.
Other Local mentions that CRA says it will never call taxpayers to receive money. They will always send a registered letter. It is making the Auditor job more difficult in the field. They are almost being threatened. More things need to be done from communications in CRA to reassure the citizens.
President Brière stated that members could send letters to taxpayers, but we can also call the taxpayer or go on the road to be face to face without any letters first.
Many Locals went to the microphones to voice their concerns and frustration on the subject.
One Local suggest that national work with the employer to implement a system so that any Front-Line Agent can simply enter the employee’s ID number and it would give you limited information.
President Brière informed the Locals that they should advise their Local management. If their UMC is coming up, he suggests to put it on the agenda and keep the RVPs informed of the situation in their Locals. We will have discussion and bring it up to the employer.
2. Accommodations
The Local indicated that the issue they are having with accommodations is the length of time it takes to be accommodated. The Locals want to know if other Locals have the same issue and delays for months to get accommodated.
Many Locals went to the microphones to voice their concerns and frustration on the subject.
President Brière is concerned with all the comments he heard from the Locals about accommodating the members. The employer should know they have a duty to accommodate. He advises the Locals to bring the issue to the AD and then escalate to the director of that office. If the director does not do anything, bring it to the attention of the AC and advise your RVPs. President Brière wants no names, but wants concrete examples. The cases that were brought up needs to be sent to the RVPs in writing and they bring it up with the LROs. He will talk with Brother O’Brien and Brother Gaetz for Health and Safety. He advises the Locals to follow the steps before filing a grievance.
The Local added that they have a grievance on accommodation that went to the AC at the 3rd level. They came back and said that the 3 months it took to accommodate the person was reasonable.
Sister Michelle Neill mentions that she is on the National Working Group for people with disabilities with PSAC. There is currently a Bill C-81 that includes the Accessible Canada Act. It is a new act that is being introduced and PSAC is being consulted. One of the things that we did offer as feedback on that particular piece of legislation is that there should a time frame put in for accommodations and if the time frame is not met or too long that employees should be compensated at the time the employee is off work. She suggests that National confirms with PSAC if the Bill is going forward.
Point of Privileges
Sister Gesine Campbell from the Ottawa TSO Local announced that the winner of Friday’s draw was Brother Wayne Little. He won the amount of $365. Brother Ken Bye won $285 for the Saturday’s draw. A total of $1,150 was raised after 2 days.
Sister Lynne Scott Cadieux from the Ottawa Centre Local drew the ticket for the 50/50 draw. Brother Josh Atwood won the amount of $132.
Recess for Coffee Break
Point of Privilege
Sister Sharon Bulger from the Ottawa TSO Local announced that outside the Ottawa City Hall, there is an event for the Tornado Relief Fund. It is called the Ottawa Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival.
Point of privilege is well taken by President Brière.
President Brière invited everyone in the front with an orange shirt for a picture. He will take a picture with the bargaining team and the banner after everyone has signed it. The banner will be on the wall in the Sparks Street office when bargaining with the employer.
SURREY – LOCAL 20029
1. Creation of an EO specific Scholarship.
The Local mentions that they now have a $1,000 Equal Opportunities Scholarship. The mandate is to support and further awareness of equity issues within the Agency and the community at large. The Local would like to challenge the Locals and the National Office to create an Equal Opportunities Scholarship.
President Brière mentions that the Locals heard their challenge and the National Office will look into it.
One Local asked the Local to forward the documents to her RVP so that it can be forwarded to all the RVPs.
President Brière introduces Chris Aylward, National President of PSAC to give an update on the PSAC Change File.
Brother Chris Aylward, the National President of PSAC addressed the delegation about the Change File. It is not a simplistic issue, but he will try to make as simplistic has he can. He gave an explanation on how dues are collected at the PSAC. PSPC was not able to read that change file since March 2016 and now owes approximately $20 million dollars in union dues to PSAC. PSAC and PSPC have been working together for the last year and half on the change file and are now in a position to read that file. A communication will be posted on the PSAC website and Treasury Board agreed to put out a communication to all employees, advising them that there will be a change of dues on the November 14 pay. Individual letters will be sent out on November 10 by PSAC to members advising them that their dues will change on November 14. He also mentioned that if the members owe PSAC money, the PSAC will only go back one year's worth of dues and collect the money. If the member has not paid dues since March 2016, PSAC will go after one year of union dues only. For the rest, we will go after the government. If PSAC owes money to the members and is not related to Phoenix, PSAC will only go back one year. If members overpaid their membership dues because of Phoenix, the amount will be returned within one pay cheque. If the members have been underpaying membership dues and owe arrears, PSAC will recover the arrears for the equivalent of one years’ value of union dues and will not collect this in one large lump sum. The maximum the members will pay in a month is twice the correct monthly dues rate. PSAC will consider longer repayment schedules for members who are facing financial difficulty. The PSAC priority is to get the change file read and get it working.
President Brière ask Brother Aylward if they are negotiating with the government to improve the Health Care Plan.
Brother Aylward advised the delegation that the Health Care Plan is up for renewal in 2021. With the Dental Plan, PSAC negotiates our own plan. PSAC presented a proposal in July and then went to arbitration. PSAC then presented our case in front of an arbitrator at the end of August. We are now waiting for the arbitrator’s decision on the Dental Plan. Fifteen recommendations were presented to the arbitrator for improvement in the Dental Plan itself.
President Brière asked if there is an information package on the website.
Brother Aylward informs the delegation that the information package will be out to the components within a week. The package will have the following information: What the plan is? What the communication plan is? We are asking the components to stay within that. We will be putting together frequently asked questions and will have an FAQ on the PSAC website also. The members will have an online form and a telephone number if they have any questions.
President Brière indicates that the National Office will also put the information on the UTE website and will send the information to the Locals.
HAMILTON – LOCAL 00014
1. Call Centre Assessment and Rehire Tool and Call Centre Assessment Tool
The Local wants to share what is going in their Local when it comes to CCART. The Local indicated that they meet with the AD every week. There has been some success with negative comments being made during the process. Sometime you are subject to 4 calls, sometimes you are subject to 16, 18 calls. If you are not getting it, you might get more calls that they have to sit and listen to. It’s going to go from the terms to everybody in the Call Centre. They are going to change CCART Assessment Tool to CCAT and it’s going to be for everyone. When the first assessment was done for all of the employees, only 3 of the new employees didn’t make it to the pool. Out of the long terms, 23 did not make to the pool at first. Since it was a new tool, we did get the Assistant Director to extend the period for them so that they are able to get them back in the pool. We’ve managed to get them all in except for 4. If you are a new hire, the score is 126. If you are with CRA from 1 ½ to 2 years, the score is 350. If you’ve been with CRA for more than 2 years, you must have a score of 370 and you do not need improvement in any of the 19 areas that they are evaluating you on. The main issue with the Local is the scoring. It is 4 different categories for the CCART but there are 5 different categories for the performance reviews, it doesn’t even match up yet. The Local would like to hear from everyone how it is going.
Brother O’Brien, Senior Labour Relations Officer and Technical Advisor to the Staffing Committee indicated that he is shocked to hear about CCAT, Call Centre Assessment Tool, for the first time. At the previous conference, he was asked to talk about CCART, Call Centre Assessment and Rehire Tool. The matter was referred to the Staffing Committee and the Call Centre Committee. He is not aware of any other offices having the CCAT. He is suggesting very strongly, to put their concerns and complaints into an email, with the collaboration of the Staffing Committee and the Call Centre Committee, and they will come up with a strategy. He mentions that he does not know anything of the CCAT. They’ve talked to the Agency about collaboration, reconciling performance on the job, to having off days. They are working on all these things and cannot deal with it unless we hear about it.
Other Locals indicated that they have the same issues.
The Local added that they set up a coaching team so that they can have support in place so that the person can be coached up to that level.
2. Scoring grid
The Local indicated that she covered most of it in the previous item. The Local mentions that the scoring grid does not match the performance review because it’s a low score for new employees and high score for employees that has been working for a long time.
JONQUIÈRE – LOCAL 10004
1. Single Tax Report for Quebec (Jonquière)
The Local wants to mention that by the time the 2019 Federal Election, Quebec will certainly need the help of the UTE members across Canada in regards to the members of Parliament that we will be voting for. We are going to need help to make sure that the Conservatives do not take power. In due course, he imagines that the National Political Action Committee will send us slogans and at this point they will ask to follow these slogans in the best possible way according to the Political Action Committee. We will ask to be able to keep CRA jobs at the CRA in Quebec.
President Brière mentions that the Political Action Committee will have a mandate on this situation and will be politically active across Canada at the Federal Elections. We will address the situation in Quebec and we will work hard so the Conservative will not be re-elected.
All of the Quebec Locals addressed the delegation and are asking the support of the Locals across Canada.
President Brière asked the Chair of the Political Action Committee, Brother Jamie vanSydenborgh to address the delegation.
The Chair of the Political Action Committee, Brother Jamie vanSydenborgh indicated that the issue was brought up in the spring by President Brière. What he saw when he participated in Chicoutimi-Le Fjord is the action where people got together and talked to the membership. This is a personal issue for them, just like it was in Toronto. In the Toronto case, we only needed to work together. We had the support of the Regional Vice-President and other Locals across Ontario. What he saw in the CAS campaign, he was really heartening and very encouraged by the participations of the activists in this room and back in the Locals. We are going to use that action that thinking and that work to try and help them. It’s going to be very difficult because we are in different provinces. What needs to be done is to have our Political Action focus in the province of Quebec. We will be dealing with the Minister about how we can come up with ways to stop this.
President Brière mentions that the Lobbying session they had could be useful in different ways especially for this issue. We will continue the discussion on this issue with our minister. Our minister, the Liberal Government has said that they are against the idea. All the parties in Quebec are in favour. We need to put the pressure to Quebec, but we also need to put the pressure elsewhere. So far, the Conservatives and the NDP are still backing this idea. He also mentions that they’ve met with the leader of the NDP and after a month, they announced later that they are reconsidering this. We need to do a lot of Political Action.
All Locals across Canada give their support to the Locals of Quebec.
Brother Jamie vanSydenborgh made reference to the Robillard report. It was stated to move the Tax Collections and the Tax Activities from the province to the Federal Government. He also mentioned that he had a conversation with Brother Jérôme Martel on filing tax returns. There are two tax returns, but when the income tax returns are done on programs, you only do it once but it sends it to two. For the Prairies taxes, it’s a problem with having to pay for both sets of submission. In the province of British Columbia, for a short period of time, they are moving to a harmonizing sales tax, but he believes it was overturned by all the political action within all the people in the province of British Columbia. If they can do it there, they can do it in Quebec also.
President Brière agreed with Brother vanSydenborgh. He also mentioned that he will never see the day that Revenue Quebec or the Government of Quebec pass on the collection of taxes in Quebec to Revenue Canada. It’s a politically suicidal in Quebec. He indicated to Brother vanSydenborgh that he had a good point when he mentioned the returns being produced electronically, which is not as simple for the corporations. Basically, it should not be an issue, it’s a political issue. It’s cheap politics by political parties, especially the two at the national level.
The Local thanks everyone for everyone supports.
President Brière turned the Chair over to Brother Doug Gaetz, 1st National Vice-President.
TORONTO EAST – LOCAL 00001
1. Precarious work term hiring and student hiring practices
The Local withdrew the item with the approval of the delegation.
ST. JOHN’S – LOCAL 90001
1. Processing Delays and Scripting
The Local stated that a large majority of their membership is now the Call Centre.She was saying that they have these outrageous time lines which are 40 to 50 weeks.When a taxpayer calls, we tell them to call back in 4 weeks.There is no end to this, the agents are getting bombarded by calls.They are getting yelled at, screamed at.For most parts of call agents, they are used to it.It’s getting to a point that we have to deal with that all day.They have a script that you are supposed tell the people about the delays.It all comes back to Service Renewal and the implementation of T1Ks.We got a new system that nobody knew how to use. There are no manuals for the new system and nobody is trained.Then they would say, here do tax returns!Tax returns now go to Sudbury, so things take a lot longer.So now we are just being told, “we'll tell them to call back later.”A lot of Service Renewals have been published.It’s public knowledge.One agent had told taxpayers that St. John’s doesn’t do tax returns anymore, it is now Sudbury.That is why it takes longer.They are now being investigated by Internal Affairs for discipline.That is a fact, but the agent gave their own personal opinion.But we cannot give your own personal opinion on the phone.We are waiting to see what is coming out of it because it is not the Local management that is doing this, it’s coming from headquarters.
One Local support the Local. The Local also voiced their concerns and frustration on the subject.
Brother Gaetz mentions that the member should file a grievance when the investigation takes place.
Some Locals also voiced their concerns and frustration on the subject.
Brother Gaetz returns the chair to President Brière.
SHAWINIGAN – LOCAL 10005
1. UMA Cards
The Local wants to know that since UMA has been signed, does the National Office have any UMA cards that they can provide the Locals?
President Brière invites Brother Aristil, Chairperson of the UMA/Conflict Resolution Committee to the microphone.
Brother Aristill, Regional Vice-President of the Montreal Region and Chairperson of the UMA/Conflict Resolution Committee indicated that the National Office does not have the cards.The Agency has the cards and will transfer them in the regions so that they can be distributed to management.
OTTAWA TC – LOCAL 70030
1. Monday, September 24th (Ottawa TC)
The Local wants to thank the National President for his online presence on Sunday evening and early Monday morning to keep the members up-to-date.The message from the employer about the office being closed down was so unclear.The Local’s request is that, should another emergency happen again, the National president should consider in sending out an announcement to all members, saying that the union will support the members from all of your collective agreement rights and health and safety rights.
President Brière received lots of text messages, emails and Facebook requests.He sent an urgent message to the Assistant Commissioner of HR.He advised that it took hours for the employer to respond.He then decided to send a message to give the heads up without having the official message from the employer.He will have discussions with them so they can react faster. President Brière is asking Brother Shane O’Brien to address the request.
Brother O’Brien, Senior Labour Relations Officer, as one of the advisors to the National President, recommends not send a message of that nature. Since we served notice to bargain, to send messages out, even suggesting people who want to stay home could get us with severe sanctions if the employer chose to file a complaint with the board.We can be alleged to be engaging in an illegal work stoppage by even suggesting it.We need to talk to the employer and say, “regardless what the Treasury Board puts out; your messages would have to be clear, concise and very direct for employees so that they know.” He does not think we should tell the members to follow the police’s order.If you choose to stay home and the employer deduct your pay, or discipline you, we will file a grievance on your behalf.We will argue that you were prevented to reporting to your duty.
President Brière stated that if we are made aware of a situation, we will intervene as fast as we can.
Some Locals also voiced their concerns and frustration on the subject.
CLOSING REMARKS
President Brière mentioned that organizing a conference is never something simple, it requires a lot of synchronization from all the employees at the National Office. He thanked every employee in the National Office for their help in organizing this conference. He mentions that he has a great team which he is proud to be working with. Without the employees we would not be able to organize these conferences. He also indicated that he is a very demanding person toward himself and just as much to the people who work close by him. And for that, he thanked them for their dedication, their professionalism, their patience and their understanding. He also thanked the interpreters, the technicians of ELC. He also indicated that this is the last Presidents’ Conference at the Château Laurier and the next one will be at the Delta Hotel on Lyon Street. He thanked all the Locals for everything they do for their members. He reminded the Locals to go back to their RVPs so that they can give information on Counter Services. So that they can build a business case to present to the Minister’s office this fall. We have demonstrated what we can do when we talk to our members, when we stay connected with our members, membership supports us and we have the strength of numbers. We will continue to put pressure on the federal government. Now the CAS Campaign was successful, we will push for the Counter Services and we will put pressure on the employer for this current round of bargaining.