THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
MORNING SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 1:30 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 administrative details. He went over the Harassment Policy and introduced the Complaint Administrators: Doug Gaetz, Brian Oldford, and Jennifer MacPherson and Shirin Amiri.
He also introduced the members that have the first aid - CPR training: Josh Atwood, Imre Bene, Ken Bye, Mike Chartrand, Cosimo Crupi, Patrick Ferguson, Doug Gaetz, Trixie Gorzo, Alex Thon and Linda Walters.
He introduced the members of the Executive Council, the National Office staff, the Local presidents and the Life member Doug Gaetz.
He introduced the new Local Presidents
HOURS OF SESSION
m/s Alexandre Dumont - 70035 / Mike Chartrand - 70000
That the hours of session be as follows:
- MOTION CARRIED.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
m/s Nicholas Thompson -00048 / Heather Kenny - 20029
That the agenda be adopted with the modifications.
- MOTION CARRIED.
THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
1:15 pm – 3:00 pm 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 pm – 3:15 pm Health break
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm Mental Health Conference update
Collective Bargaining Committee update
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Items submitted by Local Presidents
FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2023
09:00 am – 11:30 am Items submitted by Local Presidents
11:30 am – 02:00 pm Rally in support of negotiations - Lunch
02:00 pm – 05:00 pm Workshop: strike strategy and activities
(including a 20-minute health break)
SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2023
09:00 am – 09:45 am Items submitted by Local Presidents
09:45 am – 10:00 am Essential Services Agreement update
10:00 am – 10:15 am Black Class Action update
10:15 am – 10:30 am Health break
10:30 am – 11:45 am Structure Review Committee Report
Items submitted by Locals Presidents
11:45 am – 01:15 pm Lunch
01:15 pm – 01:30 pm Convention 2023 Host Committee update
01:30 pm – 03:00 pm Items submitted by Local Presidents
03:00 pm – 03:15 pm Health break
03:15 pm – 05:00 pm Items submitted by Local Presidents
Closing remarks - National President
ITEMS SUBMITTED BY THE LOCALS
Subject to the timelines
OTAWA HQ - LOCAL 70000
- Strike Pay for virtual workers.
- Strike- Members reporting for work.
SHAWINIGAN - LOCAL 10005
- Strike during telecommuting/hybrid time.
- Strike Vote Administration.
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER - LOCAL 90000
- Report on action items for Presidents Conference.
- Email distribution alternative to MailChimp for locals.
BATHURST- LOCAL 60006
- Presidents’ Conference workshops & training
HALIFAX- LOCAL 80003
- Course 103: where are we at with roll out?
CALGARY- LOCAL 30022
- Call Centre Committee
ST-CATHERINES - LOCAL 00016
- CRA Working Remotely under other circumstances.
SHAWINIGAN - LOCAL 10005
- Strike Pay.
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER - LOCAL 90000
- Best practices for Local Officers (president, treasurer, secretary etc.).
- Expectations of local presidents by National Officers / National Office / RVPs’.
- RANDS
ADDITIONS FROM FLOOR
Equity Sub Committee (Nicholas Thompson-00048)
Strike vote Equity (Heather Kenny-20029)
PSAC -UTE sent policy re- hotel (Heather Kenny-20029)
Roop hotelling and bums and seats. (Joanne Coish- 90001)
Article 60.01 online support chat workers. (Trixie Gorzo - 30022)
Elimination of opportunities for advancement for Francophones in bilingual zones. (Alexandre Dumont - 70035)
Disempowerment of the employer in the use of intelligence (Alexandre Dumont - 70035)
Travel grants (Heather Kenny- 20029)
New union activists-volunteer time (Heather Kenny- 20029)
List of members and RANDS list (Robert Goguen-60008)
Recruitment of members and stewards in our union. (Gena Degner- 00014)
OPENING REMARKS
President Marc Brière gave an update on the following subjects:
- Rescheduling of the National Course
- Deadline to submit -credential letters and resolutions for the 2023 Convention - March 25th at end of business
- E-Rands cards
- Selection process to hire new administrative assistants
- Hiring for 4 months contract to work on rands
- Essential Services agreement
- Phoenix damages
- Strike preparation
HEALTH BREAK
The session resumed at 3:30 with President Marc Brière in the chair.
Highlights on Items dealt by the Executive Council
President Brière gave an update on the Executive Council business that was dealt with.
- Convention Committees delegates assignment.
- Renaming of the Scholarship
- Trusteeship reports update.
- Audited Financial
- Convention 2026 – Atlantic proposed Halifax.
- PFLAG donation
- Black Class Action Lawsuit donation
President Brière presented Brother Cosimo Crupi with the 30 years of Service Pin.
MENTAL HEALTH CONFERENCE UPDATE
1st Vice-President Doug Gaetz gave an update to the assembly.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COMMITTEE UPDATE
2nd Vice-President Adam Jackson gave an update to the assembly.
ITEMS SUBMITTED BY THE LOCALS
OTAWA HQ - LOCAL 70000
1. Strike Pay for virtual workers:
Brother Jackson, answered that each situation should be dealt with individually by regional PSCA offices.
2. Strike - Members reporting for work: How will members that cross the line be dealt with.
Brother Brière explained that if members are caught, action against them will be taken as per the Constitution of the PSAC. Brother Jackson explained it is important to have the one-to-one conversations with members.
Speakers on the item: Mike Chartrand (70000), Ashley Green (90000)
The meeting recessed at 5 p.m.
FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2023
MORNING SESSION
OPENING REMARKS
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. with President Brière in the chair.
ITEMS SUBMITTED BY THE LOCALS
SHAWINIGAN - LOCAL 10005
1. Strike during telecommuting/hybrid time.
Item was removed as it was addressed the day before.
2. Strike Vote Administration: There was great chaos in the process.
President Marc Brière explained that UTE-PSAC had to compose with a method to increase or facilitate voting for members. Virtual problems were identified.
Speakers to the item: Julien Nobert (10005), Ashley Green (90000), Ken Bye (00052), Alexandre Dumont (70035), Josh Atwood (80003)
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER - LOCAL 90000
1. Report on action items for Presidents Conference:
Running list of items that require action from President’s Conference to insure follow ups are provided to locals. Confirm action items at the end of the President’s Conference
Speaker to the item: Ashley Green (90000)
2. Email distribution alternative to MailChimp for locals: distribution list problems, segment groups, communication workshop, local bulletin
President Marc Brière explained that UTE sorts the news items and must ensure the messaging is not duplicated.
Sister Susan Duncan and Brother Shane O’Brien offered additional information.
Speakers to the item: Ashley Green (90000), Gina Degner (00014), Julien Nobert (10005), Richard Weintrager (70030), Sean Parris (30024)
Health Break
The session resumed at 10h35 a.m.
m/s Julien Nobert (10005) / Alexandre Dumont (70035)
Brother Julien Nobert: proposes an amendment to agenda to move the UTE Structure Review report to 10h30 Saturday.
CARRIED
BATHURST- LOCAL 60006
1. Presidents’ Conference workshops & training:
Sharing in advance the topic of workshops and to consider the locals request for workshop needs. Survey as to what language they would like their workshop. Locals need to make informed decisions in a timely matter as to the registration of observers for training. Training needs survey. Survey as to what language they would like their workshop in, identify if translation is needed. Networking is very important.
President Marc Brière explained that the evaluation forms submitted by locals from the conference are reviewed by the management team to identify training needs. He also suggested submitting topics to the RVP in between conferences.
Speakers to the item: Billy Dempsey (60006), Sabrina Williams (observer 10005)
HALIFAX- LOCAL 80003
1. Course 103: where are we at with the roll out?
UMA changes over the pandemic. Need to be face to face with the employer.
Speakers to the item: Josh Atwood (80003), Richard Weintrager (70030)
Sister Andria Cullen Chair of the UMA Committee explained priority is in person. May 2023 is the set timeline to return to in person meetings. Packages were reviewed.
CALGARY- LOCAL 30022
1. Call Centre Committee:
Lack of information coming from Call Center Committee. No details in the minutes available on the website. Division Call Centers being treated differently than the rest of the public sector. Common issues submitted to RVP’s does not seem to be going anywhere. Not normal to have to wait 6 to 8 weeks for a response on an issue. Should the Committee be shuffled.
Speakers to the item: Trixie Gorzo (30022), Richard Hyatt (20050), Gina Degner (00014), Richard Weintrager (70030), Julien Nobert (10005), Mike Chartrand (70000), Joanne Coish (90001)
Brother Eddy Aristil Chair of the Call Center Committee explained that the mandate was given to his committee to reach out to locals to identify specific struggles. The meeting was rescheduled in January. The Committee had an Article in the UTE Journal, the minutes were added to the web site. A memo was sent after the March meeting.
He sent the March note directly. Dealing with the CRA are difficult. There were changes in the composition of the Committee on Agency side (person responsible for Call Centre file) and on the UTE side (technical advisor). The Committee has pushed with the employer for action and correction. Sometimes the questions concerning challenges are forwarded to other Committee members and not himself. It is each Committee member’s responsibility to review the drafted minutes and give feedback. The Committee must sort through what are regional issues and what are national ones.
President Marc Brière said he will continue to work with the Committee and insure better communications. Important to submit question issues to the chair of the committee and include RVP in the communication.
Eddy Aristil said he will respect the president’s decision if he wishes to shuffle the Committee members.
The meeting recessed at 11:50 a.m. for the lunch break.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Workshops: Strike strategy and activities
SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2023
MORNING SESSION
The meeting reconvened at 9:00 a.m. with National President Brière in the Chair.
ITEMS SUBMITTED BY LOCAL PRESIDENTS
ST-CATHERINES - LOCAL 00016
2. CRA Working Remotely under other circumstances; does the Agency have the regal right to force workers to work from their house.
Shane O’Brien - SLRO: Is not aware of any adjudication cases. UTE was not consulted on the issue. If members are forced, members must advise. Statutory freezes make this practice grievable. He asks locals to inform UTE national.
SHAWINIGAN - LOCAL 10005
3. Strike Pay.
The item is removed by the local.
All in favor
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER - LOCAL 90000
3. Best practices for Local Officers (president, treasurer, secretary etc.):
A timeline to guide locals is suggested to share best practices. Locals get wrong information from PSAC -UTE. Initiative of tool kits for succession planning, RVP 101, local president 101 etc. It is hard to get confirmation of reliable information. UTE has an immense source of mentoring base, it should be used.
Speakers to the item: Ashley Green (90000), Joanne Coish (90001), Billy Dempsey (6000
Shane O’Brien SLRO: Stated that local’s first source of information should be from UTE and not the PSAC. He reiterates that the matter will be addressed. Encourages Regional training.
President Marc Brière: Said he will follow up with the PSCA. Encourages locals to talk to their RVP.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES AGREEMENT UPDATE
Shane O’Brien -SLRO: Gave an update. 1411 UTE members were designated as essential and will be receiving letters. In the event of a strike such employees should refrain from doing overtime. Local presidents will receive copies of the letters and are encouraged to keep records of them for future reference. Encourages to use the information he sent to local and to be watchful of what is agreed to locally.
Speakers - questions: Joanne Coish (90001), Darlene Bembridge (60005), Mike Chartrand (70000)
Health Break
Black Class Action update
The update is presented by Brother Nicholas Marcus Thompson.
Structure Review Committee Report
Brother Gary Esslinger Chair of the committee presents the two co-chairs Gregory Krokosh and Jérôme Martel and the other committee members: Jackie Robertson, Chris Foucault, Ken Bye, Dany Gélinas, Joanne Coish, the two 2 technical advisors Daniel Camara and Shane O’Brien and the administrative assistant Guylène Lepage.
Brother Esslinger presents the report and the committee recommendations.
Speakers - questions:
Kevin Welgush (40023) - Survey format not an effective tool.
David Lanthier (RVP NCR) - Importance of getting feedback and input.
Richard Weintrager (70030) - Would have preferred individual interviews with every local president.
Mike Chartrand (70000) - Questions the criteria for selection of the committee members as no members of the NCR were appointed to the committee. Survey questions were to his opinion vague.
Alexandre Dumont (70035) - The presentation did not refer to the work done by the private firm.
Brother Esslinger and President Brière offered precisions and comments on the questions asked.
Lunch Break
AFTERNOON SESSION
The session resumes at 1:15 with President Brière in the chair.
Convention 2023 Host Committee update
Brother Gary Esslinger, Chair of the committee introduces the committee members that are in attendance, Sisters Tracy Theriault Chair of the Committee and Diana Litke.
Other Committee members are Lucille Gregory, Jeff Sexton. He offers the participants information about Winnipeg, the hosting city for UTE’s 2023 Convention.
ITEMS SUBMITTED BY LOCAL PRESIDENTS
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER - LOCAL 90000
4. Expectations of local presidents by National Officers / National Office / RVPs’.
Large workload and lack of Union time do the work. Increased demands in member services. Expectations are great and coming from all levels. Difficult to manage. Protocols and timelines need to be specified. There is a lot of local turn over, need for assistance to manage. Relations with local Directors/Assistant Commissioners have become complicated often because of the CRA structure.
Speakers to the item: Ashley Green (90000), Joanne Coish (90001), Gina Degner (10014), Sean Parris (30024), Robert Goguen(60008), Tony McFetridge (30025), Melanee Jessup (00015)
President Marc Brière: Suggested having discussions with the RVP. Importance of sorting and prioritizing the large workload to be able to manage without burning out. Insure there is sufficient Union release time accorded. He assures that if UTE National can do anything to assist and support, it will. Encourages locals to submit ideas and suggestions. It is much more efficient for a local assisted by RVP to push back against a difficult local director.
Observer Jérôme Martel- Québec Region RVP: Important have the discussions with the director and sell the benefits for both parties of having sufficient and appropriate time release to address and prevent problematics.
Health break
The session resumed at 1:15 with President Brière in the chair.
ITEMS SUBMITTED BY LOCAL PRESIDENTS
RANDS Discussion as to the effect that Rand lists are behind. Need for guidance to locate members. The difficulties processing RANDs affected the allocated accredited delegates for Convention because of the PSAC tardiness in processing. It was mentioned that the UTE staff treating the cards are to be commended for their diligence and support.
Speakers to the item: Ashley Green (90000), Josh Atwood (80003), Darlene Bembridge (60005), Robert Goguen (60008), Billy Dempsey (60006), Maureen Getson (90006)
Shane O’Brien- SLRO: The lists are behind because of multiple factors that affect the processing of the cards. The problematic as always been there, there is no simple way to address it. The process for allocating accredited delegates, is being followed. While we are sympathetic to the issue, we are tied to the wording. Until there is a resolution that goes to Convention and then PSAC Convention, the Bylaws govern the attribution. PSAC is looking into a one step program that could potentially help the process. UTE has the equivalent of 2 staff are working exclusively on the cards processing.
President Marc Brière: UTE is and will continue to raise the issue of the delays in the processing. UTE national is looking into filling 2 temporary positions to help speed up the processing.
Draw from the Workers History Museum
CLOSING REMARKS
President Brière thanks all participants and those involved in the preparation and delivery of the conference. He expressed his gratitude for the work and dedication of the locals. He believes UTE is strong in its resolve and is ready to take on the negotiation’s challenges and a possible strike.
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.