Minutes of the Technological Change Committee

Technological Change Committee
Minutes of the Technological Change Committee
November 22nd and 23rd, 2017

IN ATTENDANCE:

Present:

Brian Oldford, Chair
Kimberley Koch, Co-Chair
Greg Krokosh, Co-Chair
Idriss Goundiam, Member
Lyson Paquette, Technical Advisor

1. CALL TO ORDER

Brian is welcoming the new members on the committee.  The committee met in January 2017, after 4 years because of the boycott of consultation with the employer during negotiation of the collective agreement.

Brian emphasises the importance to revive the committee with the membership and to involve the regional and local levels for the monitoring of technological changes that may affect our members.

The committee will also reaffirm our role on the CRA/UTE Technological Change Sub-Committee.

The members of the committee introduce themselves and share their vision on the role and responsibilities of the committee.

The following measures have been identified:

  • Find a proper way to communicate with:
    • CRA
    • Local Presidents/Members
    • UTE Executive Council
    • Technological Changes Committee Members.
  • Promote the technological change committee with the Local Presidents/Members:
    • Who we are
    • What we can do for you
    • Suggestion box on the UTE web site
    • Update of the information the UTE web page
  • Education
    • UTE Web Site
    • UTE Newsletter
    • Training/Workshop
    •  Presidents’ Conferences

2.1  REVIEW OF THE TERMS OF REFERENCE

Brian explains how the CRA/UTE Sub-committee works:

  • Meets twice a year - fall and spring
  • Reviews of CRA initiatives and their progresses
  • Minutes are signed by the UTE President as it is a sub-committee of the National Union Management Committee
  • The employer’s responsivities to inform the Union are described in the collective agreement, Article 24- Technological Changes

The UTE Technological Changes meets before the meeting with CRA to review members concerns and prepares for the meeting with the employer.

2.2      ARTICLE 24 – TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES

The committee members review the article and will look at possibility to propose bargaining demands at the next round of negotiation. (not the present work of negotiation as the deadline to propose bargaining is closed).

2.3      INFORMATION ON THE UTE WEB SITE RELATED TO TEHNOLOGICAL CHANGES

The committee review the document – no changes are proposed at this time.

2.4      UTE ACCOMPLISHMENT BOOKLET

The committee review the document – no changes are proposed at this time.

2.5      PROCEDURES ON HOW THE COMMITTEE WORKS

Brian explains the different procedures for a situation/initiative to be discussed by the committee.  It may come from the CRA or the union channels.

3.  VISIBILITY AND PROMOTION OF THE TECHNOGICAL CHANGE COMMITTEE

A group picture with a summary of the committee responsibilities will be added to the UTE website.

Presently, there is no process for the members to reach the committee to raise concerns or ideas.  A from will be developed for the UTE web site encouraging members to raise issues/concerns related to technological changes happening in the workplace.

An e-mail will be send to all locals to introduce the committee members and the new link, etc.

The committee will be working on an article for the next UTE newsletter.

If agreed to by the National President, the committee will explore the following at the UTE Presidents’ Conference:

  1. A presentation
  2. Wearing of a badge inviting the participants to discuss any issues of concerns related to Ethnological Changes with one of the member of the committee
  3. Chart in the boardroom and/or hospitality suite with the names of the committee members and brief information on the committee.

4.  REVIEW OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

The committee review the previous minutes. 

A list of the employer’s initiates and their progressions will be prepared and kept up-to-date.

5.  PREPARATION FOR THE TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING CRA/UTE

Brian explains how the agenda items are decided.

At the meeting, Brian will indicate the following:

The UTE Committee will take a pro-active approach.
This includes:

  • Follow-up with time frame
  • Additional consultations when new projects/initiatives are launched between the bi-annual meetings
  • Prompt communication with the employer i.e. situation raised by a member, local, region
  • Record on the progression of the initiatives

As Chair of this committee I am honoured to meet with the Employer and obtain information about New Technological changes from the employer. In my role as Chair of the committee I am mandated to ensure that proper training is provide to our members and ensure that if it’s a limitation of FTEs that the agency follows the correct protocols. Also, the committee ensure follow up on the new initiatives to make sure that implementation of a technology change is going as planned.

I am thankful for the Great Tech Change committee we have and their dedication. If you see any technological changes happening you work place contact your local President.