Report of the Bargaining Committee

Bargaining Committee
Report of the Bargaining Committee
March 2012

Denis Lalancette

The members of the Standing Bargaining Committee met in Ottawa on January 11 and 12, 2012.  The members in attendance were Sister Dawn Hardy, TC representative; Brother Pietro Masdea, TSO representative; Brother Jean-Pierre Fraser, committee co-chair; and Brother Denis Lalancette, committee chair.  The Committee was attended by Sister Lyson Paquette, technical advisor. The Committee had invited Sister Gaby Lévesque, who was not available.

Review and follow-up of the report from the Standing Bargaining Committee of September 2011

The members did the work as per the committee’s agenda: they reviewed the report from the Standing Committee meeting in September 2011. The follow-up for that meeting are all the items on the current meeting agenda.

Review of the 2012 Bargaining Schedule

They revised the draft schedule for the 2012 pre-bargaining and bargaining process; all known dates are up to date on that schedule. The formal request for preparing the official demand collection process was made so that this process occurs as early in February as possible. The PSAC should soon be sending us the official book of demands, if applicable.

Preparation of the presentation for the March 2012 Presidents’ Conference

The members worked with a first draft of the briefing document prepared by Sister Paquette. Among other things, this document will cover the locals’ responsibilities during the bargaining period. The document will be finalized and translated, and the members decided to share the presentation tasks during the March 2012 Presidents’ Conference.

Review of the specific message for all interveners/spokespeople

The Committee reviewed the quick reference of bargaining information for the AGMs (or speakers’ notes) and other union activities; no changes were considered necessary.

Discussion and decision on the promotional item

The Committee also made its choice for the promotional item: a card case (pocket) that workers will be able to slip their ID cards into at work. The winning slogan should appear on the back of that card case. This promotional item will ensure that members will be able to wear it at all times. They will also be able to use the UTE cord, and when they want to demonstrate visibility, they will just have to display the back with the slogan. And if we consider it necessary, we will be able to print other messages that can be stuck above the slogan. However, it is up to the PSAC and the UTE to decide on who is responsible for the costs.

Choice and publication of the Slogan for the 2012 campaign

The Committee also chose the slogan for the 2012 bargaining campaign, from among the proposals received during the Presidents’ Conference in September 2011.  The winner is Hugh McGoldrick from Ottawa Headquarters - 70000. This slogan, “Our Agreement, Our Future”, will be promoted during communications with the locals and members. It will also be visible during the various campaigns when deemed necessary. The announcement about the slogan and the recipient will be made during the March 2012 Presidents’ Conference.

Information communiqué, or other, for informing the locals

Further to a proposal from an Executive Council member, the Committee suggested a Q&A-style communiqué (printed or flyer) for informing the locals and members about the principle of no-concession bargaining.  Among other things, it will cover the severance premium at retirement without going into the technical details. This pamphlet should also be entirely or partly published in the next Union News.

Toolbox

Sister Paquette also proposed a toolbox for the Committee members. This toolbox is already used by other committees.

Electronic collective agreement

Sister Paquette presented a plan for an electronic collective agreement. That collective agreement would have the major benefit of providing parallel information using links. The information could be an arbitral award, CRA policies and guidelines, CRA interpretation bulletin, UTE documents, etc. The Committee members readily accepted this proposal and congratulated Sister Paquette for her initiative.

Recommendation no. 1:

Whereas the members are increasingly using electronic documents; and

Whereas it is important to provide documents that facilitate access to information relating to our collective agreement.

Be it resolved that the Executive Council adopt the plan for an electronic collective agreement containing links to reference documents for posting on the UTE website.

The committee recommends that this electronic collective agreement contain the following warning:

WORD OF CAUTION
This version of the collective agreement is comprised of hyperlinks to multiple reference documents, i.e. Interpretation bulletins, Canada Revenue Agency’s Policies and Guidelines, Public Service Labour Relations Board’s decisions summaries, etc. Theses documents do not replace the official version.

DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed in the reference documents do not necessarily reflect the position of f the Union of Taxation Employees.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Denis Lalancette,
Chair of the Committee