BILL C-377: The second reading in the Senate was held on May 7, 2013 and this Bill has been referred to the standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce. There has been some very lively debate from Senators on both political sides of the Senate, but the Government has stated that this Bill is a priority and they want it passed during this sitting. We have to wait to see the final impact on us and how we will have to report this information.
Delivery of UTE Courses: We have had three successful courses given since we changed the method in which we deliver National courses and we continue to review and update our material. The Staffing Course again is waiting on the out come of the Agency’s new Staffing Simplification Plan.
Job Descriptions for National Office Staff: The National Office is in the process of writing Job Descriptions for all of our staff. When completed, they will be sent to the PSAC Classification Section for proper classification. I will continue to give you updates as this progresses.
Records Storage Management at the cra: We created a cartoon video that highlights the risks of putting taxpayer information in the hands of private companies. We got some very positive comments and a few negative remarks. Overall, we found this a good way to try to get our message out and we are looking at using this again on other topics in the near future. We have not yet received an official response from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner on our complaint but we have been given a verbal response that indicates that that office does not believe there is any merit to our complaint.
Shared Services Canada: As you all ready know, UTE filed a Policy Grievance on the WFA impacts of this initiative, and this was denied by the PSLRB. All members transferred are now Government Services Union members and we wish them all luck in their new agency and Component.
Moving March Presidents Conference to April: As per the resolution passed during the last Presidents’ Conference, we have undertaken to review the possibility of moving the Conference from March to April. This review has indicated that a change is not feasible for the 2014 year, due to signed contracts and time frame constraints involving our upcoming UTE Convention. A change is possible for the 2015 year, and we will revisit this in the future.
Information to Locals and RVPs on ITPRs: An email was issued to council on May 3rd, explaining that the CRA Directive for Independent Third Party Review for Staffing Situations limits the amount of information that may be disseminated.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Campbell
National President