National Office Boardroom – Ottawa
IN ATTENDANCE: Marc Brière – Chair and 1st National Vice-President, Doug Gaetz – Co-Chair and RVP-Atlantic, Gary Esslinger - RVP-Prairies, David Webster – Presidents’ Representative – Kingston – Local 00011 and Monique Desrosiers – Staff.
1. Approval of last meeting’s minutes
The committee reviewed and approved the minutes of October 22-23, 2013.
2. August 2014 Financial Statements & Investments
The committee reviewed the August 2014 Financial Statements and Investments. The committee had a discussion about the Statement of Investment Policy. The committee agreed to review the said policy at the next meeting.
3. Over Expenditures at October 31, 2014
The line item over expenditures were reviewed and discussed; a list of line items with over expenditures will be presented at the December 2014 Executive Council.
4. Review of the Revised Budget (2015-2016-2017) adopted at the 2014 Convention
The committee reviewed the recommendations and resolutions carried at Convention 2014 and adjusted the Budget (2015-2016-2017) accordingly.
5. Review of Dues Increase for January 1, 2015
During a September, 2014 Ad Hoc meeting, the committee reviewed and discussed the proposed 2015 dues increase and no recommendation was required.
6. Referral from Executive Council – Leave With Income Averaging VS Reimbursement of Wages
The committee discussed the referral from Executive Council. In accordance with By-Law 14.4.2, as defined below, any member who is under a Leave With Income Averaging shall not be entitled to any reimbursement of wages because he/she is not required to take leave from the employer or use a compressed day for the purpose of carrying out union business.
By-Law 14.4.2
Any member, except the President and the 1st Vice-President, required to take leave from their employer or use compressed days for the purpose of carrying out union business authorized by UTE be reimbursed an amount equal to one day's pay for each day of leave taken at the rate shown for their grade and level per the collective agreement then in effect.
7. Review of the Communications subsidy to Locals – Data plan for the electronic tablets
The committee reviewed the Communications subsidy to Locals – Data plan for the electronic tablets and will submit a recommendation to Council as follows:
Recommendation #1:
Be it resolved that UTE provide a yearly subsidy in the amount of $250.00 to each Local to help pay, for a period of twelve (12) months, the cost of the data plan used with the electronic tablets and;
Be it further resolved that this communication subsidy be paid by UTE National to the Locals in January 2015, 2016 and 2017 and;
Be it further resolved that the Locals must provide proof to the UTE National Office that they have a data plan, within sixty (60) days of receiving the subsidy. Otherwise, the subsidy shall be recouped by the National Office.
8. Review of the content of Regulation 13 – Reimbursement of Expenses
The committee reviewed and discussed Regulation 13 and made the following recommendations:
Recommendation #2:
Be it resolved that UTE Regulation 13.8.3 be amended as follows:
13.8.3 Receipts
- The following receipts
shouldshall be attached to the expense claims:
- cost of hotel paid; and
- cost of airfare paid; and
- miscellaneous expenses
- The reimbursement of these expense claims shall be done as soon as possible.
- The reason for each expense that is claimed should be indicated as clearly as possible.
Recommendation #3:
Be it resolved that UTE Regulation 13.9 (2) be amended as follows:
13.9 Guidelines for expenses
(2) Ground Transportation: This would include costs for taxis to and from your home to the airport, bus or train station. This would also include mileage and/or parking to and from the departure point if using a personal vehicle. At destination, the ground transportation would include taxis to and from the airport or parking if using a personal vehicle, except when a travel grant is received. For additional costs prior approval must be received from the President or 1st Vice-President.
9. Review of UTE’s Investment Portfolio with Investment Advisor from CIBC Wood Gundy
The committee received a presentation from Howard Greenberg from CIBC Wood Gundy, our investment firm. The committee reviewed and discussed the investment portfolio with Howard. He confirmed that the investment portfolio remains in a positive state due to the conservative investment tactics and the state of the economy.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:15 pm on Thursday, November 13, 2014.
/md