Minutes of the Executive Council

Minutes of the Executive Council
December 7 - 10, 2015

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015
MORNING SESSION

1.  CALL TO ORDER OF THE REGULAR MEETING

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 hours.  President Bob Campbell was in the Chair. In attendance: Marc Brière, Madonna Gardiner, Wayne Little, Bob Carpenter, Gary Esslinger,  Cosimo Crupi, Jamie vanSydenborgh, Doug Gaetz, Ken Bye, Bill Blair, Daniel Camara, Denis Lalancette, Annette Melanson and Pierrette Labrie.

Brother Adam Jackson was absent with permission.

2.   HOURS OF SESSION OF THE REGULAR MEETING

m/s       Bob Carpenter / Gary Esslinger

That the hours of session be as follows:

Monday:         9:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.; 1:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
                       4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Open Discussion
Tuesday:        9:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.; 1:15 p.m. - 5:00
Wednesday:   9:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.; 1:15 p.m. - 5:00
Thursday:      9:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.; 1:15 p.m. - 5:00

  • MOTION CARRIED.

3.  ADOPTION OF AGENDA

m/s      Madonna Gardiner  / Jamie vanSydenborgh

That the agenda be adopted as printed with the following additions:

New Business

19.       Union Management Consultations (UMCs) (B. Blair)
20.       City of Bathurst Relief Fund (D. Gaetz)

Open discussion

11.       Public Service Employee Survey – Ontario (C. Crupi)
12.       Team Leaders Entering & Verifying Education (J. vanSydenborgh)
13.       New Reporting Structure - CRA (G. Esslinger) withdrawn later by the mover
14.       Office Christmas Party - CRA (D. Lalancette)
15.       Hospitality Suites - RVPs (D. Gaetz)

  • Recorded Vote #1.  MOTION CARRIED.

4.  ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

m/s      Doug Gaetz  / Bill Blair

            That the minutes of the Executive Council Meeting of September 2015 be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote #2.  MOTION CARRIED.

m/s      Denis Lalancette / Daniel Camara

That the recorded vote taken electronicly to award Life Membership to Brother Sabri Khayat be adopted.

  • MOTION CARRIED.

President Campbell turned the Chair over to Brother Brière, First National Vice-President.

5.  PRESIDENT’S FOLLOW UP ITEMS

m/s      Bob Campbell / Madonna Gardiner

That the follow up items of the President be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote #3.  MOTION CARRIED.

6.  REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

m/s      Bob Campbell / Madonna Gardiner

That the report of the President be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote #4.  MOTION CARRIED.

President Campbell resumed the Chair.

President Campbell left for the rest of the week for personal reasons.  He wished everyone Merry Christmas.

Recess for lunch


AFTERNOON SESSION

The meeting was called back to order at 1:15 with First National Vice-President Brother Brière in the Chair. 

Brother Brière turned the Chair over to Sister Gardiner, Second National Vice-President.

7.   REPORT OF THE 1st NATIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT

m/s      Marc Brière / Gary Esslinger

That the report of the 1st National Vice-President be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote #5.  MOTION CARRIED.

Brother Brière resumed the Chair.

8.   REPORT OF THE 2nd NATIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT

m/s      Madonna Gardiner / Denis Lalancette

That the report of the 2nd National Vice-President be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote #6.  MOTION CARRIED.

9.    REPORT OF THE REGIONAL VICE-PRESIDENTS / ALTERNATES

m/s      Gary Esslinger /  Wayne Little

That the activity reports of the RVPs and ARVPs be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote #7.  MOTION CARRIED.

Brother Brière turned the Chair over to Sister Gardiner, Second National Vice-President.

10.   REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

m/s      Jamie vanSydenborgh / Gary Esslinger

That the report of the Executive Committee be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote #8.  MOTION CARRIED.

Brother Brière resumed the Chair.

11 a)   REPORT OF THE STAFFING COMMITTEE

m/s      Bob Carpenter  / Daniel Camara

That the report of the Staffing Committee be adopted.

m/s      Bob Carpenter  / Daniel Camara

Recommendation #1

That the Committee Terms of Reference be adopted as shown at the end of the minutes.

  • Recorded Vote #9.  MOTION CARRIED.

That the report of the Staffing Committee be adopted as a whole.

  • Recorded Vote #10.  MOTION CARRIED.

11 b)   REPORT OF THE BY-LAWS COMMITTEE

m/s      Daniel Camara / Ken Bye

That the report of the By-Laws Committee be adopted.          

  • Recorded Vote #11.  MOTION CARRIED.

11 c)   REPORT OF THE TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE COMMITTEE

m/s      Madonna Gardiner / Doug Gaetz

That the report of the Technological Change Committee be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote #12.  MOTION CARRIED.

11 d)   REPORT OF THE EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM COMMITTEE

m/s      Wayne Little / Bill Blair

That the report of the Employee Assistance Program Committee be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote #13.  MOTION CARRIED.

11 e)   REPORT OF THE HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE

m/s      Doug Gaetz / Cosimo Crupi

That the report of the Health & Safety Committee be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote #14.  MOTION CARRIED.

11 f)    REPORT OF THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMITTEE

m/s      Bob Carpenter / Madonna Gardiner

That the report of the Equal Opportunities Committee be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote #15.  MOTION CARRIED.

11 g)   REPORT OF THE HONOURS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

m/s      Denis Lalancette / Wayne Little

That the report of the Honours and Awards Committee be adopted.

m/s      Denis Lalancette / Wayne Little

Recommendation #1

Pursuant to Regulation 24.2, the Committee recommends that Brother Herb Osborne from the Barrie Local receive the Al Lough Award.

m/s      Gary Esslinger / Wayne Little

That the report be postponed until Council be provided with the submission for Brother Osborne.

  • MOTION TO POSTPONE CARRIED.

11 h)   REPORT OF THE WORKFORCE ADJUSTMENT COMMITTEE

m/s      Bill Blair / Cosimo Crupi

That the report of the Workforce Adjustment Committee be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote #16.   MOTION CARRIED.

Brother Brière turned the Chair over to Sister Gardiner, Second National Vice-President.

OPEN DISCUSSION

The Council members discussed the items under this section.

Brother Brière resumed the Chair.

The meeting recessed at 5 p.m.


TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2015
MORNING SESSION

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. with First National Vice-President Brière in the Chair.

Cont’d 11 g) REPORT OF THE HONOURS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

m/s      Denis Lalancette / Wayne Little

Recommendation #1

Pursuant to Regulation 24.2, the Committee recommends that Brother Herb Osborne from the Barrie Local receive the Al Lough Award.

  • Recorded Vote #17.  MOTION CARRIED.

That the report of the Honours and Awards Committee be adopted as a whole.

  • Recorded Vote #18.  MOTION CARRIED.

Brother Brière turned the Chair over to Sister Gardiner, Second National Vice-President.

11 i)    REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

m/s      Marc Brière / Gary Esslinger

That the report of the Finance Committee be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote #19.   MOTION CARRIED.

Brother Brière resumed the Chair.

11 j)    REPORT OF THE COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

m/s      Gary Esslinger / Daniel Camara

That the report of the Communications Committee be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote #20.  MOTION CARRIED.

11 k)   REPORT OF THE BARGAINING COMMITTEE

m/s      Madonna Gardiner / Denis Lalancette

That the report of the Bargaining Committee be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote #21.  MOTION CARRIED.

11l)     REPORT OF THE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PAC)

m/s      Jamie vanSydenborgh / Cosimo Crupi

That the report of the Political Action Committee be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote #22.  MOTION CARRIED.

11 m) REPORT OF THE CALL CENTRE COMMITTEE

m/s      Jamie vanSydenborgh / Ken Bye

That the report of the Call Centre Committee be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote #23.  MOTION CARRIED.

11 n)   REPORT OF THE AD HOC UNION MANAGEMENT APPROACH (UMA) AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION COMMITTEE

m/s      Doug Gaetz / Madonna Gardiner

That the report of the Ad-Hoc UMA and Conflict Resolution Committee be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote #24.  MOTION CARRIED.

Brother Brière turned the Chair over to Sister Gardiner, Second National Vice-President.

12.   ADOPTION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

m/s      Marc Brière / Doug Gaetz

That the Financial Statements as of August 31, 2015 be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote #25.   MOTION CARRIED.

13.   EXPENSE CLAIMS OVER 90 DAYS

m/s      Marc Brière / Gary Esslinger

That the expense claims over 90 days be accepted.

  • Recorded Vote #26.  MOTION CARRIED.

Brother Brière resumed the Chair.

14.  COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

A discussion on bargaining took place.

Brother Brière turned the Chair over to Sister Gardiner, Second National Vice-President.

15.   AUDITORS 2015

m/s      Marc Brière / Gary Esslinger

Be it resolved that we appoint  Andrews & Co. as auditor for fiscal year 2015.

  • Recorded Vote #27.  MOTION CARRIED.

16.   REGIONAL CONFERENCES’ BUDGETS – 2016

m/s     Marc Brière / Gary Esslinger

Be it resolved that the following be the Regional budget allocations for the year 2016.

Total budget amount -  $400,000.00

Pacific

  13.25%

$  53,012.00

Rocky Mountains

    9.68%

$  38,710.00

Prairie

    8.47%

$  33,897.00

Greater Toronto

    7.23%

$  28,924.00

Southwestern Ontario

  10.19%

$  40,776.00

Northern & Eastern Ontario

    8.97%

$  35,862.00

National Capital

    8.99%

$  35,965.00

Montreal

  10.03%

$  40,116.00

Quebec

    9.79%

$  39,130.00

Atlantic

  13.40%

$  53,608.00

Total

100.00%

$400,000.00

  • Recorded Vote #28.  MOTION CARRIED.

Brother Brière resumed the Chair.

Recess for lunch


AFTERNOON SESSION

The meeting was called back to order at 1:15 with Brother Brière in the Chair. 

Brother Brière turned the Chair over to Sister Gardiner, Second National Vice-President.

17.    UTE TO SPONSOR ONE SYRIAN FAMILY

m/s      Doug Gaetz / Wayne Little

Whereas the federal government has made a commitment to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees by year end; and

Whereas both the CLC & PSAC have publicly endorsed this plan and encouraged all unions to support and help in settling refugees in Canada; and

Whereas the UTE has sponsored and donated a fair sum of money in past years to help such causes (Haiti earthquake, ICA, etc…).

Be it resolved that UTE sponsor one Syrian family for a one-time cost of $27,000 (as per the estimate from the federal government) for one year to settle in any Canadian province and/or territory, preferably in NB; and

Be it further resolved that if UTE cannot commit to the full cost of settling one refugee family, UTE donates a sum of money toward this cause. That sum of money would be no less than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00); and

Be it further resolved that If UTE cannot commit to the full cost of settling one refugee family, UTE will try to find a partner such as PIPSC or another PSAC component to be able to cover this cost in full; and

Be it further resolved that UTE will challenge other PSAC components and other unions as well to match this donation; and

Be it further resolved that UTE promotes and encourages the help of Syrian refugees at all its events.

m/s      Doug Gaetz / Wayne Little

            That the motion be divided to deal with the 1st Be it Resolved separately.

  • MOTION TO DIVIDE CARRIED.

m/s      Doug Gaetz / Cosimo Crupi

That the 1st Be it Resolved be tabled.

  • MOTION TO TABLE CARRIED.

m/s      Doug Gaetz / Wayne Little

Be it further resolved that if UTE cannot commit to the full cost of settling one refugee family, UTE donates a sum of money toward this cause. That sum of money would be no less than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00); and

Be it further resolved that If UTE cannot commit to the full cost of settling one refugee family, UTE will try to find a partner such as PIPSC or another PSAC component to be able to cover this cost in full; and

Be it further resolved that UTE will challenge other PSAC components and other unions as well to match this donation; and

Be it further resolved that UTE promotes and encourages the help of Syrian refugees at all its events.

m/s      Cosimo Crupi / Jamie vanSydenborgh

That the motion be amended to read:

Be it further resolved that if UTE cannot commit to the full cost of settling one refugee family, UTE donates a sum of money toward this cause. That sum of money would be no less than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00);

m/s      Doug Gaetz /

That the amendment be amended to read as follows:

Be it resolved that UTE makes a donation in the amount of $5000.00 in support of settling a Syrian refugee family; and

Be it further resolved that UTE will try to find a partner such as PIPSC or another PSAC Component to be able to cover this cost in full.

The Chair ruled that the amendment changes the intent of the motion.

m/       Doug Gaetz /

Brother Gaetz challenged the Chair.

For a lack of a seconder the ruling of the Chair is sustained.

m/s      Bill Blair / Doug Gaetz

That the question be called.

  • MAIN AMENDMENT CARRIED.

m/s      Bill Blair / Gary Esslinger

That the motion be referred back to the mover with instructions that it includes a donation amount of $5000 and that the new motion be brought back to the table before the end of session this week.

  • MOTION TO REFER CARRIED.

Brother Gaetz served notice to amend the agenda.

18.    UTE CELEBRATING ITS 50th ANNIVERSARY IN 2016

m/s      Marc Brière / Madonna Gardiner

Whereas the Union of Taxation Employees will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2016.

Be it resolved that $35,000.00 be approved to be spent from surplus to be used by the National Office for the promotion of this event.

  • Recorded Vote #29.  MOTION CARRIED.

Brother Brière resumed the Chair.

m/s      Doug Gaetz  / Wayne Little

That a new Agenda Item 21 Syrian Refugee Donation be added to the agenda.

  • MOTION CARRIED.

m/s      Doug Gaetz / Wayne Little

That Agenda Item 17 be tabled.

  • MOTION TO TABLE CARRIED.

19.    UNION MANAGEMENT CONSULTATIONS (UMCs)

m/s      Bill Blair / Denis Lalancette

That the motion be postponed to the next day until translation is provided to Council.

  • MOTION TO POSTPONE CARRIED.

20.       CITY OF BATHURST FIRE RELIEF FUND

m/s      Doug Gaetz  / Wayne Little

Whereas the small knit community of Bathurst had a major fire November 27, 2015 that devastated a large portion of the downtown core, which included a heritage building and four other buildings. This fire has impacted up to 6 or 7 businesses and also up to 50 people who lived in apartments above these buildings have lost everything except the clothes on their back; and

Whereas this fire has destroyed a number of locally owned businesses, up to 30 employees have lost their jobs; and

Whereas one of the businesses/non-profit organization has also been impacted, Canadian Red Cross, who still did what they could to help people displaced, even while dealing with their own loss; and

Whereas UTE has a Local in this small community, Local 60006; and

Whereas UTE has stepped forward in the past to help people in need.

Be it resolved that UTE donate five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) to the City of Bathurst Fire Relief Fund; and

Be it further resolved that these funds come from unallocated/surplus funds.

  • Recorded Vote #30.  MOTION CARRIED.

Brother Brière turned the Chair over to Sister Gardiner, Second National Vice-President.

OPEN DISCUSSION

The Council members discussed the items under this section.

Brother Brière resumed the Chair.

The meeting recessed at 4 p.m.


WEDNESDAY, December 9, 2015
MORNING SESSION

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. with First National Vice-President, Brother Brière in the Chair.

OPEN DISCUSSION

The Council members discussed the items under this section.

Brother Brière turned the Chair over to Sister Gardiner, Second National Vice-President.

New Business

Cont’d Item 19. UNION MANAGEMENT CONSULTATIONS (UMCs)

m/s      Bill Blair  / Ken Bye

Be it Resolved that the National President write a letter to Management of CRA stating in an attempt to return to normal union management relations and to show UTE`s willingness to start the process; and

Be it Resolved that the UTE return to the Union-Management Consultation meetings; and

Be it Further Resolved that the UTE return to sit on their respective committees with the CRA.

m/s      Doug Gaetz  / Cosimo Crupi

That the motion be amended to change the 2nd Be it Resolved as follows:

That UTE return to Union-Management Consultation meetings when we have an established date for the next collective bargaining round.

  • MOTION TO AMEND DEFEATED.
  • Recorded Vote #31.  MOTION DEFEATED.

Brother Brière resumed the Chair.

OPEN DISCUSSION

The Council members discussed the items under this section.

Recess for lunch


AFTERNOON SESSION

The meeting was called back to order at 1:15 with Brother Brière in the Chair. 

21.   SYRIAN REFUGEE DONATION

m/s      Doug Gaetz  / Wayne Little

Whereas the federal government has made a commitment to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees by year end; and

Whereas both the CLC & PSAC have publicly endorsed this plan and encouraged all unions to support and help in settling refugees in Canada; and

Whereas the UTE has sponsored and donated a fair sum of money in past years to help such causes (Haiti earthquake, ICA, etc…).

Be it Resolved that UTE donate $5000 toward the costs associated with sponsoring a Syrian refugee family to Canada; and

Be it further resolved that these funds be provided to an organization or organizations responsible for facilitating the settlement of Syrian refugee families in Canada; and

Be it further resolved that UTE will challenge other PSAC Components and other unions as well to match this donation.

  • Recorded Vote #32.  MOTION CARRIED.

OPEN DISCUSSION

The Council members discussed the remaining items under this section.

The regular meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

________________________                  ______________________

Marc Brière                                                Madonna Gardiner

First National Vice-President                     Second National Vice-President


UTE Staffing Committee
Terms of Reference

Composition

The Committee shall consist of:

  • A minimum of two Executive Council members as determined by the National President of which one shall be appointed Chairperson by the National President;
  • One Tax Services Office Presidents’ Representative as prescribed by Regulation;
  • One Tax Centre Presidents’ Representative as prescribed by Regulation;
  • One Labour Relations Officer appointed by the National President to serve as Staff Advisor to the Committee.

Aims and Objectives

  • The Committee shall address all issues referred to the Committee by the Convention, National President, Executive Committee, Executive Council, or as prescribed by Regulation;
  • To act as the liaison between the Union of Taxation Employees (UTE) and the Headquarters of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on matters related to Staffing and Staffing Recourse;
  • To provide advice, guidance and direction to the UTE on matters related to Staffing and Staffing Recourse;
  • To ensure that meaningful consultation takes place between UTE and the CRA on matters related to Staffing and Staffing Recourse;
  • To review all Staffing and Staffing Recourse documents provided by the CRA and to advocate the position of UTE;
  • To consult with senior management of the CRA with respect to human resource planning and strategy and issues affecting UTE members;
  • To review and provide comments with respect to new or amended work descriptions and job competency profiles referred to UTE by the CRA;
  • To review and provide comments with respect to pre-populated performance expectations for certain positions as referred to UTE by the CRA;
  • To monitor the CRA’s use of non-indeterminate staff and its use of long-term acting appointments;
  • To maintain a record of business and documents dealt with by the Committee;
  • To ensure that Locals, members and Executive Council are aware of Staffing and Staffing Recourse related issues through the publication and distribution of minutes and communiqués and making presentations at different fora as necessary.

Meetings

The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairperson of the Committee with the approval of the National President.  Notwithstanding this, the Committee shall meet at least once per year.