NATIONAL PRESIDENTS’ CONFERENCE

MARCH 30 TO APRIL 1, 2006

OTTAWA

OPENING REMARKS

HARASSMENT COMPLAINTS:

The opening remarks from Betty were centered mostly on the large number of harassment complaints she’s received from members against other members/stewards/executive committee members.  How do we look to others like Management, other components and/or other members if we don’t have unity amongst our rank?  We don’t have to like each other to work towards a common goal—our issues are with the employer, not each other.  We need to unite and work together. 

Betty also mentioned that the transfer of all CEUDA members to UTE should be completed by March 31, 2006.

INTERIM TRUSTEESHIP:

The Saskatoon Local and the Edmonton Local are (or were) currently placed in interim trusteeship.  The Edmonton Local’s issues should be resolved shortly.  No information as of yet in regards to Saskatoon.

CEUDA AND CEIU MEMBERS:

The transfer date for all CEUDA to UTE is set for March 31, 2006.

We received a total of 2900 members and the net cost paid to CEUDA for lost dues was $475,000.

CLIENT SERVICES:

The Bathurst and Regina offices will be changing their hours to 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. as a pilot project.  Betty also met with the Minister in regards to Client Services within the CRA.  Some concerns that information given to our National Office does not agree with information that is dissiminated to offices and/or web sites and letters sent to taxpayers.

2008 UTE TRIENNIAL CONVENTION:

We have three regions that have put a bid to host the next  UTE Triennial Conventon:

--Edmonton

--Montreal

--Pacific Region

Results will be announced in September.

AUMI:

Currently, the pilot project is running in Quebec and HQ.  Some problems/issues have come up.  Once everything is ironed out, AUMI will be rolled out to all offices.  For the time being, we still have status quo re:  ADRS.

ITEM DEALT WITH BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

  1. There was an Open House to view new digs for our UTE HQ (absolutely beautiful by the way).
  2. Reported on Edmonton interim Trusteeship (see above notes)
  3. Upcoming meeting with Minister:  if we have any ideas, please forward to RVP ASAP.
  4. By-Law Committee make final changes to procedural policy book.
  5. Finance Committee:  Templates for financial are available (minimum requirement).  Reported back on child care feasibility study.  We are not in position to accept the legal and financial costs that are attached in running a child care facility on premises.
  6. 2 resolutions were submitted to Executive Council to speak with our employer re:  Be it resolve that UTE speaks with CRA to amend LIA to minimum of 3 weeks instead of 5 weeks and Be it resolved that UTE have CRA bring LWOP from 1-3 weeks and that the employer cannot refused without valid reasons.
  7. All UTE reps to agree to only use our reasonable job offers for WFA. (not sure about that one)
  8. All other remaining items to be dealt with after Presidents’ Conference.

REPORT ON NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL RETREAT:

Prior to Regional and National Presidents’s Conferences, the Executive Council met at a retreat in order to come up with their 3 year plan.  3 goals came out of it:

  1. Developing Local Offiers’ course needs to be completed.  WIP for Shane O’Brien.  Once completed each local will be given 5 seats as follows:  President, Vice-President, Secretary, Chief Steward and Treasurer.  Unsure of completion date, we will be advised.
  2. AGM attendance and Political Activities need to be increased.  Attendance to AGM should be increased to 50% of membership (this can prove to be challenging for the larger locals).  Things to look at; why are members not coming, sharing best practices (what’s worked best in some locals), follow up on action plans
  3. Communication with members/other union components/CRA/ National Office.  Possibility of a News Magazine instead of a 4 page newsletter; Possibility of increasing seats on National/Regional committees, we’re the largest component yet we have very few seats on committees.  Communication with CRA means consultations instead of briefings.

ITEMS SUBMITTED BY PRESIDENTS:

Saint John 60005

Contract Employees:

It has been noticed that the CRA is hiring employees for very short periods of time 3 less months, through “temporary services” and/or rehiring employees that just retired.

Compensation Service Delivery Renewal Project:

This is downloading more work on already overworked team leaders.  Concerned about most vulnerable employees i.e. deaths and services, returning to work employees, membership lists.  Members are not receiving good services, some have not been paid for more than 6 weeks…ect.  Suggestions:  Keep tract of issues and problems re: pay and compensation.  This needs to be resolved and it needs to be resolved now.

OTTAWA TC 70030:

Small claims court:

Fines cannot be punitive in nature.  No court will uphold these fines—this needs to be challenged.  Fines may be made compensatory.  Work on language immediately.  Change to Constitution, for 2009 Convention. 

OTTAWA HQ 7000

Terms and Condition/Administration Letters:

Appears that these type of letters are given to employees returning from extended absences from work, i.e. long term disability ect.  These letters used to be called Requirement Letters.

EDMONTON 30025:

Staffing:

Adressed during the National Staffing Committee report.

JONQUIERE 10004

ACS-SP:

This was addressed during the National Staffing Committee Report.

WINDSOR 00018

Health and Safety—New Regulation 19:

Addressed during presentation and OHS REPORT.

PETERBOROUGH 00008:

Scabs Reports/Updates—CEUDA and their Designate:

PSAC was to provide the Presidents and their locals a report…Where is it? Have not seen it yet.  No response to follow-ups.

Observe and Attest:

Addressed during the National Staffing Committee report.

CEUDA/CEIU Transfers to UTE:

Addressed earlier in Betty’s opening address.

MONTREAL 10008:

2004 Strike—25% of Pay of Designated employees:

Have problems with sending the money to PSAC…Where does it go?  Is it deductible?  Yes.

Workplace Safety and health Policy (death threats, civil suits against members):

1 member has been sued about 10 times by same client.  What can we do about that?  National Office to look into it.  This has got to stop.

PETERBOROUGH 00008:

Performance Reviews (work assessments):

Appears that some team leaders are using a different expanded rating scales.  Employees are to sign their performance assessments then we grieve it.  The expanded rating scales are not official and are not to be used.

Placement Criterea—“Accounting” for Rev Collections

More and more preference if given to applicants who have accounting.

Communication/Web updates:

Members were disappointed that we did not a letter from National President on March 8th.

OTTAWA TSO 70010

Discussion on CRA 2010 Video: 

Do we have any concerns regarding the direction of 2010?

PSHCP Changes:

There are some concerns in regards to co-insurances.  National office to look into it.

SURREY TC 20029:

Security re:  mailing of Pay Statements to homes:

Concerns were raised in regards to personal information contained on pay statements.  Advise members to change their mailing address for their pay stubs to office.  This is done on TESS.

Agency’s use of a Change Agent:

Surrey was looking at volunteers to do this type of work.

PETERBOROUGH 00008

Review of Sept. 05 Presidents’ Minutes:

Withdrawn.

ST CATHERINES 00016

Problem Resolution Program:

Is it being centralized?  Didn’t hear anything about that.

Dress Code:

Doesn’t matter what other offices do, there has been a National Dress Code since the 80’s.

Official Language Policy:

Safety Officers—Northern Ontario:

PM-03 Generalists:

This was supposed to happen in ?  Unions met with employer.  Concerns and issues will be addressed.

Employment Equity as a placement criteria:

This is an issue on how the employer uses this placement criteria to show they meet their mandate.

BELLEVILLE 00012

Security of Service Agents:

CRA did not advertise their changes and it is left to Client Services Agents to educate the public.  This has caused some serious problems/security issues in some offices.  The Service Change agents are left on their own roaming amongst very unhappy client.  Betty indicated that all Services Agents are supposed to have security alarms.  Is that not the case?  (I believe that our agents do in fact have security alarms.)

Investigations  -Special Enforcement Program (SEP) and Criminal Investigation Program (CIP):

There is no job description for CIP.

NATIONAL COMMITTEES REPORTS:

BARGAINING COMMITTEE:

Reminder given that although we can now submit our bargaining demands anytime, we still have to follow proper protocol and use the proper format.  Please review Bulletin 04/06.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OHS):

They will be meeting soon to set up National Conference.  Input is required from Locals.

Guest Speaker:  Denis St-Jean 

Canada Labor Code Part II:

This code was written with the blood of workers.  To put it in perspective, 1000 worker die each year, this is comparable to 3 planes crash.

Discussion on new Regulation 19.  Please review on web site.  Bottom line is that it is a positive step in the right direction.  Should improve ee/er consultation process.

WORK FORCE ADJUSTMENT (WFA):

There is a big difference between lateral move and guarantee of a reasonable job offer.  They’re only guaranteeing that you will have a job.  (note to self…need to learn more about 3 way thing).

STAFFING:

ACS-SP:  There will be a meeting on April 5th with the employer.  We will send out updates.  We will have to reschedule training for ACS-SP101 course.  Locals will be contacted.  Training will not happen until ALL the job descriptions are completed.

MOU:  Term Employees

The Agency has completed their appointment of the 25% of the terms to permanent positions.  There were issues on how the appointments were conducted.  Right now, 900 more employees hit the 3year without interruptions of service.  There should be a mandatory review once hit 2 years.  Reviews are to be done one on one…watch for the 2 documents.

Performance Evaluation:  Reviews should be done as per Article 58, duties assigned…not competencies or values.  If that’s not the case, file grievances.

TC GAP in job descriptions:

Employees are to review their job description.  If there are discrepancies, please forward to Staffing Committee.

POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PAC):

Each local provided the name of their primary/secondary MP’s names.  Should have received an e-mail by now.  We should all be attached to primary MP, should have primary MP on board.

There will be advertising actions to announce “You will miss us when we’re gone 2006” campaign.  There will be Plantgating during our lunch hour (need to scatter) Between 10 and 2 pm on April 26th.  Hand out postcards to sign but we need to do count.  On April 26th we need to provide a report.  Any cards left, we are to bring to PSAC Convention.

Review Lobbying Kit.  Bottom line, MP’s want to be re-elected.

Conference adjourned at 5:00 on Betty’s watch.

Submitted by Martine Fillion, President, Local 20002