BC/YT Region
Regional Union Management Consultation
Committee (
Record of
Discussions for
Participants
Dianne
Mitchell Alternate NVP, CEIU (
Roberta Gale Representative, ACFO (Association of Canadian Financial Officers)
Rod Smelser Representative,
Grant McGregor Representative, PIPSC (Professional
Institute of the Public Service of
Management
Andy
Netzel Regional
Executive Head (Chair)
Lynn
Jackson Senior Director,
Citizen Services
Anne
Milne Senior
Director, Processing & Payment Services
Judith
Walton A/Manager, Human
Resources
Crystal
Johnston A/Team Leader,
Human Resources
Support to the Committee
Cynthia
Lam Regional
Executive Head Office
Review of Agenda
The
agenda was reviewed and the following items were added:
-
Reinstatement of
the Regional Employment Equity Committee – Grant McGregor
-
EC Conversion –
Rod Smelser
-
Merge of Processing
& Payment Services Responsibility Centres of
-
Update on the
Workload Distribution Sub-Committee – Pat Wakefield
Con
Leonidas recognized that this is the last meeting of the BC/YT Regional
Union-Management Consultation Committee.
The next meeting will be with the UMCC of BAT (British
Columbia-Alberta-Territories).
Review of
Record of Discussions for
The
Record of Discussions for
Grant
McGregor asked about Systems’ involvement with the Labour Market Development
Agreement, as well as whether PIPSC members will also be transferred to the
province.
Lynn
Jackson spoke on:
-
The Systems
component of the LMDA discussions is being lead from National Headquarters,
with Cecile Lauriault. In this region, Laurelle
Shalagan and Jazz Heer have been involved.
-
A meeting in
-
No work descriptions
of Systems staff were shared with the province.
Therefore, no PIPSC jobs will be included with the LMDA transfer of
staff.
Management
Items
1.
REH Update – Andy Netzel
Andy Netzel provided an update on three topics:
a)
The BAT
Leadership Conference is scheduled for
b)
Andy was in
c)
Andy spoke on
his visits to
Pat Wakefield accompanied Andy on his visit to
Con Leonidas explained that all 2008/2009 Personal
Learning Plans for staff must be data-input by
Pat Wakefield asked about external staffing processes
and if there was a freeze on deployments in Programs. Andy responded that all current staffing
processes will carry on as normal, and that there is no freeze on deployments.
2.
Labour Market Development Agreement / Labour Market
Agreement (LMDA/LMA) – Lynn Jackson
Lynn Jackson spoke on the status of the LMDA and LMA
discussions. Both federal and provincial
governments are committed to reaching an agreement. Staff Bulletin #5 was issued on
Pat Wakefield inquired about deployments into and out
of Programs. Con Leonidas stated that deployments
continue to occur steadily. There is no
freeze on deployments.
Dianne Mitchell wanted to know about the number of
Program staff who will be transferred.
Lynn Jackson stated that it is connected to salary and non-salary
dollars. In the 1996 offer, the number
of staff was 470. Currently, the number
would be less, as the number of Program staff in the region is less. We will also need staff to continue our
service to Canadians.
Dianne Mitchell asked if the Workforce Adjustment is
Type 2. Lynn Jackson replied that it is
a Type 2.
Dianne Mitchell inquired as to whether work
descriptions have been provided to the province. Con Leonidas confirmed that current work
descriptions have been given to the province.
Dianne Mitchell spoke on the discrepancy in the
pensionable years of service between the federal and provincial plans. Lynn Jackson stated that all such issues will
be articulated in the ETA and that a pension test of reasonableness has been
conducted by an external consultant. Con
Leonidas spoke on the options for transferring staff with their pensions,
including reciprocal transfer agreements and other compensations, such as a
lump sum payment and federal severance pay.
Dianne mentioned that this information will be necessary for staff to
make informed decisions, as well as the importance of union and management
working together.
Dianne Mitchell wondered whether there will be
opportunities for substitutions amongst the transferred staff. Lynn Jackson responded that a number of
factors are involved, such as experience of the staff, geographical location, requirements
of the province, etc. Each situation
will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Pat Wakefield agreed that each case is unique and must be dealt with
individually.
Dianne Mitchell asked about post-retirement benefits
for those who choose to retire from the federal government prior to the LMDA
transfer, such as pensioner’s dental plan coverage. Con Leonidas stated that this has yet to be
discussed at the national level.
Grant McGregor stated that in his interactions with
Program staff, he has noticed a change in attitude from negative to a sense of
adventure. He credits this to the union’s
and management’s communication efforts, such as the staff bulletins and website
information. Dianne Mitchell mentioned
that staff is responding professionally; they are asking questions and waiting
for more details. Pat Wakefield
acknowledged that Lynn’s and Andy’s office visits also helped to inform
staff.
3.
Review of RUMCC Terms of Reference - Pat Wakefield
Pat Wakefield
distributed copies of the draft Terms of Reference document (attached). Andy Netzel will share a copy with the PIPSC
representative in AB/NT/NU (Grace Chychul).
It was agreed that
these Terms of Reference be approved and adopted at the first meeting of the
BAT UMCC.
Andy Netzel thanked
the Terms of Reference Sub-Committee for their work and for producing the
revised Terms of Reference.
As a related
item, Andy Netzel mentioned that the structures of UMCCs on a local and
geographical basis in both BC/YT and AB/NT/NU will need to be determined, especially
in light of staff reporting to other offices and to NHQ. This is deferred for discussion at the next
BAT UMCC meeting.
4.
As a follow-up
item to the December 10th meeting, Lynn Jackson confirmed that the
document is a guideline. The document
has been reframed as “Leave Planning 2007/2008” with local site and team leader
responsibilities. According to the
guideline, the Officer-in-Charge is normally the senior staff person and as the
Leave Coordinator, will start the discussion on leave requests.
Pat Wakefield
mentioned that in work teams, anyone can start the discussion, not necessary
the senior staff member, and that leave management is the responsibility of the
team leader or manager. Lynn Jackson
stated that in offices with more than one business line, a designated person needs
to be identified to ‘start the ball rolling’.
NOTE: The “Leave Planning 2007/08” document was
distributed to RUMCC members on
5.
Quesnel Office – Pat Wakefield
As a follow-up
item to the December 10th meeting, Lynn Jackson stated that no
Incident Report was raised on the safety situation in the Quesnel office. Pat Wakefield is aware that a grievance has
been filed. Judith Walton will follow-up
on the grievance.
Judith Walton stated
that the National Occupational Safety & Health Committee is developing a
security policy for small offices.
Grant McGregor
asked about the nature of the personal protective devices. Judith Walton confirmed that these are the
pendant alarms.
Additional Agenda Items
6.
Reinstatement of the Regional Employment Equity Committee
– Grant McGregor
Grant McGregor
spoke on a number of issues that he will take to the reinstated Regional
Employment Equity Committee:
-
procedures on
requirements for accommodations,
-
a review of
accommodation issues, and
-
lack of
assessment guidelines and facilities.
Grant also
shared a number of situations where local offices phone him for accommodations
issues, as well as general enquiries regarding headsets, etc.
Judith Walton will
follow-up on these cases.
7.
EC Conversion – Rod Smelser
Rod Smelser
stated that 24 work descriptions involved with EC Conversion has been posted
with no levels. Rod asked why the levels
were not included and when they will be posted.
Con Leonidas
stated that because the process is not yet completed, the levels may not yet be
rated. He will follow-up with NHQ and
advise.
8.
Merge of Processing & Payment Services
Anne Milne spoke
on the merge of the P&PS R/Cs of
Pat Wakefield
said that productivity in
9.
Update on the Workload Distribution Sub-Committee –
Pat Wakefield
As a follow-up
to the December 10th meeting, Pat Wakefield asked for a status
report on the Performance Management sessions with local UMCCs and on the next
meeting of the Workload Distribution Sub-Committee.
Judith Walton
will follow-up with Pat Brand on the Performance Management sessions. He has completed the following sessions:
-
-
-
-
-
Lynn Jackson
will convene a conference call of the sub-committee members to provide an
update.
Next
Meeting of the BAT Union Management Consultation Committee
To
be determined in the month of April 2008.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
-
Region:
-
-
In accordance
with the Public Service Labour Relations Act, the purpose of the RUMCC is to
provide a forum for meaningful consultation and collaboration, whenever
possible on direction and issues of region-wide importance. The RUMCC will be
guided by the National Union-Management Consultation Framework.
COMMITTEE COMPOSITION
While the
benefits of consistency in membership are well recognized, named alternates
should be identified in the event that a member is unable to attend a meeting.
Senior
Regional Representatives of the Unions representing employees of Service Canada
Initiative (HRSDC) and such other union representation designated by the Senior
Regional Representatives.
Regional Executive
Head, Service Management; Director Generals; Director(s) Human Resources; and
such other persons as designated by the Executive Head of Service
Management.
At least
four times per year or more frequently at the call of the Co-Chairs.
LOCATION OF MEETINGS
Meetings
will take place in
Agenda
·
The
Agenda for the meetings will be determined by the Co-Chairs and distributed,
along with any background materials, ten days prior to the meeting. When possible, sufficient detail regarding an
agenda item will be provided well in advance to allow for research and
preparation of agenda items prior to the meeting. Other agenda items can be added at the time of
the meeting, with agreement of the Co-Chairs.
·
The
Committee will deal with issues of its own choosing as well as those issues
referred from Local UMCCs, where all efforts to resolve the problem have not
succeeded.
·
Issues
that are not able to be resolved at the regional level may be referred to the
National UMCC.
·
The
Co-Chairs shall reserve the right to invite persons or guest speakers to
address the meeting on pre-determined topics.
Chair
·
The
meetings will be co-chaired on an alternating rotational basis by the Regional Executive
Head, Service Management, and a Union Co-Chair as determined by the Union side.
Record of Discussions
·
Draft
Record of Discussions from each meeting will be distributed within three weeks
of the meeting to all
·
The
Co-Chairs are responsible for approving the Record of Discussions. It was agreed this will be done
electronically.
·
Once
approved, the Record of Discussions will be posted on the Intranet. Final Record of Discussions will be forwarded
to all
Sub-Committees
·
Sub-Committees
may be established as needed. Membership
on sub-committees will be determined by the union and management
representatives.
Secretariat
·
Management
shall provide secretariat services.
These Terms
of Reference will be reviewed annually or as agreed by the committee.
REFERENCES
-
HRSDC & SDC Union-Management Consultation
Framework, 2006 (http://hr.hq-ac.prv/hrb/umcc/framework.asp)
-
Public Service Labour Relations Act,
2003, Division 3 (Consultation Committees and Co-Development) (http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/P-33.3/)
Revised: January
2008