January 14, 2006 – Ottawa

GLT Committee Meeting

The committee meant and reviewed where the regions were at on the action plan outlined in the last meeting

BC

Network is in place – that the membership is engaged in the Refrigeration issues – apprenticeships – zones elimination a non-starter at present in BC.

Alta/North

Edmonton – Suffield – Cold Lake – Wainwright have local reps building network

Man/Sask

Concern around getting feedback from Locals – some members concerned about how long this campaign will take – Winnipeg Local rep has to be replaced. Will have to work on communication and network of local reps.

Ont

It’s broken – Local presidents not engaged – maybe a letter from National President to all locals will help. A comment around National office has membership numbers get the numbers from them etc.

Que

Network in place – Quebec region still waiting on some Local Presidents' replies for the list of employees with their classification and level – some contact has been made with MP’s and candidates. Grievance wording has to be reworked for the grievance campaign. The region is really coming onboard in the campaign. Jean Lipari points out the fact that despite the existence of the classification levels, which in certain cases go up to 14 levels in the collective agreement, the employer never classifies anyone at those higher levels, regardless of the level of skill and knowledge of some Table 2 members. Levels 10 and 11 are on average the highest classification levels.

NS

Brother Cooper is new to the committee and is in the midst of setting up the network in Nova Scotia. Also getting familiar with the documents and background material of the committee.

NB/NFLD/Lab

Good participation in New Brunswick, good support from Regional Vice-President and Gagetown’s Local president. Have engaged members in the local and set up a committee, meeting with candidates at all-candidates meetings, good response and willingness to participate, few numbers in Newfoundland – lab and PEI

Brother Miller asked the committee to revisit the decision from the first meeting on allowances for areas where it was needed. After a lengthy discussion the committee agreed to have allowances a secondary issue but not as part of the “Elimination of Zones” campaign.

It was also very clear that the GS committee and HS members have to be included in this Zone Elimination campaign and to that end a meeting with the committee was convened for the afternoon of January 13.

The committee then agreed to the way ahead:

• Educating motivating and engaging the membership is the priority;
• To that end the following will have to be put in place:
• Posters produced to be put on every Union Board, the poster would be similar to the poster presented from Brother Horman – UNDE – UEDN crests at the top and PSAC crest bottom right. The link to the Campaign web site is printed at the bottom of the poster along with a space for the local reps to identify their contact information.
• We still have pins at National Office and stickers have been ordered.
• Web page to be linked from a picture of the button graphics on the Main UNDE web page. When you are linked to the Zone Campaign page there will be a copy of the poster graphics and archival information on zones that was shared with the committee. Also then links to each region with the contact information for each regional committee rep and possible regional network info – meetings etc. This will also have a link to the PSAC committee website. It was agreed the committee would have input into the makeup of the web page before it is made available union wide.
• Local visits to present an information package on the campaign to local members – this should be requested through the Regional VP’s and Local Presidents. It was requested that the VP would accompany the Committee reps to the initial local info meetings.
• The use of the Power Point presentation, which is a composite of both Brothers Bowers, and Horman’s presentations was supported for the local info meetings. We will have to make some changes to slides and wording before release – run by both GLT and GS committee members. Paul we add in some talking bulletins for reps to use when showing the presentation.
• The use of a video presentation was supported and having a video ready for the PSAC convention in May would be optimum. The videos would be similar to the Supply Chain videos in that we would use members. We want also to integrate pictures of the Table 2 members win their work environment etc. The videos should use % rather than dollar value comparisons between zones, use other Table members and willing MP’s. The video then could be web streamed on various web pages and also shared on disc electronically to be shown – at local meetings – TV – Internet - at “lunch info meetings in the workplace” for example.
• The committee will meet quarterly; agenda items to be submitted 2 weeks prior to next meeting date tentatively set for March 31 – April 2, 2006. Agenda when finalized to be sent out 1 week prior to meeting. Paul we see that expense claims and advances are set up before each meeting. Sister Linda graham forwards the travels arrangements – meeting place and times etc.
• Met with the GS committee in the afternoon and came to the following agreements:
• GLT committee will take the lead on Elimination Zones campaign, this translates into the GLT reps will make the presentations at locals etc.
• GS committee members have focused a number of issues – Housing allowance – contracting out of GS work – elevating the GS group’s image within the Union and Workplace.
• 2 GS members were identified as liaison contacts for the GLT committee to forward info to along with the GS chair Sister Kennedy
• Gs committee has sub-committee following up on Housing allowances and Brothers Miller and Cooper will be the GLT liaison members for this group;
• The two committees watched the power point presentation offered several comments for changes, some of theses were:
• Should identify HS group highest paid in Zone 3, some GS levels higher pay in Zone 2 or 3, and other anomalies to be sought out for clarification of information to be passed to members;
• Use of blue collar and skilled workers to ensure inclusion of all affected by zones
• Thie meeting was well received by all and will ensure communication lines are kept open.

All agreed we must maintain the same message from coast to coast to coast.

GLT Committee discussed the other issues put in front of the committee:

• Apprenticeships – when brother Robinson – UNDE apprenticeship OPI – has met with the department he is to be invited to the following committee meeting to brief the members;
• MAM classification were identified there is no appetite on behalf of the employer to make Refrigeration Techs a separate classification at this time, Paul will follow up with PSAC on questions why the levels go as high as 14 in the collective agreement. Members to come back with the numbers and levels of Refrigeration techs in their region;
• GL Classification study is coming to a close with few changes outside of VHE classification; there was considerable discussion as to the disparity within the classification community from region to region. UNDE and PSAC have to come up with a plan to address this ongoing irritant for all classifications not just GLT;
• Paul will follow up with his report on the Study and on the building of a work description library at National Office;

Tasks to be undertaken:

• Paul will follow up on the grievance wording and way ahead;
• The request for legal opinions on what options are available to go through UNDE National President to PSAC legal staff;
• Paul and Brian to ensure the web page is set up soonest, talk to Sister Graham on Monday January 16, 2006. Also make a decision on T-shirts and Posters and get printed soonest.
• GLT Committee members to communicate to VP’s and local Presidents the need to schedule local meetings in next 3 months;
• National President to send out email to all locals on campaign and need for support and involvement from all members;
• Paul to follow up on the creation of the video and try to have this started so we can shoot for PSAC convention.