General Labour and Trades (GLT) Committee Meeting - October 21-22, 2005

The Committee met and discussed the mandate and UNDE Convention Resolutions 100A & 105. Committee to be GLT not GL.

Unfortunately, the National PSAC Steering Committee has not been stood up, the co-chairs have been identified, as Sister Robyn Benson – REVP Prairies and Brother Gerry Halabecki REVP Ontario, were also not available for our meeting.

A binder with historic information on zone rates of pay, and other membership data was shared with members, including “Wong” decision on zone rates of pay.

Lobbying kit was part of binder, with report, sample letter, points for lobbying etc.

It was identified make sure we “ask a question” (preferably in writing) of an MP when we meet them and ensure an answer meets a time frame.

Brother Molsberry was elected chairperson of the committee and will represent UNDE at PSAC National Steering Committee.

Discussion around GS committee, Sister Kennedy as chair, would be kept in the loop with what this committee is doing.

No HS committee within UNDE.

Discussion around role of committee and the mandate as set by convention, Committee to consider all GLT issues put before it, however;

Primary Mandate to Eliminate Zone Rates of Pay

BC GLT members identified they wanted the PLD/COLA tied to the zone elimination campaign, and that without that link they are non-participants. They also identified that they expected this recognition for all PSAC members, not just for BC, this was brought to the table by the BC GLT rep, Brother Miller. It was also identified that eliminating zones doesn’t give anything to Zone 1 members as they are already at the highest zone, signing bonus was suggested for negotiations. The committee struggled with the BC position and tried to find a way to link PLD/COLA to the campaign, but as the reason for zones originally was built around the “cost of living” argument we would be contradicting ourselves. The committee felt it was an issue the committee could address, but could not roll it in with an 'Eliminate Zones' campaign, as it would be at odds with the campaign. Committee felt strongly this was an issue that could be focused at a national campaign through PSAC for all members.

Brother Lipari, the Quebec Region GLT Rep, identified the members in the region wanted to consider a grievance campaign, so it was agreed that members (in and outside of Quebec who want to grieve) would send in the grievances to UNDE National Office to get a legal opinion on wording and the best use of grievances in this campaign.

Committee decided to focus on a political campaign, identifying the majority of employees of the federal government are paid a national rate of pay regardless of where they live – regional rates of pay unfair etc.

Campaign is two-fold:

1. Members - Contact all GLTs in their respective regions, by local meetings and through regional GLT network with local reps. Inform members of MP lobbying campaign and get a commitment from members to follow through:

• List at meetings for members to sign they will lobby their MP;
• Sample letter for MPs
• Points on the history of zones and disparity to inform members;
• Not just for GLTs but for all affected members -- GS & HS etc.
• Zone pins to be sent out to regional and local reps to be disbursed December 2005;
• T-shirts to be produced for campaign – for members (silk screened)
• Commercials or video ( to be revisited) if going this way and how;
• All correspondence through Regional VPs and Local Presidents;

2. Members of Parliament Lobbying -

• List all MPs in your region;
• Report from each meeting with an MP to the committee;
• Campaign to tie in with PSAC’s
• February time frame for campaign kick - off
• Lobbying can also be done out of National Office when MPs in Ottawa;
• Documented reports of lobbying within region from reps;
• All correspondence through Regional VPs and Local Presidents;
• Use comments MPs make later as needed

Committee agreed we need all our information updated, on the membership at locals and each rep will be responsible to do so for their region;

Liam McCarthy – PSAC – resource person from the upcoming PSAC National Steering Committee was asked for updated information on Table 2 – GLT / salaries / zone differences / cost of eliminating zones etc. – Main Government Estimates – Cost of Living across Canada – as well as other demographics.

Committee to look at a poster and national web page for the campaign, and have ready for February.

Existing documents like Brother Horman's & Brother Bowers' presentations need to be translated in the alternate language. The consistency for translation of documents was identified, and we will endeavour to have all materials translated.

Brother Dagenais will be central point of contact for the committee, Paul will keep database, and sharing as much as possible electronically would be most beneficial;

Other issues brought to committee:

• Cost of Living - PLD – in BC this is a long-standing issue, and the committee identified the issue is prevalent around the country. The committee will follow up on what is the best way to ensure BC gets “something” when zones are eliminated – signing bonus – COLA etc. Committee to also send on to bargaining agent PSAC.
• Apprenticeships – all members to report back as to the status of apprenticeships within their region, what trades, how they are funded etc. Brother Garry Robinson as the UNDE OPI for apprenticeship will be invited to the next committee meeting and have the information shared, to see if he wants the committee involved in any wok plan;
• MAM classification – to be re-classified and recognized as a ticketed trade – Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Maintenance. All reps were asked to report back the MAMs in their region, by location, what level, and job description. Brother Dagenais as Union Classification Officer will take info to DND to attempt to get a study.
• Classifications - BC saw a number of their positions classified up one level, but still an issue around GL-MDOs, this did not seem to come from other regions. Paul talked about the classifications within GLT that were under study at present and expect the outcomes soon. Classifications for GLT in general the need for a central library of classification documentation, work descriptions – TB 330’s etc. Paul will keep committee informed of status.

It was discussed when to schedule the next meeting, the committee came to this,

Next committee meeting in January, only if PSAC GLT, committee is formed.