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Canadian Forces Health Services

OPI - Mary Chamberlain

REPORT OF CFHS LMRC – 24 January 2008

Col Patenaude, COS, welcomed everyone to the meeting, followed by an introduction of committee members in attendance. Approval of the September 13, 2007 minutes (PDF).

Old Business

Essential Services. UNDE EVP stated that January 30, 2008 is the date set to finish the CFHS. Creation of Clinic LMRCs. HR distributed a list of Clinics where LMRCs have been established or where Clinic Managers participate at the Base/Wing LMRC. It was noted that the information could be outdated and a more current list will be provided at the next meeting. It was confirmed that the intent is that LMRCs will be created at every clinic and where it makes sense, dental and medical will establish a joint committee with Management and Labour representation from both sites.

New Business

LMRC Enhancement Training. HR advised that they have looked into the issue of costs to have the training delivered with DGLPD and advised that each course will cost approximately $1000 regardless of the number of participants. Funding will be done from CFHS corporate.

UNDE EVP stated that this subject has grown to more than just a costing issue since UNDE had first submitted it as an agenda item. And of more concern in that it has been identified that a certain Local, where concerns were raised earlier this week, had actually had the LMRC Enhancement Training. UNDE EVP asked who had delivered the training at this particular site? HR to follow up. UNDE stated that establishing the committees is important and beneficial to all. However, the national parties supporting process must take the lead by providing the new committees with guidance and the tools to function in a productive way. There is no value in having a committee for the sake of having a committee.

The COS identified that there are 40 perspective sites where LMRCs could be established. Do we shut those committees down until they have the training? Discussion and agreement around the table was that the national committee could provide advice to their own constituents. UNDE EVP stated that most UNDE Local Presidents have participated in the LMRC Enhancement Training and have co-chaired a LMRC. To assist the process, UNDE EVP will recommend to the Locals through the UNDE National Executive that the Local Presidents, at sites where medical/dental LMRCs are established, attend the first and second (or more as determined necessary) Clinic LMRC meetings to provide assistance.

Committee members discussed the course content and how important it was for all participants to commit to the three days of training.

COS suggested that the training could be offered at the next Clinic Manager’s conference. UNDE EVP stated that the forum is considered joint and the training is delivered jointly to both Management and Labour at the same time, and that the participants are the actual members of the committee. UNDE EVP identified that in some past sessions Management and Labour have reversed roles for the mock LMRC meeting held on the last training day.

COS committed to sending written guidance out to the clinics in the interim while the issue of training at every location is pursued with DGLPD.

Secretarial Note: As discussed earlier in the week, during the meeting and following the meeting, UNDE EVP and PIPSC requested that the following items be included in the written guidance:

• the committee is joint and the union representatives are on equal footing with the Management representative regardless of the Manager’s rank. The committee should be equal in representation, HR are advisors to Management and not considered members of the committee; Co-Chairs should be identified and chair on a rotational basis;
• as with Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committees (JOSH), the unions have the right to appoint their representatives to speak on behalf of the union and that each union may have their own practices which should be respected, ie appointing members at large versus Stewards;
• the committee should jointly develop a terms of reference;
• Management is responsible for the preparation and distribution of the meeting minutes and all minutes should be sent to the next level of command (in CFHS’s case, to the national committee representatives);
• Union business, specific to the union, is not discussed at a LMRC; and
• that the written guidance is provided in the interim until LMRC Enhancement Training is delivered. OAG Report. PIPSC raised a concern from the OAG Report that identified the number of Public Service employees versus contract workers in CFHS. The COS recommitted his intent for a public service workforce but stated that the service and care must continue. Specifically for the professional classifications, ie doctors and dentists, the TB pay scale dictates the availability or persons willing to join the public service. It was also identified that in some regions of the country TB salaries are lower for other professions employed within the medical/dental environment.

Update on Bargaining. PIPSC provided an update on their bargaining issues – regional rates of pay, training, compensation study, and training.

Round Table

The PIPSC representative stated that some nurses have recently renewed their licences and are seeking reimbursement. COS responded that this is being pursued.

Next meeting – April 10, 2008 (UNDE to chair); and June 5, 2008 (PIPSC to chair)

In solidarity,

Mary Chamberlain