01 Dec 03

HR Sub-Committee Meeting Report

Submitted by: Debbie Graham, UNDE Chair Human Rights

Quick Serve - a database of Statement of Qualifications for over 200 classifications has been developed and is available on Quick Serve.

Note - all classifications for UNDE are included in the database.

Designations - all disputes at Tables 1 and 3 have been resolved while consultation for Table 2 is scheduled to finish up be mid December despite that there are still 78 of the 2,300 designations in dispute.

IMRI Functional Analysis - DND is planning to conduct a survey amongst the workforce that provides IMIT support. While this will have minimal impact on UNDE members, the plan is to get 100% of the employees employed in this area (approx 4, 000 mil/civ) to respond to a 3,900 questionnaire divided into three categories, Tasks, Knowledge and Supplementary. Unions identified that they were already sceptical of the project since they had not been brought into the project early enough. Other concerns included the potential impact this would have on classifications as well as the validation process, in particular, would supervisors be responsible for completing this task. All unions identified that the project lacked anonymity for the individual, the questionnaire was too extensive and the 3 hours it would take to complete was too long.

CPPR - DND provided an update on the project of Civilian Performance Reviews. Although UNDE was unable to attend the consultation meeting held on 14 Nov 03, DND has identified that they would still welcome our feedback. Previous feedback from Sister Chamberlain on this project indicates that some of our concerns have been addressed.

Employment Equity - DND provided an update on the draft Corporate EE Action Plan. Sister Graham expressed concerns on the success of the plan due to lack of substance in some areas of the plan as well as the lack of support from some of the working levels in the organization. It is felt that the plan does not go far enough to aid the department neither in meeting their numerical goals nor in addressing the lack of consultation at regional and local levels.

Note - UNDE later met with DDWB staff to discuss in detail, the feedback on the draft that we provided and a more detailed report will be found on our website.

Well-Being - Recognizing that there are numerous support and well-being programs (EAP, Family Resource etc) working independently, DND is trying to compile a database of all of these programs. Numerous focus groups have been held for input from various stakeholders.

HR Modernization - with the adoption of the Public Service Modernization Act (Bill C25), numerous changes will have to take place over the next few years. DND has a HR Legislation Implementation Team formed to review and develop framework on various issues such as Essential Services, Two-Tier Bargaining, Co-Development and Consultation. A presentation on the progress of this project was provided.

Union Issues

Med-Emerg - DND advised that the contracts for Med-Emerg (approx 261 jobs) and Rx 2000 (approx 600 - 800 jobs) will not be renewed. They are currently working on a plan to see the positions return to Public Service and anticipate that it will unfold over the next five years. National strategizing and Regional implementation is the method that DND is using to undertake the project. Unions will continue to be updated throughout the project.

Designations - UNDE again expressed their concern with the lack of management representatives at the consultation table. HR staff has served at all levels of the consultation process while management reps have not even though it was understood that HR personnel would not be responsible for this task. To meet the requirements of changes from HR Modernization, DND is working on a template for Essential Services requirements. They have indicated that the lessons learned from the consultation process this time round will be taken into consideration.

Classifications - in response to their request, UNDE was provided a report of positions within the Classification cells.

LMRC Enhancement Training - UNDE requested whether there would be consideration to conducting future "Train the Trainer" training. DND responded that this would be happening next FY.

Civilian Personnel Data Base - DND advised UNDE that their request for a database of personnel information to include classification and position number can be obtained from PSAC.