October 10, 2006

UNDE EVP REPORT

UMCC HUMAN RESOURCES SUB-COMMITTEE

I attended subject meeting on October 3, 2006. In accordance with the agenda, the following subjects were discussed:

DND Recruitment Strategies and Apprenticeship Program: Ms Teckles, DGCESP/DGSPEC, provided an update on both initiatives.

- Recruiting: the slide deck (Powerpoint attached) identifies the initiatives started and completed to date. Ms Teckles also shared the literature that will be distributed in support of recruiting new public service workers into DND. One observation that has been made is that the recruiting logo “We’ve Got Shoes to Fill” does not translate well and has not been well received. The logo is being revisited.

- Apprenticeship: the report is almost complete and will be distributed to all stakeholders. Issues addressed, to be addressed and still to be developed are:

- national framework
- strengthen partnerships
- multi-year funding
- enhance recruitment strategies
- acceptance of foreign credentials
- develop and modify tools

It is anticipated that the apprenticeship program will take 3-5 years to fully develop. The VCDS is very supportive. DND has requested a copy of UNDE’s video in support of the Apprenticeship Program.

Brother Price raised a question in regards to the upcoming focus groups (email previously shared with the UNDE National Executive) and asked if the questions could be shared in advance. Ms Teckles responded that UNDE had previously asked for the questions also, however, formal questions are not available. The aim of the focus groups is to solicit input from the participants, ie “What do you like about working for DND?” or “What don’t you like about working for DND?” and to generate discussions.

ADR in the Grievance Process: Mr Holt, DGLRC/DLRO (DGRTR/DORT), and Mr Ford, DG ADR/DG MARC), provided a joint update on ADR processes in the grievance process. UNDE identified that they have been working with DG ADR staff in an attempt to resolve UNDE’s concerns with the process. One of the areas that we have consulted on is the contents of the letter of offer to mediate. One suggestion made was that the offer to mediate be made by the DRC staff vice the CHRO; this suggestion raised a concern in regards to confidentiality surrounding the grievance and will have to be discussed in more detail at an upcoming stakeholders’ meeting. All agreed that we should not forget self-help and the informal process in an attempt to resolve issues before the grievance process.

Update of Classification Issues: Ms Teckles, DGCESP/DGSPEC, identified that generic work descriptions are now referred to as “collective”. She provided an update on the ongoing projects:

- SR standard review is continuing
- EC review is continuing
- CS collective WDs continuing
- review of the FR collectives continuing
- VHE study is nearing completion and a bulletin will be issued
- PG collectives under consultation

In support of the roll out of HRMS 8.9 in April 2007, a clean up of the model library is being done and a review of position data is being conducted. Any positions that have been vacant for a significant period of time are being deleted.

UNDE asked about the PA (Table 1) review which was discussed at the last meeting. DGLRC advised that they still have not received anything other than the MOU shared by UNDE.

UNDE advised that they had raised the CHRC 1991 decision in regards to the classification standard used to classify HS positions with the CFHS Group at the recent CFHS LMRC. Ms Teckles will follow up with DCCO.

Ms Teckles, DGCESP/DGSPEC, advised that the review of the classification processes in Ontario, requested by UNDE, is nearing completion and a final report is forthcoming.

Security Clearances: UNDE stated that they are aware, through reading the Ottawa Citizen, that the security clearance process has been relaxed in attempt to speed up the military recruiting process. We were advised that the same guidelines now apply to the civilian workforce, ie 7 years vice 10 years for a top secret clearance.

Employment Equity and Employment Equity Plans: Sister Brenda Moore, UNDE EE Advisor, presented the CLS integrated EE plan, citing various concerns in the wording and overall concept of an integrated plan. Ms Teckles identified that all commands do harmonized plans, however, progress reports are done separately. It was decided that that a meeting of all L1 HRBMs would be coordinated by the ADM HR Civ staff and Sister Moore will be invited to attend. ADM HR Civ will remind all commands of the legislated requirement to consult. Brother Bob Kingston, Agriculture Union, clarified that the act states “collaboration” vice “consultation”.

In the interim, Sister Moore will provide her very in-depth comments on the CLS EE Plan to Ms Teckles.

Round Table

Ms Ledoux, DGLP, provided the following update:

- Training and Development Policy is ongoing

- the PS Orientation Program is back on with “central funding”. Proposed exclusions – apprentices as they are not appointed to a specific position; operational requirements; and former public service employees will be looked at on a case-by-case basis. The bargaining agents expressed concern that management has this prerogative to exclude some employees from participating in the legislated training program. They also identified that excluding apprentices, who we hope will be the future employees of DND, would not be pro-active. Furthermore, although apprentices may not be assigned to a specific position, their employment period could be longer than most terms. This decision will be revisited.

- the central registry to track training has been created to track such training as the orientation program and delegation of authority

Brother Milt Isaacs, The Association of Canadian Financial Officers (AFCO), advised the committee that the financial officers are in conciliation. There will be a demonstration at Treasury Board on October 5.

Ms Teckles provided the following statistics on CF hirings:

Disabled: 156 appointed since 2001 – 14 to other government departments
48 appointed since January 2006

- there are 105 military disabled priorities in the bank; zero (0) civilians. UNDE asked if the 1 civilian priority that have been reported for the past several months had been appointed or had left the government. That information was not readily available.

Internal Advertised: 190 – 7 to CF members

Internal Non-advertised: 663 (ie, reclassifications, student bridging). Ms Teckles stated internal non-advertised do not apply to the CF

External Processes: 342 appointments – 41 to CF members. Ms Teckles stated that approximately one-half of these 41 has been out of the service for a year or more

Next UMCC HR Sub-Committee – December 1, 2006

In Solidarity,

Mary L. Chamberlain
UNDE EVP