April 1999

1CAD/UNDE
Labour-Management Relations Committee
Minutes of the 4th meeting held January 14 1999
Ottawa, ON

Co-Chairs:
BGen E.A. Findley, A1
Mr. B. Molsberry, UNDE VP Man/Sask

Secretary:
Ms. W. Carter, A/A1 CHRM

Members:
Col J.Y.P.D. Gosselin, A4 AE
Col G. Morey, A5 Op Dev & Pol (Absent)
Col J.M. Westrop, A1 Pers
LCol Z.T. Szypowski, Compt
Mr. J. Turcq, UNDE VP Quebec
Ms. D. Graham, UNDE VP Nfld/Lab/NB

Presenters:
Col G. Sharpe, D Air SP
Ms. R. Rozak, CATP
Mr. B. Thistle, D Air CMS

Observer:
Mrs. D. Joudrey, A1 CHRWM

Introduction

1. The co-chairs opened the meeting at 0925. A1 advised UNDE that not all the answers to their questions are available; however, issues will be tabled and answers will be provided in a timely manner. UNDE VP Man/Sask expressed concern that requested information has not been forthcoming. UNDE also asked for information on the air force vision for the 3000 civilian employees. Due to collective bargaining, frustration among membership is at an all time high. At the request of the union, Asst CAS was present to address the air force vision for their civilian employees. Asst CAS expressed understanding of the union concerns; however, with all the ongoing reviews, there are no immediate concrete plans available. Asst CAS provided assurance that the union will be consulted.

2. The previous minutes were reviewed and accepted without changes.

Outstanding business

3. Goose Bay ASD - The Union advised that costing information on the ASD initiatives at Moose Jaw and Goose Bay has not been provided and they are extremely frustrated with the lack of answers. A4 AE distributed an Org chart on the positions directly related to contract administration at 5 Wg; however, noted that this was not the data that the union was seeking. UNDE reiterated that they required information on the current total cost commitment to Goose Bay. Compt provided some preliminary information.

Action: A5 to provide information at a later date. Data is not available at this time. Secretarial Note: UNDE expressed grave disappointment that this information is not available and that the importance of timeliness cannot be overstated.

4. Moose Jaw ASD - CATP presented information on Moose Jaw ASD; however, some figures on the slide presentation were missing. The union stressed that they wanted information on the amount that Bombardier was being paid each month as well as all the costs associated with Moose Jaw ASD. (Secretarial notes: CATP has provided updated slide presentation which is attached. A5 has provided a spreadsheet on Moose Jaw Site Support Contract which is attached.)

Action: A5/CATP

5. Supply Chain ASD - In addition to the tabled information provided by A4 LSR, UNDE VP QC reported on the 2 major supply ASD initiatives.

6. 1 CAD/CAS LMRC - A1 advised that the LMRC meeting will remain at 1 CAD for now and relocating it to CAS will be reviewed at a future date.

New business

7. Collective Bargaining Update - UNDE VP Man/Sask provided an update on collective bargaining and advised that currently Table 2 employees are in a legal strike position and Table 3 employees will be in a legal strike position within the next 10 to 15 days. The major issue for Table 2 is regional rates. UNDE VP Man/Sask advised that there would be strategic job action in the near future.

8. Budget Overview - A presentation on 1 CAD funding summary for each of the wings was provided by the Compt. UNDE expressed concern that employee cuts at 8 Wg were guided by the business planning process.
(Secretarial Note: A7 has confirmed that no explicit direction was provided to 8 Wg to further reduce its SWE beyond those reductions previously identified through the Budget 94 process.)

9. UCS Update - D Air CMS briefed the committee on current UCS information. D Air CMS reported that feedback from participants of the evaluation process was somewhat mixed. UNDE VP Nfld/Lab/NS stated that members were disappointed that departmental evaluation sessions were held. Interdepartmental sessions would provide the opportunity to share the diversity offered by consulting with the other departments. D Air CMS will relay these concerns to the PMO.
(Secretarial note: D Air CMS relayed the concerns to the PMO)

10. Employability Strategy Plans Update - A/A1 CHRM and D Air CMS provided information on the 1 CAD plan that went to HQ and the criteria used for establishing the funding for the wings. UNDE VP QC expressed concern that underskilled employees were not given the majority of the funding. A/A1 CHRM and D Air CMS stated that due to the short time frame, the plans were done quickly. More detailed plans will be done next year and the need for a skills analysis/gap was identified.
(Secretarial note - confirmed by DGCHRSD that Employability Strategy funding was to include all DND civilian employees).

11. Surplus Employee Information - A/A1 CHRM advised that the requested information would be provided in the minutes by 15 Mar 99 at the latest. Statistical information on wing population will be a standing item at future LMRC meetings.
(Secretarial note - Information is enclosed with the minutes)

12. Employee Assistance Program - D Air CMS provided information on EAP changes at the national level. UNDE requested that management provide more funding for RAP sessions and that all RAs should be advised of the 1-800 for Referral Agent use only. UNDE was advised that the information on the 1-800 number had recently been sent out to the Chairpersons and RAs. A/A1 CHRM advised that there is a concern with retention of RAs. This concern will become a priority for the EAP Coordinator. An EAP annual report was tabled.

13. Air Force Strategic Planning - D Air SP provided an overview on the activities that are currently ongoing to provide balanced combat relief between the army, navy and air force. He did not foresee any major changes in the air force structure. The air force is currently waiting for the release of information on DGP 2000 which will provide strategic direction. The union requested that they be included in the first DGP 2000 briefing.

Action: D Air SP (invite UNDE to first briefing on DGP 2000).

Round table discussion

14. LMRC - UNDE VP Nfld/Lab/NB advised that some Wings had not had LMRC meetings since 1997. She also advised that 2 Wings require LMRC training.
(Secretarial note - letter (6007-1 (A1) 15 April 1999) was mailed to 1 CAD units.
Action: D Air CMS (LMRC training).

15. Employment Equity - UNDE VP Nfld/Lab/NB advised that there would be a joint forum on EE. A1 CHRM section and union will discuss.

Action: A1 CHRM

16. Non Public Fund Employees - UNDE VP Man/Sask advised that many NPF employees were non-unionized and requested information on the administration of NPF employee entitlements.

Action: A1/A1 Pers (to examine NPF Pers Policy).

Adjournment

17. The next meeting will be held on 8 Jun 99 at the UNDE National Office, 116 Albert St., Ottawa. The union requested that CAS be invited. The meeting adjourned at 1140 hrs.