6007-1 (Chairperson)

23 October 2003

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Chairperson: Ms D.A. Graham, UNDE Vice President NL and NB

Co-Chairperson: Col C.R. Lacroix, COS LFAA

Members:

Secretary: Mrs. C.M. Murray, COS's Secretary LFAA

INTRODUCTION

1. Chairperson's Opening Remarks. Ms. Graham called the meeting to order at 0930hrs and welcomed everyone present, new and old.

2. Co-Chairperson's Opening Remarks. Col C.R. Lacroix informed all present that the new LFAA Commander, BGen Romses, started 28 June 03 and has been brought up to speed on all issues dealing with LMRC. Also, with the departure of Ms Tracy Lyall, we welcome our newest member of the committee, Ms Theresa Belliveau, AHRM. Col Lacroix commented that we have a very good team and looks forward to working together.

DISCUSSION

PREVIOUS MINUTES DATED 12 JUNE 2003

3. Review of Previous Minutes. The Chairperson asked for a review of the minutes and were accepted as read, adopted, signed and distributed.

NEW BUSINESS

4. Standing Items. A discussion ensued on the present standing items with the Chairperson asking the Committee if there were any new items that should be added or removed.

1. CLASSIFICATION REFORM (CR). Ms Belliveau advised that there is little new to report on the Classification Reform Initiative. It is still proceeding as planned: we are still in the analysis, or step one phase. The Program and Administrative (PA) Group are still among the initial candidates for reform.
2. ASD/MEO. Maj Shortridge advised that there are no changes to Material Acquisition Support O Project (MASOP) HR Policy. Maj Shortridge advised that G4 Staff would be attending the National Conference in Ottawa - 27-29 October 2003 and will advise the outcome of the Conference at the next LMRC, as MASOP is being implemented at LFAA.
3. EAP. Ms. Belliveau gave the statistical overview for EAP referrals during the period April 2003 to September 2003. There were twelve visits overall, six new and six repeat visits, with health and family related issues being the most frequent reason for referral. Ms. Belliveau then updated the LMRC on information received at the Regional EAP Coordinators meeting held 15-17 October 2003. There are two new chairs of the National EAP Advisory Committee, Mr. Alan Williams, Adm Mat, was named as the new EAP Champion and as such assumes the management chair of the EAP Advisory Committee. Additionally at the last EAP Advisory Committee meeting held 15 October 2003, Mr. Doug Pike, NS VP UNDE was elected as the first Union Co-Chair of the Committee. Both of the new Chairs bring great energy and commitment to the program. Mr. Williams announced at the 15 October 2003 Advisory Committee meeting that there would be a National RA Conference held in the late spring or early fall of 2004. Funding will be provided centrally for practicing RAs. Ms Graham commented on how funding for EAP has been reduced over the years thus limiting the opportunities for training for RAs as well as management and labour representatives who support the program.
4. EE. Capt Tizzard, the Area EE Officer, reported that she attended the 3rd Annual Employment Equity Workshop in Halifax on 23-25 September 2003 at the Westin Nova Scotian. Capt Tizzard said it was a good opportunity to learn and network with civilian employees and CF members, who share an interest in building a workforce that truly values and respects the abilities and individual characteristics of all persons equitably. Capt Tizzard also mentioned that Terry Kelly, keynote speaker, had a powerful positive message. Discussions with the COS following the workshop gave direction to draft a supplement to the Area EE plan and to focus on outreach, commemorative events, advisory groups and at 3 ASG, civilian hiring goals. Capt Tizzard stated that with civilian hiring, you have to follow individual agreements, but EE will be considered first in every hiring action. COS concurred. Capt Tizzard said that she is looking forward to working with Gagetown in preparation for Women's Day festivities in March. She is also planning EE education sessions in Gagetown. Capt Tizzard is to prepare a draft supplement to the Area EE plan.
5. Grievances Stats/Trends. Ms Belliveau distributed the e-mail sent throughout LFAA in July on the inclusion of the mandatory offer of Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) during the grievance process, (copy attached). Mr Stewart then distributed a grievance report prepared by the CHRSA(A). Mr. Stewart queried whether the report, in its present format, was useful for the LFAA LMRC. Discussion followed and it was determined that it would also be useful to have this report used for trend analysis for issues such as types and levels of grievances, number and age of outstanding grievances, whether there has been increases or decreases in grievances received, and norm for the level of resolution required. Ms Graham also queried whether the report could include usage of ADR as part of the grievance process. Mr. Stewart said he would work on obtaining a more in-depth analysis in the future, but it was a time consuming process as only part of the report can be generated through the Grievance Tracking System.

OTHER POINTS:

5. LMRCs, Working Together - Options for the Area LMRC. Ms Belliveau briefed the LMRC on her visit to 3 Area Support Group (3 ASG) and her meetings with 3 ASG LMRC Members. She indicated that three areas of common concern for both union and management were roles and responsibilities, timely communication and clarity of issues/policies brought to the LMRC. The issues were discussed with 3 ASG Management and it is considered much can be addressed through minor process changes. Ms. Belliveau also reported that the upcoming LMRC Enhancement Training, to be scheduled for 3 ASG, should also assist in addressing identified concerns.

Ms Belliveau and Ms Graham brought several potential enhancement opportunities to the table for discussion. After a review of the options an agreement was reached that in the New Year the Co-Chairs of the 3 ASG LMRCs would be invited to attend an LFAA LMRC. The invitation would be sent via e-mail from AHRM on behalf of the Col Lacroix, COS LFAA, to the Commander 3 ASG and all observers. The date of Co-Chair attendance to be agreed to between COS LFAA and VP UNDE NL and NB.

6. Army Support Review Brief. Maj Shortridge provided an update to LMRC on ASR background and current status, the impact on LFAA and current ASR timelines. Maj Shortridge advised LMRC that the Army will implement a new Army Support Services System, starting in 2004, which will optimise the force generation of deployable Army Support Services and efficiently manage the delivery of service support to Land Force Command and its dependencies. Maj Shortridge advised that a further update will be provided at the next LMRC. Col Lacroix assured Ms Graham that UNDE would be kept informed of all changes effecting workforce by ASR. In addition, the need for more frequent meetings of LMRC will be assessed in the New Year, depending on information available and the progress of ASR. Bi-monthly LMRC meetings vice quarterly may be required.

ACTION BY: Maj Shortridge

7. Fire Response Service 3ASG. Ms Belliveau advised that Ministerial Approval to begin review of the delivery of Structural Fire Response Services was received 8 October 2003 in LFAA. Ms Belliveau had faxed copies of the approval to Ms Graham as Regional VP UNDE and to Mr Pike as UNDE Representative for Fire-fighters issues. Ms Graham expressed labour's disappointment over the decision for review.

8. Chairperson's Concluding Remarks. Ms D. Graham thanked everyone for coming and looks forward to meeting with everyone in the New Year.

9. Co-chairperson's Concluding Remarks. Col Lacroix stated that it was a very productive meeting and looked forward to seeing everyone in the New Year.

ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING

10. The meeting adjourned at 1100hrs. The next LMRC meeting was tentatively scheduled for the 11 March 2004, 0900-1100, Commander's Conference Room, LFAA Headquarters.

ACTION BY: AHRM LFAA

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