Minutes of the Executive Council Meeting

Minutes of the Executive Council Meeting
September 19, 20, 2023

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
MORNING SESSION

1.  CALL TO ORDER OF THE REGULAR MEETING

President Brière welcomed the Executive Council members, observers, interpreters and ELC technicians. Sister Wanda Dufty was present as the Prairies Region alternate until Brother Gary Esslinger arrived. He asked RVP’S to remind their regions that 19 interpretation devices are missing from convention.

The Executive Council meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. with President Marc Brière in the Chair.

2. HOURS OF SESSION OF THE REGULAR MEETING

m/s    B. Oldford / K. Koch

Be it resolved that the hours of session be as follows:

Tuesday:         9:00 to 11:45 a.m. and from 01:15 to 04:00 p.m.  
                          04:00 to 05:00 p.m.  Open item discussions
Wednesday:    09:00 to 11:45 a.m. and from 01:15 to 6:00 p.m.  (amended)

Lunch: 11:45 a.m. to 01:15  p.m.
Health breaks: 10:15 to 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 to 3:15 p.m.

Vote HOURS OF SESSION OF THE REGULAR MEETING:  CARRIED

3. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

m/s    D. Lanthier / J. Martel

New Business

Unfinished business from convention 2023 
Appointments to UTE standing committees.
Appointment of the auditor for 2023
Trusteeship report - Belleville local 00012
Trusteeship report - Ottawa centre local 70004.

ADDITIONS:

Confirmation of Trusteeship Local 70030 (D. Lanthier)
Pet care resolution (K. Koch)

Open discussion Items

Subject to the timeline of the specified hours of session.

  1. Executive Council Retreat (M. Brière)
  2. UTE Olympics (D. Gaetz)
  3. Mentorship for the new RVP’s (M. Brière)
  4. Postmortem UTE Convention 2023 Winnipeg (C. Crupi)
  5. Regulation NO. 3 - Committees / Call Centres (B. Oldford)
  6. Positive Enrollment – Federal Public Service Health Care Plan (FPSHCP) (K. Welgush)
  7. Local Annual Financial Statements / Reports (M. Brière)
  8. Regional Hospitality Suite at UTE Conventions (C. Crupi)
  9. Cell phone provider (M. Brière)

ADDITIONS

  1. Structure Committee next steps (NCR) (J. Martel)
  2. Invites to members regarding IAD Investigations (P. Sleczkowski)
  3. Federations of Labour and credentials (J. vanSydenborgh)
  4. Media coverage on the CERB payments to members (B. Oldford)
  5. UTE committee travel (K. Koch)
  6. Dept of RVP reports (K. Welgush)
  7. UTE Standing discipline Committee (J. Martel)
  8. UMA 101 travel (D. Lanthier)
  9. Update on the Letter of Agreement regarding the Virtual Work Arrangements.   (P. Sleczkowski)
  10. Timeliness in general (J. vanSydenborgh)
  11. Increase membership appreciation event to twice a year. (P. Sleczkowski)
  • Vote AMENDED AGENDA: CARRIED

4.  ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS

m/s    E. Aristil / K. Koch

Be it resolved that the minutes of the Special Executive Council meeting of JUNE 10, 2023, be adopted.

  •  Recorded Vote # 1    MOTION CARRIED.

m/s    E. Aristil / K. Koch

Be it resolved that the amended minutes of the Executive Council meetings of JUNE 12,13,14 2023 be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote # 2   MOTION CARRIED.

m/s    C. Crupi / E. Aristil

Be it resolved that the amended minutes of the Executive Council meetings of JULY 17, 2023, be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote # 3    MOTION CARRIED.

m/s    D. Lanthier / E. Aristil

Be it resolved that the amended minutes of the Executive Council meetings of AUGUST 19, 2023, be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote # 4     MOTION CARRIED.

Brother Gary Esslinger joined the meeting.

HEATH BREAK

The meeting was called back to order at 10:40 a.m. with Brother Gaetz, 1st Vice-President in the chair.

5.  PRESIDENT’S FOLLOW UP ITEMS

m/s    M. Brière / A. Jackson

Be it resolved that the follow up items of the President be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote #5: MOTION CARRIED

6.   REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

LUNCH BREAK

AFTERNOON SESSION

The meeting was called back to order at 1:15 p.m. with Brother Doug Gaetz, 1st Vice-President in the chair.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT (cont’d)

In camera session

The chair was turned over to Brother Adam Jackson, Second Vice-president.

Heath Break

The In Camera session resumed at 3:30 p.m. with the second vice-president in the chair.

m/s    M. Brière / A. Jackson

Be it resolved that the report of the National President be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote # 6: MOTION CARRIED

President Brière returned in the chair.

7.  REPORT OF THE 1st VICE-PRESIDENT

m/s    D. Gaetz / A. Jackson

Be it resolved that the report of the 1st Vice-President be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote # 7:  MOTION CARRIED

8.  REPORT OF THE 2nd VICE-PRESIDENT

m/s    A. Jackson / D. Gaetz

Be it resolved that the report of the 2nd Vice-President be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote # 8: MOTION CARRIED

OPEN DISCUSSION ITEMS

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2023
MORNING SESSION

The Executive Council meeting was called back to order at 9:00 a.m. with President Marc Brière in the Chair.

9.  REPORT OF THE REGIONAL VICE-PRESIDENTS / ALTERNATES

m/s     D. Lanthier/ E. Aristil

Be it resolved that the activity reports of the RVPs and ARVPs be adopted with modifications.

  • Recorded Vote #9: MOTION CARRIED

There was a discussion as to the importance of being able to cover the business scheduled on the agenda and possibly going beyond the regular hours of session.

The session was adjourned at 9:45 a.m. for the Counter-protest march in Support of the LGBTQ2+ Community.

The meeting was called back to order with the 1st Vice-President in the chair.

10.  REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The report was postponed.

President Brière returned in the chair.

11 a)    REPORT OF THE STAFFING COMMITTEE

m/s    A. Jackson / J. Martel

Be it resolved that the report of the Staffing Committee be adopted.

  •  Recorded Vote # 10: MOTION CARRIED

11 b)    REPORT OF THE BY-LAWS COMMITTEE

m/s    J. Martel / G. Esslinger

Be it resolved that the report of the By-Laws Committee be adopted.

  •  Recorded Vote # 11: MOTION CARRIED

11 c)    REPORT OF THE TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE COMMITTEE

m/s    B. Oldford / G. Esslinger

Be it resolved that the report of the Technological Change Committee be adopted with 
modifications.

  • Recorded Vote # 12: MOTION CARRIED

11 d)  REPORT OF THE WELL-BEING COMMITTEE 

m/s    J. Martel / D. Lanthier

Be it resolved that the report of the Well-Being Committee be adopted.

  •  Recorded Vote # 13: MOTION CARRIED

11 e)  REPORT OF THE HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE

m/s    D. Gaetz / B. Oldford

Be it resolved that the report of the Health & Safety Committee be adopted.

  •  Recorded Vote # 14: MOTION CARRIED

LUNCH BREAK

AFTERNOON SESSION

The session was called back to order at 1:15 p.m. with 1st Vice-President Doug Gaetz in the chair.

11 f)   REPORT OF THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMITTEE

m/s    K. Koch / J. vanSydenborgh

Be it resolved that the report of the Equal Opportunities Committee be adopted.

  •  Recorded Vote # 15: MOTION CARRIED

11 g)  REPORT OF THE HONOURS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

m/s    C. Crupi / G. Esslinger

RECOMMENDATION 1:

Changes to Regulation 24.9 1st paragraph
UTE SCHOLARSHIPS

Current Version
The Union of Taxation Employees (UTE) each year offers two (2) three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) National Scholarships, which have been named the Diana Gee Scholarship and the Robert “Bob” Campbell National Scholarship and ten (10) one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) Regional Scholarships (Al Rollins Atlantic Regional Scholarship, Quebec, Jean Bergeron Montreal Regional Scholarship, National Capital, Linda Collins Greater Toronto Regional Scholarship, Nick Stein Southwestern Ontario Regional Scholarship, Kent McDonald Northern and Eastern Ontario, Prairie, Don Davoren Regional Rocky Mountains Scholarship and Pacific)
Amended Version 
The Union of Taxation Employees (UTE) each year offers two (2) three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) National Scholarships, which have been named:

  • Diana Gee National Scholarship and the
  • Robert “Bob” Campbell National Scholarship and

There are also ten (10) one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) Regional Scholarships:

  • Al Rollins Atlantic Regional Scholarship
  • Quebec Regional Scholarship
  • Jean Bergeron Montreal Regional Scholarship
  • Shane O’Brien National Capital Regional Scholarship
  • Linda Collins Greater Toronto Regional Scholarship
  • Nick Stein Southwestern Ontario Regional Scholarship
  • Kent McDonald Northern and Eastern Ontario Regional Scholarship
  • Prairie Regional Scholarship
  • Don Davoren Regional Rocky Mountains Regional Scholarship and
  • Pacific Regional Scholarship

Be it resolved that recommendation # 1 be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote # 16: MOTION CARRIED

Recommendation #2

Regulation 24.6 Life Membership Bullet #5

Current Version
#5 Members will be recognized in some manner in Convention.        
Amended Version
#5 Members will be recognized at Convention.

Be it resolved that recommendation # 2 be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote # 17: MOTION CARRIED

RECOMMENDATION #3

Regulation 24.9 UTE Scholarships Bullet #3 under Requirements
Current Version

  •  A minimum of five hundred (500) words to a maximum of seven hundred (700) words essay or submission in an audio format, visual (painting, drawing, sculpture or photograph), or video format that would express your view. If the submission is audio or video it must be 3-5 minutes in duration. If the submission is by audio or visual, you must provide an explanation of how it meets one of the topics.

Amended Version

  • A minimum of five hundred (500) words to a maximum of seven hundred (700) words essay (in Arial 12 Font) or submission in an audio format, visual (painting, drawing, sculpture or photograph), or video format that would express your view. If the submission is audio or video it must be 3-5 minutes in duration. If the submission is by audio or visual, you must provide an explanation of how it meets one of the topics.

Motion to amend the recommendation. 
m/s     K. Welgush / B. Oldford 
VOTE: Defeated.

Motion to amend the recommendation. 
m/s    G. Esslinger / C. Crupi 
VOTE: Defeated 

Be it resolved that recommendation # 3 be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote # 18: MOTION DEFEATED

RECOMMENDATION #4

Regulation 24.11.3 1 (e) Guidelines and Requirement
Current Version

  1. submit an application including their name and contact information and be sent to the Honours and Awards Committee by September 15th, at 23:59 (EST). A 400 to 700 words essay or an audio or video submission no longer than 4 minutes, on explaining why you would like to be a part of the ICA team to the country chosen by ICA and the International Children’s Awareness projects.

Amended Version

  1. submit an application including their name and contact information and be sent to the Honours and Awards Committee by September 15th, at 23:59 (EST). A 400 to 700 words essay (in Arial 12 Font) or an audio or video submission no longer than 4 minutes, on explaining why you would like to be a part of the ICA team to the country chosen by ICA and the International Children’s Awareness projects.

Be it resolved that recommendation # 4 be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote # 19: MOTION DEFEATED

Be it resolved that the report of the Honours and Awards Committee be adopted with modifications.

  •   Recorded Vote # 20: MOTION CARRIED

President Brière returns in the chair.

11 h)  REPORT OF THE WORKFORCE ADJUSTMENT COMMITTEE

m/s    D. Lanthier / A. Jackson

Be it resolved that the report of the Workforce Adjustment Committee be adopted.

  •  Recorded Vote # 21: MOTION CARRIED

11 i)   REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

m/s     D. Gaetz / C. Crupi

RECOMMENDATION #1

Be it resolved that the following line items be approved for overspending.

DATE LINE ITEM DESCRIPTION EXPLANATION 2023 BUDGET ACTUAL OR EXPECTED OVERAGE

6-Sep-23

 Organization and Education: Negotiations Over budget approval

5,000.00

12,000.00

7,000.00
  • Recorded Vote # 22: MOTION CARRIED

Be it resolved that the Finance Committee report be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote # 23: MOTION CARRIED

The chair is turned over to first vice-president Doug Gaetz

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

m/s    M. Brière / A. Jackson

Be it resolved that the report of the Executive Committee be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote # 24: MOTION CARRIED

President Brière returns to the Chair.

11 j)   REPORT OF THE COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

m/s    G. Esslinger / C. Crupi

Be it resolved that the report of the Communications Committee be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote # 25: MOTION CARRIED

11 k)  REPORT OF THE BARGAINING COMMITTEE

m/s    A. Jackson / J. vanSydenborgh

Be it resolved that the report of the Bargaining Committee be adopted.

  •     Recorded Vote # 26: MOTION CARRIED

11 l)   REPORT OF THE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PAC)

m/s    J. vanSydenborgh / D. Lanthier

Be it resolved that the report of the Political Action Committee be adopted.

  •  Recorded Vote # 27: MOTION CARRIED

11 m)  REPORT OF THE CALL CENTRE COMMITTEE

m/s    E. Aristil / B. Oldford

Be it resolved that the report of the Call Centre Committee be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote # 28: MOTION CARRIED

11 n)  REPORT OF THE UNION MANAGEMENT APPROACH COMMITTEE

m/s    J. vanSydenborgh / D. Lanthier

Be it resolved that the report of the Union Management Approach (UMA) Committee be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote # 29: MOTION CARRIED

11 o)  REPORT OF THE MENTAL HEALTH AD-HOC COMMITTEE

m/s     D. Gaetz / J. vanSydenborgh

Be it resolved that the report of the Mental Health Ad-Hoc Committee be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote # 30: MOTION CARRIED

Motion to amend hours of session: 

finish this session at 6:00 p.m. to cover the New Business on the agenda.

  m/ J. Martel

  • Recorded Vote # 31: MOTION CARRIED

12.  ADOPTION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

m/s    D. Gaetz / C. Crupi

Be it resolved that the Financial Statements as of June 30, 2023, be adopted.

  •  Recorded Vote # 32: MOTION CARRIED

13.  EXPENSE CLAIMS OVER 90 DAYS

There is no expense claim over 90 days.

14.  COLLECTIVE BARGAINING (Discussion)

 

NEW BUSINESS

15.  UNFINISHED BUSINESS FROM CONVENTION 2023

Non-concurrence motions not dealt with

m/s     D. Gaetz / A. Jackson

Be it resolved that all remaining resolutions of non-concurrence from Convention 2023 be dealt with as a block.

Finance resolutions: 101, 102, 103A, 104, 105, 106, 107
Bargaining resolutions: 202
General resolutions: 305, 320, 316, 315, 314, 311, 318, 306
By-Laws resolutions: 426, 401, 402 (covers 403), 404, 405(a), 408, 414, 418, 420, 421, 423, 424, 425, 427, 428, 429, 430

  • Recorded Vote # 33: MOTION CARRIED

m/s    D. Gaetz / A. Jackson

Be it resolved that the unfinished business of non-concurrence from Convention 2023 be adopted.

  • Recorded Vote # 34: MOTION CARRIED

Concurrence motions not dealt with

m/s  D. Gaetz / A. Jackson

Be it resolved that all remaining resolutions of concurrence from Convention 2023 be dealt with as a block.

Finance resolutions: none
Bargaining resolutions: none
General resolutions: 323A, 302A, 302B, 323B, 313B, 319, 307, 308, 310
By-Laws resolutions: 415 (covers 416), 406, 413

  • Recorded Vote # 35: MOTION CARRIED

Be it resolved that the unfinished business of concurrence from Convention 2023 be tabled.

m/s   D. Gaetz / A. Jackson

  • Recorded Vote # 36: MOTION CARRIED

First Vice-president Gaetz takes the chair.

16. APPOINTMENTS TO UTE STANDING COMMITTEES

m/s      M. Brière / A. Jackson

Be it resolved that the Committee appointments be ratified as follows.

COMMITTEE
COMITÉ		 CHAIR
PRÉSIDENT-E		 CO-CHAIR
CO-PRÉSIDENT-E		 CO-CHAIR
CO-PRÉSIDENT-E
BARGAINING
NÉGOCIATION

ADAM JACKSON

JÉRÔME MARTEL

  
BY-LAWS
STATUTS

COSIMO CRUPI

KEVIN WELGUSH

  
CALL CENTRE
CENTRES D’APPELS

BRIAN OLDFORD

KEVIN WELGUSH

  
COMMUNICATIONS

GARY ESSLINGER

PATRICIA SLECZKOWSKI

  
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
CHANCES ÉGALES

KIM KOCH

EDDY ARISTIL

 
FINANCE-S

DOUG GAETZ

JÉRÔME MARTEL

COSIMO CRUPI
HEALTH & SAFETY
SANTÉ SÉCURITÉ

DOUG GAETZ

BRIAN OLDFORD

 
HONOURS & AWARDS
RÉCOMPENSES ET TITRES HONORIFIQUES

GARY ESSLINGER

EDDY ARISTIL 

  
POLITICAL ACTION
ACTION POLITIQUE

JÉRÔME MARTEL

DAVID LANTHIER

  
STAFFING
DOTATION

COSIMO CRUPI

KIM KOCH

 
TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE
CHANGEMENTS TECHNOLOGIQUES

DAVID LANTHIER

ADAM JACKSON

  
UNION MANAGEMENT APPROACH
APPROCHE SYNDICALE-PATRONALE

JAMIE VANSYDENBORGH

DAVID LANTHIER

 
WELL-BEING
MIEUX-ÊTRE

EDDY ARISTIL

PATRICIA SLECZKOWSKI

  
WORKFORCE ADJUSTMENT
RÉAMÉNAGEMENT DES EFFECTIFS

JAMIE VANSYDENBORGH

ADAM JACKSON

  
  • Recorded Vote # 37: MOTION CARRIED

President Brière returned in the chair.

17.  APPOINTMENT OF THE AUDITOR FOR 2023

m/s     D. Gaetz / C. Crupi  

Be it resolved that UTE appoint Andrews & Co. as auditor for the fiscal year 2023.

  • Recorded Vote # 38: MOTION CARRIED

18.  TRUSTEESHIP REPORT- BELLEVILLE LOCAL 00012

m/s       C. Crupi / D. Lanthier

Recommendation #1

Be it resolved that Executive Council extend the trusteeship status of the Belleville Local 00012 immediately and for another period of up to 180 days to allow for the Special Meeting to take place.

  •   Recorded Vote # 39: MOTION CARRIED

Be it resolved that the Trusteeship report for Belleville, 00012 be adopted with modifications.

  •   Recorded Vote # 40: MOTION CARRIED

19.   TRUSTEESHIP REPORT- OTTAWA CENTRE LOCAL 70004

m/s    D. Lanthier / C. Crupi

Be it resolved that the Trusteeship report for Ottawa Centre, local 70004 be adopted with modifications.

  •  Recorded Vote # 41: MOTION CARRIED

20.  CONFIRMATION OF TRUSTEE – Local 70030, Ottawa Technology Centre

m/s     K. Koch / K. Welgush

Be it Resolved that, pursuant to By-Law 14, Executive Council confirms the appointment of Brother David Lanthier as trustee with the responsibility to manage the affairs of Local 70030, Ottawa Technology Centre, for a period not exceeding one hundred eighty (180) days. The Local has been placed into interim trusteeship by the National President, Brother Marc Brière, on Monday September 19, 2023, for failure to carry out their responsibilities required under By-Law 6, Section 2.

  • Recorded Vote # 42: MOTION CARRIED

21.  INCLUDING PETS IN FAMILY CARE EXPENSES

m/s    K. Koch / G. Esslinger

WHEREAS during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, some members acquired a pet to assist with their mental health; and

WHEREAS pets are considered a member of the family; and

WHEREAS the cost of paying for pet care creates barriers for union activists who wish to attend union events.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT regulation 21.1 paragraph 1 be amended to read as follows: 
"UTE members shall be entitled to be reimbursed for family care expenses in respect of children sixteen (16) years of age or younger, for adults who are in need of special care or family pets who either permanently reside in the household of the member or with whom the member permanently resides."

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT regulation 21.3.1 include the following new 
c. the actual amount up to $50 per day (for each 24-hour period) for pet care."

  • Recorded Vote # 43: MOTION CARRIED

The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

 

______________________                                ____________________
Marc Brière                                                  Doug Gaetz
National President                                       1st Vice-President

18.  TRUSTEESHIP REPORT - BELLEVILLE LOCAL 00012

Report of the trustee  
Belleville Local 00012 
SEPTEMBER 2023

As per Regulation 25.1 (3), I hereby present my sixth report to Executive Council.

Since the last Executive Council report, I was able to administer the strike fund set up by the local and pay all members who were on the picket lines accordingly. Also, while doing that, I have been actively trying to recruit representatives to run for office and get this local out of trusteeship.

The local will be holding a special meeting to elect executive officers mid October 2023 to get themselves out of trusteeship status. However, prior to this there needs to be another extension of trusteeship status which is included in Recommendation #1

Recommendation #1

Be it resolved that Executive Council extend the trusteeship status of the Belleville Local 00012 immediately and for another period of up to 180 days to allow for the Special Meeting to take place.

Respectfully submitted,

Cosimo Crupi 
Trustee Belleville Local 00012
 

19. TRUSTEESHIP REPORT - OTTAWA CENTRE LOCAL 70004

Report of the Trustee 
Ottawa Centre Local 70004
SEPTEMBER 2023  

Since my last report in June, I had found a full executive for the local and was in the process of scheduling an Annual General Meeting (AGM).  However, the interim members have been moved to a new office for reporting meaning they can’t serve on the local anymore. There is also more movement happening which might make it easier to resurrect this local as the local located at 250 Albert St. has moved several members over.  This movement has caused issues within both locals 70004 and 70022 Albert St.

I will consult further with our National President regarding this specific situation and also for other situations taking place within the National Capital Region (NCR) following decisions made by the employer and affecting many locals of the region. Given the exceptional situation taking place in the NCR, the National President has already indicated to me that, after our consultations, he may make a referral to the Ad Hoc Structure Review Committee to enter into consultations with myself as Regional Vice-President and with local representatives to fully assess the situation and potentially come up with recommendation(s) to ensure some stability within the Locals of the region and that our members are getting the service they should expect from our union.

Respectfully submitted,

David Lanthier
Trustee 70004
RVP NCR

 

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