Jamie vanSydenborgh
The Ad-Hoc Structure Committee was tasked with examining the current structure of our National Capital Region (NCR) due to concerns raised at the September Presidents’ Conference. The committee consists of Brother Jamie vanSydenborgh (Chair), Brother Marc Briere, (Co-Chair), Brother Bill Blair (Co-Chair), Sister Gesine Campbell (Alternate RVP NCR) and Sister Annette Melanson (Staff).
The committee held three meetings November 16/17, January 16-18 and February 13. Our November meeting started off positively, then we had the WFA announcement on the same day that altered our plans significantly, as well as detrimentally affecting hundreds of our members in the NCR, as well as across Canada. At our November and January meetings, we met with the Local President, or designate, for each of the 6 NCR Locals.
During our deliberations, we discussed the long-standing UTE policy of “Bums in Chairs” for union representation. Some locals have already begun to adhere to the policy and will be working with the NCR RVP to adhere to this policy.
The committee recommended lining up locals with the above-mentioned policy to better represent our membership. We are also recommending the formation of two new locals in the National Capital Region.
The committee would like to thank Sister Linda Koenders, Brother Richard Weintrager, Sister Jennifer Keays, Sister Kim Cardinal, Brother Marshall Martelock and Brother Imre Bene for their contribution to the work of the committee.
Recommendation #1:
WHEREAS the National President created an Ad-hoc Structure Committee to review the structure of the National Capital Region; and
WHEREAS the current structure of the National Capital Region does not effectively support the membership; and
WHEREAS UTE Regulation 2.2 gives Executive Council the authority to establish locals.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT two new locals be created in the National Capital Region, located at 555 Mackenzie Avenue and 250 Albert Street, in Ottawa; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT these changes to the National Capital Region structure take effect on August 1, 2017.
Respectfully submitted,
Jamie vanSydenborgh
Chair of the Committee