GSU SPECIAL NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 12, 2003 CHÂTEAU MONTEBELLO QUEBEC 1. CALL TO ORDER The GSU Special National Council meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. Brother Mark Brunell, National President was in the Chair and the following members were in attendance: National Council Members: Mark Brunell National President Bill Dennis National Vice-President Suzanne Lambert National Vice-President Jean-Paul Fortin National Vice-President Wilma Findlay Equity Officer Bob Boileau RVP - National Capital Region Daniel Charron RVP - National Capital Region Nadine Lethbridge RVP - National Capital Region Alex Sauvé RVP - National Capital Region Don Mahuda RVP - Ontario Region Robert Spencer RVP - Ontario Region Pierre Laberge RVP - Quebec Region Denis Poirier RVP - Quebec Region Bob Graves RVP - Pacific Region Elizabeth McCormick RVP - Pacific Region Valerie Denesiuk RVP - Western Region Terry Sperling RVP - Western Region Randy Ford RVP - Atlantic Region Michael Lavery RVP - Atlantic Region Bill Walsh RVP - Atlantic Region Staff: Bob Kipper Laura Griffin Gail Peck Lionel Saurette Joanne Daniel Maria G. Thomas Executive Assistant to the National Council Communications and Special Projects Officer Finance and Administration Officer Union Representative Union Representative Administrative Assistant to the National Office Moment of silence in memory of Brother Paul Gruslin. GSU Special National Council Meeting January 12, 2003 page 1
Agenda M/S M. Lavery/V. Denesiuk THAT the agenda be adopted. (Agenda attached to these minutes as Appendix A.) MOTION CARRIED. 1. Outstanding Convention Business a) By-laws resolutions Brother Brunell declared the following resolutions out of order as they cannot be dealt by the National Council. These resolutions require changes to the By-laws and can only be dealt with by Convention delegates. Resolutions # 02-11, 02-12, 02-09, 02-13, 02-17, 02-10, 02-15, 02-18, 02-19 and 02-20. Automatic Mover of the committee s recommendations is Brother Bill Dennis and Automatic Seconder is Brother Bob Graves unless otherwise noted. Number: 02-31 Subject: Framework Local By-law 1, Section 2 Originator: National Council R#2e BE IT RESOLVED THAT Section 2 of By-law 1 of the Framework Local By-laws be deleted. Recorded Vote #1. CARRIED. Number: 02-32 Subject: Framework Local By-law 7 Originator: National Council R#20e BE IT RESOLVED THAT GSU Regulation 2, Framework Local By-law 7, Section 1 Duties of Officers be amended to include this (member representation ed.) duty. Recorded Vote #2. CARRIED. Number: 02-33 GSU Special National Council Meeting January 12, 2003 page 2
Subject: Framework Local By-law 9, Section 2 Originator: National Council R#19e BE IT RESOLVED THAT GSU Regulation 2, Framework Local By-law 9, Section 2 be amended by adding the following three issues and that the other points be renumbered as needed; Give Local members advance notice of each AGM, so they have time to prepare for it Give Local members official notice of the AGM and the agenda Give Local members notice for all other membership meetings. Recorded Vote #3. CARRIED. Number: 02-34 Subject: Framework Local By-law 9, Section 2 Originator: National Council R#21e BE IT RESOLVED THAT Regulation 2, Framework Local By-law 9, Section 2 d) be amended to require Locals to choose an appropriate level of quorum for their Local and to require that a majority of Local Executive members must be present at each AGM and other general meetings. Recorded Vote #4. CARRIED. Number: 02-35 Subject: Regulation 3 Originator: National Council R#11e BE IT RESOLVED THAT Section 6 c) of GSU Regulation 3 be deleted BE IT RESOLVED THAT Section 6 d) of GSU Regulation 3 be amended to require the GSU Financial Review Committee review a report, at each meeting, detailing the President s overtime, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Section 7 c) of GSU Regulation 3 be deleted. Recorded Vote #5. CARRIED. Number: 02-36 GSU Special National Council Meeting January 12, 2003 page 3
Subject: Regulation 5 Originator: National Council R#30e BE IT RESOLVED THAT the second bullet of GSU Regulation 5 be amended to have the GSU Financial Review Committee review the President s overtime, travel and compensatory leave at each Committee meeting. Recorded Vote #6. CARRIED. Number: 02-37 Subject: Regulation 9 Originator: National Council R#12e BE IT RESOLVED THAT GSU Regulation 9, Part 1, paragraph e) be amended to have the referral made to the PSAC NBOD. Recorded Vote #7. CARRIED. Number: 02-38 Subject: Regulation 8, Part 1b Originator: National Council R#17e BE IT RESOLVED THAT GSU Regulation 8 Part 1 b) be amended to include the following two new items; Revenue Provision for representational costs Recorded Vote #8. CARRIED. Number: 02-39 Subject: Regulation 8, Part 3c Originator: National Council R#18e BE IT RESOLVED THAT GSU Regulation 8, Part 3 c), last sentence be amended to require that the dues shall be suspended. GSU Special National Council Meeting January 12, 2003 page 4
Recorded Vote #9. CARRIED. Number: 02-40 Subject: Policy 5 Originator: National Council R#22e BE IT RESOLVED THAT GSU Policy 5 be amended by deleting the words and one other member of the Financial Review Committee from Section 2 b) and by deleting the words or the PSAC Staffing Manual, if applicable from Section 3. Recorded Vote #10. CARRIED. Number: 02-41 Subject: Policy 7 Originator: National Council R#23e BE IT RESOLVED THAT the last sentence of the third paragraph of Policy 7 be deleted. Recorded Vote #11. CARRIED. Number: 02-42 Subject: Policy 8 Originator: National Council R#24e BE IT RESOLVED THAT GSU Policy 8, 2) Procedure be amended to read as follows and that 3) Appeals be deleted; Policy 8 - Questionable Grievances General This policy shall be known as the Questionable Grievances Policy. 1) Statement of Principle The Union supports the principle that, in most cases, a grievance will be fully supported to the final level of the grievance procedure. However, in some cases it may not be in the best interest of the griever or other members of this Union, to forward a particular grievance to the next step. 2) Procedure a) When the Union Representative decides that it may not be in the GSU Special National Council Meeting January 12, 2003 page 5
best interest of the griever or other members of this Union to forward a particular grievance to the next step, he or she will advise the griever, in writing, of the rationale for this decision. b) If the griever disagrees with the decision not to proceed with the grievance, he or she may appeal to the GSU National President who will cause a review to be done. Recorded Vote #12. CARRIED. M/S A/S/C D. Charron/R. Spencer THAT the resolution be divided and to deal with the first bullet in the Be It Resolved. W. Findlay/B. Dennis THAT the resolution be divided and to deal with each bullet separately in the Be It Resolved. Number: 02-43 Subject: Policy 10 Originator: National Council R#13e BE IT RESOLVED THAT the GSU Policy 10 be amended to; Clarify that a Local may apply for a subsidy of up to $250.00 per conference to a maximum of four subsidies per three-year convention period. Recorded Vote #13. CARRIED. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the GSU Policy 10 be amended to; Clarify the list of eligible conferences by deleting the words such as and by adding the words or National before Health and Safety Conferences. Recorded Vote #14. CARRIED. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the GSU Policy 10 be amended to; Allow Locals to apply for the subsidy in advance and state that Locals must return unused subsidies (e.g. if the Delegate does not attend the conference) GSU Special National Council Meeting January 12, 2003 page 6
Recorded Vote #15. CARRIED. Number: 02-44 Subject: Subsidy for Local Annual General Meetings Originator: National Council R#31e BE IT RESOLVED THAT a new GSU Policy be created to read as follows; New GSU Policy Local Annual General Meeting Subsidy An allowance of $100.00 per year will be provided to GSU Locals with fewer than 100 members to help offset the costs of holding the Annual General Meeting. Each qualifying Local must apply for the subsidy each year, in writing to the National President. Recorded Vote #16. CARRIED. Number: 02-56 Subject: By-laws Originator: 70020 R#3e Referred from the General Resolution Committee BE IT RESOLVED THAT effective next PSAC Triennial convention that all RVP s under the jurisdiction of the PSAC that have not been voted as delegates to the next PSAC Triennial Convention at their respective forums, be entitled to attend the next and all future PSAC Triennial Convention as delegates with their expenses paid for by their Components. Committee Recommendation: Non-concurrence Recorded Vote #17. CARRIED. Number: 02-52 Subject: Local Conference Subsidy Policy Originator: 70013 R#3e Referred from the General Resolution Committee BE IT RESOLVED THAT Policy 10 of the GSU constitution be amended to read The Union will provide a subsidy of up to $250.00 per Local to assist Locals sending Delegates to EACH union conference such as the PSAC Regional or National Women s Conferences, PSAC Regional Health and Safety Conferences, and all PSAC Equity Conferences. Committee Recommendation: Non-concurrence Recorded Vote # 18. CARRIED. GSU Special National Council Meeting January 12, 2003 page 7
Number: 02-03 Subject: National Council Structure Originator: 70013 R#20e BE IT RESOLVED THAT the GSU approach the employer to have the salaries and benefits of RVPs to be fully paid by the employer, while performing union activities on a full time basis. The mechanism of payment shall be that all salaries and benefits be first paid by the component and then the employer shall reimburse these salaries and benefits to the component. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT once this agreement is achieved then the structure of the National Council be amended to have 1 RVP for each region with the exception of the NCR region to have 2 RVPs. Committee Recommendation: Referred to the General Committee. M/S R. Ford/J.-P. Fortin That resolution 02-03 be referred to the Structure Committee for study. Recorded Vote # 19. CARRIED. b) General Resolutions Automatic Mover of the committee s recommendations is Sister Suzanne Lambert and Automatic Seconder is Sister Wilma Findlay unless otherwise noted. Number: 02-61 Subject: APSAR participation of the Public Service Pension Advisory Committee and the NJC Originator: 70013 R#16e The Committee divided the issues of PSPAC and NJC. 02-61 BE IT RESOLVED THAT the PSAC take immediate steps to allow APSAR to sit at all meetings of the Public Service Pension Advisory Committee. Committee Recommendation: Non-concurrence Recorded Vote # 20. CARRIED. 02-61a GSU Special National Council Meeting January 12, 2003 page 8
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the PSAC take immediate steps to allow APSAR to sit at all meetings of the National Joint Council. Committee Recommendation: Non-Concurrence Recorded Vote #21. CARRIED. Number: 02-63 Subject: Membership of APSAR on the National Board of Directors Originator: 70013 R#18e BE IT RESOLVED THAT The Public Service Alliance of Canada immediately allow the National President of the Association of Public Service Alliance Retirees (APSAR) or his/her alternate, to sit as a member of the National Board of Directors with full voice and vote. Committee Recommendation: Non-Concurrence Recorded Vote # 22. CARRIED. Number: 02-68 Subject: Pension Administration Originator: 70023 R#2e BE IT RESOLVED THAT Public Service Alliance of Canada lobby the Government to consider third party administration of the Superannuation pension fund. Committee Recommendation: Non-Concurrence Recorded Vote # 23. CARRIED. GSU Special National Council Meeting January 12, 2003 page 9
Number: 02-75 Subject: Purchase of Uniforms Originator: 70019 R#2e BE IT RESOLVED THAT lobbying be done to ensure that there be a policy that ensures all uniforms be uniformly supplied to all service agents if they wish to wear a uniform regardless of what authorizing manager/supervisor/unit they work for. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this item be proposed as a bargaining demand. Committee Recommendation: Non-Concurrence Recorded Vote #24. CARRIED. Update on GSU Finances Brother Sauvé Chair of the Finance Committee, presented a report of progress on behalf of the Committee. M/S A. Sauvé/T. Sperling To adopt the GSU pre-audit budget for the period of January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2002. (Budget attached to these minutes as Appendix B ) MOTION CARRIED. GSU Governance Discussion Attached to these minutes as Appendix C are GSU Officer Portfolios and Committee assignments. Brother Brunell adjourned the meeting at 12:00 p.m. GSU Special National Council Meeting January 12, 2003 page 10
Vote Number / Numéro de vote RECORDED VOTES/VOTES CONSIGNÉS DATE: JANUARY 12, 2003/LE 12 JANVIER 2003 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Boileau, Robert 1 2 1 1 Charron, Daniel Denesiuk, Valerie Dennis, Bill Findlay, Wilma Ford, Randy Fortin, Jean-Paul Graves, Bob Laberge, Pierre Lambert, Suzanne Lavery, Michael Lethbridge, Nadine Mahuda, Don 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 McCormick, Elizabeth 1 1 1 1 Poirier, Denis Sauvé, Alex Spencer, Robert Sperling, Terry Walsh, Bill Brunell, Mark 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 2 3 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 Legend/Légende 1 = Yes/Pour 2 = No/Contre 3 = Abstain/Abstention 4 = Absent /Absent(e) GSU Special National Council Meeting January 12, 2003 page 11
Vote Number / Numéro de vote RECORDED VOTES/VOTES CONSIGNÉS DATE: JANUARY 12, 2003/LE 12 JANVIER 2003 20 21 22 23 24 Boileau, Robert Charron, Daniel Denesiuk, Valerie Dennis, Bill Findlay, Wilma Ford, Randy Fortin, Jean-Paul Graves, Bob Laberge, Pierre Lambert, Suzanne Lavery, Michael Lethbridge, Nadine Mahuda, Don 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 3 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 McCormick, Elizabeth Poirier, Denis Sauvé, Alex Spencer, Robert Sperling, Terry Walsh, Bill Brunell, Mark 3 3 2 1 1 Legend/Légende 1 = Yes/Pour 2 = No/Contre 3 = Abstain/Abstention 4 = Absent /Absent(e) GSU Special National Council Meeting January 12, 2003 page 12
Appendicies Appendix A Agenda Appendix B Budget Appendix C GSU Committees
Appendix A - Agenda GSU Special National Council Meeting and Retreat January 12 and 13, 2003 - Montebello, Québec Saturday, January 11, 2003 Participants will travel and check into the hotel. Saturday dinner is not included in the room rate. Sunday, January 12, 2003 7:30 am to 8:45 am Breakfast in the dining room (Not included in room rate) GSU NC Special meeting 9:00 am to Noon Agenda: 1. Outstanding Convention Business (presented by Convention Committee chairpersons) a. By-laws resolutions b. General resolutions 2. Update on GSU Finances Noon to 1:30 pm Buffet Lunch (outside of meeting room) GSU NC Retreat 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm GSU Environmental Scan PWGSC Reorganization Other Factors 6:30 pm Dinner in dining room (included in room rate) remainder of evening free time Monday, January 13, 2003 7:30 am to 8:45 am Breakfast in the dining room (included in room rate) 9:00 am to Noon GSU Governance Discussion Officer Portfolios GSU Committees GSU Internal Roles Making ourselves accountable Noon to 1:30 pm Lunch in dining room (included in room rate) 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm Setting GSU 3 year objectives 6:30 pm Dinner in dining room (included in room rate) remainder of evening free time Tuesday, January 14, 2003 7:30 am to 9:00 am Breakfast in the dining room (included in room rate) travel home
Appendix B -Budget GOVERNMENT SERVICES UNION BUDGET PRE-AUDIT FOR THE PERIOD January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2002 Actual Actual Actual Actual Budgeted Year 2000 Year 2001 Year 2002 Total three Year Members Remittances(net) and interest earned 1,349,044 1,370,796 1,558,327 4,278,167 3,487,680 1 National Executive Meetings 49,753 43,269 76,781 169,803 156,000 2 National Representational Expense 52,604 63,991 91,263 207,858 240,000 3 Regional Representational Expense 59,263 93,438 56,006 208,706 275,034 4 Collective Bargaining -361 13,697 11,986 25,321 45,500 5 GSU Triennial Convention 2002 109,180 106,948 188,154 404,282 315,900 6 CLC, PSAC, FED Conventions 10,926 4,870 26,777 42,573 26,000 7 Education, Conferences and Seminars 6,737 5,482 25,315 37,534 37,000 8 President's salary 74,898 75,034 89,547 239,479 229,530 9 President's Benefits 8,315 11,847 21,261 41,422 51,759 10 Employee Salaries 412,933 718,786 644,236 1,775,955 1,271,601 11 Employee Benefits 96,457 90,587 161,376 348,420 286,746 12 Severance Pay 13,293 52,553 7,910 73,757 36,000 13 Rent 78,104 59,456 59,504 197,064 180,000 14 Professional Fees 4,442 5,548 6,029 16,019 18,000 15 Insurance 2,976 2,778 2,802 8,556 6,000 16 Office Equipment & Furniture 0 0 6,228 6,228 10,000 17 Office Equipment Leases & maintenance 20,680 21,820 9,154 51,654 39,500 18 Postage & Express 4,058 8,861 4,047 16,966 24,000 19 Publications 1,269 1,465 1,332 4,066 12,000 20 Supplies, Printing & Stationary 16,120 7,693 10,843 34,655 27,000 21 Telephone & Fax 5,699 5,213 4,323 15,234 30,000 22 Translation 6,473 5,325 12,155 23,953 22,500 23 Bursaries 1,500 1,500 1,500 4,500 4,500 24 Transitional Expenses 81,521 18,744 0 100,265 41,000 25 Local Presidents Conference 0 94,182 0 94,182 82,000 26 Local AGM Subsidy 200 100 500 800 6,000 27 Labour College Donation 1,000 1,000 0 2,000 3,000 Miscellaneous Expenses Past Presidents- Salary & Benefits 45,667-32,120 11,502 25,050 Members pay equity 0 16,781 309 17,090 Donations 442 9,983 3,800 14,225 Total 1,164,148 1,508,828 1,534,640 4,207,616 3,476,570 Revenue less expenses 184,896-138,032 23,687 70,551
Appendix C GSU Committees National Portfolios are assigned as follows: Health and Safety Jean-Paul Fortin Union Management Consultation Bill Dennis Employee Transition Suzanne Lambert Equity Wilma Findlay Brother Brunell is Ex officio member to all the Committees and he will be participating in the Equity and Service and Communication Committees. Internal GSU Committees are assigned as follows: By-laws and Policy Valerie Denesiuk (Chair) Robert Spencer Terry Sperling Local Representative to be confirmed Health and Safety Jean-Paul Fortin (Chair) Pierre Laberge Daniel Charron Local Representative to be confirmed Bill Dennis Ex Officio Suzanne Lambert Ex Officio Equity Wilma Findlay (Chair) Elizabeth McCormick Valerie Denesiuk Dan Charron Local Representative to be confirmed Collective Bargaining Rand Ford (Chair) Bob Boileau Nadine Lethbridge Local Representative to be confirmed Structure Bob Graves (Chair) Nadine Lethbridge Wilma Findlay Local Representative to be confirmed Bill Dennis Ex Officio Service and Communication Mike Lavery (Chair)
Denis Poirier Bill Walsh Local Representative to be confirmed Suzanne Lambert Ex Officio Appendix C GSU Committees Financial Review Committee Alex Sauvé (Chair) Terry Sperling Don Mahuda Local Representative to be confirmed Jean-Paul Fortin Ex Officio Union Recognition Pierre Laberge (Chair) Bill Walsh Elizabeth McCormick The following two committees have been abolished: Technological Change and Questionable Grievances. Union Management Committees are assigned as follows: Operations Branch Advisory Committee Mark Brunell (Chair) Bob Graves Terry Sperling Robert Spencer Nadine Lethbridge Alex Sauvé Pierre Laberge Mike Lavery Accounting Banking Compensation Branch Advisory Committee Mark Brunell (Chair) Randy Ford Denis Poirier Alex Sauvé Membership for Telecommunications and Informatics Program Branch (TIP), Real Property Program Branch (RPP) and Corporate Policy & Infrastructure Branch (CPI) to be determined.