November 1999
Minutes of the 6th meeting of the
held 17 September 1999
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.D. Gosselin, A4 AE
Col G. Morey, A7 Op Dev & Pol
Col J.M. Westrop, A1 Pers (absent)
LCol W.C. Hussey, A5 Compt
Mr. J. Turcq, UNDE VP Quebec
Ms. D. Graham, UNDE VP Nfld/Lab/NB
Presenters:
LCol Russell, A4 LSR
LCol Cue, A3 RDNS
LCol McCoubrey, D/W Comd, 17 Wing
Observers:
Mrs. D. Joudrey, A1 CHRWM
Mrs. F. Bambenek, A/A1 CHRP
Ms. Dale Buck, Local UNDE President, 17 Wing
Introduction
1. A1 and UNDE VP Man/Sask opened the meeting at 0815.
Review of Previous Minutes
2. The previous minutes were reviewed and accepted without changes but with the following comments noted: Para 7 - UNDE VP Man/Sask expressed concerns regarding the status of workplace health re Post Strike and the resumption of LMRC Meetings. A/A1 CHRWM confirmed that a letter from A1 reminding Wings to resume LMRCs has been sent and that a letter from A/A1 CHRM detailing guidance for LMRCs would be prepared. UNDE VP Man/Sask advised of a problem concerning the grievance process and the numbers of outstanding grievances at a specific wing, Para 4 - UNDE VP Nfld/Lab/NB stated that there is movement in the Atlantic Region to conduct the LMRC training and that a Union person has been identified for a "Train the Trainer" session. It is anticipated that the training will be provided soon.
Action: A/A1 CHRM to prepare LMRC guidance letter to WComds. A/A1 CHRM to clarify the grievance process and ensure specific wing is in compliance and to obtain the number of grievances outstanding at the second level and the dates that the grievances were submitted.
Outstanding Business
3. NPF Employees - A5 Compt confirmed that no standard process is in place for the tracking of recovery of Public funds for NPF functions and that it is done on an ad hoc basis. UNDE VP Man/Sask advised that recovery was not occurring at some Wings. A5 requested that UNDE provide specific cases for review/correction. UNDE also questioned if a written policy, specifying that public employees may be required to work on NPF functions during public time, existed. A1 advised that staff assistance visits will be planned and will assist the units with such issues.
Action: UNDE to provide specific instances where recovery has not taken place to A5 for resolution. A4 LSR to provide written policy regarding public employees working on NPF functions on public time.
Secretarial Note: Per telephone UNDE VP Man/Sask and A4 F Svcs: 1) Confirmed that no specific cases regarding the a/m recovery process are currently available for review. (Ensuing staff check revealed that the recovery process is detailed in the following directives:
1) AMALGAMATION OF PUBLIC AND NPF FOOD SERVICES dated 30 Jan 98 and PROVISION AND SALE OF FOOD SERVICES dated 12 Feb 98. A4 F Svcs will ensure a reminder is issued from D Food S regarding particulars of the process.) and
2) Confirmed that directive AMALGAMATION OF PUBLIC AND NPF FOOD SERVICES dated 30 Jan 98 (copy provided under separate cover to UNDE VP Man/Sask) provides authority to employ indeterminate civilian Food Services employees in support of NPF/catered function.
New Business
4. Budget Overview (Standing Item) - A5 Compt advised that there are no changes to the budget figures previously provided except that funding received for retroactive pay for the newly negotiated collective agreements will be devolved to the Wings. It was confirmed by A5 that if details regarding the split between SWE & O& M are required, this information would have to be provided at the local level since the devolution to the Wings is one lump sum. It was suggested that this item be included as a standing agenda item at LMRCs and that this information would be incorporated into the LMRC guidance letter being issued by A/A1CHRM.
Action: A/A1 CHRM to include this item in the LMRC guidance letter to the WComds.
5. CAS Role in LMRC - UNDE VP Man/Sask expressed great concern that air force issues are not being addressed at the l CAD LMRC. The principal concern is that not only information sharing is lacking from CAS but also that the consultative process prior to decision making is not taking place. A1 explained the roles of CAS and 1 CAD and confirmed that the intermediate LMRC will remain at l CAD but that there was room for improvement in communicating to CAS the significant issues that are raised at this level and which need to be addressed by CAS. UNDE advised that this issue would be put of UMCC agenda as they have exhausted all routes at the CAS/CAD levels.
Action: A1 will summarize the essence of issues/concerns raised by UNDE and forward by memorandum to CAS for resolution of strategic issues raised at this forum.
6. Status/Update 2PPCLI/17 Wing - D/W Comd 17 Wing advised that a MIDP was made to 1 CAD approximately three months ago to move 2 PPCLI to the North Site and to sell the South Site to reduce real estate property for DND and maintenance costs to 17 Wing. This proposal is strictly a plan for infrastructure and no HR impact is identified in the proposal. Once approved by l CAD, the plan will require the approval of CAS and TB. If approved, this initiative could take between 3 and 5 years to implement. UNDE VP Man/Sask requested a copy of the MIDP that was submitted to 1 CAD. D/W Comd 17 Wing advised that the amount of 17 Wg funding that supports 2 PPLCI is 1M for SWE and that the number of air force civilians that would be affected should 2 PPCLI leave 17 Wing was estimated at a maximum of 18. A1 advised that a full business case and implementation plan including HR issues would be prepared prior to a TB submission and that CLS has a major part to play in this process.
Action: D/W Comd to provide a copy of the proposal to UNDE VP Man/Sask.
Secretarial Note: Requested info provided to UNDE VP Man/Sask on 29 October 1999.
7. Rollover of Dundurn to LFWA - A7 stated that the discussions have just begun in this process; in the meantime, 17 Wing will continue to support CFB Det Dundurn. UNDE VP Man/Sask stated that the employees at Dundurn are worried about the integration.
Action: W/Comd/D/Comd 17 Wing will ensure this issue is tabled at the local Dundurn LMRC to communicate the details of this initiative as it is known.
8. Update Site Services Review - A4 AE provided an update on this initiative stating that this review has taken a back seat to the SCP and nothing is expected to occur before 3-4 months until the results of the Contingency Capability review are known and the MEO policy is signed off. UNDE expressed concern regarding the impact on indeterminate civilian employees.
9. Cormorant Maintenance Support ASD - A3 RDNS presented an update on this initiative. This initiative is predicated on the Minister's statement that the military will fly the new SAR helicopter; however, the maintenance will be done by industry. It is expected that the first Cormorant will be delivered by Jan 2000. As the contract has yet to be awarded, there are still numerous unknowns. Military personnel will be hit the hardest; 1-2 civilian employees (record keepers) at each squadron will likely be impacted. UNDE VP Man/Sask requested information on which units would be affected and the number of civilian employees. UNDE stated that it is imperative that even though the number of civilians impacted will likely be small, there must be assurance that they will be taken care of appropriately. UNDE requested inclusion in the discussions concerning the contract prior to the signing.
Action: A/A1 CHRM to provide the units and number of civilian employees who may be affected. Secretarial Note: Requested info provided to UNDE VP Man/Sask on 28 September 99.
10. ASD Update Supply Chain - A4 LSR provided a presentation and discussions took place concerning the "savings" this Project will realize. Many questions remain unanswered, and until there is clearer direction, there will be no specifics. Therefore, the number of air force members and civilian employees that may be affected is still not clear and the numbers that have been identified are estimated only. UNDE is very concerned about the lack of information from 1 CAD regarding the true savings and the number of employees that will be affected both from the SCP directly and from the "ripple effect" of this initiative. Management indicated that these numbers are not readily available. UNDE VP, Quebec advised that they will table this issue at the UMCC as the questions still go unanswered by 1 CAD.
11. Air Command HR Plan- Impact of Supply Chain Project, Cormorant, Thunderbird, & Challenger maintenance contracts - A1 expressed concern regarding the overall impact to the armed forces and air force of all the initiatives currently taking place. They are all being considered individually but to date no one has pulled them together in a total HR strategy. 1 CAD is currently working towards this, but is just at the front end; answers are needed to fundamental questions and we need to know the true numbers. A paper titled "Human resource management planning in the air force(CC3) A process model", dated August 1999 was distributed. UNDE VP Man/Sask expressed concern and disappointment that DND and the air force are unable to produce an overall HR and individual HR plans for affected locations/areas in a timely manner. UNDE no longer feels like a partner to decisions being made by the department. UNDE also indicated the importance of information sharing at the local level LMRC's. UNDE VP Man/Sask requested that funding be made available to provide the necessary resources to ensure the statistical information is available for departmental decision making and HR planning.
12. Goose Bay Update Strike/Contract Amendments - A/A1CHRM provided an update on the status of the Serco Contract Amendments and costs of additional contracts issued as a result of the strike. UNDE VP Nfld/Lab NB requested information on 1) total cost of the Successor Rights and 2) total cost of public funds awarded to offset the new contract to SERCO. UNDE expressed concern that military members were brought in as replacement workers and that the Defence Act was implemented. UNDE VP Nfld/Lab/NB advised that SERCO had sent a HR team to discuss the strike with the SERCO employees; this was to help rebuild a healthy work environment as a team.
Action: A5 Compt to supply contract costs when available. A1/A/A1 CHRM will obtain information regarding strike activity.
13. Employability Strategy/Civilian Training Plans/Funding - A/A1 CHRM tabled the Employability Strategy and Civilian Continuous Learning Plan for 1999/2000. D Air CMS requested that clarification be provided to the Union re the accessing and usage of the ES fund by the air force (copy of e-mail enclosed). UNDE VP Man/Sask expressed concern with the type of training/learning included in the plan and believes the air force should be concentrating on the lower-paid, lower-skilled employees to make them more employable by concentrating on training in certified marketable skills like HP basic training. UNDE VP Man/Sask also stated that it is essential that a skills inventory be done on every indeterminate employee and all terms over 18 months.
Secretarial Note: D Air CMS has received confirmation that the minutes to the HR sub-committee will be appropriately amended.
14. UCS Update - A/A1 CHRM provided an update on the UCS project. UNDE VP Man/Sask expressed the following concerns regarding the process TB and the department have taken, i.e. 1) one hour townhall sessions on UCS is insufficient to ensure employees have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the conversion process, 2) time frames are too tight, and 3) concern regarding the models used.
Action: A/A1 CHRM will ensure CAS is aware of the concerns to inform the UCS project team.
15. EAP Update - A1 CHRWM provided an update on EAP. UNDE VP Man/Sask and VP Nfld/Lab/NB recommended that a Caregivers day be provided to the RAs. The need for a Caregivers day had been discussed at the 1 CAD/LFWA EAP Chairperson's Workshop. UNDE VP Man/Sask stressed the importance of the local LMRC in overseeing their local EAPs. UNDE requested that they be advised of any concerns with EAP and that they fully support this program.
Action: A/A1CHRM will also include this issue in the LMRC guidance letter to WComds.
Secretarial Note: EAP report enclosed.
16. Employment Equity (Standing Item) - UNDE VP Nfld/Lab/NB reminded the forum that EE is a Standing item on the LMRC agenda. She thanked A1 for his letter supporting joint consultation during the Employment Systems Review; however, the decision was made to use an alternate process. UNDE VP Nfld/Lab/NB noted that Education of EE at the Wing level is critical to Program success and that many Wings are unable to meet EE targets due the significant downsizing in the department.
Round table discussions
17. VP Man/Sask stated that the UNDE Convention is being held at the end of October 1999, and therefore there may be new players at next LMRC. He reinforced the value of LMRCs and extended his appreciation to all.
18. The next meeting will be held in the new year. The meeting adjourned at 1215.