Report of the General Resolutions Committee

Co-Chairs | Co-président·e·s

Gloria Pfeifer
Alice Vallee

Members | Membres

Michael Freeman
Jonathan Jeet
Ruby Langan
Nigel MacKinnon
André Miller
Hayley Millington

Technical Advisors | Conseillères techniques

Manon Boy
Meera Chander

Administrative Support | Support administratif

Zoélie Albert

 

General Resolutions require the support of a simple majority of voting delegates in order to be adopted. 

The Committee met, in person, on June 13, 14 and 15, at the Lord Elgin Hotel, in Ottawa to review all 16 resolutions that were assigned to the committee.

Prior to the meeting, the PSAC President reviewed the assigned resolutions and determined that GEN 2, GEN 6 and GEN 15 were not in order.  Therefore, the Committee did not deal with these resolutions.

GEN 16 was considered a Late Resolution.

Of the 13 resolutions, deemed to be in-order, resolutions GEN 5 and GEN 7 were merged to become Composite Resolution GEN 7a) and Resolutions GEN 9, GEN 10 and GEN 11 were merged to become Composite Resolution GEN 11a). As such, a total of 10 Resolutions were debated. 4 received a recommendation of concurrence (including the late resolution) and 6 received a recommendation of non-concurrence by the Committee.

The priorities the committee established, for resolutions receiving concurrence recommendations were as follows:

  • Composite GEN 7A – PSAC Strike Pay
  • GEN 3 – UNE National Youth Conference – Each Cycle
  • GEN 12 – PSAC and Canadian Labour Congress Sanctioned Education Event

The priorities the committee established, for resolutions receiving non-concurrence recommendations were as follows:

  • GEN 8 – PSAC Child Care Policy
  • GEN 4 – Increased Frequency of Regional Seminars
  • GEN 14 – UNE Promotional Merchandise
  • GEN 1 – Local President’s Conference
  • GEN 13- Weekend PSAC Education Compensation
  • Composite GEN 11A – Strike Pay Top-Up

Although GEN 16 – Digital Platform for Locals - received a Concurrence recommendation, it has been placed at the end of the list of priorities, because it is a Late Resolution.


 

Table of Contents

  1. GEN 17 - Search the Landfill
  2. Composite GEN 7A - PSAC - Strike Pay
  3. GEN 3 - UNE National Youth Conference – Each Cycle
  4. GEN 12 - PSAC and any Canadian Labour Congress Sanctioned Education Event
  5. GEN 8 - PSAC Child Care Policy
  6. GEN 4 - Increased Frequency of Regional Seminars
  7. GEN 14 - UNE Promotional Merchandise
  8. GEN 1 - Local Presidents’ Conference
  9. GEN 13 - Weekend PSAC Education Compensation
  10. Composite GEN 11A - Strike Pay Top-Up
  11. GEN 16 - LATE - Digital Platform for Locals

 

Resolution GEN 17
Search the Landfill

Origin: Ruby Langan, Local 20150, Marion McLarty, Local 20150, Lenora Maracle, Local 00128, Gail Budgell, Local 90005, Angela Decker, Local 90265, Bonnie Lou Hutchings, Local 90265

BE IT RESOLVED THAT UNE launch a national Search the Landfill campaign. This campaign will be led by the UNE Human Rights Committee, who will engage members across UNE with material and actions including:

 

  • lobbying the Manitoba government to search the Prairie Green and Brady Road landfills,
  • lobby the federal government,
  • allies, education, communications, and awareness on Search the Landfill and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT UNE dedicate $25,000 to this campaign. This one-time cost shall come from the UNE unrestricted surplus.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT UNE call on PSAC to support our work on the Search The Landfill Campaign.

The Committee recommends concurrence.

Committee Rationale:

Cost of Resolution:
No additional cost.
No dues increase.

Moved by: Gloria Pfeifer    Seconded by: Alice Vallee

 

Composite Resolution GEN 7A
PSAC - Strike Pay

Composite resolution of GEN 5, GEN 7

The Public Service Alliance of Canada will increase the strike pay by $25 per day for all members.

The Committee recommends concurrence.

Committee Rationale:
Members face rising costs of living and inflation. As such, the strike fund should reflect those insecurities.

Cost of Resolution:
No additional cost.
No dues increase.

Moved by: Gloria Pfeifer    Seconded by: Alice Vallee

 

Resolution GEN 3
UNE National Youth Conference – Each Cycle

Origin: Marissa Buote, Local 40195; Hayley Johnston, Local 40340; Gloria Pfeifer, Local 40350; Pervaiz Iqbal, Local 40040; Melissa Brandt, Local 40064; Nicholina Mohn, Local 40226

The Union of National Employees will hold a youth conference, on an ongoing basis, commencing in the 2023-2026 cycle, with the same regional allocation as the existing UNE National Conferences.

The Committee recommends concurrence.

Committee Rationale:
Although the conference did not have a trial run the last Convention cycle due to COVID19, the committee understands the importance of having the youth involved in the Local/Regions. This will also ensure that Youth are getting their voice heard every cycle and better develop the future of the UNE.

Cost of Resolution:
This represents a dues rate increase of 0.0101%.
This represents a dues increase of $0.60 per month per deductee.

Moved by: Gloria Pfeifer    Seconded by: Nigel MacKinnon

 

Resolution GEN 12
PSAC and any Canadian Labour Congress Sanctioned Education Event

Origin: Dawn Montgrant, Local 40195 Marissa Buote, Local 40195 Beatrisha Cheechoo, Local 40195 Trina Magis, Local 40195 Coralee White-Furi, Local 40195 Rhonda Henry, Local 40195

The Union of National Employees will pay an amount of $75 for each Saturday and/or Sunday and/or outside of working hours a member of UNE is in attendance at a PSAC and any Canadian Labour Congress sanctioned education event, provided the education event was completed regardless of what PSAC and Canadian Labour Congress pays. This is irrespective of loss of salary.

The Committee recommends concurrence.

Committee Rationale:
Education empowers and engages members. In light of the rising cost of living and inflation, increasing the rate to $75 demonstrates that UNE values the time taken by members to attend training opportunities.

Cost of Resolution:
This represents a dues rate increase of 0.0002%.
This represents a dues increase of $0.01 per month per deductee.

Moved by: Gloria Pfeifer    Seconded by: Nigel MacKinnon

 

Resolution GEN 8
PSAC Child Care Policy

Origin: Dawn Montgrant, Local 40195; Marissa Buote, Local 40195; Beatrisha Cheechoo, Local 40195; Trina Magis, Local 40195; Coralee White-Furi, Local 40195; Rhonda Henry, Local 40195

The Public Service Alliance of Canada will remove this section from the childcare policy: The FCP shall not cover cost for care provided by a spouse/partner, former spouse/partner with custody rights or a relative in the household.

The Committee recommends non-concurrence.

Committee Rationale:
The resolution, as written, does not specify what the cost for care is. Furthermore, the PSAC policy applies to the member and does not extend beyond the PSAC member, as stated below: "The Family Care Policy (FCP) is intended to assist the member in covering additional fees incurred as a direct result of attending an authorized PSAC activity."

Cost of Resolution:
No additional cost.
No dues increase.

Moved by: Gloria Pfeifer    Seconded by: Michael Freeman

Recorded against: Ruby Lagan

 

Resolution GEN 4
Increased Frequency of Regional Seminars

Origin: Local 70130

The Union of National Employees will increase the frequency of regional seminars from Triennial to once every 18 months.

The Committee recommends non-concurrence.

Committee Rationale:
There are already other tools and avenues for activists to network, get mobilized and engaged in the Union. Request for training can be done through the UNE national office.

Cost of Resolution:
This represents a dues rate increase of 0.0127%.
This represents a dues increase of $0.67 per month per deductee.

Moved by: Gloria Pfeifer    Seconded by: Hayley Millington

 

Resolution GEN 14
UNE Promotional Merchandise

Origin: Dawn Montgrant, Local 40195; Marissa Buote, Local 40195; Beatrisha Cheechoo, Local 40195; Trina Magis, Local 40195; Coralee White-Furi, Local 40195; Rhonda Henry, Local 40195

The Union of National Employees will provide on an annual basis, $250 in UNE promotional merchandise to promote our union.

The Committee recommends non-concurrence.

Committee Rationale:
The resolution as written is unclear and there are already procedures for locals to obtain promotional merchandise and materials for the Union.

Cost of Resolution:
This represents a dues rate increase of 0.0028%.
This represents a dues increase of $0.15 per month per deductee.

Moved by: Gloria Pfeifer    Seconded by: Jonathan Jeet

 

Resolution GEN 1
Local Presidents’ Conference

Origin: Dawn Montgrant, Local 40195; Laurie Deutscher, Local 40064; Brandie Yeo, Local 40064; Ellen Cross, Local 80018; Melissa Brandt, Local 40064; Ken Keewatin, Local 40198

The Union of National Employees will increase the number of delegates for the Local Presidents’ conference from one (1) to three (3) fully funded delegates per local. That this conference takes place once in a three-year cycle.

The Committee recommends non-concurrence.

Committee Rationale:
Basic training is provided in the regions by both PSAC and UNE. Training is specific to local presidents, and they can give their seat to a new member for succession planning. There are ample opportunities for training, such as the regional seminars.

Cost of Resolution:
This represents a dues rate increase of 0.0337%.
This represents a dues increase of $1.78 per month per deductee.

Moved by: Gloria Pfeifer    Seconded by: Alice Vallee

 

Resolution GEN 13
Weekend PSAC Education Compensation

Origin: Dawn Montgrant, Local 40195; Marissa Buote, Local 40195; Beatrisha Cheechoo, Local 40195; Trina Magis, Local 40195; Coralee White-Furi, Local 40195; Rhonda Henry, Local 40195

The Union of National Employees will compensate members attending a weekend PSAC course up to an amount equivalent to their daily rate of pay for each day in attendance on their scheduled day of rest.

The Committee recommends non-concurrence.

Committee Rationale:
All PSAC and UNE current reimbursements are paid at a flat rate. Paying an amount equivalent to their daily rate of pay would create inequities amongst participants.

Cost of Resolution:
This represents a dues rate increase of 0.0035%.
This represents a dues increase of $0.19 per month per deductee.

Moved by: Alice Vallee    Seconded by: Hayley Millington

 

Composite Resolution GEN 11A
Strike Pay Top-Up

Composite resolution of GEN 9, GEN 10, GEN 11

The Union of National Employees will immediately coordinate and develop a strike fund with a top up of $50.00 per day for each day of picket duty, to better support members who participate in strike actions and activities. This top up pay will be in addition to any strike pay paid by PSAC. (Public Service Alliance of Canada) for the members of UNE that are on strike.

The Committee recommends non-concurrence.

Committee Rationale:
Given the structure of the UNE, the creation of a strike fund at this cost would not be sustainable. These funds would be allocated between too many Employer groups and Collective Agreements, which would be logistically impossible to manage as the resolution is unclear about its coordination and development. Moreover, there is no cap, and this could potentially put UNE in financial detriment. Dues increase of the monthly amount to be determined.

Cost of Resolution:
No additional cost.
No dues increase.

Moved by: Gloria Pfeifer    Seconded by: André Miller

 

Resolution GEN 16
LATE - Digital Platform for Locals

Origin: Jaison Abraham, Local 00137; Jonathan Paredes, Local 00210; Prabir Roy, Local 00238; Michelle Woods, Local 00296; Roger Dockstader, Local 00393; Stephanie Hewis, Local 00210

The Union of National Employees will devise a digital platform for locals and other entities to securely store confidential electronic data.

The Committee recommends concurrence.

Committee Rationale:
This would allow for the creation of a consistent and secured platform where local executives can store their files and ensure they are not using the employer’s network. It is convenient for file transfer in a hybrid environment.

Cost of Resolution:
This represents a dues rate increase of 0.0084%.
This represents a dues increase of $0.44 per month per deductee.

Moved by: André Miller    Seconded by: Alice Vallee

 




 

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