In person - GSU BD

• Mark Brunell (Chair)
• Daniel Charron, NVP
• Alex Sauvé, NVP

By phone:

• Pierre Alarie, RVP Quebec
• Martine Babcook, RVP Western
• Bob Cameron, RVP Atlantic
• Randy Ford, NVP Atlantic
• Jean-Paul Fortin, RVP Quebec
• Jack Gale, RVP Pacific
• Michelle Little, RVP Atlantic
• Nicole Rousseau, RVP NCR
• Mitch Sylvestre, RVP Western
• Phil Robinson, RVP Pacific
• Bill Walsh, RVP Atlantic

Regrets:

• David Cunning, RVP Ontario
• Dave Thomson, RVP Ontario
• Ron Le Blanc, RVP NCR
• Robert Spencer, RVP NCR

Staff:

• Craig Spencer, Union Representative
• Maria G. Thomas, Administrative Assistant to the National Office

Highlights:

The purpose of this conference call was to deal with Collective Bargaining.

• The PSAC reached tentative agreements with the exception of the TC group. For this group regular bargaining will begin in 2011.
• Ratification meetings (including information sessions) are taking place across the country until November 30th.  The results will be announced on December 1^st, 2010.
• Brother Brunell is requesting that the RVPs contact their Local to find out the dates, times and locations of their ratification votes and send the information to the National Office in order to compile a list.
• Brother Brunell expressed a big thank you to Brothers Spencer and Robinson for all their hard work and dedication for the past three weeks.  Brother Brunell asserted that it was not an easy process.
• Brother Robinson’s only regret was that he could not attend the Local President’s Council and National Council meeting in Victoria.
• National Bargaining Conference will be held January 2011 in Ottawa for the TC group.  Bargaining teams will be elected and they will be responsible for finalizing the package of demands.
• At the PSAC Regional Conferences, GSU did not elect anyone from the North or from the Ontario Regions.  Brother Brunell is requesting that RVPs responsible for those regions try to recruit TC representatives.
• Should the agreements not be ratified regular bargaining will commence in 2011 and the National Bargaining Conference will take place.
• Brother Brunell conducted a round table discussion in order to determine ‘the mood’ in regards on how members are reacting.  The National Council reported that members are divided on the severance pay issue but feel that the members will vote in favour of the new tentative agreement.
• Brother Brunell reminded Council that the NBoD fully supports the bargaining team’s recommendation.
• In addition to the ratification vote, Local Annual General Meetings are taking place.  Once that you aware of the date, please inform the GSU National Office.
• The NVPs and the NEO will be attending the AGM as follows:
  • Brother Ford - Pacific and Western Region
  • Brother Brunell and Sister Lackie - Atlantic Region
  • Brother Sauvé - Ontario Region
  • Brother Charron - Quebec Region
  • National Capital Region - Anyone who is available
• Brother Brunell advised National Council that he will contact André Latreille, Director General, PWGSC, if GSU Locals can use the departmental email for advising their members on the AGM.  If, he agrees, Brother Brunell will send an email to the LP/NC.
• On October 19, 2010, PWGSC was served with 8 charges regarding Health and Safety violations at the Cliff Heating Plant.  This happened on the same day as the memorial event for Brother Peter Kennedy was held.
• Brother Brunell wanted to thanked Brothers Le Blanc and Chris Fraser, Vice-President of Local 70055 for doing well in the municipal election campaign but both still remain in the Union.
• Brother Robinson thanked the Local Presidents and the National Council for their good wishes.  He maintained that it was great to receive a greeting card.
• Brother Spencer is on French training and Brother Brunell will re-assign the Local jurisdiction in the NCR.
• For the next conference call, the National Council will deal with Sister Rousseau’s resolution on the NCR structure.  The resolution requires translation.
• If any urgent issues regarding collective bargaining should arise, please contact Brothers Brunell or Gordon.

The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.