REPORT OF THE GENERAL RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE TO THE CULE CONVENTION JANUARY 21 AND 22, 2006, CUBA.
Lisa Garnier acted as Chair of the Committee on the initial review of resolutions. Bruce Campbell is Chair replacing Lisa Garnier in December, 2005 following Lisa’s election as the CULE president.
Committee Members
Janice Grant Patrick Bragg Mary McNeil
The Committee work was completed via Conference call and Email.
Any decision of the committee is subject to ratification by the delegates to the 2006 CULE Convention. The Committee established its priorities as follows:
Resolution #16 Concurrence
#17 Concurrence
#28 Concurrence
#29 Concurrence
#31 Concurrence
#12 Non-concurrence
#13 Non-concurrence
#23 Non-concurrence
#24 Non-concurrence
#25 Non-concurrence
#26 Non-concurrence
#27 Non-concurrence
#30 Non-concurrence
The report begins with the Committee’s Priorities. Committee Concurrence resolutions are first in numerical order followed by non-concurrence again in numerical order.
The Chairperson of the Committee would like to thank each member of the Committee for their hard work and contribution during the deliberations and finalization of the report.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the committee
Bruce Campbell, Director, Prairies
Canadian Union of Labour Employees (CULE) General Resolutions
Resolution 16 – Observer Status
Originator: Monika Duggal, Winnipeg RO, Shelley Jamieson, Winnipeg RO
WHEREAS, the CULE Executive has observer status at PSAC Member Conventions; and
WHEREAS, a cost/benefit analysis may prove that having more than one observer at the PSAC convention is unwarranted in light of the fact that a number of CULE members are already in attendance at convention in their role as employees.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT CULE Observer status at PSAC Convention be limited to one CULE Executive Member voted upon by the CULE Executive; and
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT such CULE Executive provide a brief written end of day report to the CULE Membership on the PSAC Triennial Convention proceedings in light of its impact on the CULE membership.
Recommendation: concurrence
Resolution 17 – Convention
Originators: Monika Duggal, Winnipeg RO, Shelley Jamieson, Winnipeg RO
WHEREAS, the members of the Canadian Union of Labour Employees have agreed to hold a pilot convention in Cuba; and
WHEREAS, CULE members will assess the merits of conducting union business in a convention environment; and
WHEREAS, the membership may determine that conventions should be held on a recurring basis; and
WHEREAS, CULE is a Canadian union that bears the responsibility of protecting the interests, rights and privileges of not only its members but also of Canadian union brothers and sisters; and
WHEREAS, CULE as a business entity has an obligation to conduct itself in an ethical manner by supporting first and foremost the Canadian economy.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that all future CULE conventions be held within Canada at a unionized facility.
Recommendation: concurrence
Resolution 28 – Policy Paper
Originator: Jack Rudd, Vancouver RO
WHEREAS, CULE members have an interest in ensuring that the human resources of the PSAC are managed in a manner which honors union principles and creates a healthy work life balance.
WHEREAS, the work of CULE members is one of human resources that the PSAC manages, and
WHEREAS, most management systems were created to maximize corporate profit objectives;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT CULE develop a policy paper which outlines how CULE members could be managed in a way which recognized union principles, creates a healthy workplace and which contributes to a management system where all the participants can have their legitimate needs met.
Recommendation: concurrence
Resolution 29 – Co-ordination of Bargaining Demands
Originators: Gail Chafe, Calgary RO, Maggie Armstrong, Calgary RO
WHEREAS, CULE prepares and submits bargaining demands before AEU; and
WHEREAS, this has resulted in AEU having, in some cases, better language in their collective agreement, and
WHEREAS, coalition bargaining would give both units more strength during negotiations
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT CULE attempt to co-ordinate their bargaining demands and bargaining timetable with AEU, prior to presentation to the Employer and prior to commencement of negotiations for either of these unions.
Recommendation: concurrence
Resolution 31 – Picket Line Protocol
Originators: Gail Chafe, Calgary RO, Maggie Armstrong, Calgary RO
WHEREAS, CULE now has both CULE and AEU members working within the regions; and
WHEREAS, a strike by either of these units could cause considerable upheaval and animosity within a Regional Office,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT a picket line policy and/or regulations be negotiated between CULE and AEU at the commencement of bargaining; and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT such picket line policy be distributed to the parties well in advance of any such strike action/s.
Recommendation: concurrence
Resolution 12 – Standing Finance Committee
Originator: Monika Duggal, Winnipeg RO, Shelley Jamieson, Winnipeg
WHEREAS, the CULE Executive have absolute responsibility for the financial resources of the CULE Membership; and
WHEREAS, the task of allocating resources in a comprehensive manner is onerous, particularly as it applies to the ever changing Executive; and
WHEREAS, the membership should take ownership for the financial direction of CULE.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that a Standing Finance Committee (SFC) comprised of the Treasurer and one other CULE Executive Member along with 3 members-at-large be struck within one month of this convention; and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the SFC establishes the manner in which the financial resources and obligations of CULE are applied including but not limited establishing a yearly budget and to determining dues percentages for the following items:
The Strike Fund Liability Protection Short & Long-Term Investments.
Recommendation: non-concurrence
Rationale: The executive have been given the authority to make financial decisions on behalf of the membership who elected them.
Resolution 13- Honorarium for Webmaster
Originator: Heather Longstaff, Saskatoon RO
WHEREAS, the webmaster dedicates an enormous amount of personal time to updating the CULE website;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT CULE give a yearly honorarium, amount to be decided by the CULE Executive, to the webmaster.
Recommendation: non-concurrence
Rationale: Many of our members donate/volunteer their own time for committees and/or union activities.
Resolution 23 – PSAC Triennial Convention – Observer Status
Originator: May Saunders, Edmonton RO
WHEREAS CULE has observer status at PSAC Conventions; and
WHEREAS it can be very expensive if more than one officer attends; and
WHEREAS PSAC Conventions are always held in a region where CULE has Directors.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT PSAC Convention attendance be limited to the Director or their Alternate for the region where the PSAC Convention is being held.
Recommendation: non-concurrence
Rationale: as this resolution is very similar to Resolution # 16 which the recommendation of the committee was concurrence.
Resolution 24 – CULE Convention
Originators: Gail Chafe, Calgary RO, Maggie Armstrong, Calgary RO
WHEREAS, CULE’s first convention is being held outside of Canada; and
WHEREAS, that decision had caused some division within CULE; and
WHEREAS, CULE is a Canadian Union and should support Canadian workers; and
WHEREAS, the cost of holding a convention outside of Canada has caused untold problems (i.e. due to cost, due to Revenue Canada Regulations, etc.)
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT if and when CULE holds future CULE Conventions, that they be held inside of Canada.
Recommendation: non-concurrence
Rationale: as this resolution is very similar to Resolution # 17 which the recommendation of the committee was concurrence.
Resolution 25 – PSAC Triennial Convention – CULE Executive Attendance
Originators: Gail Chafe, Calgary RO, Maggie Armstrong, Calgary RO
WHEREAS, CULE has observer status at PSAC Conventions; and
WHEREAS, it can be very expensive if more than one officer attends;
And
WHEREAS, PSAC Conventions are always held in a region where CULE has a Director and an Alternate.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT PSAC Convention attendance be limited to the Director and/or their Alternate for the region where the PSAC Convention is being held; and
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that such Director and/or his Alternate provide a written daily report to the CULE Executive on the PSAC Triennial Convention proceedings.
Recommendation: non-concurrence
Rationale: as this resolution is very similar to Resolution # 16 which the recommendation of the committee was concurrence.
Resolution 26 – Voting Procedures
Originator: May Saunders, Edmonton RO
WHEREAS, votes have recently been conducted using the e-mail system which is the employer’s property, and the ballots cast by e-mail, and
WHEREAS, there is no confidentiality for individual email ballots
BE IT RESOLVED THAT all ballots be cast on paper.
Recommendation: non-concurrence
Rationale: The current by-laws state (Section 9 A). Election of Officers shall be held by a vote by mail. (Secton 9 G). All elections shall be by secrect ballot and decided by a simple majority. The current regulations therefore address the concern.
Resolution 27 – Hospitality Suites
Originator: May Saunders, Edmonton RO
WHEREAS, Employer generated staff functions has always allowed for the after hours use of the meeting facility; and
WHEREAS, not all CULE members are in attendance; and
WHEREAS, a CULE Hospitality Suite is not used to conduct CULE business.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT CULE no longer fund CULE hospitality suites.
Recommendation: non-concurrence
Rationale: Current practice is only to provide space for members to meet and not to provide complimentary alcoholic beverages. The expenditure is not a one person decision and controls are sufficient.
Resolution 30 – Standardized Voting Procedures
Originators: Gail Chafe, Calgary RO, Maggie Armstrong, Calgary RO
WHEREAS, votes have recently been conducted using CULE’s website and/or using the email system, which is the employer’s property, and the allot cast by e-mail; and
WHEREAS, there is no confidentiality for individual using this system; and
WHEREAS, there have been some very short turn around times to return ballots due to members being on leave or out of the office.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT all ballots be cast using secret ballot, via mail, and using realistic return deadlines.
Recommendation: non-concurrence
Rationale: We understand that there are concerns with how voting takes place, however the adding term “realistic” to what is currently in place will not provide clarification or rules and procedures.