Public Service Modernization Act
UNION MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Record of Decisions
Meeting: 8
Date: December 12, 2005
Attending: Management Side
Monique Boudrias, PSHRMAC (replaced by Richard Burton)
(Co-Chairperson)
Hélène Laurendeau, TBS (replaced by Don Graham)
Public Service Commission
Linda Gobeil, PSC (replaced by Francine Chabot-Plante)
Bargaining Agent Side
Nycole Turmel, PSAC (Co-Chairperson)
José Aggrey, CAPE
Mark Brunell, PSAC
Sylvain Martel, UCCO-SACC-CSN
Guests
Judith Gould, CSPS
John Hilton, PSHRMAC
Diana Hollands, PSHRMAC
Jill Larose, PSHRMAC
David Waung, CSPS
Secretaries
Ginette M. Laflamme, Co-Secretary, PSHRMAC
Nicole Paré-Bisson, Co-Secretary, NJC
Stéphanie Poitras, NJC Secretariat
1. Welcome and Introductions
M. Burton as Acting Co-Chairperson and N. Turmel as Co-Chairperson welcomed all participants to the eight meeting of the Public Service Modernization Act Union Management Advisory Committee (UMAC).
2. Review of Proposed Agenda
The agenda was approved.
3. Progress of implementation of PSMA Learning Strategy
David Waung (Canada School of the Public Service) provided the Committee with a booklet outlining the learning curriculum for the Public Service Modernization Act (PSMA). He noted that current courses were reviewed to be aligned with PSMA and would continue to be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Specific courses were created to address different components of PSMA, such as; human resources planning, staffing, labour relations and leadership.
D. Waung noted that 14,000 public servants have attended courses and conferences. He expressed that a better attendance of managers from the EX category in training is required. He reiterated that all bargaining agent representatives are invited, at no cost, to attend PSMA training and agreed to advise that a letter from the School's president will be sent to all Heads of Bargaining Agents to reaffirm this. D. Waung noted that a video on the process of informal discussion is now available. It was mentioned that, some training will become mandatory when the new learning policy comes into effect. Training on PSMA is not mandatory from CSPS. Products are available for departments to adopt and adapt for their own needs. Clarification was brought by PSHRMAC and PSC representatives regarding mandatory training for sub-delegation for managers. Training to sub-delegated managers is to be determined and provided by departments, which can either develop their own training or send their participants to the CSPS offerings. N. Turmel noted that the Bargaining Agent Side wishes to receive a CSPS tracking list of Departments that have used the school for training.
4. Approval of the Report of the Special Working Session, June 7, 2005
The Report of the special working session June 7, 2005 was approved between meetings. N. Turmel and R. Burton discussed that UMAC allows for an effective oversight of different issues arising from the PSMA and that holding a yearly review of the mandate and issues, to clearly define and/or expand it as needed, would be beneficial.
5. Public Service Employment Act readiness Coming into Force
Francine Chabot-Plante (Public Service Commission) reported that all regulations in view of the coming into force of the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA) were now in place. She mentioned that the new Public Service Official Languages Exclusion Approval Order and the Political activities framework were completed recently. On the latter, she highlighted that during the current election campaign the activities surrounding political activities would fall under the current PSEA until on December 30, 2005 and under the new regime December 31, 2005.
She extended an open invitation to another special "get ready session" on political activities planned for December 19, 2005. She indicated that a paper or electronic distribution of an information package on political activities would be distributed to departments. It was also noted that an online self-assessment tool would be available shortly, to verify one's knowledge on the new appointment framework.
The Committee was also updated on the following developments: usage of PSHRMAC's web site, EX Standards and competency profile as well as the application of the national area of selection (NAOS) in the National Capital Region. The Bargaining Agent Side requested a list of classifications and levels the NAOS applies to.
6. Consultation - small agencies process
R. Burton stated that the support team utilized for the consultation process for PSEA proved to be a very successful initiative. G. Laflamme (PSHRMAC) reported that a special team at PSHRMAC was created to assist small agencies (under 500 FTE) to get ready for the Coming Into Force of PSEA. This team is working with 43 small agencies, to support them in implementing policies and putting essentials in place prior to the coming into force of the PSEA.
G. Laflamme advised that one of the main issues small agencies face is the capacity to hold a forum for consultations. From a union perspective, she mentioned that the concerned Bargaining Agent representatives echoed their capacity issue to meet consultations requirements. To address this issue, current discussions on how to ensure proper representation of the different Bargaining Agents are underway. N. Turmel noted that one bargaining agent representative would not constitute appropriate representation. G. Laflamme mentioned that one way to deal with the issue would be to regroup agencies by types of establishment for consultations, and for bargaining agents to decide how they could satisfy their representation at the table, thereby working horizontally.
7. Policy Review Update since last consultation
John Hilton and Diana Hollands, both from (PSHRMAC), presented a deck (39.3.18) outlining the changes to; probation and notice periods, rate of pay on appointment, definition of promotion and deployments comprised in the new PSEA. Committee members provided comments and suggestion including:
- The PSEA provides opportunities to employees from agencies to move to the core Public Service, but not allowing the reciprocal, is creating unfairness to employees of the Public Service.
- Concerns were raised with respect to deployment grievances following the normal grievance process. Serious consideration should be given to allow for fast tracking, considering the existing heavy back-log of grievances.
8. Varia
R. Burton tabled a draft letter addressed to all employees on the implementation of PSMA legislation. The Committee will provide comments to R. Burton within the next 48 hours. A revised version will be distributed to members for a final review. R. Burton also advised the Committee that plans for a recognition event in January on the implementation of PSMA is underway.
G. Laflamme also advised that a new DM sub-committee on change management is being established. The focal point of the committee will be how we can sustain cultural change within the next 5 years. An invitation will be sent to Heads of Bargaining Agents in January for representatives.
9. Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for February 2, 2006, room 718 West at the NJC.
Nicole Paré-Bisson Ginette M. Laflamme
Co-Secretary Co-Secretary