Pay Zones

Minutes –National Pay Zone Committee

Conference Call Monday December 19, 2005

In attendance:

Robyn Benson
Geoff Fortier
Gerry Halabecki
Liam McCarthy
Elizabeth McCormick
Glenn Miller
Brain Molsberry
Bill Osborne
Yvan Thauvette

Agenda

Introductions
Roundtable discussion on strategy

Business Arising

1. Introductions:

Robyn Benson
Co-chair of committee, PSAC Regional Executive Vice President: Prairies

Gerry Halabecki
Co-chair of committee, PSAC Regional Executive Vice President: Ontario

Geoff Fortier, Union of Canadian Transportation Employees,
GL INM at Coast Guard Prescott, President of Local 00054 UCTE/PSAC.

Elizabeth McCormick, Government Services Union
GL MAM at Boiler Room Research Centre in British Columbia, Regional Vice President of GSU (British Columbia and Yukon)

Glenn Miller, Agriculture Union
GS at an agriculture research station, former Table 2 bargaining team member.

Brian Molsberry, Union of National Defense Employees
GL COI, Regional Vice President (Manitoba and Saskatchewan) of UNDE

Bill Osborne, Union of Solicitor General Employees
GL MAN at the Drumheller Correctional Institution, organized a Prairie based committee to address the issue of pay zones.

Yvan Thauvette, Union of Veteran Affairs’ Employees
HS at a hospital in Montreal, National Vice President of UVAE, former Table 2 bargaining team member.

Liam McCarthy, PSAC Research Officer

2. Roundtable discussion on strategy:

Sister Benson stated that the meeting should be focused on federal election strategy and gearing up towards the next round of collective bargaining.

There was some discussion on the possibility of seeking out legal avenues to pursue this issue. Sister Benson stated that the PSAC continues to actively look at this possibility.

Sister McCormick and Brother Thauvette stated that there would need to be reasonable lump sums provided to members who would not see an increase in pay through harmonization of zones.

Brother Molsberry suggested that the committee establish clear timelines for the committee’s work. The brother also informed the National Pay Zone committee that the Union of National Defense Employees also has a committee that is up and running to address the issue of pay zones.

It was also proposed that an outline of the committee’s stategy along with the lobbying documents and committee meeting minutes be posted on the website.

3. Information needs identified by the committee:

A compilation of conciliation board reccomendations on the reduction of pay zones

4. Next Meeting:

The next meeting will be early spring of 2006 in Ottawa to establish a mandate, set priorities, set time lines and strategies.