Atlantic operations network gatineau, qubebec

1. 
   Opening Remarks
   

Derek informed the meeting attendees that following discussions with the ADM, Operations, agreement has been reached that the Atlantic workload merge will occur during the first week of October.

2. 
   Review of the Minutes
   

As agreed at the last meeting,the Atlantic Human Resource Management Working Group, with representation from both Union and Management, has been formed.

The NVP participants raised several issues with respect to the Human Resource strategy items covered in the minutes. The NVP participants requested information on leave denied during the summer period and Management responded that ad hoc requests for additional leave (beyond leave approved at the start of the summer) were in some cases not approved. Every attempt was made to accommodate the additional requests where possible, but in a few cases it was not possible due to operational requirements to meet client service expectations. Management also advised that no pre approved leave was cancelled during the summer peak.

Staff will be requested to provide winter leave requests in mid October and it was acknowledged by both parties that at times there is a tension between staff requiring early approval of leave requests for personal planning purposes and staff desiring flexibility to make last minute plans. Management advised that to meet commitments to clients, planned absences must be identified in advance and that where possible; staff requests for unplanned leave requests would be considered if operationally feasible.

The NVP participants also stated that they did not agree with Management’s strategy that 30% maximum of staff can be on planned leave. Management noted this and advised that this strategy is necessary to meet commitments to clients.

The NVP participants also enquired about early office closure on Christmas Eve and Management responded that there is no discretion for additional leave other than that provided in the Collective Agreement.

Discussion on AWA guidelines was deferred to the next meeting.

The NVP participants enquired if all regions were applying the provisions for mandatory pay out of accumulated overtime by September 30 of each year and if there was flexibility for staff who wished to carry forward overtime beyond September 30 to utilize as compensatory leave . Management agreed to follow up and respond directly to the NVP for New Brunswick.

The Telework/virtual work guidelines will be reviewed by the Atlantic Human Resource Management Working Group.

Data showing Atlantic Region Performance for the summer was distributed to the NVP participants.

The motion to approve the May 8, 2007 minutes was accepted.

3. 
   Review Mandate of Atlantic Human Resource Management Working Group
   

Several meetings have already taken place via telephone conference and the NVP participants suggested that an in person meeting in the near future would be beneficial.

4. 
   EI Operations Strategic Human Resources Planning
   

The NVP participants requested that they would like to add one more person to the working group based on the location of the in person meeting, as well as an additional person for the telephone conference meetings and Management agreed with this request.

Derek thanked all the participants for the work completed to date and for the participation today. The meeting adjourned.