PIPSC-CSC National Consultation Pacific Representative Annual Report - 2018
For those of you who are unfamiliar with who I am and what my role is, I am Phil Johnson, NU-HOS-03 at the RTC Pacific. I started engaging in consultation as the Chief Steward of consultation at RTC. For the past two years, I have been the Pacific Regional Representative, attending both Regional Consultation and National Consultation meetings.
Pacific region has seen great change over these two years, including changes of the RDHS, which is not substantively filled by Sav Baines. As well as the RDC position which we recently found out has been filled.
Consultation is largely confused with bargaining. I am not involved in bargaining. The national consultation team consists of a President (Kieth Laing) who is halftime liberated, Vice-President (Richard Doyle) who is also partially liberated. A communications officer (Christina Browne) and a Regional Representative from each region each of whom are allocated twenty days of liberation for consultation duties. Various formal meetings are in addition to these allocations.
This team meets quarterly at the National level with the employer in an attempt to have meaningful, transparent consultation that will resolve issues, contribute to desired outcomes for all parties and allow for the timely information sharing on topics that affect membership.
Regionally, Christina Browne, myself and Roylen McIntosh meet with the employer quarterly at Regional Headquarters. Issues that cannot be resolved here are brought to the National level.
During my tenure as Regional Representative of consultation, we have seen slow progress with the Phoenix pay system and we keep it as an outstanding agenda item at all levels of consultation.
We have begun local consultation at all sites, starting with Mission Institution, who have historically not been involved in local consultation for PIPSC. Our goal is to have meaningful, transparent consultation at all sites to improve communication and when needed, move items that cannot be resolved to the Regional level, or have issues raised brought to JOSH.
We have seen an incredible increase in vacant positions being filled throughout the region. The employer is still struggling to fill PS positions but, partnerships with local post-secondary institutions have been established and they are optimistic they will be able to attract new recruits in this area. The employer has also added much needed OST positions throughout the region in the last year, as well as a CR that was desperately needed.
Purkinje came to the region briefly and is no longer an option for our region. We are currently working with FVI regarding the rollout of the Needle Exchange Program (PNEP). It is important to note that Purkinje was imposed, and the Needle Exchange Program was imposed by federal legislation. The union had previously conducted ongoing consultation with the employer regarding Purkinje just as it has now having ongoing discussions regarding PNEP.
This coming year will continue to see change with the proposed Bill C-83 (re: segregation in CSC) looming in our near future. In our latest consultation meetings with the employer, we have been informed that this will “bring new funding for new staff”. Please continue to check the PIPSC website for updates regarding PIPSC Consultation in CSC. Feel free to contact me with questions/concerns or to learn how to get involved in your union.
In solidarity,
Phil Johnson
Pacific Representative, National Consultation team