PIPSC National Consultation Team
Natural Resources Canada
Preamble
These terms of reference define the composition and responsibilities of the PIPSC National Consultation Team for the Natural Resources Canada (“the Team”). They are intended to clarify the internal functioning of the Team within the framework of the PIPSC Policy on Union-Management Relations and Consultation Guidelines.
1. PIPSC Consultation Structure within Natural Resources Canada
The PIPSC Consultation Structure in Natural Resources Canada is composed of structural components:
a) the PIPSC Stewards in Natural Resources Canada,
b) the PIPSC Natural Resources Canada Consultation Community, and
c) the PIPSC Natural Resources Canada National Consultation Team
2. Composition and Selection
2.1 The PIPSC Natural Resources Canada National Consultation Team is composed of:
A maximum of (12) members ensuring national representation of the (6) plus sectors. With the exception of the President, all positions of the Team will be appointed by the President. These appointments will be for a two year term.
The selection of the President will follow PIPSC policy which is defined in Appendix A.
2.2 In accordance with the PIPSC governance if there are more than (12) volunteers to serve on the Team, members will be selected based on the following criteria:
These include:
- Steward involvement
- Occupational/Classification Group Representatives
- Regional Representations
- Representatives from Regional / local UMCCs
- Representatives from National Consultation Projects
3. PIPSC Natural Resources Canada Consultation Community
In accordance with PIPSC Policy on Union-Management Relations, all consultations with the employer is to be conducted with PIPSC Stewards. All of the PIPSC Stewards involved in consultation, whether formal or informal, make up the PIPSC Consultation Community within Natural Resources Canada.
4. PIPSC Natural Resources Canada National Consultation Team
In accordance with PIPSC Governance, the Team needs to include where possible sector, regional and occupational representation. Regional Representatives are responsible for representing all occupational groups in their regions.
4.1. National Consultation Ad-hoc Committee Representatives
The Consultation Steward representing PIPSC membership on National Ad-hoc Committees may have a position on the Team. The representative may have a seat on the Team for the duration of the ad-hoc committee.
4.2. The Teams’ Positions
The Team is composed of the following positions:
1. President
2. Vice-President
3-8. (6) Sector Representatives
9-12. (4) At-Large Representatives
4.3. Other positions
The Team may define other positions as necessary. The Team must endorse the addition of any new position(s) to the Team.
5. Responsibilities, Functions and Roles
All members of the Team are responsible for representing the Institute with the employer, and for representing and conveying the Institute’s objectives and decisions to members and the employee, as defined by the PIPSC Policy on Union-Management Relations.
5.1. PRESIDENT
The Team President is the primary contact between the department’s Deputy Minister and its senior management level. The role of the President is as defined by the PIPSC Policy on Union-Management Relations.
5.2. VICE-PRESIDENT
The Vice-President of the Team assists and replaces the President as required.
5.3. SECTORAL REPRESENTATIVES
The Sector Representatives will:
- Lead sector consultations.
- Ensure representation at Sector UMCCs.
- Identify and refer issues to the national level consultation team as needed
- Forward minutes to the Communications Officer
- Ensure the distribution of information to Sector stewards
- Maintain the accuracy of the information related to their Sector’s structure
5.4. AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVES
The At-Large Representatives will:
- Support Sector consultations.
- Be available to be an alternate at Sector UMCCs.
- May provide representation on Regional UMCCs.
- Support the distribution of information to Sector stewards
5.5. EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS OFFICER (ERO)
The Employment Relations Officer provides assistance and guidance to the National Consultation Team.
6. Annual Team Meeting
The President will coordinate the organization of the Annual Team Meeting to be held each year.
APPENDIX A
Selection Process for the Team President
The process will follow the Criteria from PIPSC Policy on Union-Management Relations: Consultation and Co-development listed below;
13. Criteria for Appointment of President of Consultation Team
The following process will be conducted by an Institute staff member:
1 – A request for interested parties will be sent to all stewards in a Department (or Agency). It will contain a description of the expected duties and the time commitment as well as the amount of expected travel and the potential for the member to be away from his/her job.
2 – The Consultation Team will review the interested parties CV’s and make a recommendation either as a group or individually to the Chair of the Working Group on Consultation (WGC).
3 – The Chair of the WGC will send the recommendations with his or her comments to the Executive Committee.
4 - All Departmental (or Agency) Stewards will have the opportunity to vote to express their preference on the selection. The votes will be tabulated and provided to the Executive Committee as part of the appointment process.
5 – The Executive Committee will review the votes and any related comments by the Team, the Chair of the WGC and the staff (if any) and will either support or not support the recommendation. In the latter case, the Executive Committee will make an alternate appointment.
6 - The successful candidate and the Consultation Team will be notified of the decision of the Executive Committee (acting for the Institute) and a letter is sent to the Department (or Agency) Deputy Minister / President / Commissioner.
7 - The Board of Directors is informed of the appointment. Where other employers have different structures for appointment of Presidents, these structures will be maintained as approved by the Institute.
Terms of Reference were approved at the Working Group on Consultation meeting August 22, 2014.