Terms of Reference - PIPSC National Consultation Team - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Preamble
These terms of reference define the composition and responsibilities of the PIPSC National Consultation Team for ‘Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’ (“the Team”), including the Canadian Dairy Commission, the Canadian Grain Commission, and Farm Products Council of Canada. 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.
Acronyms
UMCC: Union Management Consultation Committee
ERO: Employment Relations Officer
PIPSC: Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (“The Institute”)
AAFC: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
1. PIPSC Consultation Structure within ‘Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’
The PIPSC Consultation Structure in ‘Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’ is composed of structural components:
a) the PIPSC Stewards in ‘Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’,
b) the PIPSC ‘Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’ Consultation Community,
c) the PIPSC ‘Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’ National Consultation Team, and
d) the PIPSC ‘Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’ National Consultation Team Executive.
Annex A demonstrates the relation between the structural components.
2. PIPSC ‘Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’ Consultation Community
In accordance with PIPSC Policy on Union-Management Relations, all consultation 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 ‘Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’.
3. PIPSC National ‘Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’ Consultation Team
In accordance with PIPSC Governance the National Consultation Team includes consultation steward representatives, an elected executive, and a PIPSC Employment Relations Officer.
Composition and Selection
3.1 The PIPSC National ‘Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’ Consultation Team is composed of up to ten non-executive members who are selected by the executive with the concurrence of the President:
• National OHS Policy Committee
- PIPSC NOHSPC Co-chair
• Regional Representatives – one consultation steward from each of the following geographic areas:
- BC / Yukon
- Prairies
- Ontario including the Ottawa Research and Development Centre
- Quebec
- Atlantic
- National Capital Region
• Sector Representatives from National Organizations with Delegated HR authorities – one consultation steward from each of the following organizations:
- Canadian Dairy Commission,
- the Canadian Grain Commission,
- Farm Products Council of Canada
3.2. REGIONAL/SECTORAL REPRESENTATIVES
The Regional/Sectoral Representatives will:
• Lead regional/sectoral consultation teams
• Ensure representation at local and regional/sectoral 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 regional/sectoral stewards
• Maintain the accuracy of the information related to their regional/sectoral structure
3.3. PIPSC National ‘Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’ Consultation Team Executive
The PIPSC National ‘Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’ Consultation Team Executive consists of the National President, National Vice-President, National Vice-President (Science), Communications Officer, and the Employment Relations Officer. The Executive will coordinate the administration of the activities of the Team.
3.4 Special interest focus teams
With the approval of the executive, National Consultation Team members may also assist the National Consultation team by volunteering to lead stewards and members with an interest in issues which will benefit PIPSC members in the following Groups:
AV, CS, NR, RE, SH, SP
4. Executive Positions
4.1 President
The Consultation Team President is the primary contact between the Team and senior management of AAFC.
The President is appointed by the President of PIPSC. The term is for two years.
The President is responsible to call and chair the Consultation Team meetings; to submit the budget; to represent the Team at the Advisory Council and on the Working Group on Consultation.
The President represents the Institute at the National UMCC meetings.
The role of the President is further defined by the PIPSC Policy on Union-Management Relations.
4.2 Vice-President
The Vice-President is elected by and from the Consultation team members. The term is for two years. The election is held on alternating years with the President appointment.
The Vice-President assists the President and acts as President in the absence of the President.
4.3 Vice-President Science
The Vice-President Science is to be elected by and from the Consultation team members from within the Science Classifications. The term is for two years. The election is held on alternating years with the President appointment.
The Vice-President Science with the Presidents represents PIPSC with Senior Management of the Science and Technology Branch.
4.4 Communications officer
The Communications Officer is elected by and from the Consultation team members. The term is for two years. The election is held the same year with the President appointment.
The Communications officer prepares and distributes newsletters, communiqués and meeting minutes on behalf of the Team, and is the primary contact to have information placed on the PIPSC Consultation Website.
4.5. EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS OFFICER (ERO)
The PIPSC Employment Relations Officer provides assistance and guidance to the National Consultation Team.
4.6 Other positions
The Team may define other positions as necessary. The Team President must endorse the addition of any new position(s) to the Team.
5. Responsibilities, Functions and Roles
All members of the National Consultation 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 employees, as defined by the PIPSC Policy on Union-Management Relations.
The Team participates in Union Management Consultation meetings and addresses concerns at national, branch, regional and local levels:
- National UMCC
- National OSH Policy Committee
- Human Resources Union Consultation Committee
- Science and Technology Branch UMCC
- Corporate Management Branch UMCC
- Information Services Branch UMCC
- Marketing and Industry Services Branch UMCC
- Programs Branch UMCC
- Strategic Policy UMCC
- Regional UMCC in some locations
- Local UMCC in some locations
6. Annual National Consultation Team Meeting
The President will coordinate the organization of the Annual National Consultation Team Meeting to be held each year.
ANNEX A
The PIPSC Consultation Structure in ‘Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’ is composed of structural components:
a) the PIPSC Stewards in ‘Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’,
b) the PIPSC ‘Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’ Consultation Community is composed of all PIPSC stewards active in union-management consultation, whether formal or informal, at the local, regional, branch, or national level,
c) the PIPSC ‘Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’ National Consultation Team is composed of representatives of the Consultation Community selected as outlined in this document,
d) the PIPSC ‘Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’ National Consultation Team Executive is composed of elected members of the National Consultation Team as outlined in this document.