CEIU members at IRB meet at national conference

A mix of issues, including classification and coming changes to federal labour relations law, were taken up by representatives to this national conference.

Delegates from IRB locals across Canada met in Toronto March 19 and 20 with national leaders Stephen Purcell, IRB NVP, Jeannette Meunier-Mckay, National President and Janet Letwinka, National Executive Vice-President.

Rank and file members from the Board took the opportunity to clearly outline the problems being faced in their workplaces – problems shared by other public sector workers but also problems unique to the IRB both because of its role and because of the particular vagaries of its management.

The union, having pressured IRB management to undertake a classification review of positions within the board, was pleased to recognize the successful upgrading of CR positions. We remain involved in the fight for the RPO’s in the Federal Court and for other PM’s, CR’s and SCY’s through the review process and, where necessary, through the grievance process. The national president congratulated the IRB leaders, both local and national, and the membership for their determination on these issues.

Delegates discussed the Public Service Modernization Act and asked the union to provide systematic and widespread training for members and local leaders on the changes to the labour relations and staffing regimes in their workplaces.

After training on resolution writing from the Toronto union office, delegates passed a number of resolutions to be forwarded to the national convention in September. They included:

• that CEIU increase to IRB NVP budget
• that CEIU provide funds for an IRB conference to be held in western Canada
• that CEIU oppose any attempt to allow tribunals to work with laws or rules which do not recognize the equality of all persons. (The resolution was responding to Ontario allowing Sharia law as a ‘choice’ for Muslims in domestic disputes.)

Delegates left the conference feeling they had an opportunity to share issues, to discuss solutions and to feel their union recognized their unique qualities within broader CEIU membership.