February 2006

The year 2006 is starting with quite a few changes. A new government has been elected, and the PG’s collective agreement has been ratified. I will very soon start visiting the regional institutes. I am, as always, looking forward to meeting the members and having an opportunity to discuss and listen to what they have to say. The first visits will be to IMI on May 3rd and BRI on May 4th. During the week of May 15th we will visit HIA in Penticton, IFCI in Vancouver, and HIA in Victoria.

The Constitution Committee has been formed. It will be chaired by Jeff Fraser, with Bill Neil from SIMS, Rob Lauzon from CISTI, Dave O’Neil from IMB and Jim Jennings from HIA in Victoria serving as committee members. I would like to thank all of them for agreeing to participate. The Constitution Committee is a standing committee of the RCEA as per Article XII (a) ii of the RCEA Constitution.

On the Health and Safety front, there have been changes to the Personal Protective Equipment Directive, which in turn have brought about changes to the protective footwear allowance. The approved change is found in Part XII of the New Directive. This New Directive applies to all of NRC. You will find the information in the latest news section of the RCEA website.

On the issue of Pay Equity, while the RCEA was agreeable to mediation, NRC declined. As a result, the file has now officially been referred to a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. A case conference will be held March 10th. The RCEA is in the process of confirming legal representation and preparing the case to be presented before the Tribunal. Our legal counsel advises us that the Tribunal will likely be convened within the next 6 months.

In the coming months we will be looking at ways of improving the AGM for 2006. We will continue to take a pro-active approach to dealing with the Council, as this is the best way to assure the best service for the membership. Your feedback and comments are important.

I continue to be very impressed with the performance and output of the RCEA office staff; it is never said enough and in the busy times we tend to forget to acknowledge the people that make the organization run efficiently. I trust that you will agree with me.

Serge Croteau
President