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The committee has two co-chairs; the HR Director and an AUPE Subsidiary Five representative. Doug Gamble has agreed to act as co-chair for this meeting in place of Brian Randall.

New Business

Hours of Work

Mandatory Days of Rest

Issue – need clarification on mandatory days of rest and its relationship to scheduled days off

The issue was addressed in June 2002 with a communiqué to all SRD staff.
The Collective Agreement is silent on specified days for rest, so the Employment Standards Code becomes the governing legislation.
There is an attempt to have employees work a two or three week schedule with a weekend off unless there are emergency fire circumstances.

Action – to redistribute the June 25 memo to Managers to ensue consistency of application.

Emergency Time

Issue – Administration of LFD employee TOIL time as a result of participation on wildfire suppression activities.

It was noted that time taken by FLD employee’s results in staff shortages for LFD.

Action –Craig Barnes to work out administrative details and resolve issues.

Hours of Rest

Issue – appropriate hours of rest between shifts and application of overtime pay

Discussion was brought forward, that some areas are not offering staff on wildfires an 8 hour of rest period between shifts. For example, an employee may work on a fire all night till 3 in the morning and then be back out on the line at 8.
In addition the question of whether the policy differs between a "campaign fire" and an initial attack. Employees on a campaign fire who go home after their shift for a few hours are coming back at straight time even though they have not had eight house of rest and those on initial attack are working on time and a half for the same situation.
The Employment Standards Code requires 8 hours of rest between shifts. If less than 8 hours is given then the employees are working overtime.

Action – Tom Archibald to follow-up with Wildfire Area Managers to clarify differences between campaign and initial attack and will confirm how these situations ate being dealt with.

Training/Overtime

Issue – whether recertification is considered as training

There is a grievance to determine whether the recertification of a firearms course is considered as training in relation to compensated days of rest and travel time
Generally recertification is considered as training

Action – No further action required.

2. Application of Specialist Modifier

Issue – Clarification of specialist modifier

What is the process for an application for the specialist modifier?
In reviewing a position that is recommended for the specialist modifier, HR needs to look at the intent and put the role in context.
Any requests for addition roles would come from managers to Human Resources.
Important to update any title changes that occur within the department.

Action – Specialist modifier policy faxed out to Committee members.

3. HR Initiatives

PREP

Conversion process has commenced. SUB 12 implementation is proceeding, followed by Sub 1, and then Sub 5. Sub2 and OO&E are already complete. Prep will be implemented for all Subs by March 2004.
Diane Dunn and Jan Loree (PAO) chair the Classification and Compensation Priority Committee.
Committee members provided the following input for Prep implementation.
- Newsletter to employees communicating what is occurring, with timelines, and updates
- Contact local 5 committee in advance so they have time to pull committee members together
- Job description training programs for all employees
- Consider the lookout group in the process
- Consider the F&W season. September is quite a hectic schedule for staff

Northern Recruitment Strategy

Increasing difficulty in attracting and retaining department staff to six remote locations (Red Earth Creek, Wabasca, High Level, fort Vermillion, For Chip, and Rainbow Lake)
Looking at the barriers and issues around northern recruitment and retention and are developing strategies for addressing these require on an immediate/short term as well as long term basis
SRD HR Committee has reviewed and endorsed the short-term solutions. Guidelines will be going out shortly
EMAC would like to see the short term solution list

Supplemental Code of Conduct

A Supplemental Code of Conduct has been developed for SRD.
It has been reviewed by SRD HR Committee, Managers, and staff and will be posted on the HR Intranet.

4. Use of Resource Staff on Fires

Issue – open opportunity for resource people to be able to action fires

Discussion on what is the protocol for staff in other divisions, besides Forest Protection, to work on fires
Priority is core business and then draw on roster from other divisions. Opportunities are based on operational requirements.
Currently a Memorandum of Understanding is being written to address how divisions will share staff.

Old Business

5. Policy on Indemnification

Diane has spoken with Derryl Epson in Fish and Wildlife and there will be no need for an additional SRD policy as PAO already has an Indemnification policy that SRD will follow.
The department supports the officers in these types of situations and will administer the policy on an individual basis.

6. Status on Restructuring in Community Development (CD)

Redeployment is in its first round. Competitions closed on April 17. Next round will occur immediately thereafter, and if needed a third round will take place.
CD is working with the union to go over any feedback and concerns
Currently there are more officers than jobs, though some areas may need relocation
For the Conservation Officer series, consider CO2 rolling into a CO3 and overanging them if not successful in competition to assist with pension implications as most are retiring in five years.

7. JWH&S Committees

A competition was held around Christmas to replace the Community Development’s OH&S Manager. Interviews will be taking place next week.

8. Northern Allowance Pay

Diane followed up with PAO including Labour Relations and NAP (cost of living adjustments) are not part of the travel allowance and are not subject to an income tax deduction
The Northern Allowance has been reissued for Fort MacMurry and will be carried out indefinitely

9. Growth Series Conservation Officers 1-2

SRD is currently reviewing the growth series in order to apply consistencies. Taking in account of current growth series and related experience.