Government Temporary Help Services Advisory Committee Meeting Record of Decision - December 11, 2008

• Agenda
• Record of Decisions

Agenda

Thursday, December 11, 2008
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Place du Portage
14A2, Room 101
Gatineau, Québec

1. Approval of Record of Decision of December 4^th Meeting
2. Discussion on User Guide for the new THS System
3. Other Items
4. Next Meeting
5. Round Table and Closing Remarks

Record of Decisions

In attendance:

• Pierre Paquette, PWGSC (chair)
• Debbie Sinclair, PWGSC
• Helen Seto, PWGSC
• Jason Storm, PWGSC
• Lan Mao, PWGSC
• Patricia Lalonde, PWGSC (Material Management)
• Caroline Carson, HC
• Julie Chartrand, LAC
• Kathryn Tremblay, ACSESS
• Meredith Egan, ACSESS
• Paul Gagnon, Portage Personnel
• Dan Moorcroft, QMR Staffing
• Martin Chenier, Spherion

Item

Item 1 Approval of Record of Decision of December 4th Meeting

The Record of Decision from the December 4th, 2008 meeting was adopted by the Committee.

Item 2 Schedule of Client/Supplier Training on the new THS Online System

PWGSC provided a copy of the training schedule to Committee members with projected dates for Client Users and Suppliers on the use of the new THS Online System. Industry expressed concern with training scheduled for Suppliers during the Ontario and Quebec March break periods. PWGSC requested Industry to provide their availability to PWGSC by December 18^th.

Item 3 User Training Guide

A copy of the deck presentation of Federal Department Users' Training Sessions was provided to Committee members and discussed.

On Slide 12 of the presentation, Industry suggested to include more information to promote and encourage the use of the Supply Arrangement. PWGSC informed Committee members that samples and templates will be available on the THS website to assist Client Users with the use of the new Supply Arrangement component.

Industry raised the issue of the delegation of authority as not all client departments have delegated contracting authority down to Client Users for them to contract under the Supply Arrangement. PWGSC informed Industry that this is a common issue with other new methods of supply. PWGSC will continue working with the Client Engagement Sector of PWGSC and client departments on this issue.

Clients suggested that "Name Referral" be added as an unacceptable practice. PWGSC confirmed that it will be added as Item 7 on Page 18 of the User Training Guide.

Industry suggested that PWGSC include clarification in the Training Guide pertaining to Overtime. Services provided between 37.5 hours and 40 (in Quebec) or 44 (in Ontario) hours should be billed and paid at regular rate. PWGSC agreed to amend the Guide accordingly. This is for purposes of client information only and this does not reopen the bid rates on the new SO/SA.

Industry also suggested that client responsibility regarding Health & Safety be added in the Training Guide. PWGSC requested Industry to provide the wording.

Industry asked about the possibility of having a different business rule for lower dollar value requirements, i.e. requirements under $25K. PWGSC informed Committee members that issues like this will be discussed and considered at the next refresh.

Item 4 Other Items

Industry raised concern about the new Ontario Provincial regulations that will have an impact on the THS industry. The Ontario Provincial Government has already passed a regulation that will ensure temporary workers have the same rights to holiday pay as other workers. The new legislation will take effect Jan. 2. Another proposed legislation, if passed, gives "elect-to-work" employees like temporary ones the same rights to notice of termination and severance pay.

Item 5 Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held December 18, 2008 at Place du Portage, 11 Laurier, PDP III, Gatineau, Québec, Tower A, 14A2, Boardroom 101, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The Agenda for the next meeting will be sent to members via e-mail prior to the meeting.