Debates of October 13, 2005 (day 9)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board Secretariat and corporate human resource services. I go back to the statement that I made earlier and getting back to retiring employees. I think there are a number of issues at play at this new corporate human resource service that I think need to be addressed, and ultimately somebody is responsible for how constituents of mine have been dealt with. I’ve heard other stories of other retiring employees that have waited up to six months to receive pension cheques and get service from FMBS. Mr. Speaker, like I said, somebody is responsible. I want to ask the Minister today what FMBS is doing to ensure that employees have a smooth transition into retirement, and is there a policy for retiring employees and what type of guidelines are there for that policy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. A couple or three questions there. The honourable Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board Secretariat, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 99-15(4): Corporate Human Resource Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the area of human resource service centres, as the Member has pointed out, we have realized throughout government, because of the way the human resources was decentralized, that every department had its own section, which caused us a fair bit of problems. We recognize that and put forward this plan to bring the human resource service into centres within each region and here in headquarters to work better with our employees to make sure the forms were getting done and those things were being dealt with. One of the problems we’ve found as a result of doing this amalgamation of the human resource services to the centres is that there have been a lot of files that needed attention and we’ve now put in the resources to address that backlog. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 99-15(4): Corporate Human Resource Services

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, from what I’ve heard from constituents of mine and from others is that it’s an actual disaster, the human resource service centre today, and people are having a heck of a time trying to get any service. I want to ask the Minister why it should take my constituent 13 attempts to contact FMBS to set up a simple meeting to go over their paperwork so they can retire with the dignity that they deserve. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 99-15(4): Corporate Human Resource Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m aware of the file that the Member has spoken of and I can inform him, and I think he’s aware, that that file has been taken care of and information has been sent out. As for why it took 13 calls, I can’t speak to that specifically. I haven’t asked for that information from the department. I was aware that the file was being looked at and being dealt with. Unfortunately, as I was saying, as a result of creating the human resource service centres, we have found a large backlog of files that were not being dealt with when all departments had control of those areas. We are now putting in the resources towards catching up with that backlog so that we can ensure employees are being dealt with in a fair and responsible manner. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 99-15(4): Corporate Human Resource Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is because they went and sought the assistance of the UNW. They came to see their MLA. That is why their case is being dealt with, Mr. Speaker. How many more people are out there going through the same difficulties having to contact FMBS 13 times to try and set up a meeting? I would like to ask the Minister, in both of the cases that I have, it involves two forms -- 2386 and a submit -- very simple forms. One is a pay scale and one is a verification on years of service. Does FMBS not have a checklist for employees so that when they send the paperwork to superannuation in New Brunswick, they can’t simply check off a checklist? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 99-15(4): Corporate Human Resource Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when employees inform us that they will be retiring or transferring or leaving this government for whatever reason, there are forms that have to be filled out and sent in. From time to time, we find, unfortunately, that some forms are omitted or that the department the staff member was working for filled out some portion in error and caused a delay in the schedule that has been identified.

As I stated, we are working on improving the system. That is why corporate human resource service centres were established to create a better environment for employees. Through that initial plan putting everybody together and finding the office space, that has added to some of the backlog, but we are now working at clearing up that backlog and trying to ensure that employees don’t have to wait for these long delays. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 99-15(4): Corporate Human Resource Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In both cases that I have outlined for the Minister earlier today, there is also the issue of severance. Both are being grieved right now. I would like to ask the Minister if he can address that issue as well, because on the forms that FMBS is filling out for people, they are putting in "resignation," not "retirement." They are only giving these employees 13 weeks' severance, not the 30 that they are entitled to. I would like to ask the Minister if he can address those two issues as well. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 99-15(4): Corporate Human Resource Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I will look into those specific problems in that area. Thank you.