MAPE-DLI Management Meet and Confer
December 13, 2007
Minutes
MAPE members present:
Jim Fallon, Construction Codes and License Division
Bob Haag, Assistant Executive Director, MAPE
Jeanne Gehrman, Benefit Management and Resolution
Marcia Easton, Information Technology Services
Nell Nere, Benefit Management and Resolution
Cyndi Benjamin, OSHA, MAPE Meet and Confer Chairperson
Rick Johnson, Claims Services and Investigations
Sam Sampson, (Guest Union Steward) Construction Codes and License Division
DLI Management representatives present:
Gail Kreig, Human Resources
Peggy Dornseif, Human Resources
Tom Joachim, Assistant Commissioner, Workplace Services Division
Tom Anderson, Construction Codes and License Division
Mary Murck, Human Resources
Cindy Valentine, Information Technology Services
Steve Sviggum, Commissioner
Patricia Todd, Assistant Commissioner, Workers' Compensation Division
- Those attending the meeting introduced themselves.
- Topic: Safety Issues
Gail Kreig updated the group on the agency influenza action plan. DOER has requested each agency submit a plan. DLI’s plan has been submitted, but no feedback from DOER has been received. Bob Haag reported that there is a labor-management committee at DOER, which MAPE participates in. There is no news to report from that committee at this time.
- Topic: Boxing Commission
Commissioner Sviggum reported that the Boxing Commission was reinstated by the legislature in 2006. Since that time it has operated from a private residence, rather than a state owned or rented office. Office space was made available to the Boxing Commission’s small staff (2-3 people), along with access to the necessary technology services to conduct the business of the commission. It will improve access to the commission for people who need to conduct business and improve their ability to provide services.
- Topic: “Greener Government” Committee
MAPE proposed a committee to review options and make recommendations on how our agency can reduce energy consumption, thereby reducing costs for the state and the help control negative impact on the environment of the polluting waste products generated in the consumption of fossil fuels. MAPE notes that this is consistent with the goals of Governor Pawlenty, as illustrated in many recent media reports; and will provide a way for DLI employees to directly provide feedback and suggestions on ways to accomplish the energy use goals that were expressed in several of the Governor’s recent executive orders. One suggested area for exploration might include work schedule and location modifications that support the decreased use of gasoline for transportation. DLI management emphasized that business needs are an important consideration when evaluating any plan for changes in work schedules or locations of work. A brief discussion was held on this topic and it was determined that Commission Sviggum would instruct Michael Houliston to contact Cyndi Benjamin on pursuing this issue.
- Topic: Building Ventilation
Mary Murck reported that the building landlord did a study last spring of the airflow throughout the building. It was determined that each floor of the building meets the standard for proper air exchange.
- Topic: Employee Entrance Door / Construction
MAPE encouraged improved communication to building employees for any future projects, and expressed concern that the project was initiated during the winter when cold weather and slippery sidewalks are more or a concern. DLI management reported that the decisions about remodeling project were determined by the building landlord and the commencement date was determined without advance notice to DLI management. DLI management also reported that there was confusion on the part of a city inspector about the requirements for the temporary building exit. It turned out that the temporary plans were not a code violation, after all.
- Topic: Mandatory Posters
Some of the posters (assorted labor law notices) that hung on the wall next to the employee exit are on the floor, leaning against the wall. They were taken down for the construction and not re-hung.
- Topic: Smoking Area
MAPE expressed concern about the location where the individuals who smoke tobacco have relocated to during the construction at the employee entrance. Smokers gather on the sidewalk. This increases the likelihood that someone will slip on the icy or snowy driveway trying to get around them on the way to the front door. It also increases the second-hand smoke exposure for those who stay on the sidewalk and pass by closely to the smokers. Commissioner Sviggum indicated that DLI management has discussed ideas for the best placement of the smoking area. Until that is decided, DLI management committed to addressing the issues raised surrounding the current temporary location that the smokers have migrated to during the construction at the employee entrance.
- Topic: Lobby Rugs
DLI management reported that since last discussing this topic, the potential trip hazard with the floor mats in the front entry has been resolved by placing more chairs along the corridor to anchor the mats and prevent them from curling up.
- Topic: Exposed bolts protruding from the floor.
MAPE requested that DLI safety group inspect the bolts that hold the automatic door switch (located by main receptionist desk) to determine if they are a safety hazard.
- Topic: Communication
MAPE noted that over the past 2 or so years, particularly for the Workers' Compensation Division, it seems that less information about the initiatives of the agency and the activities of the agency boards and panels is shared with agency staff. In contrast, prior to two years ago we regularly received updates on such activities. Because we get questions about all kinds of topics from the public, it is helpful to know what issues are being discussed. The desire for information is not because we would share information with the public that is premature to be discussed, but so we can respond appropriately when a caller inquires about one of these topics that we have never been told about. It is hard to know who to refer a caller to, or what resources to suggest to them. DLI management representatives suggested any perceived lack of information might be because the legislature is not in session and there is no activity to report. MAPE’s concern is that seems to have been a culture change occurring approximately 2 years ago, and is not accounted for by the fact that the legislature is out of session.
Jeanne Gehrman volunteered to schedule the Meet and Confer sessions for the upcoming quarters. MAPE and DLI management representatives accepted her offer to do so.
Minutes recorded and prepared by Nell Nere
