Local 202

Local 0202 Meeting Minutes
08 February 2012, room L3148

M = Motion  S = Second  P = Passed  F = Failed  PP = Postponed

President:  Meeting called to order at 12:00 pm.  Cathleen reported an officer vacancy.  Jennifer Strei is leaving CSED.  Nominations are open.  Send your nomination to the Nominations Committee (Joe Banken, Jane Livingood, Robin Seifert and Diane Staberg).  You may nominate yourself or someone else.

Vice President:  No report

Secretary:  The members approved the minutes of the January 2012 meetings by general consent.

Treasurer:  Jess Anderson reported a final balance of $583.14 2011.  M/S/P (Julie Sullivan) to approve 2012 budget.

Membership Secretary: Mary Gallagher reported 114 staff in the local, 106 members, 8 fee payers, 92.98% membership.

Region 2 Chief Steward:  Sheila Pokorny on behalf of Alice Percy –no grievances in this local.

Region 2 Director: Julie Sullivan – provided a handout regarding the legislative majority plan for this session.  She reported officers were invited to meet on negotiations and legislative updates.  Provided brief update on last BOD meeting.

Business Agent: Sheila Pokorny provided an update on the legislative process, changes at MAPE Central and positions opening at MAPE.  She talked about “Right to Work”, constitutional amendments and what that means.  She encourages all to get educated on “Right to Work” and “Voter ID”.

Negotiations: Sheila Pokorny on behalf of Thom Campbell provided brief update on negotiations.

Unfinished business: Cathleen is still checking on Costco card.

Drawing:  Jill Roberts won.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:54 pm.

Submitted by Micko Brown on behalf of Jennifer Strei, Local 0202 Secretary

Local 0202 Meeting Minutes
14 December 2011, room L3148

M = Motion  S = Second  P = Passed  F = Failed  PP = Postponed

President: Cathleen called the meeting to order at 12:02 pm.  Cathleen is happy to be back.  Discussion regarding purchasing a laptop dedicated to MAPE use.  Motion to ask MAPE for up to $500 to purchase said laptop – motion carried.  Local 2101 has a Costco card that can be used among members in the local for personal use, $50 annual fee paid by the local.  Treasurer will consider in the 2012 budget.

Vice President: No report

Secretary: The members approved the minutes of the November 2011 meetings by general consent.

Treasurer:  Jess Anderson will take under advisement member preference for a $500 budget for a computer and $50 line item for Costco card; will check to ensure Chief Steward budget amount is sufficient for 2012.  Jess will submit current balance in writing after the meeting.  *Unverified local balance as of 11/30/11 was $478.81.

Membership Secretary: Mary Gallagher reported116 staff in the local, 109 members, 7 fee payers, 93.97%,2nd statewide.  

Region 2 Chief Steward: Alice Percy – was unable to attend, no update.  Per Shelia - No grievances in this local.  They are waiting for new officers to be in place on the board before setting new training.  Steward meeting yesterday, reminder to see a steward if you have any questions or concerns, be proactive.

Region 2 Director: Julie Sullivan toy delivery for ACS workers will happen on Friday.  Next board of directors meeting is January 20th, will swear in new officers (list on MAPE website).  New seniority rosters came out at the end of November, please check your information for any discrepancies.  There are instructions on the DHS Today website about what to do if you find any incorrect information.  MAPE has job openings for two Business Agents.  At the last Board of Directors meeting, agreed to donate $5,000 to ACS lockout workers.  Many MAPE statewide standing committees are looking for volunteers, list on the MAPE website.  

Business Agent:  Sheila Pokorny– Board of Directors in the process of approving a new permanent standing committee – Women’s Caucus.  A $4,000 scholarship is being established for women in MAPE.  Business Agent positions available, once the two positions are filled the compliment of Business Agents will actually be increased by one position.

Negotiations:  Thom Campbell, Region 2 representative, unable to attend.  Per Shelia – Thom was planning on being here today, but a meeting with Governor’s team came up.  Governor’s team is talking about taking away overtime for exempt employees.  MAPE has called for a mediator, meeting today and tomorrow, January 10th and 11th.  Current contract remains in full force and effect.  Current negotiations report is available on the MAPE website.  SEGIP bargaining is also happening, independent of the contract negotiations.  Unfortunately the longer this process delays, the more likely there will be a huge premium increase in the future (rather than smaller increases each year).  Note on the proposed 10% share for single insurance coverage, it would also impact family coverage.  An employee that carries family coverage is considered fully paid by state; premium cost is to cover everyone else in the family.  Look for desk drops for communications related to negotiations.

Team MAPE: updates on candidate primaries, special elections, and legislative priorities for the upcoming year.

New business: none

Drawing: Steve Katz and Pat Leary won $10 Holiday cards

The meeting was adjourned at 12:49 pm.

Submitted by Jennifer Strei, Local 0202 Secretary

Draft Local 0202 Meeting Minutes
10 August 2011, room L3148

M = Motion  S = Second  P = Passed  F = Failed  PP = Postponed

President: Julie Sullivan called the meeting to order at 12:03 pm.Julie introduced the new board: Cathleen Cotter, President; Micko Brown, Vice President; Jen Strei, Secretary; Jess Anderson, Treasurer; Mary Gallagher, Membership Secretary.  She then turned the meeting over to Cathleen.  Cathleen thanked members who participated in union rallies related to the shutdown.  

Cathleen announced on behalf of the board that local grants are available for members with hardships as a result of the shutdown,up to $150 available for members, $50 for fairshare.  Those who are interested are to send a 100 word essay to officers’ email account explaining their need;the first 10 applicants will likely receive the grants.

Vice President: No report.

Secretary: The members approved the minutes of the June 2011 meeting by general consent.

Treasurer:  Jess Anderson gave updates for April and May.  The ending balance for April was $1,490.12.  In May we collected $230.04 in membership dues and $14 for lunch donation.  Food for the meeting in May (tacos) cost $99.15, the stewards’ meeting cost $26.64, and membership prizes totaled $20.  The ending balance for May was $1,588.37, an increase from the April month end.

Membership Secretary: Mary Gallagher reported that as of end of June, there are 11 fair share and 114 members for a total 125 members, 91.2%.

Region 2 Chief Steward: Alice Percy stated that there was not much activity going on right now due to the shutdown.  She reminded members about what stewards do and encouraged members to coming to them with any questions.

Region 2 Director: Julie Sullivan reported that the board met in July during the shutdown.  None of the statewide officers received compensation for union-related activities during the shutdown.  Lost time was only granted for critical employees who were still working during the shutdown.  

Negotiations:  Thom Campbell, Region 2 representative, was unable to make it to the meeting.  Sheila made the report instead.

Business Agent:  Sheila Pokorny reported that negotiation meetings between groups are currently on hold.  MAPE and the Governor’s office exchanged proposals prior to the shutdown, but there hasn’t been any movement since then.  It could be a month before meetings and negotiations get going again.  The contract for 2009-2011 biennium is still in place and in effect until the new one is finalized and approved.  

Shelia clarified that the hardship grants are Local specific and not coming from the main office.  MAPE has filed a class-action grievance for folks deemed critical and had their pre-approved leave taken away over the shutdown.  The hearing was held last Tuesday and the arbiter asked for an extension of time to respond.  There will be no grievance for backpay.  The issue of the employer choosing less senior employees on as critical over more senior employees is a grievance issue that is still being dealt with by MAPE.

MAPE is starting to work on the Delegate Assembly.  Cathleen will be one of the Delegates.  Delegate Assembly deals with proposals on policy decisions on how MAPE is run, constitution, and rules.  Nominations for statewide officers are open until Delegate Assembly.  Next legislative session and next election is the upcoming priority.   

OET consolidation – what impact will that have on staff?  Need to sit down and meet to decide how it’s going to look.  If you don’t moveto a new location, then you will not be moving to a new local.  It will impact seniority, as everyone impacted will be merged into one seniority unit (rather than separate ones for each department).  MNSCU will not be impacted at this time.

Team MAPE:  Statewide Chair Cathleen Cotter reported that the PAC met last Friday.  At that meeting Cathleen resigned from her position as Chair of the PAC because she has been nominated and has accepted the nomination for the statewide MAPE President position.  

She thanked Sheila for all of her work on MOU.  Cathleen noted that the membership voting on MOU, got about 50% response rate with the electronic voting method which is almost double the response rate of paper ballot voting.  

New business: Cathleen is running for President of MAPE.  She briefly spoke to the members about her campaign.

Shelia mentioned a speed volunteering event organized by the United Way on August 18, 2011 between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.  Volunteers can sign up for shifts as short as 15 minutes.  One of the volunteer sites is EcoLab in downtown St. Paul.  See the website for more information:www.everyonecountstc.org

Jude had been the Alternate for the Delegate Assembly, but she is now unable to make it.  Lisa Lazaretti was nominated to attend instead.

Drawing: Sareen Steward and Mary Koller each won $10.00 cash.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:43 p.m.

Submitted by Jennifer Strei, Local 0202 Secretary

Draft Local 0202 Meeting Minutes
11 May 2011, room L3148

M = Motion  S = Second  P = Passed  F = Failed  PP = Postponed

President:  Stacy Simpson called the meeting to order at 12:06 pm.  She thanked the Food Committee, "Kathy Nordstrom and Sam Walton".
     She presented an appreciation/parting gift to Kathy, who plans to retire 6/30/11, for all her Food Committee work.  Kathy said that after she retires she might come back and do the food for meetings some months.

Secretary: The members approved the minutes of the April 2011 meeting by general consent.

Treasurer:  Jess Anderson reported that Kathy bought the food for this meeting's lunch herself for about $114.00, a big saving.  She also reported that we saved about $100.00 on last month's sub sandwiches.
     Jess gave the unofficial recap for April 30 and the official numbers for March.

Membership Secretary:  Mary Gallagher reported that, by her count, Local 0202 has 111 members and 9 fair share people (92.5%), still #2 in the state.  MAPE's numbers still lag Mary's count.

Leslie Sandberg, MAPE Central:  Leslie is MAPE's Senior Communication Consultant.  She thanked Local 0202 for contributing to the Crisis Fund.  [Note:  That was before MAPE Central published details about the Crisis Fund.]
     She said there are 50 bills in the Legislature attacking public unions.  MAPE and other unions are working against the bills.  She talked about the state and national organizations funding anti-public employee groups and candidates and creating model anti-public employee legislation.  MAPE's plan is to use the Crisis Fund to pay for pro-public employee ads.  MAPE and other groups are working together and hope to start running ads the week after Memorial Day.  MAPE also asks members to contact their legislators with a pro-public employee message.
     MAPE will have training May 23 for anyone who wants to be involved in media.  See Cathleen Cotter if you're interested.

Region 2 Chief Steward:  Julie Sullivan reported that the employee Rights Committee (ERC) reviewed two grievances and voted to send one to arbitration.

Business Agent:  Sheila Pokorny reported that potential shutdown information won't be available until after the session ends on May 22.  She explained what "right to work" legislation means and that there could be a Constitutional amendment in 2012.

Negotiations:  Thom Campbell, Region 2 representative, said the first scheduled meeting with the Governor's team is tomorrow.  When the teams share their proposals, Tom will send them to Jude Rikala, 0202's Negotiations Committee chair.

Meet and Confer:  Thom is chair of the MAPE Central Office team.  He described the process the M&C team engages in with DHS senior management.  He also described how MAPE chooses members of the group:  The statewide President makes the appointments.

Team MAPE:  Statewide Chair Cathleen Cotter said members should talk with their legislators.  Thank those who are on our side.  Tell your legislator a story that ties to our employment, how the legislation would have a very bad impact on employees and our clients.

Health Care:  Steve Katz talked about universal single payer health insurance.  One need:  60% of actors quit after five years because they don't have affordable health care.
     Steve reported that the VA pays 42% less than Medicare for drugs because they can leverage their purchases in bulk.  However, Congress prohibited Medicare D from doing that in the law that created it.

Drawing: Diane Staberg and Julie Sullivan each won a $10.00 gift certificate from John Zitek Vending & Gifts (the 444 lobby shop).

The meeting was adjourned at 12:57 p.m.

Submitted by Ken Bearman, Local 0202 Secretary.