AFSCME LOCAL 2728

  AFSCME Local 2728 Union Meeting Minutes

June 20^th, 2007

 

 

Meeting Called to Order at 4:00 PM at Central Office on 6/20/07.

       Officers Present: President Henderson, Treasurer Pierre, and Business Agent Hesse

       Number of Members Present: 7

 

Meeting Re-Convened at the Centennial Fire Station at 9:15 PM.       Officers Present: Secretary Score and Business Agent Hesse

       Number of Members Present: 4

 

Meeting Re-Convened at the Centennial Fire Station at 10:50 PM.       Officers Present: Secretary Score and Business Agent Hesse

       Number of Members Present: 9

 

The following is a consolidation of the items from the June 2007 meetings:

 

@ Corrections to the Last Union Meeting Minutes:

None

 

ž Last Month’s Minutes:

A motion was made and seconded to forego the reading of last months's minutes. The motion passed and the minutes were not read.

 

, Correspondence:

President Henderson received several copies of the Book "Seige at Lucasville" and he distributed them to members at the union meetings.  A professor from the U of M wants to conduct a survey with the Lino Officers and is requesting the addresses so he can mail out a survey.  Members do not have to complete the survey but it is suggested that they do in order to have accurate data.  He wants to compare/contrast MN prisons with those of other States. After the survey is over, he will come to the union meetings and share the results and award door prizes to those who participated in the study. The study should also help us when we negotiate with the State in future contract negotiations and in Washington D.C. 

 

$$$  Treasurer’s Report:

Read and approved as submitted

Submitted by Treasurer Denise Pierre

Work: (651)717-6183

Work Hours: 6:30 AM-3:00 PM

E-mail: dpierre@LL.doc.state.mn.us

 

O President’s Report:

President Henderson has been very busy with the master negotiations.  There was ten hours of unit 8 negotiations yesterday and many of the key issues were hammered out.  Units 2,3,4,6, and 7 will meet the week of 6/24/07 and we're confident that it will be the final day of negotiations.  The monetary portion (raises and insurance) will finally be presented and agreed upon (hopefully). After units 2,,4,6, and 7 have a final proposal, unit 8 negotiations will meet again and ask for similar consideration.  It's "Push Week" which means that members need to show their union support by wearing buttons and posting the fliers around the work-site (where it’s appropriate).  IT'S OUR TIME!

 

Sat in on a Loudermill and several investigations.  Conducted a Step 3 Grievance.  There are three open grievances and two open investigations.  Two staff were not certified.

 

We added three new stewards: Jessica Johnson, Thomas Bacigalupo, and James Dahl.

 

We would still like a steward from Central Office.  If interested, please e-mail Darby Bunnell.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact:

Tim Henderson

President

Work: (651)717-6100

Cell Phone: (612)669-9035

Work Hours: 7:00 AM-3:00 PM (Weekdays)

E-mail Work: thenders@LL.doc.state.mn.us

 

                                                                                                                                                                           

 

 

þ Vice President’s Report:

A Steward sat in on a Loudermill Hearing and a member's 5-day suspension was reduced to a 3-day suspension.

The Labor Management Meeting was today and here is an overview of what was discussed:

*Volunteer Sergeant Position – Vacation Slot:  When the sergeant in this position takes a vacation day, his position is not filled behind him.  Can this position be classified similar to the Due Process sergeant or the K-9 officers so he wouldn’t be taking up a vacation slot on 3rd watch?  Management agreed to this.  Capt. Freer noted that this was already done.

Filling Sergeant Positions – WOOC:  Can there be consistent criteria when filling sergeant WOOC positions?  Some have been awarded by seniority and some have been filled by the interview process.  Nancy noted that there are times that the position may call for interviewing based on the position itself.  Generally though, it would be the most senior person in the work area.  Warden Crist reviewed the agreement that the Department of Corrections has with the African American Employment Task Force (AAETF).  It states that, “All project unclassified assignments, temporary, mobility (work-out-of-class) assignments with an anticipated duration of at least six months or more must be posted as required in the appropriate labor agreement – if the vacancy is anticipated to be longer than 60 days, it must be posted; however, if there is an immediate need to fill that position, the appointment cannot be longer than 60 days.”  The administration will discuss further and provide more information.  Nancy received the following information from Central Office after the meeting:  WOOC Assignments:  With the exception of WOOC's of more than 6 months where the most senior capable and available employee among or within classes and among or within work areas shall be appointed, there is no proscribed procedure to be followed. In fact, a variety of options exist regarding the process that may be used to make WOOC assignments. However, it is not necessary to conduct interviews.

 

*Overtime Budget:  What is the budget and is there funding left in it for the fiscal year that could be used for a new bobcat/mule?  We budget about $110,000 for overtime and we have only used about one-half this year.  The money goes back into the budget pool.  We look at projects and equipment to purchase (i.e. J-3, cameras, wellness room) and at the end of the year complete purchase orders.  Generally these items have to be purchased quickly to expend the funds by fiscal-year end.  Capt. Freer has purchased an electric transport vehicle (like a mule) that will be used for the Health Services area.  The facility has also been fortunate enough to receive needed funding from Central Office for a variety of projects.  For example, funding was provided for the HVAC system for renovation of the F-1 Building where the wellness area will be. 

 

Construction Update:  The projected B-Building completion date is September 2008.  Health Services will move to B-Building when it’s completed.  The demolition will begin in B-Building July 30th.  Construction is scheduled to begin in February 2008.  The wellness/training area is a simultaneous project and should be completed September, 2008 also.   Some construction updates and staff moves have been posted in the announcement section of our intranet site.  A link has been created under the Unit/Team Websites section called, “Lino Lakes Construction Information.”  Watch for construction updates and information to be placed on this link.

 

Mule and Bobcat Repairs:  Capt. Freer has met with the new maintenance staff who is setting up the preventative maintenance schedule.  He’s developing a 30/60/90 day maintenance schedule.  Some parts have already been ordered.  This expenditure comes out of the captain’s budget.

 

Inmate Moves Before 0630:  First watch squad has concerns with the number of inmates being moved before 0630 (to intake, kitchen, ground’s crew, etc.).  From 0530-0630, all but two squad members are involved in inmate escorts.  Their concern is for responding if there should be an ICS.  Capt. Freer recently came in at 0430 to observe the moves.  He will mention to the watch commanders but if an ICS should arise, they can send the inmates to their destination and they can respond to the ICS.  A B-Team response plan is also in place if need be.

 

2nd Watch Officers Combining Breaks and Lunch:  Could they combine their 15 minute break with their half-hour lunch.  This is not possible due additional coverage time that would be needed.

 

*Half-Hour Unpaid Break Time:  Some lieutenants are telling officer’s what they can and can’t do on their half-hour unpaid break.  A staff in TRIAD wanted to take a chair outside and sit.  Management will rectify this situation.  However, if the staff wanted to take a chair outside and sit with their feet up and close their eyes or read a newspaper where inmates and volunteers might be walking by, that would not be safe (to have their eyes closed) or look very professional.  There are staff areas around the facility where this would be more acceptable however.  

 

*Canceling a Vacation Day:  Can there be consistency for the process for canceling a vacation day.  Some officers are having to e-mail LL_Scheduling, while others don’t.  Capt. Freer will follow up with Lt. Beal. 

Labor also wanted to note what a good job Lt. Beal is doing as the scheduling lieutenant!  Follow-up information provided notes that all officers must send an e-mail to LL_Scheduling to cancel their vacation.

 

*Briefings:  Can the briefings have a consistent agenda?  Some watch commanders do roll call first and some don’t.  Some mark staff tardy if they come in after briefing starts but their name hasn’t been called yet and others mark the tardy only if they aren’t present when their name is called but have come in after the briefing has started.  Can more information be received at briefing (special activities at the facility for the day, incidents other facilities)?  Capt. Freer will reiterate the format.  He issued a memo with this information when briefings began here.  Briefing officially begins with the first words out of their mouth (good morning/afternoon, etc.).  Officers arriving after the first words begin are tardy.  For consistency he provided an outline:  Greeting, roll call, information, special announcements.  They have an informational sheet that is passed on to each shift.  They can also review incident reports that should have special attention called to them or address any rumors that are not true.

 

Sun Block:  Can staff that are required to stand outside be provided with sun block?  Bob Loose noted that there is sun block available from the Watch Commander and Mark Ostrander.  It’s not an OSHA requirement that the employer provide this.   Tim will put this on the state-wide safety agenda.  Follow up information from Bob notes that the intent of having the sun block is to provide for those officers who do not have any and are working outside for extended periods.  It is considered a back-up for situations where there may be a real need and there is nothing else available.  It was never intended as an unlimited supply to any staff who wants sun block.  Over the past year less than $200 has come from the safety budget for sun block. Staff should provide their own sun block.

Security Maintenance:  Security maintenance issues are taking a long time to complete and some are not done at all.  More details need to be provided. Management would be glad to investigate prior to the next meeting if details are provided.

 

Unit Garbage:  Garbage bags are accumulating in the living units overnight.  They are beginning to stink and block entrances and stairways.  This issue was raised by midnight staff.  Warden Crist gave some background on the garbage issue in the units.  Garbage is picked up once a day, seven days a week, between 7:30-9:00 a.m.  The garbage should not be bagged up and removed from the cans until in the morning just prior to trash pickup.  Additional garbage cans may be purchased for the units if needed. 

 

*Supervisory Conference Letters:  About three years ago, 60+ staff received a supervisory conference for e-mail usage.  Can this letter be removed from their supervisory file?  Nancy Moore indicated that it could be removed.  Retention on this is three years.  She will get the Supervisory File Content/Retention Guideline to the supervisors at the morning supervisor’s meeting.

 

Probationary Evaluation Period Changes:  The Department is changing the evaluations period for officers.  Instead of evaluations at two, four, and six months, they will be at three and six months.  It is consistent with other contracts and is a midpoint during the probationary period.  Bob Loose will be supervising new officers for the first three months then Lt. Wilker will generally be their supervisor after that.  We started this supervisory change with the last academy group.

 

Follow Up on Work Stations in West:  The computers are here.  Warden Crist will follow up with Gary.  Maintenance may have to run the wires yet.

 

Unit 8 Negotiation Update:  They are about 90% finished.  The next meeting is July 12th.  Wages and insurance is pending other contract settlements.

 

Darby Bunnell

Vice-President/Chief Steward

Work: (651)717-6100 Extension 405

Cell Phone: (612)978-1645

E-Mail Work: dbunnell@LL.doc.state.mn.us

E-Mail Home: DNBUNNELL1@MSN.com

 

 

4 Committee Reports:

None

 

J Old Business:

None

 

$ New Business:

AFSCME Tour:  Tim Henderson will be providing a tour on July 18th at 10:00 AM for Elliot Siede, Scott Grefe (new Local 2728 Business Agent) and Steve Hesse who will be retiring as the Local 2728 Business Agent.

 

We are awarding five $500.00 scholarships for AFSCME Local 2728 member's children who are going to be attending a higher education institution in the fall.  The winners are Bob Brenberg's daughter, Rick Manzke's son, Doug Stearly's daughter, Gary Krank's daughter, and Kurt Geyer's son.  They are invited to the July 18^th union meeting at 4:00 PM at the Centennial Fire Station in Lino Lakes.  There will be sub sandwiches, chips, pop, and cake to celebrate.  They may also bring a guest if they choose to.  They need not be present to be awarded the scholarship nor do they have to give a specch (unless they want to).  Business Agent Jo Pels, New Business Agent Scott Grefe, Director Eliot Seide, and the Council 5 public relations representative will also be there to take photos that will appear in the next issue of Council 5's newspaper.

 

Fall AFSCME Convention in Duluth, MN

The Convention is Sep 27th, 28th, and 29th at the DECC in Duluth, MN.

If you wish to attend e-mail ascore@LL.doc.state.mn.us

by July 16th, 2007.  If we have more then 14 members that wish to attend, we will vote for the delegates at the July 18th, 2007 union meetings in Lino Lakes.

Child Care: Provided during convention business hours (all 3 days).  Fill out and send to Lois McEwen by September 14th(info is at the bottom of the form). If you want a form, contact Amy Score.   

 

^ Discussion:

Discussed what is in and what is out with the contract.

 

P Good and Welfare:

None

Meetings adjourned at 11:30 PM at the Centennial Fire Station on 6/20/07

 

Minutes Submitted by Amy Score ascore@LL.doc.state.mn.us

Secretary - AFSCME Local 2728

Work: (651)717-6100 x478

Work Hours: 2:40 PM-10:40 PM

 

The Next Union Meetings will be on the following dates and times:

 

7/18/07– Centennial Fire Station, Lino Lakes, MN (Scholarship Party), 4:00 PM

7/18/07- Centennial Fire Station, Lino Lakes, MN 10:50 PM