AFSCME LOCAL 2728

  AFSCME Local 2728 Union Meeting Minutes

September 19^th, 2007

 

 

 

Meeting Called to order at the Centennial Fire Station at 4:00 PM.       Officers Present: President Henderson,  Secretary Score, Treasurer Pierre, and BA Grefe.

       Number of Members Present: 11

 

Meeting Re-Convened at the Centennial Fire Station at 10:50 PM.       Officers Present: Vice-President Darby Bunnell and BA Grefe

       Number of Members Present: 6

 

The following is a consolidation of the items from the September 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:

Several members from the new bank behind McDonalds's, Sheet Metal Worker's Credit Union (SMW) presented information about the bank. They also have a branch in Fridley and Maplewood (off of 36). AFSCME local 2728 are now banking with them and any member who works, worships, or lives in Anoka County can bank with SMW.  They also handed out glass canistors with candy, pens, and brochures.  It is a full-service bank Monday-Saturday and no 3:00 PM cut-off time (if you deposit a check after 3:00 PM, it still goes on that day and not the next business day).  They also have on-line access with 24 hour access , safe deposit boxes, first mortgage low closing cost rates, and an investment center.  If you finance a vehicle for $10,00 or more you will receive a free silver IPOD Nano (2 GB-$150 value): offer is from 9/19/07-12/31/07.

 

$$$  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:

Prseident Henderson and Vice-President Bunnell just returned from a trip to Washington D.C. and had a very productive time.  A delegation of eight people from Minnnesota attended (Lino, OPH, Stillwater, and several Business Agents).  They attended workshops, marched to the Law Enforcement Memorial, and presented a wreathe.  AFSCME International donated $10,000 to the memorial for future upgrades.  They called out the 37 fallen AFSCME members who were killed in the line of duty from across the country.  They lobbied the Senate and the House of Representatives and had a very informative meeting Senator Norm Coleman.  He signed onto the Collective Bargaining Bill.  Klobuchar had already signed it as well.  Tim asked Senator Coleman if he would support the Public Safety Act (Anti-privitization) and we are still awaiting his answer.  The Bill was introduced last Spring and it will be discuss further during this session.  Iowa just recently passed the bill in January.

 

President Henderson also sat in on several investigations this past month and also presented a Step 3 grievance on Wednesday, September 19^th.  

The contract books have been ordered and should be here soon to be distributed.  When they come in, Secretary Score will send out an e-mail to notify members.  If you work at Lino Lakes or Central Office, there will be books available at those worksites.  If you work out-state, you may request a contract book be sent to your house or worksite.  PLEASE DON'T E-MAIL SCORE YET IF YOU WANT A BOOK, E-MAIL HER AFTER SHE SENDS AN E-MAIL OUT STATING THAT THE BOOKS ARE IN.

 

 The 3^rd annual Council 5 Union Convention is September 27^th-29^th in Duluth, we are sending 21 delegates and 4 alternates.

 

The Executive Board discussed Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and we are in support of it.  We will work closely with Sgt. Gay Hennessey and give financial and physical support when needed for members who are going to be deployed, are deployed, or have retuned from deployment.  The Warden has also stated that he is on-board with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and will provide some financial support as well as guidance. 

 

Emil Rasmussen continues to do a fine job on the local's website.  He has placed an old AFSCME Public Service Announcement on the website.  If you are easily offended, please do not look at the addd, it is intended for purely entertainment purposes only.  It should also not be viewed at work as it contains some colorful language. 

 

 

 

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:

Busy with investigations and filing grievances. A new steward from Central Office will be attending Steward Training in October.  The stewards have been quite busy this past month sitting in on investigations.  Members are STRONGLY encouraged to utilize the stewards if they are under investigation and it is every union members right to have union represntation no matter how trivial the issue may be. The new Business Agent Scott Grefe is welcomed.

An update roster of elected union officers and stewards has been sent out and posted by Secretary Score.

The Labor Management Meeting was held today and the following were the issues discussed:

Union Involvement During Interviews For New Hires:  The AFSCME Corrections Policy Committee is interested in being involved in the interview process for hiring officers.  Tim noted that he would be bringing this issue before the DOC wide labor management meeting.  Warden Crist mentioned that the department is currently redoing the video that is used during the hiring process and suggested that the local contact Sean Tolefree about giving input into the video.  However, Lino management believes the interview process is a management responsibility, not something the local should be involved with.

 

Physical fitness standards testing for newly hired Correction Officers:  Tim noted that this item was going to be brought before the DOC wide labor management meeting also.  They are interested in seeing new staff pass some type of physical standards testing before they are hired.   Nancy discussed the physical demands and analysis study that was done and the information from this study is being utilized during pre-employment physicals. 

 

Physical Fitness Standards for A-Team Members:  This is a concern DOC wide.  This issue will be brought before the DOC wide labor management meeting.  Their interest is seeing some minimal standards for A-Team members to be certified annually, not to exceed what SORT has.  Capt. Freer noted this has been discussed at the captains’ meetings over the years and they are looking into training as another way to go about it instead of standards to pass.   

 

Instruction 300.400LL Snow Removal - Utilizing On-Call List:  There are two grounds supervisors, who by contract are to be on-call and paid for being on call.  They would like to see an on-call schedule/list so there is regular rotation.  Management will further discuss.

 

Investigation Process for Addressing No Call/No Shows:  Specifically instances of tardy where the result is no-action.  The lack of a formal investigation process regarding these instances leaves the employee unsure of the action of their tardy.  The investigation practice is not consistent between supervisors.  There are instances where the discussion between the supervisor and the employee is so informal that the employee isn’t aware that they are on notice that this was a no-action disposition for the tardy.  Capt. Freer and Chris Esty will discuss with the lieutenants and consult with Nancy to determine the best type of documentation for the first instance, which results in a no-action without having to conduct a formal investigation.  It will be kept simple but make the process formal enough so the employee is aware of the outcome. 

 

Motorcycle Parking in the Main Parking Lot:  With the parking lot being resurfaced, there are no spots marked for motorcycle parking.  Is there going to be motorcycle parking spots?  Anita noted that there will be spots by the light poles and signs are being made for the designated parking.  Kickstand plates are also being made.  The number of spots will be reduced during the winter and will convert to regular parking spots.

 

Intake Offenders:  In Intake there are always two officers present when an inmate is out of the holding cell.  However, inmates from Intake are being sent on a pass (unescorted) to Health Services for processing and at times there can be 20 inmates up there with one officer.  They are also then being sent on a pass to the living unit they are assigned to.  Also, for count purposes, whose count are they supposed to be on?    Capt. Freer will look into this issue. 

 

Bidding Posting Process:  Recently there was a mistake the way a bid was posted and it allowed an officer to back out of that bid that was awarded to them as another bid had come up that they would have rather had and because of the error in the posting that officer was allowed to withdraw their bid.  The union wants bidding officers to be responsible for their bid.  Is there a quality check that could be done before it’s posted?  The errors are not frequent.  However, Warden Crist and Nancy will further discuss.

 

STS Crew Leader Vacation:  Our local represents the out-state STS crew leaders and it is varying in the way some of them are approved for vacation.  Because they might be the only crew leader, the supervisor may deny a three-week vacation and only approve a one or two-week vacation because there is no one to back them up.  Nancy suggested that they discuss with Cathy Fah, as she is responsible for the community services division.

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon:  This is a campaign initiated by Governor Pawlenty for service people.  Specifically, it is to get more organized in providing support to them before they leave, while they are gone, and when they come back.  It is also to show support to the family in their absence and also applies to employees who may have a loved one in the service.   The Exec Team will meet with staff to discuss the concerns they may have about leaving and when they are gone.  They will also meet with them when they return.  This will formalize the process so no one falls through the cracks.  Gay Hennessy has volunteered to be the coordinator for this program at our facility.  We want to stay connected in their absence and she will coordinate this effort.  AFSCME has discussed this campaign with her and is willing to provide support also.

 

New sweatshirts and hats have been made with the cool AFSCME Local 2728 logo and will be available to members who attend union meetings starting in October. 

 

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

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

 

 

(  Business Agent’s Report:

The contract books are almost complete.  They have been sent off to the printer and they will be proof-read today (some small typos).  They should be available at the end of September.  The U of MN is striking.  Council 5 got the legislators to give us a larger salary supplement and we included the U of MN in the distribution.  The University did not pass on the salary supplement to the workers.  The University has proposed a 2.25 % and a 2.25% raise.   

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

Scott Grefe

Business Agent-Council 5

scott.grefe@afscmemn.org

Work: (651)287-0506

 

4 Committee Reports:

None

 

J Old Business:

None

 

$ New Business:

A motion was made and seconded to give $200 to the U of MN strike fund.  It was voted on at both meetings and it passed unanimously.  Our local will send them a check for the amount of $200. 

 

^ Discussion:

The 2^nd annual AFSCME Local 2728 Holiday Party will be held January 19^th, 2008 at 5:00 PM-Midnight at the VFW off of 109^th and Central Ave.  The menu has already been picked out: Stuffed porkchops, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, buns, butter, appetizers (chicken wings, meatballs, and cocktail weenies), desserts, water, pop, coffee, and beer.  There is also a full-service bar for the paying patrons. There will again be a sober cab service provived by the union if you have had a few cocktails and shouldn't drive.  More details to follow and fliers will be posted and distributed.  There will also be door prizes awarded like last year. 

 

P Good and Welfare:

Tom Teidman-Family member

Angie Theis-death in the family

Helga Snell-Retired

Tom Illgen-Retired

Rick Jennings-death in the family

Meetings adjourned at 11:30 PM at the Centennial Fire Station on 9/19/07

 

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

Secretary - AFSCME Local 2728

Work: (651)717-6100

Work Hours: 10:20 PM-6:50 AM

 

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

 

October 17^th, 2007–Central Office, St. Paul, MN: 4:00 PM

October 17^th, 2007- Centennial Fire Station, Lino Lakes, MN: 9:15 PM and 10:50 PM