GM 09.18.25

In attendance

OFFICERS:

Ryan Cates, Eric Hesse, Nick Weerts, Steaed Doehring, Antonino Guerrero, Cassy Rydell, Eric Manriquez, Cory Moon, Rick Pitts, Max Arroyo, Kyle Heinze, Joe Bluhm, Mike Hohenstein, Jamie Schwartz, Logan Smith

Suzanne Kocurek – Field Rep

MEMBERS: William M., Miranda G., Patrick C., Sherry C., AJ C., Jennie M., Cami B., Jason L., Melissa G., Marlowe G., Page

Secretary Report

Steaed Doehring

Minutes from the previous General Membership meeting were made available for review. 

A motion to approve the minutes was made, seconded, and carried without objection.

Updates since the last meeting:

• Attended all scheduled Labor Management meetings and documented key discussion points for union follow-up.
• Maintained official union records, including minutes, officer reports, and correspondence.
• Collaborated with officers on agenda planning and constitutional updates.
• Published recent meeting minutes and event updates to the Local 404 website for membership access.
• Attended meeting with MMB regarding Supplemental – LPN Language. Since no agreement was reached to alter the language previously settled in local supplemental negotiations, this matter will proceed to BMS.
• Participated in multiple investigations.
• Ordered new SWAG – items will be available at next month’s meeting.

treasurer report

Antonio Guerrero

Cash Balance Beginning of Month: $117987.56

Income for the Month: $36115.18

Expenses for the Month

• Officer Allowances/Negotiations/Organizing/Stewarding: $24447.68
• Supplies/Office/Checks: $259.78
• Education/Training: $868.32
• New Member Orientation: $268.19
• Labor Management Meetings: $441.19
• Donations/Good &Welfare: $300
• SEPC Registration: $480

Total Expenses: $27065.16

Amount in Checking Account End of Month: $127037.58

Savings Account (Reserve Fund):

Maintained in accordance with AFSCME financial guidelines to support upcoming union expenses, reimbursements, and emergency needs. The Treasurer reviewed this balance during the meeting, and it is available upon request.

A motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report, subject to audit, was made, seconded, and carried without objection.

correspondence 

• AFSCME Council 5 Convention September 25-27. We have 27 members registered to be delegates.

Comitee reports

• Banner - 

   

Officer Reports:

• President – Ryan Cates
• This past month I have…
• Attended and led Forensic meet and confer- Notes are attached to the meeting minutes
• Chaired the Executive Board meeting
• Chaired the General Membership meeting
• Filed multiple grievances and sat investigations
• Attended New Employee Orientation at Rochester CBHH
• Talked with members in multiple work areas, answered their questions and listened to their concerns
• Presented and argued grievances

• Communicated information to E-Board members about issues facing the Local

        

• If any member of Local 404 feels they are not being represented by our Union, please let me know. We cannot fix problems if we do not know there is a problem.

         

• We ask that all members who are interviewed as non-subjects in an investigation, request Union representation. If management refuses, then members should refuse to answer questions. Participation in investigations is completely voluntary, and they cannot coerce you to answer their questions. We need to do this to compel management to discontinue their practice of refusing to allow Union representatives into investigations.

• Vice President – Administrative – Eric Hesse
• No report submitted.

• Vice President – Steward Coordinator – Nick Weerts

• This month flew by with plenty of activity on the St Peter Campus. I attended the monthly MSOP & Forensics Labor Management meetings, as well as our monthly E-board & General Membership meetings in person. I facilitated the September NEO class & subsequent seniority lot draws for the new members. We had 9 employees total across MSOP & FMHP, so be sure to welcome them as they begin showing up in their new work areas! 

   

• I filed 4 new grievances the last month. Three responses are pending at this time, and one Step 2 was denied and progressed on to a Step 3. I was able to get 6 settlements signed and sent on to payroll for processing [$100 improper inverse]! Two of these settlements were responses to Step 2 grievances I had pending and the other four were Step 1 grievances originally filed by other Stewards [thanks to them!]. I did have five Step 3 grievances denied [improper inverse] and they were approved by our Local to send on to the Arbitration Team, so I have been putting together those files this week.

   

• I did sit three investigations the last month for staff and have another one scheduled for the coming week. I’ve continued my regular visiting schedule throughout work areas within MSOP and have more site visits planned later this Fall. 

   

• This coming week, we have a Steward Training scheduled [thanks to those who attended!] as well our annual Convention, which I will be attending [more on that next month]. Watch for future trainings that might be coming up, if you’re unable to attend this one. 

   

• I’m slowly getting the final PEOPLE hoodies delivered. Thanks for your patience as I waited for correct sizes, etc. Remember, these are not purchased by our Local but instead come from the Political Action Group- PEOPLE. I am just assisting in getting them to the donors they are meant for. You can manage your PEOPLE membership (join/drop/increase/etc) through Memberlink. 

   

• I continue to encourage Members to reach out with concerns/observations. Communication is key to all of our success! Please see www.union404.com for all meeting minutes. I would encourage all members to reach out for accurate answers & information when they are concerned about something.

   

  Nick Weerts

  Vice President Steward Coordinator

  9.21.25

• Chief Steward – Service, Craft, Maintenance, Labor & Nursing Home – Kyle Heinze

• This past month I attended meet and confer, attended the general membership meeting, talked with management to address members concerns, answered several members questions, did several site visits, presented several grievances. If anyone has questions or concerns, please reach out.

   

• Chief Steward – CBHH & Communications – Eric Manriquez
• Attended FMHP, MSOP, General Membership, and E-board meetings.

• Chief Steward – FMHP Overnights – Cory Moon
• No report submitted.

• Chief Steward – Grove A – Cassy Rydell
• No report submitted.

• Chief Steward – FMHP – Rick Pitts
• No report submitted.

• Chief Steward – OTAs, SEPAs, WTAs, Clerical & Technical – Joe Bluhm
• The following is a list of things I did this past month as your Chief Steward:
• -Helped members through multiple investigations and took notes
• -Participated in New Employee Orientation
• -Attended the E-Board meeting
• -Attended Forensics’ Meet and Confer with Management
• -Met with members, heard their concerns, and did my best to find answers for them.
• -Handed out People’s Sweatshirts to members who contribute to the People’s organization aside from their monthly dues

• Chief Steward – LPNs – Max Arroyo
• This past month I have…
• Attended Forensic meet and confer-
• Attended MSOP meet and confer
• Attended CBHH Rochester NEO
• Attended the Executive Board meeting
• Attended the General Membership meeting
• Filed multiple grievances and sat investigations
• Presented and argued grievances

• Executive Board – Mike Hohenstein

• No report submitted.

   

• Executive Board – Jamie Schwartz
• I have been on vacation most of this month, but I attended the E-Board and General Membership meeting. I will also be attending the AFSCME Convention in Duluth.

• Executive Board – Logan Smith
• No report submitted.

• Council 5 Field Representative – Suzanne Kocurek 

  Report from Field Rep Suzanne Kocurek:

•     We are close to a settlement for the LPN statewide grievance.

Old Business:

• Constitutional changes will be presented next month at the General Membership Meeting.
• Still working on opening another savings account.
• Convention is next week in Duluth.

Grievances Won:

• Step 1 - 8
• Step 2
• Step 3

Motions:

• Motion made to pay for one dinner for delegates that are attending convention, seconded, and carried.

New Business:

• Progressive Drawing $450 – Colton Holland – Not Present.
• MSOP data release will not affect FMHP at this time.
• Steward Training on 9/23 at 4:30pm, Jakes Stadium Pizza in Mankato.
• Contract in affect, back pay on the 10/3 check.
• NOCS Time Entry changes start next week. We have not been able to get answers about Holidays.

Good and Welfare:

Stay informed—check the Local 404 Calendar for upcoming events, trainings, and meetings. Log in to Memberlink for bargaining updates, union news, and member resources.

Next meeting

10/08/25 Jake’s Pizza, Saint Peter, 4:30pm

Meeting adjourned at: 5:00pm