General Membership Meeting-AFSCME 404
October 21, 2021
430 PM Video Conference
Present:
Adam Castle, Ryan Cates, Eric Hesse, Antonino Guerrero, Kurt Crosby, Rick Pitts, Steve Wilking, Annie Jakacki, Breanna Drummer, Patricia, Jamie Schwartz
1.Secretary Report:
Motion to approve September meeting minutes by Adam Castle. 2nd by Kurt Crosby. Motion passes.
2. Treasurer-Antonino Guerrero:
STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENSES FOR MONTH ENDING: September 2021
CASH BALANCE BEGINNING OF MONTH: $ 132439.23
INCOME FOR THE MONTH: $ 29228.45
EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH: $ 6576.22
CASH BALANCE ENDING OF MONTH: $ 155091.46
SAVINGS: $ 125711.70
SUBMITTED BY: Antonino Guerrero
Motion to accept upon audit by Kurt Crosby. 2nd by Eric Hesse. Motion Passes
3. Correspondence:
FMHP Meeting Minutes: https://www.union404.com/news/fmhp-october-2021-meeting-minutes
MSOP Meeting Minutes: https://www.union404.com/news/msop-october-2021-meeting-minutes
CBHH/CARE Meeting Minutes: https://www.union404.com/news/cbhhcare-october-2021-meeting-minutes
4. New Business: Executive board set up a committee for holiday party. If anyone has ideas, contact Ryan Cates, Kurt Crosby, Jake Schoenecker or Jamie Schwartz.
N95 questions about facial hair and other reasons. Not much clarification. Management is looking into it. People refusing and others that can’t pass. This is in forensics. We will update membership when we find out.
Moving money from Checking to savings account. 25000 from checking to savings. Motion by Hesse, 2nd by Kurt. Motion passes.
5. Old Business: Backpay for contract will be on December 17th Check. Not sure when cost of living increase will be in effect. Supplemental contract will go into effect October 27, 2021.
Management says they are almost ready for the new lead leveling process. AFSCME will meet with HR and management before it goes into effect. Eventually, people on the lead list will need to interview but not until the timeframe expires.
6. Items from the membership: Marvin put a poll out for 12-hour shifts. We did get ability to have 12-hour shifts. It’s also alternative schedules.
Retention and hiring bonuses were discussed at FMHP. Management and HR did say it has been part of discussions with MMB. With other private sector jobs making more, the wage gap has closed and we are losing staffing due to this. They are looking at the top and bottom levels.
The board is looking into how we can establish intent when an item in the contract is established so it is not constantly reinterpreted.
LPNs expressed interest in a higher wage at the top than SC Leads. Due to a degree needed and the discrepancy between the private sector. They didn’t mean any disrespect. Hesse-When they look at pay inequities, they look at shortages and how long it takes to fill the positions.
Marvin makes a motion to buy sweatshirts again. 2nd by Jake Schoenecker. Looking at 27500 dollars. Jake recommends a committee to make sure everyone gets one. Dues paying members at time of purchase. Any ideas for redesigned logo, get it in before the next meeting. Steve-if approved, we will have option for zip up or pull over. Steve-I would like to order a few more for the incoming hiring class for NEO. We need an updated list of people who are paying members. Kurt-I think new employees should get a t-shirt. Hesse and Kurt obtained from votes. Adam-I just want it on record that I don’t support spending 30000 on sweatshirts. Voting occurred and passed 6 to 1. Motion Passes.
Kurt-Toy Drive will be happening soon. Please donate.
Jamie makes motion for no more than 30 dollars for congrats on retirement cards. 2nd by Kurt. Motion passes
7. Good and Welfare: Jamie makes motion to give a monetary gift for Julie Wrightson of 300 for the loss of a child. 2nd by Adam Castle. Discussion by Steve is that this is precedent setting for future occurrences. Annie-Other locals make motions that if member loses someone close to them, have a set amount and keep that set amount. Hesse makes motion to refer to good and welfare committee to establish a plan going forward. Eric and Jamie are currently part of the group. 2nd by Kurt to implement on this date 10/21/21. Motion passes. All members can send any input to Jamie and Eric. Committee will report to executive board prior to November 18, 2021.
8. Officer Reports:
President: Ryan Cates- Attended Forensic Meet and Confer- Notes are attached to the meeting minutes.
Attended MSOP Meet and Confer- Notes are attached to the meeting minutes.
Filed multiple grievances and sat investigations.
Talked with members in multiple work areas and listened to their concerns.
Presented and argued grievances.
Communicated information to E-Board members about issues facing the Local.
Chaired the Executive Board Meeting.
Chaired the General Membership Meeting. It was in person at Jakes Pizza Mankato.
Attended weekly Covid-19 meetings about outbreaks in Forensics and MSOP
A meeting about the new Lead leveling proceed for Security Counselors. The qualifications remain the same but there will now be an interview component. The new process is supposed to go into effect in November.
Attended meetings to discuss the implementation of the new contract language for AFSCME members.
Attended AFSCME Council 5 convention.
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.
VP: Steve Wilking-
VP: Eric Hesse- As you may have seen, some changes are starting to roll out as far as what was negotiated in the new 2021-2023 contract. The two things that have been implemented so far is the ability to request a year out for vacation and the bidding process in which if you are the most senior bidder on a position, you will automatically get it instead of them calling and offering it out and having a set amount of time to make a decision. With the new change in the bidding process, I would recommend to do your research on the position before bidding on it and only bidding on the position if you really want the position.
We are awaiting word on when the other changes will take effect, such as when the cost of living increase of 2.5% will be implemented. I have learned that our back pay will be paid out on December 17th paycheck. I’d expect the raise to go into effect slightly before then, but again, we are still awaiting word.
If you have any questions on the changes with the new contract, feel free to reach out to me or another Local officer.
As always, if you have any issues or concerns, please reach out to us. We don’t know if there is issues going on with your worksite and can’t do anything regarding it if we don’t hear from you.
In solidarity,
Eric Hesse
Vice President – Administrative
AFSCME Local 404
Executive Board: Jake Schoenecker-
Executive Board: Chief Steward Judy Ehrman- One investigation in October. The results are pending. Topic of investigation was place performance. 2 new members and orientation.
Judy Ehrman-Haight
Stewart Rochester CBHH
Executive Board: Chief Steward Alex Flores-
Executive Board: Chief Steward Nick Weerts-
Executive Board: Chief Steward Marvin Sullivan-
Executive Board: Jamie Sheppard- I attended MSOP Meet and Confer, E-Board Meeting, and the General Membership Meeting. I have been fielding a lot of questions regarding quarantine and COVID. I have started collecting data on every COVID incident to show the inconsistencies. I am also researching and pulling all the information I can on policies from DCT, MSOP, DHS, MDH, etc. regarding COVID. Things have been really busy in MSOP with half of the units on quarantine this month.
Jamie Schwartz, E-board
CS Facility Support: Eric Manriquez-
Chief Steward MSH / CRP / Nursing Nights: Kurt Crosby
Annie Jakacki-
Motion to adjourn by Kurt, 2nd by Rick.
Meeting Adjourned at 520