Meeting of AFSCME Local 1539

August 7, 2007

Meeting Commences at 1245, recess 1325, re- commences at 1415 and adjourns at 1506

Board Members Present:    Eric Langworthy, Dan Gapinski, Patti Couch, Gene Olson, Eric Rasmussen and Paul Gammel

• Presidents Report:
• Welcome of New Members – Vice President - Dan Gapinski

Secretary - Patti Couch

                                                                        E-Board  - Gene Olson

o Contract Voted on and ratified

Units 2-7    3,899- Yes…472- No….10-Voids   = Passed

Unit 8            304 -Yes…  84 -No                        = Passed

• Contract can be viewed on the 1539 local site as well as the Council 5 site.

• Concerns were expressed about Unit 8 contract under Overtime Article 6 Section 3, C2.  This section clarified what has been in place and utilized at the other institutions but has not been used here at RC.

o Labor Management has been cancelled due to ongoing negotiations, it will start back up on August 16^th.

o At present the medical facilities in our area are listed as Level 3 clinics.   The union has agreed to buy down those clinics to Level 2 status.   The clinics involved will be the Fairview and Allina Clinics.

o Senator Rick Olseen and Representative Jeremy Kalin toured the facility in July.  They were able to get a tour that included Complex 1.  While here they were informed about the staff assaults that have occurred and were allowed to watch the assault on Sgt. Jeff Nelson.   Representative Kalin commented how he lives around here and has never heard of anything happening to staff here.  They both will be going back and pursuing bills that push for easier prosecution on offenders that assault staff.

• Vice Presidents Report:

o One member received an 11 day suspension – during step 3 it was agreed that the staff will be allowed to continue working  at Rush City and not have to be transferred out.

o One member is at a Step 2 for a written reprimand for letting offenders out during a lock down.   The member was not in the unit at the time.

• Treasures Report:
• Last year $1,000 was made on having $15,000 placed into a CD.  Now that the threat of a strike has passed a:

Ø Motion was made and seconded to have $15,000 placed into a CD.

5- Yes     9-No = Failed

• Due to concerns with not knowing the length and type of CD that will be purchased the motion was remade and seconded at the second meeting to:

Ø Have the Treasurer research by the September meeting to implement $15,000 into a CD which will not exceed the contractual year ending July 2009.

(This will need to be voted on at 1245 meeting in September).

o After looking at treasures report a motion was made and seconded to:

Ø Not accept the Treasurers report unless debits and credits are documented properly.

(This will need to be voted on at 1245 meeting in September).

• Old Business:  None

• New Business:
• After attending Financial Training, Aric Bergin, Kari Anderson and Blake Nelson realized that the Local’s finances have not been properly handled which includes the filing of taxes.   It was determined that a laptop, printer and Quick Books Program were needed to make the Treasures job easier and keep the Local in compliance with all laws.   Aric researched some companies and found that Dell gave the best bang for the buck while ensuring that all the needs would be met.   A motion was made to:

Ø Purchase from Dell a laptop, printer and Quick Books for $1,280.96.

            12 – Yes   0 – No   1 – Abstain = Passed

It was also discussed that the Treasurer will retain these items.  Eric Langworthy will also look into seeing if there are any forms from AFSCME that Treasurers will have to sign so as to protect the Local from theft and/or misuse of equipment provided by the Local.

• Concern was voiced about not having access to any of the union sites on the security computers.   Eric stated that this has been discussed in the past with the Warden and he won’t give access as he feels we can check these sites before of after our shifts.

• Motion was made regarding vacation postings:

Ø Anything outside of 6 months must be posted no matter how many hours are requested.

(This will need to be voted on at 1245 meeting in September).

o AFSCME International Recognition has been given to Mark Baker for his work in building union membership in some Southern States. 

• Good and Welfare:  None