AMERICAN FEDERATION
OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AFL-CIO
LOCAL 3197
General Membership
Meeting
10/10/07
Room 1/240
Pizza
was delivered to the room at 1700; per agreement, meeting was delayed until
everyone had a chance to get something to eat and drink.
Meeting
was called to order by President Strako at 5:15pm.
Roll
Call of Officers:
Present: 1st V.P. Smith
Absent: C. S. Frye
Prof. V.P.
Omeara U.C.S. Sumida
F.P.C.
McFadden
W.
C.
Lasota Vacant: U.V.P. VARO
Treasurer
Brown
Secretary
Hall
Minutes
of the last meeting
were available for review by members. Hearing no changes to the minutes
Ron Kerr made the motion to accept the minutes and it was seconded by Ruth
Hamada.
Accepted
unanimously.
New
Members
President Strako presented the following for consideration:
1.
Andrew McClendon 9. Ben-Hur Ludlum
17. Michael Tampieri
2.
Kenneth Meade 10. Alisa
Pisciotta
18. Bernadette Starzak
3.
Carrie Roberts 11. Jackie
Grimesey 19. Melissa
Mathisen
4.
Carolyn Cichanski 12. Roy
Kennedy
20. Kelly Leasure
5.
Paulette Martin 13. Tyana
Shabazz 21. Julie
Hendricks
6.
Xochitl Chavez 14.
Sonya Graham 22.
Alisia Wickerman
7.
Pam Gronbeck 15. Rushal
Toston
23. Dauphne Taylor
8.
Ann Stewart
16. Lorie Robeson
Barbara
Tickner moved that the new members be accepted; Seconded by Victor Callendar.
There was no discussion from the
floor. Accepted
unanimously.
President
Strako reported that we have 854 members with the new additions. He further
reported that he had received a call from National Vice President Swanke
congratulating our Local on the positive recruiting efforts that had been
brought to his attention at that level.
Financial
Report:
Bank of
Checking: $23,188.17
Checking: $20,258.90
Savings: 5,003.04
Savings
6.23
C.D.:
40,000.00
Gil
Veyna asked the treasurer when we can expect to have a complete written
Treasurer Report. Brown responded that she was unable to get a print-out or to
reach the person who could help her as she was not allowed official time during
that person’s regular work hours. She did not think it would be available next
month either. Sharon Hall asked if the treasurer could provide a handwritten
accounting. Brown replied “Yes and No. Quick books does not work that way.”
There was general discussion about internal union business not being given
‘official time’. A point of order was raised that more discussion about this
should be moved to New Business and it was agreed. President called for motion
to accept treasurer’s Report. There was a motion that was seconded.
President Strako called for the voice vote and the Yeas outnumbered the
Nays. Accepted.
Officers
Reports
O.W.C.P.
V.P.
Smith reported on a discussion she had with Nursing Service and Human resources
regarding facilitation, by all, to get injured nurses medical
retirements. She provided a document dated 9/18/07 from O.S.H.A. to the
Director for review by the membership regarding Unsafe or Unhealthful
conditions. She also provided copies of the instructions and citations from the
same occurrence. Copies submitted with minutes. Further report re: Ribo
virus. Reminder to membership that if they are injured on the job they
should contact a Union representative immediately and always file a CA-1 with
your supervisor. Even a paper cut in this environment could get an ugly
infection.
Prof.
V.P.
O’Meara reports that there is not yet a settlement for the M.D. pay issues that
go back 14 years. Bargaining will happen locally re
Women’s
Coordinator
Lasota reports that there will be a Lunch & Learn on November 7th
in the Radke room. This is provided jointly with the Fair Practice
Coordinator. The Topic is Domestic Violence and the guest
presenter is Dr. Guerlock. These coordinators are looking for people
interested in being part of a joint committee. These coordinators will be
doing a joint presentation to the stewards at their November meeting.
Fair
Practice Coordinator
McFadden reported on the trip that he and Gil Veyna took to the first Hispanic
Coalition Meeting in
President
Strako reports there are currently 3 ULPs, 2 Demand To Bargains at VARO and 3
Demand To Bargains at
Committee
Reports
None
Old
Business:
In answer to a
question from the floor President Strako reports that the criminal
investigation is active in the Dept. of Labor. There is only one investigator
who can do criminal cases and he is in contact. Until some further action is
taken, officers are not at liberty to discuss details.
New
Business
Victor
Callendar asked about the practice of hiring in new nursing assistants as GS3
instead of GS4. The E-board said that there had been no complaints
regarding the issue and that if a position was offered at that rating and it
was accepted then there really is no issue as long as people are not working at
a higher level.
A
person from the floor asked if training was provided in a foreign language and
not in English. Several officers responded that it is a condition of
employment that employees be able to communicate complex issues in
English. If the trainer was not speaking in English for the training
session then the employee was advised to go through the chain of command and if
necessary seek Union help.
Sharon
Hall made a motion that stewards receive a stipend of $30.00 per month to off
set cost of extra travel etc to see employees and to come in on weekends
etc. The motion was seconded by Victor Callendar. There was discussion
about if this was covered in the Bylaws; they only address listed officers. No
further discussion raised. President called for voice vote which was
unanimous.
Accepted.
Gil
Veyna again asked to discuss when we will be able to get a Financial
Report from the Treasurer. (Note: Treasurer Brown had already left the
meeting.) Debra Smith stated that she had agreed to help the treasurer formulate
a report. Several other people stated that they wanted to hear about the
finances. President Strako turned over the gavel to V.P. Smith to state that he
had been following the finances daily himself and that he had intended to help
with the bookkeeping but had been too busy. He further states that all of the
bills are being paid. The gavel was returned to the President. Sharon Hall
stated that the members had a right to ask for and receive a financial report
at every meeting, but that we had not had one ever from the current treasurer
and that was a year now. Karen Lasota reminded members that they are free to
come to the President’s office and view the files any time. She stated that she
has helped in the past and could again. Victor Callendar made the point that
this is not personal and Karen Lasota was correct when she reminded people that
names were not to be used according to Robert’s rules of Order. The President
reminded the gathering that all points go through the President.
For the Good of the Local
Can
the meetings be taped? We will check.
The
next meeting will be 11/07/07. The E-Board will be meeting on 11/20/07 to
make a proposed 2008 budget for presentation to the membership 11/07/07.
Megal
Sharon
Hall moved that the meeting be adjourned; second by Karen
Lasota. Accepted
Meeting
Adjourned at 1835.
Respectfully
submitted,
Sharon
Hall, Secretary/Steward
Local
3197
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