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AFGE, Local 3937 - Local Business Meeting November 9, 2022 Conference Call Present were: John Pfannenstein, Jeff Shane, Laura Novakoski, Steffen Pleiness and Ben Konrady. The meeting was held via Zoom conference call with dial-in information posted to the Members section of our Local website. The meeting was called to order at 5:30pm, chaired by John Pfannenstein, Local President. Agenda:
Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer was not present at the meeting tonight, so we do not have a current balance report for the notes. Old Business: None. New Business: Election Committee – We had some shakeups on the committee, one member had to step down due to time constraints which leaves us with not enough Local members at this late date. We reached out to National Vice President of AFGE District 11, Tim Snyder. He graciously offered their assistance to help us run our election and ensure that it is completed timely and legitimately by the end of the 2022 cycle. It will be run by mail (nominations, ballots) through an experienced third-party vendor. Our remaining Election Committee members will continue to be involved as much as possible. Reports: Jeff shared news with us about the upcoming ATSC relocation, about which we are bargaining this month. They will be moving to a commercial space in Federal Way, WA, to a significantly smaller facility. This change is based on the presumption that telework will continue, so they can reduce their physical footprint. This includes, unfortunately, the closure of the current on-site employee health unit and that part of the change is bargainable (while much about relocations is not, under the current Contract). Our 1A proposal was that we wanted telehealth services to be offered to employees. The main goal of telehealth is urgent/triage care, not for mundane symptoms after reporting to work. We trust employees to screen their own condition and decide if they’re able to work or should take leave. It turns out the main current use of services on-site is flu shots. We discussed the subsequent proposals and struck language up to this point. In all instances they declined to include boilerplate language about what they consider already “covered by” provisions of the Contract or statutes, but we thoroughly enjoy reminding them of their obligations. In our 1B, we proposed a traveling nurse to come in annually to administer vaccines as appropriate and requested by employees, either on duty time or personal time. This service was provided in our region through at least 2019, but since then the Agency seems to want to rely on community-provided services instead and quietly ended their provision of this benefit regardless of Contract language and the funding currently required for the on-site nurse. We have countered with a proposal for a Letter of Intent for a 3-year study period regarding participation and access to an employer-provided vaccination service. Bargaining is ongoing, but we expect this to go to mediation and possibly to impasse or an Unfair Labor Practice for not bargaining in good faith. Minutes Review: Jeff made a motion that we accept the minutes as written and read; Steffen seconded. Motion passed. You can stay informed about topics like these and much more by going to www.afge.org to sign up for Action Alerts to be sent via text or email so that you are informed of current legislative and political events – please do so on your personal computer or phone, not on duty time or on Agency equipment. Laura moved to adjourn; Jeff seconded. Motion passed. The meeting ended at 6:22pm. Minutes written and submitted by Laura Novakoski, Secretary. |
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