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AFGE, Local 3937 - Local Business Meeting January 11, 2023 Conference Call Present were: John Pfannenstein, Jeff Shane, Laura Novakoski, Tonya Boren, Adam Neff, Monica Rodgers, Steve Kofahl, Nicole Duncan and Tim Snyder. 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:
Old Business: None New Business: Election Committee – The Local’s election process is ongoing for the next three-year term, directed by our committee and AFGE District 11. The nomination period has closed, and all the Executive Board offices were elected by acclamation, with positions as follows: Local President - John Pfannenstein Executive Vice President - Nicole Duncan First Vice President - Jeffrey Shane Second Vice President - Adam Neff Third Vice President - Tonya Boren Local Secretary - Laura Novakoski Local Treasurer - Jacqueline Walton Delegates - Stephen Kofahl, Donald Schaefer, Monica Rodgers We are excited to welcome two new additions to the Local 3937 Executive Board: 2nd VP Adam Neff and 3rd VP Tonya Boren. They are ready to serve and assist you, and our AFGE District 11 National Vice President Tim Snyder was at tonight’s meeting to administer the oath of office. Congratulations on your positions, new or old; we will accomplish great things together in the new year. We have a lot to battle, and the past year has been a struggle for the Local leadership, for employees, and for the public we serve. We are hopeful that there are opportunities on the horizon to make real change happen for all employees of SSA. The Omnibus Bill that passed recently may direct funds towards hiring and training, which will help to support both our more experienced and our newer employees. Although the officer positions were filled by nomination, there is a vacancy for Regional Vice President of Council 224 (OQR). In the past, when nobody ran for the position, it had been automatically filled by the Local President per our understanding. However, we have since clarified with that Council that it must be filled by election (versus how the OHO position functions). We discussed providing a nomination opportunity for that position, and how to allow the membership to rank delegate positions. We will notify members of any necessary next steps. Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer was not present at the meeting tonight, but provided a current balance of accounts during our Executive Board meeting earlier today. We have not yet approved a 2023 budget, although the previous year’s budget automatically rolled over. We appear to be within budget for all categories for 2022 (our expenses have remained quite low due to the pandemic). Regular ongoing bills include telephone service, Zoom platform, C220 per capita dues and Treasurer/Secretary salaries. Therefore, Jackie asked that at tonight’s meeting we retain the same budget categories and amounts as we used last year (last summer saw the triennial national convention so for 2022 we had increased Legislative/Political and Union Admin, and this year will see the District 11 caucus with similar expense needs). Adjustments can also be made between categories during the year if needed. 2023 Allocation General Overhead $10,000 Union Administration $30,000 Representation $35,000 Legislative/Political $7,000 Officer $20,000 Employee $500 Contributions/Gifts $1,000 Total $103,500 Laura made a motion that the Local membership adopt the proposed 2023 budget as shown; Nicole seconded. Motion passed. Reports: Council 220 is still discussing telework with the Agency, though we cannot officially bargain any aspect of Article 41 until the contract term ends. We do not know what it will look like for the various components after the current initiative of the Acting Commissioner ends on 3/31/23. However, we have given them a proposal that we feel would help us to attract and retain employees to make us more competitive compared to other agencies or job opportunities. It involves allowing employees with more time in service to gradually be allowed more telework days per week (after 3 years, after 10 years, etc). There are many details to discuss and explore with the Agency, but we have parallel interests considering our staffing crisis and the ever-increasing volume of work to handle. Both recruitment and retention could be improved by matching places like the VA, for example. Minutes Review: Laura made a motion that we accept the minutes as written and read; Steve 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. Steve moved to adjourn; Tonya seconded. Motion passed. The meeting ended at 6:25pm. Minutes written and submitted by Laura Novakoski, Secretary. |
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