Jan 2025 |
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AFGE, Local 3937 - Local Membership Meeting January 8, 2025 Conference Call Present were: John Pfannenstein, Laura Novakoski, Ross Tewksbury, Joyce Bybee, Jacob Miller, Adam Neff, Patti Mansbach, Brian Batchelor and one other. 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 5:33pm, chaired by John Pfannenstein, Local President. Agenda:
Jackie reports that we have $85,326 in checking and $177,380 in savings. Detailed Treasurer’s information is available on request. Tonight she could not join the call, but provided the financial snapshot and proposed the budget for 2025, as shown here: Adam made a motion to approve the Local’s budget as shown below for 2025; Brian seconded. After discussion, motion passed. 2024 Allocation 2025 Allocation General Overhead $10,000 $10,000 Union Administration $30,000 $30,000 Representation $35,000 $40,000 Legislative/Political $12,000 $7,000 Officer $15,000 $15,000 Employee $500 $500 Contributions/Gifts $1,000 $1,000 Total $103,500 $103,500 Old Business: Appointment Focused Service (AFS): John has been keeping upper level management updated with feedback we hear from the field regarding any difficulties experienced by users of the new process (employees and the public). One frustration is the lack of consistency between offices over what to handle to completion by phone or as a walk-in, versus what to schedule on the calendar. It appears to be, overall, a step in the right direction and has helped to keep lobby wait times down. This may not be ideal or what the public is used to, but we are in a 50-year low for staffing, with no overtime and no hiring. New Business: Tomorrow we will commemorate the life and achievements of former President Jimmy Carter. He signed the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, granting union officials time to be paid on the clock for duties they are obliged to perform under U.S. code for employees in the bargaining unit. He recognized the benefits to the public and federal workers in his vision of labor-management relations. It allows us to resolve problems at the earliest point, without incurring unnecessary costs. The Social Security Fairness Act was signed by President Biden this week, repealing WEP and GPO; we have no detailed instructions yet on how it will be managed. It will be retroactive to January 2024, which means we will have a large population who need adjustment to offset or who had not filed previously. There should be formal meetings at most offices on Friday to begin talking with staff about the changes. Reports: None. Open Floor / Miscellaneous: We offered a Q&A session on issues that members brought up during open discussion. Minutes Review: Laura made a motion that we accept the minutes as written and read; Joyce 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; Adam seconded. Motion passed. The meeting ended at 6:05pm. Minutes written and submitted by Laura Novakoski. |
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