March 2025 Minutes

MINUTES OF MONTHLY MEETING OF NORTHEASTERN WISCONSIN AREA LOCAL #2247

Date:  Sunday, March 30th, 2025

Place:  Gallaghers

President Jenny Ewald called the meeting to order at 2:08pm.

A quorum was declared with 24 members in attendance. 

Jenny Ewald led the Pledge of Allegiance and Steve Paradise gave the Invocation. 

The following officers were present:  President Jennifer Ewald, Vice President David Sass, Secretary/Treasurer Molly Crevier, Maintenance Craft Director Samantha Fritz, Recording Secretary Emily Ewald, and Bay Breeze Editor Bill Kabacinski. Motor Vehicle Craft Director Clade Adkins and Clerk Craft Director Sebastian Zeutzius were excused.

Minutes of the February 2025 meeting were printed in the Bay Breeze.  A motion was made by Emily Piontek and seconded by David Sass to accept the minutes.  Motion passed. 

The financial report for October was read by Treasurer Molly Crevier.  

Executive Committee: The e-board discussed the budget and planning for the yearly union picnic, a program called American Benefits Exchange that would take a group of at least 10 people that are interested in learning more about financing and how to make your money work for you, the program can have a seminar in person or through zoom. NEWAL 2247 having to rejoin the Green Bay Labor Council because it is a part of the constitution that the union is part of it; if we would like to change it we need to form a constitutional committee. Also discussed was forming a constitutional committee and anyone interested to let a union steward know. Lunches are supposed to start again on May 3^rd.

Labor/Management:  Discussed in Labor Management was BDS drills in the plant have not been done in a long time and we have a lot of new employees who do not know what it is and what to do, along with fire drills and tornado drills. Why are pses not being trained on the dock so they can fill in when the expeditor is on leave/off. Supervisor is expediting regularly, possibility of training automation clerks as backups, making lead clerk jobs more desirable, how long do work orders take to get filled or is there a way or tracking them so employees know when to, or if to, put in another. How do maintenance employees pref or deny job opportunities properly, dock mishandling VMF parts, labels for food for break room refrigerator, APC’s being left empty outside by the back of building, the National Day of Action on March 20^th, mandating people on the off days for weeks and not utilizing the overtime list.

Safety/Health: Items discussed were the tarp and hose above DB11 that has been there for a while and the roof needs to be inspected. Walls falling apart in the bathrooms, request for new bathrooms is constantly denied. Lighting is out above DB 8, and the new Fireworks system should be completed by May.

Grievance:  Grievances on overtime bypass, higher level pay when doing higher level work, housekeeping inspection, small office postmasters working more then 15 hours, some small offices not getting paid proper overtime when working over 8 hours, discipline cases, and job reversions.

Legislative: Steve Paradise discussed the Supreme Court justice race and the importance of voting on April 1^st, act 10 has not been fully resolved. Donald Trump has signed an executive order to take away barging rights for some federal employees. It is important to call your congressmen and senators to voice your opinion or concerns. Jennifer Ewald discussed the National Convention for Presidents in Washington and that topics discussed were Wells Fargo posting about the benefits of owning the Postal Service. The contract we have is between the APWU and the United States Postal Service, if they were to sell and change USPS we would no longer have a contract.

OWCP:

Constitution:  We need to set up a committee and update the constitution, will take names at the next meeting to all people interested in being part of the committee.

New Members: Karl Price, Gary Savona, Maeng Sik Shin, Ella Theno, and John Barny.

Lost Members: 

Communications: Discussion was held on the floor downtown has had missing tiles for a while, they just have a carpet over it causing a tripping hazard, a 1767 will be filled out and brought up to management. MVS drivers brought up the logistics of sending mail and that they receive multiple containers that are not full going to the same place. There getting multiple gaylords that are 5% full and take up a lot of space in the trucks, items need to be condensed. Discussion was also held on more expeditors on the dock to help during busy times.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS  

NEW BUSINESS

A motion was made by Samantha Fritz and seconded by Molly Crevier to spend up to $5,000 on the yearly union picnic at Calavera Springs Park in Howard. Motion passed.

OTHER BUSINESS     

NEXT MEETING

A motion was made by Bill Kabacinski and seconded by Samantha Fritz to have the next meeting on Thursday, April 17th at 7:30am at Bay Family Restaurant.  Motion passed. 

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Molly Crevier and seconded by Deborah Nehmer to adjourn the meeting.  Motion passed.  Meeting was adjourned at 3:10pm.    

The $10 door prize was won by Brad Posey.

The $220 jackpot winner was Kim Gerrits. Member was not in attendance so will be $240 at the next meeting.

Attendees: See attached sign-in sheet. Minutes submitted by Recording Secretary Emily Ewald.