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MINUTES OF MONTHLY MEETING OF NORTHEASTERN WISCONSIN AREA LOCAL #2247

Date:  Wednesday, February 18th, 2026

Place:  Perkins

President Jenny Ewald called the meeting to order at 8:04am.

A quorum was declared with 16 members in attendance. 

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

A motion was made by Samantha Fritz and seconded by Dave Sass to recess the meeting until members put their food orders in.

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

A Motion was made by Steve Paradise and seconded by Pam Krause to make Sue Pranke, Cheryl Schoen, and Mary Gezella corresponding members to this meeting. Motion passed.

Minutes of the January 2026 meeting were read by Recording Secretary Emily Ewald. A motion was made by Steve Paradise and seconded by Samantha Fritz to accept the minutes. Motion passed.

The official financial report was read by President Jennifer Ewald.

Executive Committee: The E-bored discussed the need to clarify the language on the previous voted on four-state convention in La Crosse and the State Convention in Wisconsin Dells, management not accepting doctor’s notes when people call in sick, the yearly union picnic.

Labor/Management:  Items discussed in Labor Management meeting were plans on changing the facility and what automation equipment is moving, losing DB 8 and extending the SIPS machine, having carrier routes on the SIPS machine, moving where they prime mail in the morning, holiday scheduling, plant no longer taking lunches temporarily but customer service still having to take one, customer service also not getting breaks every 2 hours, not staffing passports properly, doctors notes not being accepted, better standardized training for new clerks.

Safety/Health: Items discussed were the carrier entrance full of equipment during the day and blocking the entrance, lighting in the plant, filling out 1767’s and to let a steward know if you filled one out and gave to management so we can see if they are fixing the issues.  

Grievance: Grievances were filed on the holiday scheduling for customer service, attendance/discipline cases, denying 3rd round annual leave bidding, ET job position for Milwaukee posting wrong hours, and crossing crafts.

Committee Reports: Theres a big push from national for safety and health in the workplace

  • Legislative: The APWU supports the Federal Retirement Fairness Act, this bill would allow employees to buy back the time they worked as non-career employees to use toward their retirement.
  • OWCP: 3 injuries at the plant
  • Constitution: The Constitution Committee is still waiting to meet to go over changes.

New Members: Mariana Ortiz Ramos, Teresa Sandoval, Robert Silcox, Maurice Collins, Lillian Anderson, Jodi Bain, Emily Hyde, Sebastion Juan Rodriguez, Stacy Lynn Kosaka, Isaiah Scherg, April Sohrweide, Troy Spencer, Shinny Taylor, Linda Yanak.

Communications Report: 3rd Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) effective March 7th, article on APWU website explains about it.  

Unfinished Business: Discussion was held on the previous motion form last meeting that was tabled, and to keep the motion tabled.

New Business:

A motion was made by David Sass and seconded by Clade Adkins to strike the language for 4-State and change to send the President, plus 2, to the State Convention in April. Discussion was held. Steve Paradise motioned to table discussion.

A motion was made by Clade Adkins and seconded by Samantha Fritz to give out 4 turkey gift cards this meeting and next instead of the previous motion for 2 so members have time to use them before they expire. Motion passed.

A motion was made by David Sass and seconded by Steve Paradise to lift the previous motion off the table.

A motion was made by David Sass and seconded by Samantha Fritz to send the President, plus 2, to the State Convention in April at Wisconsin Dells. Motion passed.

A motion was made by David Sass and seconded by Steve Paradise to send the President to the 4-State Convention on March 1st at La Crosse, to include all fees and late fees. Motion passed.

Other Business:     

Next Meeting:

A motion was made by David Sass and seconded by Fronchella Brunette to have the next meeting on Sunday, March 22nd at 2:30pm e-bored, 3:00pm members at Gallagher’s or e-bored recommendation.  Motion passed. 

Adjournment

A motion was made by Pam Krause and seconded by Samantha Fritz to adjourn the meeting.  Motion passed.  Meeting was adjourned at 9:14am.    

The 4 $15 Turkey vouchers were won by Fronchella Brunette, Clade Adkins, Jennifer Ewald, and Mary Gezella.

The $160 jackpot winner was Richard Stephenson. Member was not in attendance. Jackpot will be $180 at the next meeting.

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