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MINUTES OF MONTHLY MEETING OF NORTHEASTERN WISCONSIN AREA LOCAL #2247
Date: Sunday, January 26th, 2022
Place: Gallagher’s
President Kelly Heaney called the meeting to order at 3 pm.
A quorum was declared with 15 members in attendance.
Kelly Heaney led the Pledge of Allegiance and Steve Paradise gave the Invocation.
The following officers were present: President Kelly Heaney, Secretary/Treasurer Art Ciesielczyk, Recording Secretary Jenny Starry, Clerk Craft Director Steve Paradise and Maintenance Craft Director Dave Villwock. Vice President Dave Kroll and Bay Editor Kelsey Helf were excused.
Minutes of the November 2021 meeting were printed in the Bay Breeze. A motion was made by Steve Paradise and seconded by Dave Villwock to accept the minutes. Motion passed.
The financial reports for November and December were read by Secretary/Treasurer Art Ciesielczyk.
Executive Committee: The e-board discussed the State and National Convention, the 4 State Caucus, and the Health Plan Seminar. The staff shortage at the plant was also discussed.
Labor/Management: 31 items were brought up, 13 of them maintenance items. The reverting of jobs and missing jobs were discussed. The minutes are posted.
Grievance: A class action crossing crafts grievance for November for over 600 hours was settled and paid out to 78 clerks. December was a free for all because of all the overtime that was declined. Payment is pending on a sub-contracting grievance at Cofrin for $15,000. Payment is pending on a RI-399 grievance for $6000.
Safety/Health:
Legislative: Steve Paradise gave his last Legislative report. He talked about the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to protect our right to vote. The new chair of the U.S. Postal Board of Governors was nominated by then President Donald Trump, so Postmaster Louis DeJoy is here to stay. A bill dubbed the DeJoy Act, H.R. 2230 has been introduced in the House Oversight Committee. It requires the Postal Service to maintain service standards that were in effect on January 1. 2021, before Postmaster General’s 10-year plan. He also asked members to support State of Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB476. This bill ensures privacy and protection for breastfeeding moms in the workplace. It would ensure they are provided a private space with an electrical outlet, a sink with running water and a refrigerator when they return to the workplace.
OWCP: If you have or had Covid, file an OWCP claim. There are pamphlets in the breakroom or on apwu.org.
Constitution:
New Members: Thomas Hendra, Keith Skonning, Susan Hill, Diane Corn, Elizabeth Richards, Nia Weathersby, Amy Garrity, and Dee Mongial.
Lost Members: Vah Thao quit and Neil Ratzburg quit.
Communications: Thank you letters were received from the Salvation Army, the N.E.W. Community Shelter and the House of Hope for our donations.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
A motion was made by Dave Villwock and seconded by Chris Opolka to spend up to $5000 on the picnic on the first Sunday in August. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Art Ciesielczyk and seconded by Karilee Hookana to send Jenny Starry to the Health Plan Seminar in San Diego in October to include lost time, per diem, transportation, registration, and lodging. Motion passed.
OTHER BUSINESS
Lance Bouyear was sworn in as Maintenance Craft Director and Chris Opolka was sworn in as Clerk Craft Director.
NEXT MEETING
A motion was made by Pam Krause and seconded by Clade Adkins to have the next meeting on Wednesday, February 16th at 1pm at Gallagher’s. Motion passed.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Steve Paradise and seconded by Dave Villwock to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed. Meeting was adjourned at 4:35 pm.
The $10 door prize was won by Jenny Ewald.
The t-shirt/beanie door prize winners were Jessica Meza and Jenny Starry.
The $320 rolling jackpot winner was Steve Heim. He was not present so it will be $340 at the next meeting.
Attendees: See attached sign-in sheet.
Minutes submitted by Recording Secretary Jenny Starry.