May 2020 Minutes

MINUTES OF MONTHLY MEETING OF NORTHEASTERN WISCONSIN AREA LOCAL #2247

Date: Sunday, May 31st, 2020

Place: The Labor Temple

President Kelly Heaney called the meeting to order at 1305 hours.

A quorum was declared with 10 members in attendance.

Kelly Heaney led the Pledge of Allegiance and Steve Paradise gave the Invocation.

The following officers were present:

President Kelly Heaney, Vice President Dave Kroll, Secretary/Treasurer Art Ciesielczyk, Recording Secretary Jenny Starry, Bay Breeze Editor Kelsey Helf, Clerk Craft Director Steve Paradise, and Maintenance Craft Director Pete Knutson. Motor Vehicle Craft Director Jeremy Linberg was excused.

Minutes of the February 2020 meeting were printed in the Bay Breeze.

A motion was made by Steve Paradise and seconded by Art Ciesielczyk to accept the minutes. Motion passed unanimously.

The financial report for February 2020 was read by Secretary/Treasurer Art Ciesielczyk.

Executive Committee: The e-board discussed union dues going up, COVID-19 at the plant, cancelling the picnic, and the conventions that have been cancelled and postponed.

Labor/Management: The plant manager decided to cancel the meeting.

Grievance: There are 7 active grievances at step 2. There is a new step 2 rep.

Safety/Health: At the April meeting, the smell coming out of the air conditioning units was discussed. Kelly has been on tele-conferences making sure we have gloves, masks, wipes, toilet paper, and alcohol.

Legislative: Steve Paradise gave the legislative report. He talked about HR6800. This is the bill for another stimulus package for COVID-19 for $25 billion of which $10 billion would be given to the USPS. It passed the House and is now in the Senate, but probably won’t be brought up. HR2382 Senate Bill 2965, to repeal the prefunding requirement probably won’t be brought up in the Senate either. Republicans want to streamline the employee removal process but it has no Democratic sponsors. Republicans also want to change the TSP to remove Chinese companies from the International Fund.

OWCP:

Constitution:

New Members: Josh Kunkel and Eric Relein

Lost Members: Linda Anderson, Dave LuMaye, John Destiche, Elaine Fitzpatrick, Roxanne Cagle, Gloria Shermo, Jane Colegrove and Mike Skalitzky

Communications:

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

A motion was made by Dave Kroll and seconded by Kelsey Helf to cancel this year’s union picnic due to COVID-19. Motion passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Dave Kroll and seconded by Pete Knutson to pay Art Ciesielczyk $47.73 for 83 miles round trip to go to Robert’s house to retrieve the secretary/treasurer files. Motion passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Dave Kroll and seconded by Art Ciesielczyk to pay Chris Opolka $47.73 for 83 miles round trip to go to Robert’s house to complete the audit. Motion passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Steve Paradise and seconded by Art Ciesielczyk that the March and April meetings were cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic. Motion passed unanimously.

OTHER BUSINESS

Kelly swore in Art Ciesielczyk as the new Secretary/Treasurer.

There are masks for sale on the APWU website for $5.

NEXT MEETING

A motion was made by Steve Paradise and seconded by Dave Kroll to have the next meeting on Wednesday, June 24th, at 2:30 pm. Motion passed unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Steve Paradise and seconded by Dave Kroll to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously. NEWAL meeting adjourned at 1400 hours.

The $10 door prize was won by Kelsey Helf.

Attendees: See attached sign-in sheet.

Minutes submitted by Recording Secretary Jenny Starry.