Friday, March 22, 2013

03/19/2013 Executive Board Meeting

AFGE Local 2718 Executive Board Meeting
Minutes                             March 19, 2013                                   3:00 p.m.  via teleconference

MEETING CALLED BY:     President Andre Jones
TYPE OF MEETING:          Executive Board monthly meeting
NOTE TAKER:                     Brenda Treml
ATTENDEES:                       President Andre Jones, Executive Vice President Michael Ortiz, Secretary Brenda Treml, and Treasurer Bruce Allen
Opening
Call to Order at 3:00 p.m.
Reports
ICE Report from Executive Vice President Michael Ortiz         
·         Trying to get the three locals to decide whether to negotiate the escort wheel policy separately or together.  Negotiations are ongoing.
·         March 15, 2013 meeting with management:
o   All overtime has been halted.
o   Changes in shifts are being proposed due to sequestration.  Details have not been provided to the union at this point.
     Financial Report from Treasurer Bruce Allen
·        Purchased a laptop computer, jump drive, Quickbooks, and a tax program for $754.30.
·        Andre’s travel reimbursements:   Airfare to legislative conference Feb. 8-14:  $299.80, Airport transfers:  $74.00.  Hotel:  Still has to be paid for per diem.
·        Bruce has started writing separate checks for each expense category, so that each expense is documented.
·        Need to reimburse the Milwaukee reps – John Jaminet, Suzanne Canady, and Joe Barczyk – for their travel to Chicago for training last November.
·        People transferring in to our local from another local should fill out another application with our local number on it, and make a note that they are transferring from another local.
·         Anita Carroll has been out of the office for an extended period for health issues.  The union would like to arrange for a one-time gift to help her with expenses.  We will put this on the agenda for the April quarterly meeting for a vote.

Agenda Items
Sequestration Rallies 03/20/2013
·         The 7th District is co-sponsoring the rally tomorrow.
Labor Management Forums
·         The Director of USCIS has been attempting to control the LMF meetings.  Going forward, we will be more proactive and be prepared in the event that furloughs or reductions-in-force occur.
·         We will also have to address with management their attempts to limit union activity by denying official time.
Pay Grades
·         We are going to request that management give us more demographic information, including how many employees of each gender are in the district, and their pay grades.  Management refused to give those details in the past, but we will request again.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:59 p.m.