General Membership Meeting Minutes

Meeting was called to order at 7:02 PM at 918 Benjamin St. NE, Grand Rapids; Meeting was opened with the US Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation.

Roll Call of Officers:
Ray Novakoski, President
James Sweeney, Recording Secretary
Richard Page, Executive Vice President
Sandy Henkel, Treasurer
Bill Scutt, Clerk Craft Director
Linda Norman, Associate Office Director
Jim Myszka, Maintenance Craft Director
Scott Larabel, MVS Craft Director
Mike Long, Sergeant at Arms

February General Membership meeting minutes were accepted as printed and posted.

Application for membership, Treasurer's report and bills postponed.

Officer's Reports:

Associate Office Director's Report: Processing grievances for Byron Center and Holland employees. Last week's union business was done on own time, kind of slow for union work. Returned phone calls.

Maintenance Craft Director's Report: New MPE hired will start this week. Still another opening with a disabled Vet having applied and currently on hold due to his restrictions. Two new staffing packages-MS47 being grieved because of shortage of three custodian jobs. P1 steward has become a 204b. Arbitrations by Bill Scutt going very well. A reminder to witnesses for hearings: do not pull a no-show and don't walk out of a hearing.

Clerk Craft Director's Report: Problems referred to earlier in the Saukas case, went to Federal Court and awaiting the $10,000 settlement. Jennifer still working on the "principal assignment area" grievance along with the uniform grievance. The "casuals in lieu of" grievance was sustained but the amount of money will have to be settled here between management and the WMAL due in six months and will be starting talks with Labor Relations soon. Amount will be posted after determination of the amount.

Executive Vice President's Report: The ORGANIZING DRIVE, which was extended an extra month, went very well with approximately 40 new members joining, unfortunately due to attrition we also lost about 40 members. Members need to remind non-members of the grievance wins and benefits. Thank you too all members here and in the local for supporting in our training. Stewards training scheduled for March 21, 2003 from 3:00 PM-11: 00 PM. Recently attended Window Clerk Training session regarding MYSTERY SHOPPER PROGRAM but it was nothing more than a way to bolster discipline and forcing window clerks into answering "yes" to committing to asking all the "questions". Will be asking the Postmaster to do an independent investigation and will also be looking the "yes" answer from her. Thank you to John Bauer, NW Station Steward for stepping up to the plate. Meeting scheduled for Kentwood on the possible elimination of a clerk position. CFS schedule changes should be directed to Shari Meredith or her alternate, Tina Myers until the problems are resolved. Non-members list currently being updated and will be sent out soon.

MVS Craft Director's Report: Handling grievances and answering to complaints from the MVS side has been somewhat difficult. Have been leaving notes for the drivers being that it is difficult to contact them but am trying to get their issues resolved. Many issues including overtime, over-lapping and vacation scheduling. Sam is only approving leave for one person at a time in contrast with past practice. Having some difficulty obtaining original grievances that went to arbitration or beyond. Need help in retrieving them.

Treasurer's Report: Treasurer's report was accepted as presented.

Application for Membership carried:

Gene Anderson - retained/supervisor - Hudsonville

Bills: $8.76 for tonight's refreshments - carried.

President's Report: Reminder of MEMBER'S Constitutional Rights. Thank you to the membership for recent training in Midland MI. Retirement Counselor's Class and Workman's Comp Class were offered as well as "Building Your Local Union" class. Two arbitrations recently heard: "letter of warning", sustained; 14 day suspension reduced to a 9 month "letter of warning". Low cost tray sorter at MPO. MPO will be staffed by Mail Handler Craft and P1 staffed by Clerk Craft and will be challenged through the RI399 committee. Jennifer Amos is going to be attending the RI399 training coming up this month in Ft. Lauderdale. The P1 will have 8 more jobs. March 04, 2003 is when the PO will meet on the determination of the mega-site for CFS; Postmaster is keeping him informed. Fred has spoken with Ray and Petrocelli on the OEE (optimum equipment efficiency) committee. Mail handlers and APWU want to appoint to the committee. If anyone wants to be on the committee, let Ray know. Dick Page will also be on the committee. Dick, Bill and Ray attended the WM Postal Counselors Meeting which did not have a very good turnout and probably won't be attending another one. Moratorium on arbitrations with the exception of removals and discharges due to a "shake-out" of sorts.

Committee Reports: none.

Unfinished Business: none.

New Business:

Motion to purchase a new printer for the Treasurer for the union hall at a cost of up to $500.00. Discussion. Carried.

Motion to purchase APWU binders for all stewards and officers at an approximate cost of $12.00 each. Discussion. Carried.

Motion to donate $100.00 to the River City Bass Club for their annual Juniors Tournament for purchase of fishing rods, reels and tackle boxes. Discussion. Carried.

Motion to pay up to $50.00 for flowers for the family of Stephanie Shields, daughter of member, Tina Shields for her recent tragedy. Discussion. Carried. Division: 18 for, 10 against. Carried.

Motion to purchase one four drawer file cabinet for the union hall. Discussion. Carried.

Motion for Jim Myszka, Maintenance Craft Director to attend the upcoming Basic Arbitration training in Irving, TX April 7-13, 2003 to include airfare, lodging, loss time, perdiem, registration, applicable taxes and ground transportation to and from airport if applicable. Discussion. Carried.

Motion by Kramer, Norman to turn off or put on vibrate all cell phones during meeting. Discussion. Carried.

Labor/Management: Let Ray know any issues; meeting scheduled for March 19, 2003.

Drawings: COPA: $41.00 won by Richard Fletcher. $41.00 to COPA

$10.00 door prizes: T. Fasset, R. Jerrils, M. Gregory, S. Meredith, S. Lang

Meeting adjourned at 8:52 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

James Sweeney
Recording Secretary

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