Present | Present | ||||
President Forrest Hasty | X | Director Mark Trogstad-Isaacson | |||
Vice President Corey Mathisen | Director Steven Oswald | ||||
Past President Mohammad Dehdashti | X | Director Jason Radde | |||
Secretary Alex Bartley | Director Heather Gardner | ||||
Treasurer Gene Hicks | X | Director Laura Lyons | |||
Director Bridget Miller | X | Executive Director Dana Wheeler | |||
Director Kevin Joyce | X | Robert Haag, Labor Relations | |||
Director Victor Vasas | X | Kari Torkelson, Admin. Asst. | |||
Director Jason Hedeen | X | /Membership Mgr. | |||
Call to order:
Meeting was called to order by President Forest Hasty at 3:33 PM
Approval of Agenda:
Adjust meeting Minutes (in Agenda only). Motion to approve the agenda by Laura Lyons, Heather Gardner Seconded. Motion passes with electronic vote (raising hands in Microsoft Teams indicates “yea”).
Secretary’s report – Alex Bartley
There was no secretary’s report since Alex was absent.
Approval of Past Minutes – With a new secretary there was a discussion about the format and detail of the minutes. Corrections to make:
- Mark TI was absent. Correct spelling of his last name
- Discussion about the amount of detail in these minutes. Without agenda it does not have context.
- Correct spelling of Forrest’s name
- Should [5:15PM] Steve Oswald leaves
- Annual meeting should be the Monday before Memorial Day versus the month before Memorial Day.
- Correct Bridget’s name.
A decision was made to approve the past minutes later after changes were made.
Executive Directors report – Dana Wheeler
Building Update – Insurances have been renewed. One option came in allowing to combine the functions of two current policies. It would provide greater coverage for loss assessment in the event the Office Park Association deductible was applied to something covered by their policy (such as replacing the roof). That option will be considered in coming weeks/months. One lower-level office remains open.
Grievance Update
Dana discussed ongoing grievances. Update Backpay to show we won arbitration.
Minnesota Retired State Employee Association (MRSEA) – Due to COVID less members are paying dues, and they are running a deficit of. A few of their board members are reaching out to prior organizations asking for help.
- Does MGEC want to financially support them or to encourage members to join MRSEA when they retire?
- We want to know how they benefit our members in retirement, and how we can help them.
- Need more info on what the benefits are.
- Dana will ask John to attend the next meeting on March 29th or type up a list of benefits to share with the board.
COVID related Meetings between Unions & MMB
- SF3 seeks to reduce the operating budgets for state government. It seeks to set the stage for talking points for the Senate’s coming budget.
- Making progress vaccinating Minnesotans. There will be a new facility called The Connector.
- 26 will be next budget forecast.
- MAPE has had an opportunity to meet with him to share concern for state employees in budget discussion.
- MGEC we affirm what Megan said know some of the larger groups sometimes share comments reflective of the smaller groups.
- Vaccinations – they are looking at ways to get vaccine for state employees who are in the 1A category. They are still waiting for definition to be refined for 1B.
Dana Flexible Vacation Plans – Dana may be out of contact from MGEC during part of March. Dates are in flux but could begin as soon as March 6 through the end of March. As internet is available, he’ll be able to work during quarantine. All available steps will be taken to prepare early for arbitrations. The next Board meeting would be March 29th.
Administrative Assistant/Membership Manager – Kari Torkelson
Membership Update – 995 full members, 122 represented non-members, 4 voluntary contributors and 37 associate members.
MGEC Website – Kari asked for suggestions for updating the MGEC Website and topics of future email to members and gave an overview of the updated web site.
Bargaining Survey & Early Response Update – currently about 580 responses so far. Kari went over the survey questions and responses.
- Returning to work during COVID is a concern.
- Wanting equipment at home and office
- Improving the insurance option into retirement (1 + 1)
- Not happy with Student Loan Pilot
- Prioritization – Wages, Insurance, Sick & Vacation, Def. Comp. and lowest was HCSP.
- Expected Retirement – 25% within 6 years, 71% at 6+ years.
Reasons for not being a member.
- JH has concern about reaching out to those surveyed would make people feel like it wasn’t anonymous.
- FH thinks we should respond so that people find out what we’re doing rather than be left with misrepresentations.
- HG thinks a call is better than a counter email.
- JH has been convinced to reach out.
- VV said he thinks a lot of the comments are based on dues.
- BM said now is not the time to change dues.
- DW dues are half of step 1 of range 9.
- JR are we short money? If not, lets’ get back to the survey.
Additional items for contract
- Expand vacation cap to 300 or 325 hours.
- Make student loan repayment permanent.
- Continue telework.
- Keep the equity adjustment language in the contract.
- Ability to work out of state or internationally.
- Wanting 2 more holidays for diversity/inclusion reason
LL said her HR is saying a person cannot be promoted during their probationary period.
How do you get information from MGEC?
- 90% prefer it in an email.
The board had a discussion about indexing the dues to a member’s salary or leaving them the way they are now. No design was made; it was agreed to discuss it at a future meeting.
Presidents Report – Forrest Hasty
Dana’s performance review is done.
Annual meeting May 24th.
Equity Adjustments – they were denied. We met with Bonnie, Karin, Liz, Ashely. They weren’t too sure there is an equity. As time goes by, the inequities will become more. They don’t want to submit a group again. Individual employees should contact Bonnie.
- Forrest has done a survey of what pay is at the counties.
- Some of the managers are meeting with Jay Hietpas and Nancy Daubenberger this Wednesday.
- We asked about moving up lower manager levels.
- Jason R. said people had paperwork to get more than three steps.
PCA folks have held off on seeking equity adjustments until the backpay step issue gets clarified.
Membership Meetings – We’ve had 12 meetings. Are going well and will continue.
Committee Check-in’s – Forrest will get an updated list of committee members.
- Promotional/Recruiting – Add Kevin and Blake to the committee. Need a new person to chair. Kevin Joyce will chair.
- Finance – Needs to meet to approve budget. Gene will schedule a meeting soon (Gene, Victor, Laura Lyons, Blake, Mohammad, Dana).
- KT asked if the scholarship committee has set a date to meet?
- Legislative Comm. will meet again. Laura, they met last Friday to review policies. There are multiple policies about elections. Some duplicative about elections.
Treasurer’s Report – Gene Hicks
The monthly budget report was reviewed. Our Vanguard investment was at $99,670 an increase of $19,670 over the $80k that we contributed. We will continue to add $10k each quarter until we reach a total of $100k contributed.
- Why was money not put into the retirement account for November? Why doesn’t it show on the report?
- Line 64, why the larger payment in January.
- Line 51, why was there a 2nd website fee? Was the first for hosting and the second for constant contact. No $588 should have gone to line 48.
- JR Question lost time for a non-board member. It’s over $2,600 for Blake.
- BM also feels BN brings value to the committees given the history he brings.
Vice Presidents Report – Corey Mathisen
Absent, no Report
Past President Report – Mohammad Dehdashti
No Report
Adjourn: A motion was made to adjourn by Mohammad Dehdashti, 2nd by Victor Vasas. Passed by voice vote at 6:19 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Gene Hicks Dana Wheeler
Treasure (Acting Secretary) Executive Director