Present | Present | ||
President Corey Mathisen | X | Director Mike Kruse | X |
Vice President Dan Sullivan | X | Director Blake Nelson | X |
Past President Forrest Hasty | X | Director Sam Padelford | X |
Treasurer Laura Lyons | X | Director Jason Radde | X |
Secretary Benton Campbell | X | Director Mark Trogstad-Isaacson | X |
Director John Dalton | X | Executive Director Dana Wheeler | X |
Director Kevin Joyce | X | Administrative Assistant Donna Blackwell | X |
Director Mary Kloos | X | Labor Relations Specialist Tony Kelly | X |
Director Justin Kraus | X |
Others in attendance: Morgan Bolstad, MPCA, Robert Little, MPCA
Agenda
Welcome participants & guests (Corey Mathisen)
Call the Meeting to Order (Corey Mathisen)
Called to order at 3:33 PM
Review & Approve Agenda (Corey Mathisen)
Blake Nelson adds insurance coalition bargaining update to agenda.
Mary Kloos moves to approve agenda, Blake Nelson seconds. Motion passes.
Open Forum (from non-board members)
No questions from Morgan Bolstad, no questions from Robert Little (each here to listen to Juneteenth item)
Secretary’s Report – Review & Approve Past Minutes (Benton Campbell)
- May 23 Meeting
- No edits to minutes, Mike Kruse moves to approve, Justin Kraus seconds, motion passes.
President’s Report (Corey Mathisen)
- Juneteenth messaging follow up (via email and website updates) were discussed. Recommendations varied for future messaging. Members shared their perspectives and stories and were contacted by staff and officers. No additional formal board action was taken at this time, but all recommendations were heard, valued and will continue to be considered in future MGEC discussions.
5 min break (4:45-4:50 PM)
- MAPD/MGEC relationship
Board discussed the relationship between MGEC and MAPD, as members have asked questions about the connection. Per Dana Wheeler, they serve some of the same members and both focus on employment related issues. For MAPD those issues are in relation to activities broadly defined as “professional development”. Because of MGEC concerns that members may confuse the two organizations, MAPD has renewed its efforts to make it obvious that it’s a separate organization. A brief description was provided of MAPD’s size, organization, role and function. Changes made include having a separate address, email, and website. MAPD sent an email explaining itself as a separate organization and mission. Additionally, MGEC will take another look at what links it provides to other organizations. The discussion recognized the overlap of services provided by MGEC staff. MAPD has paid Donna and Dana for their time spent working for MAPD separate from time working for MGEC. Board members suggested separate phone numbers for MGEC from MAPD and possibly separate phones. The Executive Committee will review work tools as provided for in MGEC employee contracts and discuss the matter in general.
- Meeting scheduling – discussion about use state Team account for MGEC meetings
Corey Mathisen received a call from Jennifer Claseman (MMB), during which she stated she felt that a “Meet With MGEC” meeting during a lunch hour was a violation of the acceptable use policy for state devices. In contrast, the MGEC Contract specifically provides “The Agency shall provide the Council access to communicate with members of the bargaining unit via electronic communication and meeting space, as available. It is specifically understood that posted materials shall not advocate any course of action contrary to the provisions of this Agreement, nor shall it contain material of a partisan political or inflammatory nature.” Informational, no action taken.
- Committee Reports
Promotional Items – There was a meeting with MnDOT Grad Program nonmembers. MGEC has begun monthly meetings with non-members to inform them of MGEC, what MGEC does for them and the benefits of MGEC membership. With regard to promotional items, Kevin Joyce sent thoughts on items (power bank, key ring power bank, pop socket) to committee members. In addition to the Golf outing before the MGEC Annual Meeting, MGEC is considering having at least two separate social events. This may inform us of the level of “in person” activity union members desire. The Promotional Committee will continue planning and proceed with these events.
- MGEC Staffing Update
No table on leave balances this month. Corey Mathisen can send it to board members if they need. Dana Wheeler is striving to work closer to half time, and use vacation so he is paid for 80 hours each pay period.
Treasurer’s Report (Laura Lyons)
- Finance Committee Report
- Proposed FY2023 Budget
Mike Kruse moves to approve budget for presentation at the annual meeting, Mark TI seconds. Motion Passes.
Executive Director’s Report (Dana Wheeler)
- Member Advocacy Update
Prior credit for vacation accrual issue. State vs MGEC employment service time issue. MGEC responded to employer. Probation Extension: Employer agreed they should have consulted with Union and employee prior to extending probation. Supervisor Pay Differential Grievance: Negative response from MMB. Nearly verbatim from first response. MMB claims MGEC was not timely and did not demonstrate MMB violated contract. Evaluating next steps.
- COVID MMB Meeting
Most have been called off recently, now moving to monthly. No significant discussions that affect MGEC.
- Bargaining Update
Forrest Hasty and Jim Michels are reviewing compensation materials that have been prepped for interest arbitration. Dana Wheeler is coordinating information from members as well historical inflation information from state contracts. Upon arbitrator award, MMB has 7 days to provide contract to the SER. It’s a public meeting. Typically, MMB provides the contract update to the SER. The union could comment.
- Taking time off through the summer
Dana Wheeler is reducing his working hours and taking vacation.
Membership Report (Donna Blackwell)
- Membership Update
Verification of the report will take place this week. 1,166 total employees in bargaining unit 212 (the MGEC unit). 1 member requested to drop membership due to financial difficulties.
- Communication article – Front Line Worker Pay: Board recommends including a blurb in next communication, with disclaimer that employees should determine their individual eligibility (potentially on-call, inspections, etc.) and make their own decisions about applying for the compensation.
Labor Relations Report (Tony Kelly)
- Supervisor Pay Differential Grievance
Covered in ED report
- Weingarten Rights
Supreme court case, if an employee reasonably believes there will be discipline, they can request a union rep be present. Union members shoulder responsibility to ask for union rep. It is a good practice to have someone present who’s got your back.
- Juneteenth Information
If anyone has questions about the article, please let Tony Kelly know, he’s more than willing to discuss the message, context and parallels made.
Vice President’s Report (Dan Sullivan)
- No Updates
Past President’s Report – (Forrest Hasty)
- No updates
Other updates, comments, questions, suggestions – (Blake Nelson)
- Insurance coalition met, still discussing fertility benefit. Estimated to be included in 2023 insurance for the membership. Consideration for reimbursement for travel to fertility clinics. Attempting to rank well-being program participation by item. Vaccinations, appointments most common. Only 19% of 18–35 year-old employees are participating in the well being program.
Adjourn
Blake Nelson moves to adjourn, Forrest Hasty seconds, meeting adjourned 6:55 PM Central Time