Chapter Two August 20, 2009 Minutes
Chapter Two Meeting
August 20, 2009
Butler, PA
Chapter Chair Laurie Kubli called the meeting to order at 6:04 pm at the YMCA in Butler. Pizza, potato chips, fruit and beverages were provided.
A motion was made to approve the minutes of the June 30, 2009 Chapter meeting. Motion made by Mary Ann Isaac and 2nd by Steve Yasinsky. Passed by acclamation.
A motion was made to approve the expenses for the June 2009 meeting for the shop members at the Beaver CAO. Motion was made by Joelle Ehrmentrout and 2nd by Eric Dodd. Motion passed by acclamation.
A motion was made for a lap top to be purchased for the Chapter Chair and to be used by the Chapter Chair and then passed on to the next Chapter Chair. The purchase is to include a wireless adaptor for home. Motion was made by Eric Dodd and 2nd by Joelle Ehrmentrout. Motion passed by acclamation.
Steward training will be held September 19, 2009 at the King’s Restaurant in Barkeyville. The training is scheduled for 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Lunch and beverages will be provided for those attending. All members are eligible to attend the steward training, even if not a steward. If attending you need to inform Jamie (1-800-910-6672 ext. 10) in the Erie union office by August 29, 2009 so that enough training materials are available for those attending. It was decided to hold the next Chapter meeting immediately following the steward training on September 19, 2009.
OVR Report by Russ Goddard
There are issues in the Dubois OVR office concerning extending the probation period for new employees. A steward cannot sign off any agreements with local management. Any side agreements must be done by a business agent. Any agreements should be discussed with the steward and management and the business agent.
CAO Supervisors Report by Mary Ann Isaac
Management is trying to make CAO work performed statewide and not done by each county doing their own work. They are still mandating the “modern office” concept and initiating it in various offices throughout the state. If any union member sees work being done in a different way than it use to be done they should contact their business agent and report the changes.
Management is initiating pilot programs everywhere to see how to shift the work around. This is usually not good for the workers.
The Commonwealth did lose its Federal Food Stamp bonus this year because of wrongful denials of food stamps to applicants.
The LIHEAP Program is to be drastically cut for the 09-10 fuel programs. The regular cash program will be only December 1, 2009 through January 3, 2010 and Crisis Program is only for January 4, 2010 through March 15, 2010 and the cash grant is a minimum of $100.00 and the Crisis is $300.00, and there will be only one crisis grant per household. Also, the limits are back to 150% of poverty level.
The Butler County county employees are still trying to get contracts for two bargaining units. Three contracts were settled by arbitration, but the county employees can’t get the County Commissioners to even give them what the arbitrator awarded the other three units. A ULP has been filed because the County Commissioners are not honoring the old contract.
Business Agent Jon Hitchings gave a report on how important it is to try to support the communities where you live in any meetings that are happening concerning the Health Care debate. We need health care reform, and members should not believe the rumors that are out there. We need health care for everyone to the benefit of everyone.
Business Agent Charlene Smith gave a report on how we all need to support each other when there are issues with our employers, may we be county employees or state employees. If there are breakouts, then we should show our support for each other.
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting. Motion made by Karen Heasley and 2nd by Dan Richards. Motion passed by acclamation.
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Sara Dudash
Chapter Secretary