American Postal Workers Union

Austin Area Local 299

Executive Board Meeting Minutes

8/15/09

 

President Larry Roberts called the meeting to order at 11:05 am at the AFL-CIO Bldg. There was a roll call of the officers by Secretary Cory L. Purifoy. There was a

quorum.

 

Excused Absent: Jesse Benavides, Al Garcia, Leonard Lara and Raymond Thompson

 

Unexcused Absent: Ben Soliz

 

****************************************************************************

 

Old Business from July 18, 2009:

 

 

  1. The Executive Board Minutes from May 16, 2009 were distributed for review and questions.  A motion was made by VP Linda Daniel to accept the Executive Board Minutes from May. (Motion passed)

 

  1. There was a discussion about training for local representatives in how to deal with HR Shared Services at the upcoming conference in Las Vegas.

 

  1. There was a discussion about OWCP and the Merit Service Protection Board (MSPB) along the rights of employees and the limitations that exist for the APWU.

 

  1. There was a discussion about the problems that Light/Limited Duty employees will face in the near future.

 

  1. There was a discussion about the Postal Service’s desire to compress window service operations. Also, there was a discussion about the Postal Service’s desire to obtain permission to close East Austin and Town North facilities.

 

  1. A motion was made by Brother Ben Soliz that the local spend up to $1500.00 per person to send up to 10 people to the APWU - All Craft Conference September 30 – October 3, 2009 in Las Vegas, NV. Local President would have full discretion over the selection process. (Motion passed)

 

  1. A motion was made to spend up to 6hrs of Union LWOP for Legislative Director John Castillo to assist with the AFL-CIO Annual “Fish Fry” September 4, 2009. (Motion passed)

 

  1. A motion was made that the local spend $215.00 for a ¼ page ad for the AFL-CIO Labor Day booklet. (Motion passed)

 

  1. A motion was made that the local purchase 20 tickets to distribute to members wanting to attend the AFL-CIO Annual “Fish Fry” event. (Motion passed)

 

  1. A motion was made by Brother Al Garcia and seconded by Brother Monte Lane that a certified letter is sent to George Roman and Eugene Corcino requesting payment of funds they both owe to the local. Also, requesting that a notice of certificate is forwarded to the local’s trustees. (Motion passed)

 

  1. Note: A special session was held during the General Membership Meeting in which a motion was made to suspend the meeting so that the Executive Board could reconvene to discuss participating in the NALC Fundraiser. A motion was made by Brother Al Garcia that the local sponsor up to 3 teams to participate in the NALC 1st Annual Volleyball Tournament and Benefit. (Motion passed)

 

 

New Business:

 

 

  1. The Executive Board Minutes from July 18, 2009 were distributed for review and questions.  A motion was made by Sister Cathy Robbins and seconded by Brother John Castillo to accept the Executive Board Minutes from July. (Motion passed)

 

  1. There was a discussion about the pending legislation HR1507 that could potentially impact collective bargaining, if passed.

 

  1. There was a discussion about the importance of getting members to contribute to COPA.

 

  1. There was a discussion about changing the format of how members receive information in the local’s newsletter regarding COPA contributions.

 

  1. There was a discussion about the local placing ads in community and church newspapers as a means to inform the public about the USPS move to close postal stations in their communities.

 

  1.  A motion was made by Brother Dan Hillis and seconded by Brother Monte Lane that the local spend up to $2,000 to secure advertising to specifically address the issue of East Austin station closing. (Motion passed)

 

  1. Treasurer Dan Hillis made an apology regarding a recent bank transaction that lead to the local being charged return check fees. Brother Dan Hillis personally reimbursed the local $245 for the incident.

 

  1. Brother Monte Lane made a motion that the local reimburse Treasurer Dan Hillis $245 for the payment he made to the bank. (Motion passed)

 

  1. There was a discussion about simplifying the process of getting information to members through the local’s website and emails.

 

  1. There was a discussion about the challenges that light/limited duty employees will face through actions of the USPS.

 

  1. There was a discussion about the National Reassessment Program (NRP).

 

 

A motion to adjourn was made and seconded.

 

      Meeting adjourned at 11:56 am

 

      United As ONE,

 

      Cory L. Purifoy