April 25^th, 2008

Members present:

Patrick McClear                        President

Don Sneesby                           Vice President

Irene Lowery                           Treasurer

Monica Taylor                         Recording Secretary

Leonard Ebio                           Washington State Executive Board Member

Alvie Yancy                             Branch President Anchorage P&DC

Roberto Garza                          Branch President Spokane P&DC

Gene Rezac                              Branch President Seattle BMC

John Warhol                             Branch President Tacoma P&DC

Virginia Irish                            Chief Steward South DDC

John Libert                                Chief Steward Olympia P&DF

Roger Hogue                             Chief Steward Vancouver MPO

Timothy Hall                             Chief Steward Pasco P&DF

Robert Barlow                           Steward Everett P&DF

Leon Herrera was excused due to personal business. Robert Barlow was present representing the Everett P&DF. Chief Steward Art Carranza from the Yakima MPO was excused to personal business and Chief Steward Joseph Christian from the South Sound DDC was excused due to personal business.

The Meeting was called to order at 9:05 am

OLD BUSINESS

Council Meeting Minutes. October 14^th, 2007:

The Minutes from the previous Council Meeting were read and accepted.

Member’s Gifts

Overall the tan T-shirt with the yellow ribbon was very well received by the Membership.  These shirts as well as the standard T-Shirts in various colors are available for purchase at the Local Office. The price is set according to size.

NEW BUSINESS

PAC FUND

Local 316 has increased their PAC contributions for the 1^st Quarter of 2008 (in comparison to the 1^st Quarter of last year) by $602.52.  A large number of the Executive Board and the Council are regular contributors, many through the payroll deduction option.  What is the PAC Fund?

The National Postal Mail Handlers Political Action Committee contributes to campaigns of candidates for and incumbents of Congress who repeatedly demonstrate “concern for the working people and for the aims and objectives of the NPMHU and the entire trade union movement.  The PAC is non-partisan in its operations, and, by Federal Law, is financed completely through voluntary contributions from members and groups who subscribe to the objectives of the Mail Handlers PAC.

As part of the effort a PAC Raffle was held during the break and  $62.50 was raised.  The computer was also setup so Representatives could sign-up to donate to the PAC through payroll deduction and number of Council Members took advantage of this opportunity.  Any member who would like to follow suit can go to http://www.mailhandlers316.com where the instructions are posted on our Homepage.  The minimum deduction is $1.00 per pay period and you become part of the solution.

PAC contributors receive swag like hats and aprons as their donations reach certain levels.  Above and beyond the swag, donations add to our power politically.

MHBP Results

There are 3,735 enrollees for 2008, which is 78 less then 2007. We are still receiving Revenue Sharing income.  In addition, the National has allotted $400,000 for the Locals to compensate for fiscal losses associated with the declining enrollment in the MHBP; $8000 of which will go to Local 316.  We budgeted for an 8% decline in health plan revenue this year but with the allotted portion of the $400,000 we are a little above our typical Revenue Sharing Income.

Steward Training

The Local is looking at June for Steward Training.  Everett has requested some training on RI399.  Don has suggested that we consider an advanced training that would include training on OWCP, FMLA and RI 399. 

Treasurer’s Report

The 2007 LM2 report is now available to dues paying members through any Union Representative, as is the 2007 audit.  Council reviewed the Treasurers Report, which can be found in the upcoming addition of the Northwest Passages.  John motioned to accept the report; Gene seconded the motion, the motion passed unanimously.

Open Forum The floor was opened for general discussion.  The highlights are as follows:  

Ø     Gene Rezac’s Constitutional Change Submission for the 2008 Convention:

ARTICLE V - Qualifications for Office

In order to qualify as a candidate for any office in this Local Union, a regular member:

Section 1. Shall be required to have been in good standing in theNational Postal Mail Handlers Union for a period of two three years and in good standing in this Local Union for a period of two three years immediately prior to nomination and current in the payment of dues, and s/he cannot have been employed in a supervisory capacity by the Postal Service for any time during that period, and provided further that, effective January 1, 2003, he she also cannot have been employed in or applied for a managerial capacity by the Postal Service, or by the Postal Inspection Service (or as a confidential informant), for any time during that period.  Candidates shall be required to submit a statement affirming the foregoing if requested to do so by the Judges of Election.

The disqualification of a candidate for not being a member in good standing for a period of two three years immediately prior to nomination shall be waived for members on active military duty in a leave without pay status, provided that the waiver applies only to their period of active military duty. A member’s eligibility for this waiver shall be decided by the Judges of Election, with an appeal available in the case of disqualification in accordance with Article VI, Section 2(D) of this Constitution.

Additions are in bold and deletions are written in strikeout.

Ø     Virginia Irish’s Constitutional Change Submission for the 2008 Convention:

ARTICLE IV – Officers

Section 2. In branches where the mail handler complement is in excess of 50 there shall be a Branch President. In branches with 50 or less mail handlers, the Executive Board shall have discretion to establish or eliminate Branch President positions. In installations with multiple facilities, the Executive Board will have the discretion to create separate branches within that installation.

Additions are in bold and deletions are written in strikeout.

Ø     The Susan G. Komen walk/run is on June 21^st.  Our Local Team is Team 316.  Contact Don Sneesby for more information at donsneesby@comcast.net or 206-768-4508.

Ø     The next Council Meeting will be October 5^th, 2008

Ø     Part Time Regulars can be Stewards and run for office.

Ø     There are new Steward Training Manuals and they should be here very soon.

Ø     You can review your OPF at Lite Blue. To access your file, your employee ID and PIN number is required. Employees should look at their OPF and make sure all pertinent information is in their file.

Monica motioned to close the meeting, Don seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 3:15 pm

Respectfully Submitted,

 Monica J. Taylor                    Patrick H. McClear

Monica J. Taylor                                                        Patrick H. McClear

Recording Secretary                                                 President