Go to www.afscme.org to find information and forms to apply for Jerry Clark Memorial Scholarship, as well as other AFSCME scholarships. Call the Nashwauk AFSCME Council 65 Office at 1-888-474-3242 for information on the Al Church Scholarships. Download application form here.
The MLPNA Annual Convention will be held on April 20 - 22, 2010 at the Holiday Inn Alexandria, 5637 Hwy 29 South, Alexandria MN 56308.
Council 65 held their 46th annual convention at the Downtown City Center Hotel in Mankato, MN October 9 & 10th. 125 delegates attended and were faced with some serious issues including the election of several offices for the Executive Board, delegate nominees for the 2010 International Convention in Boston, and consideration of the constitutional amendment on a new progressive dues system.
The delegates were welcomed to Mankato by Representative Terry Morrow, District 23 A, and Council 65 was honored to have a representative from the area with a 100% AFSCME and AFL-CIO voting record serve as the opening speaker. Other guests who addressed the delegation were Steve Hunter, Sec/Treasurer of MN AFL-CIO; Steve Fantauzzo, Midwest Regional Director from AFSCME; Ron Dicklich former State Senator; Director Steve Preble, President George Plautz; Bill Marchand, former president of Council 65, and our key note speaker was none other than U.S.Congressman Tim Walz.
The convention was hosted by the following area locals: 1856 – Mankato Hospital; 565 – Blue Earth County; 2374 – Mankato Transit; and 105 – MNLPNA. The Friday night banquet included a live band provided by the area locals, and Saturday morning started off with a continental breakfast also sponsored by these same locals. Many thanks for their hours of preparation and willingness to help make the convention a memorable experience for all.
Elections resulted in a new vice president – Grace Baltich; Rick Staples was then elected to fill a one-year term as an at large E Board member, and Ann Morse prevailed in a 3 way race for the District 3 vacancy created by the retirement/resignation of Tom Everett from that position. This will also be a one- year term. Rounding out the election of officers was filling of the 3-year trustee vacancy and Frank Hawthorne was chosen for that opening. 15 delegates from every area of the State were elected by unanimous ballot as delegate nominees to the International Convention in Boston.
The discussion and debate on the proposed amendment for a progressive dues system began in earnest on Saturday afternoon. Delegates from both sides of the issue spoke on the pros and cons of the proposal. Once debate ended the question was called and the ayes prevailed by a considerable margin. This will result in the new system being implemented by July 1, 2010. Members will now be assessed either 1.615% of their base pay per pay period, or $47.00 per month, whichever is less. The Council will begin formal notification of the Employers prior to the first of the year and work with them to get the system implemented by the July 1 deadline.
Next year’s convention will be held in St.Cloud, MN on October 15 & 16.
Posted on: 10/13/2009