TRANSPORTATION EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURI

GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING

August 11, 2006

In Attendance:

 

Mark O’Dowd, State President                      Dave Taylor, State Treasurer

Archie Daily, State Vice President                             Karin Cummins, State Secretary

Murrell Arnett – State Retiree

Chapter 1                    0 Members                  Chapter 2        4 Members

Chapter 3                    0 Members                  Chapter 4        5 Members

Chapter 5                    3 Members                  Chapter 6        2 Members

Chapter 7                    4 Members                  Chapter 8        3 Members     

Chapter 9                    0 Members                  Chapter 10      2 members

 

Meeting called to order by President Mark O’Dowd at 9:05 a.m.

 

Mark opened with new ideas for legislation that we may want to tackle this upcoming session.  In the past we have had 6 to 10 bills to work on. He feels that we should focus on only 2 or 3 this year and put more effort behind each.  Issues such as a pay increase, the retirement system, and prior service may be ones we want to focus on.  Ron Cordes of Chapter 4 asked about the status of the Hazardous Duty pay bill and Mark suggested that we may want to ask for a night differential.

 

Our lobbyist, Harry Hill was unable to attend but met with Mark earlier and shared with him the “buzz” as far as the house and senate.

 

Guest Speaker:  Sue Cox, a member of the Retirement Board (MPERS) gave us an overview of  MoDOT’s Retirement system and feels strongly about establishing a good line of communication with the association so that we can together better represent MoDOT employees.  Sue reminded us that our retirement is our equivalent of a 401K and we must act to protect it.  MOSERS has historically been after us to merge our retirement with them, but it seems with each year, they come a little closer to achieving it.  It may not come up this year because lack of sponsorship, but it will come up again.  Sue suggested that we may need to increase our contribution to offset the under funded liability because it will make us less vulnerable for takeover.   

 

She also feels we need to “shore up” our retirement system so that we can increase our benefits.   Our medical insurance currently all goes through MPERS and if MOSERS took us over, that would all change and we would have less control.  As far as a state agency, MoDOT brings more longevity and a more stable workforce to the table, which makes us attractive for takeover. Our return last year was 14.9 compared to MOSERS at 11.6. She encouraged us to watch for and look over the upcoming report on investments.  Sue reminded us of the power we have as MoDOT employees to pressure our representatives.

 

Duane Kliethermes of Chapter 5 asked if the Retirement board was involved in Pepsco. Answer: No.

President O’Dowd asked Sue if the link to TEAM on the Retirement website could be updated.  Answer: Yes.

 

Secretary’s Report:  Copies of minutes were submitted for approval. Moved, seconded, and carried.

 

Treasurer’s Report:   Copies of the treasurer’s report were submitted for approval. . Moved, seconded, and carried.

 

Chapter Reports:

Chapter 10: Currently 180 members and $6198.43 in savings.

Chapter 9:  Not present

Chapter 8:   Currently 370 members and $6800.00 in checking.

Chapter 7:  Currently 291 members, $3,432.22 in checking and $921.25 in Savings. We held our annual picnic and canoe trip on 07/29/2006 at Quaker Mill State Park with approximately 30 people in attendance.

Chapter 6:  Currently 303 members and approx. $6000.00 in checking.

Chapter 5:  Currently 529 members $18243 in savings and $58 in checking. Holding quarterly drawings to generate new members. Encourage new members at Employee Orientation.

Chapter 4:  Currently 300 members with $2000.00 in checking and $4000.00 in savings. Held annual picnic in June.

Chapter 3:  Not present.

Chapter 2:  Currently 242 members and $5600.00 in checking and savings. Held annual meeting, buffet dinner with 52 in attendance.  Holding monthly drawings to encourage new members.

Chapter 1:  Not present.

 

Website Updates: LeAnn Hagee, Chapter 7 and our website manager updated us on the website and its features and capabilities. She has created a page for each Chapter to post news and events and encouraged us to utilize it. The recent changes to the by-laws have been posted and can  be downloaded from our website.

 

Break

 

Old Business:  Mark asked for a report from the nominating committee.  One was not available but Larry Palmer, Chapter 7 indicated that the nominating committee had fulfilled their duties in asking for nominations for the state offices.

 

Tommy Atkins, Chapter 6 asked that the state officers leave the room for a few minutes. It was proposed that the State President and Vice President be awarded an honorarium in the amount of $700.00 each and the State Treasurer and Secretary be awarded $500.00 each for fulfilling the duties of their offices in the past year.  Moved, seconded, and carried.

 

New Business:  

 

Ideas were discussed for giveaways such as pocket calendars, ink pens, address books, Chip clips, etc.

 

 The subject of Wage employees being cut back from 11 months to 6 months was opened for discussion and Mark turned the floor over to Debra Lioubinski, Chapter 7 and she feels the dept would save money in the long run by working them 11 months as opposed to the 6 month schedule.  She proposed that we have Brian Stephenson look into it and it may be something the Association may want to make as part of our agenda for the next session.

 

Priority Legislation – several ideas were tossed around, such as offering a Per Diem instead of an expense account, converting Comptime to Citistreet.  The general concensus was to focus on issues that we have been pushing for so that we remain consistent.

 It was agreed that our efforts for the next session will be in the area of:

Prior Service

Hazardous Duty pay

Increased funding for Deferred Comp.

MOSERS takeover of Retirement System (if it is an issue)

Pay Increases

 

 

It was proposed by Eldon Turner, Chapter 2 that the June meeting be moved closer to the end of the legislative session due to poor attendance in the past. Discussed – consideration will be given.

 

A motion was made to increase the mileage reimbursement (currently .375) for TEAM members to the state rate (currently .415) as it increases.  Motion made, seconded and carried.  It will become effective with 1st quarterly meeting.

 

Mark thanked everyone for attending.

 

Meeting adjourned

 

Next Meeting:

 

Saturday, September 30th - Truman Inn - Jefferson City, MO

9:00 a.m. – 1st Quarterly meeting.