Local 1549 Queens Borough Meeting Report (April/May 2024)
Local 1549 held its Queens Borough Meeting (rescheduled from its original April date) on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 6:00 PM in the Elmhurst Hospital’s 1st floor auditorium. The following is a summary of business discussed at the meeting.
OPENING
The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence for members who have passed away, and a recitation of the AFSCME Code of Conduct.
FINANCIAL REPORT
AFSCME auditor John K. delivered a financial report for Local 1549 covering the union’s balance sheet, profit & loss statements, and budget vs. actual comparisons.
Financial report summary (members only)
Member Honda Wang asked a question regarding a projected decrease in income from the previous year. Administrator Ryan Welles stated that this was just a projection and not a certainty, that it did not account for seasonal workers or the departure of 911 members from Local 1549, and the year-over-year comparison could not be made because the auditor only provided a summary of 6 months for the first half of 2023 while he provided a summary of the first 3 months of 2024. Ultimately the response was not a satisfactory answer given the lack of detail in the report and lack of information regarding how the local is budgeting income for the remainder of the fiscal year.
POLITICAL REPORT
Brian McDonnell and Susan Chin provided updates regarding lobbying activities in Albany and City Hall which impact Local 1549 members, including an update on positive Tier 6 progress.
Brian McDonnell reported that we signed up hundreds of people to be VIP donors as a part of the AFSCME PEOPLE blitz.
Member Honda Wang asked Susan Chin about how the city plans to approach AI and how DC37 plans to protect its members. She replied to say that no position was finalized yet, but that legislators are concerned and understand its dangers.
After a final pitch to donate to PEOPLE, Brian McDonnell and Susan Chin encouraged members to attend the DC37 PAC meeting on the 13th this month by calling the committee number and ask for the link to attend.
LOCAL UPDATE
Election Committee Report
Committee member Colette Williams reported to thank everyone for participating in the nominations process. Candidates names will appear on ballot in alphabetical order, electronic voting instructions will be sent out, uncontested races have been certified as having been elected. Members who have not received their ballots by May 10, 2024 to request a duplicate ballot, requests will not be accepted after May 20, 2024.
Administrator Update
AFSCME Strong & Membership. Administrator Ryan Welles discussed the number of new members signed up since October 1, 2022 and emphasized the need to continue signing up new members to account for retirements and attrition. He encouraged attendees to become a Volunteer Member Organizer (VMO) to keep the rate of nonmembers at the lowest among all DC37 locals.
Constitution Update. Welles briefly touched on the local’s constitution, saying that the constitution committee has reviewed the draft constitution and that will be moving forward in the near future. It will potentially be read at the upcoming Brooklyn borough meeting.
1549 Chapter Elections. Welles also touched on the ongoing Local 1549 elections.
DC37 FIELD REPORT
Staff Updates. Carmen Flores is now the assistant director for the DC37 State, Administrative and Authorities Division. The focus of her team has been on engaging nonmembers and they started on April 1st.
Remote Work. There are conversations starting with HRA regarding compressed schedules.
WRAP UP