Governing Board Minutes
Dec. 8, 2009

The board met at 5:30 p.m.at the union office at 47 Willard St. in Quincy. Present were Jenn Abelson, Scott Allen, Paul Bachand, David Butler, Dorothy Clark, Katheleen Conti, Beth Daley, Andy Donovan, John Ellement, Tim Flynn, Bonnie Foust, Richard Giedd, Jim Herndon, John Ioven, Andy Kovacs, Christine Lane, Paul Mahoney, Kathy McCabe, David Ryan, Patrice Sneyd, Scott Steeves, Carl Younger, Chris Zito. BNG member Sean Murphy attended as an observer.

Acting President Steeves chaired the meeting.

Steeves motioned to approve the minutes of the Nov. 10 governing board meeting. Seconded by Ioven. Unanimous on a voice vote.

Giedd motioned to approve account balances for October. Seconded by Herndon. Unanimous on a voice vote.

DAN TOTTEN TRIAL AND RECALL: PETITION

Steeves said a general membership meeting would have to be scheduled to hear Dan Totten's appeal of the verdict in his Dec. 1 trial on charges of financial impropriety. He said a quorum of the general membership would have to be present. If not, the appeal would be sent for action to the CWA Executive Committee.

Sneyd said the Totten trial had cost upward of $7,600. She said about $5,000 more was needed to cover costs. Butler moved approval of $5,000. Seconded by Daley. Approved on a voice vote. Clark voted no.

Steeves said a general membership meeting would have to be held on the petition filed to recall Dan Totten as president. He suggested that both the Totten appeal, and the recall meeting, be held on Dec. 17 at the Boston Teachers Union Hall.

McCabe stated the recall petition met the provision of the CWA Constitution for an election to be held. Charges of financial impropriety were clear. The petition was signed by at least 20 percent of the BNG membership. She said that 150 members signed the petition, but that only 136 signatures could be verified by the executive committee. The 136 signatures were still enough to meet the 20 percent requirement, she stated.

Allen motioned for Totten to be suspended from his position as president until the recall election was completed. Seconded by Flynn. Approved on a voice vote. Donovan and Ellement abstained. Steeves and McCabe did not vote. Opposing, by a show of hands, were Conti, Clark, Lane and Younger.

Ryan motioned to suspend Totten for the duration of the appeals process. Seconded by Abelson. Approved on a voice vote. Donovan and Ellement abstained. Steeves did not vote. Opposing, by a show of hands, were Clark, Lane and Younger.

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TREASURER RESIGNATION

Sneyd read a letter resigning her position as treasurer, effective Jan. 12, 2010. Steeves thanked Sneyd for 11 years of service to the union. "It's sad to see you leave. But I want to thank you for all your years of service to the union." He said notice of the vacancy would be posted on union bulletin boards, in accordance with BNG By-laws.

Sneyd thanked the union for allowing her to serve. "A word of wisdom to all: focus on the issue, not the person," Sneyd said.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Steeves said the National Labor Relations Board had dismissed an unfair labor practice charge filed against the BNG over the 2009 contract. He said the appeal period was not over.

Steeves said the company had agreed to pay coop students holiday pay. The union did not have to file a grievance. He thanked Daley for raising the issue.

Steeves said the deck at the union office needed to be redone. He recommended hiring David Bauman and Tim Keane, a union glazer and carpenter, who are unemployed. Steeves disclosed that the two men are married to Dawn McDavid-Bauman and Jen Keane, part-time secretaries at the union office. He said the job should take no more than two days to complete.

Daley motioned to approve the request. Seconded by Butler. Unanimous on a voice vote.

Younger said the TNG is offering a scholarship for minorities to attend the New Officers Training Seminar scheduled for February in Silver Springs, MD. He encouraged board members to consider it.

Younger motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Kovacs.

The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

Submitted,

Katherine M. McCabe

Recording Secretary

January 14, 2010