State employee union leaders urge members to reject contract offer

Negotiations on a new state contract have going on for 10 months.

“The governor’s negotiator has a long way to go to meet the basic needs of state employees,” said AFSCME Council 5 President Mike Buesing.

The proposal would freeze wages in the first year of the two-year contract and impose much higher premiums for health care, the unions said.

The unions also are disappointed the administration rejected their effort to have a voice in the governor’s “Better Government for a Better Minnesota,” a plan to reorganize state government to reduce waste, save money, and deliver better services to Minnesotans.

“MAPE believes front-line workers have a great deal to offer in this arena,” the union noted.

In the next few weeks, both unions will hold informational meetings with members to brief them on the proposal. AFSCME members will vote April 9 – 14 at various locations around the state. MAPE members will vote online from April 4 -11.

Results of balloting will be announced April 16.

If members reject the proposal, an arbitrator will set the terms of the new contracts.