The agreements, recommended unanimously by both unions’ bargaining committees, avoid furloughs and cuts to health benefits while instituting a wage freeze for the next two years.

Both unions will be conducting informational meetings for members in the coming weeks to inform them of the details of the agreement. AFSCME plans to conduct the contract ratification vote at worksites and by mail. MAPE will mail ballots to all members.

Both unions will count the ballots on the ratification vote on June 22. The current 2008-09 contracts expire June 30.

“Our deal will serve the common good by saving jobs and preserving the public services that Minnesotans need most during tough times,” AFSCME Council 5 said in a statement.

MAPE, the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, said state negotiators erred in thinking that 48 days of unpaid leave for state workers would save money.

“If furloughs occurred, the State of Minnesota would lose $70,970,000 in uncollected income taxes, lost federal money that the state receives in revenue, and reimbursement that Minnesota will have to pay the federal government,” the union said.

“MAPE’s team ran through the numbers and by the end of the session, the governor’s team acknowledged that they had not taken the losses into account. The result of MAPE’s work showed that Minnesota taxpayers would have to PAY $4,330,000 to enact furloughs.”

The unions said the agreements are fair considering the nearly $5 billion deficit the state is projected to face in the next two years. They are urging lawmakers to consider all options – including raising more revenue – to address the shortfall and maintain public services.

The contracts for 2010-11 cover 32,000 state employees, including 19,000 ASFCME members and 13,000 MAPE members.

For more information
Visit the websites of MAPE, www.mape.org and AFSCME, www.afscmemn.org

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