Past 2019-2021 MAPE Contract timeline and events

2019 SER Committee Meeting updates:

MAPE contract likely temporarily approved this week (10/23/19)

If the Subcommittee on Employee Relations (SER) does not meet by tomorrow, Oct. 24, MAPE’s 2019-2021 contract will go into interim effect retroactive to July 1, 2019.

The SER was scheduled to meet Oct. 22 but SER staff received notice that morning that the meeting was cancelled. No reason was provided for the cancellation.

After receiving the contracts from Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB), the SER has a 30-day window to act on them and the window closes on Oct. 24. The full Legislature must ratify the contracts next year.

MAPE President Chet Jorgenson said he was surprised to learn the hearing had been cancelled. “For several months we worked with MMB to reach a modest, but fair contract in a tough budget year. This contract is crucial for Minnesota to retain and recruit professional employees that provide the high-quality services Minnesotans deserve and expect,” Jorgenson said.

“Members are looking forward to having the opportunity to share the importance of that work with the legislature during the 2020 session,” Jorgenson added.  

The 2019-2021 contract includes a 2.25 and 2.5 percent cost of living adjustments. Step increases apply to eligible employees each year of the contract.  

The contract is especially important to Local 1302’s Mario Traveline, a fisheries specialist with the Dept. of Natural Resources. “I joined state service so I could do good work for the people of our state. I have a master’s degree and I work hard every day, but I still struggle to make ends meet. My three colleagues and I have families and all three of us work a second, and in my case third, job to make more income. I work for a food delivery service and in the winter, when most people are asleep, I literally moonlight on an emergency snow removal crew,” Traveline said.

After the contract goes into interim effect on Oct. 25, MMB will begin working to implement the terms of the agreement. The new salary schedules and back pay may take a few pay periods to be fully processed. We will provide an update once we hear more regarding the timeline. Members who retired between July 1 and Oct. 24 are eligible to receive retroactive pay but must submit their request in writing to MMB.

UPDATE: SER Cancels October 22nd Meeting (10/22/19)

The Senate sent the SER committee staff a cancellation notice late Monday evening, and which was sent out promptly to effected parties this morning when committee staff received the notice. No reason was provided for the cancellation.

The SER has a 30 day window after receiving the contracts to act upon them, which closes on October 24. The committee rules require the chair of the SER to give three days notice of any meeting "as far as practicable," and therefore we may see the meeting rescheduled by Thursday.

If the committee does not take action on the contracts by October 24, the contracts will go into interim effect retroactive to July 1, 2019.

By majority vote, the SER can vote to approve or not approve our contract on an interim basis. If the SER has a tie vote or does not act, the contract goes into effect on an interim basis. The full Legislature must take up the contract for final approval next year.

"We bargained a fair contract in a tough state budget year. It is important to retain and recruit professional employees to provide the high-quality services Minnesotans deserve and expect. Minnesota is often ranked at the top of states to live, work and retire, and MAPE members are proud to provide the services Minnesotans rely on," MAPE President Chet Jorgenson said.

The SER is comprised of five members from both the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives and provides interim approval of negotiated agreements, arbitration awards and compensation plans for the executive branch. The Legislature then votes to ratify the agreements during the following legislative session.

MAPE members overwhelmingly approved their 2019-2021 proposed contract. The proposed agreement was approved by more than 94 percent of members voting. 

Below you will find information information about the contract, including a voter booklet detailing proposed contract changes, a letter outlining the Negotiations Committee’s recommendations, two-page tentative agreement highlights document and other materials.

Local Contract Informational Meetings:

Below is a list of Local Contract Information Meetings held in July and August.