Workers in Minnesota’s largest public-employee bargaining unit reached a tentative agreement Friday on a new two-year contract that includes annual raises of 3 percent and requires workers to cover more of their health care costs, the union said in a statement released today.
The tentative agreement covers 17,000 craft, service, health care, clerical and technical workers represented by Council 5 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The agreement does not cover correctional officers and radio communications operators, who are covered by separate AFSCME contracts.
UPDATED: The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees announced its 12,000 members who work for the state have secured a similar tentative agreement. According to an announcement on MAPE’s website, state employees will bear 5 percent of the cost of single health insurance premiums starting Jan. 1, 2015.
“Bargaining involves give and take between labor and management,” Jo Pels, chief negotiator for Council 5, said in a statement. “The employer didn’t get everything it wanted – and the union didn’t get everything we wanted. This is a fair agreement for hardworking state employees and the citizens of Minnesota. Our negotiating team unanimously recommends support.”
Further details of the tentative agreement will not be made public, the union said, until union members have an opportunity to review the information.
Council 5 members’ current contract expired Sunday. Union members will vote on the 2013-15 contract within the next six weeks.
Union Advocate 