April 21, 2008

Governor signs MAPE's contract

House File 3138, including the MAPE contract, was signed by Governor Tim Pawlenty on Thursday. This marks the final hurdle for the 2007-2009 MAPE contract – it’s now officially approved.

This process began more than a year ago with the MAPE Negotiations Team surveying members about what they would like included in the contact. During the 2007 legislative session, Team MAPE, supported by more than 5,000 member-to-legislator contacts, was successful in earning a salary supplement, providing additional money for state employee salaries.  

The contract was agreed upon last summer in the final hours of “push week.” It was then passed by the MAPE Board of Directors, supported by 89 percent of voting members and signed by members of the Pawlenty administration.

In August, MAPE’s contract was implemented following unanimous approval by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations. Last fall, MAPE members received backpay going back to July 1st, as compensation for the time when the contract was not yet in place.

The 2007-2009 MAPE contract includes two 3.25 percent across-the-board pay hikes, one for each year of the biennium. It also includes an innovative prescription drug plan that will save money for both employees and the state.  

Passage of the MAPE contract was MAPE’s No. 1 legislative priority for 2008. Contract passage will give MAPE members peace of mind knowing that our collectively bargained benefits, like health care, will not be in jeopardy.

The bill containing the MAPE contract was authored by state Rep. Karla Bigham. The state Senate companion bill was authored by Senate President Jim Metzen.

Thank you to members of Team MAPE who attended Day on the Hill and contacted your legislators regarding this important issue.