June 30, 2007

MAPE reaches tentative agreement for two-year contract

BLOOMINGTON – The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) reached a tentative agreement for a new two-year contract with State of Minnesota management just before midnight Friday following marathon negotiating sessions at the Mall of America Ramada Inn. MAPE’s negotiators voted to recommend that the offer be accepted.

“This is an excellent compensation package,” said MAPE Executive Director Jim Monroe. “Our goal was to get the best possible contract for our members. We have achieved that goal.”

MAPE’s Board of Directors will consider whether to recommend that MAPE members accept or reject the tentative contract agreement when it meets Monday, July 9. A series of information meetings will take place all across the state before MAPE members are asked to vote via mail ballot.

Ballots will be counted the first week of August. If MAPE members reject the contract offer, it will authorize the MAPE Board to call a strike.

MAPE’s tentative agreement comes with increased health-care deductibles, copays and out-of-pocket maximums. However, MAPE’s negotiators were able to eliminate additional increases in the second year of the contract in copays and out-of-pocket maximums.

MAPE is a strong voice for 11,500 professional employees who work for the State of Minnesota.

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