Contract Negotiations: Get Involved
Negotiations Opener - April 15
Take action to win improvements our members deserve!
Statewide Opener Rally
April 15, 2025
7:45 - 9 a.m.
There are three ways to participate:
1. Join in person
Minnesota Department of Corrections
Midway Campus
1450 Energy Park Dr #200
St Paul, MN 55108
Members will gather in the parking lot for an in-person rally. More information
2. Join your region
Contract Action Teams are planning activities all across the state. Look for information from your LCAT soon!
Local 201 - Work in the office
April 15 - all day
Lunch will be provided at 12 p.m.
More details
Region 3 - Work at work
April 16
Lunch will be provided
Regions 6, 7 and 9 - Work in person at Freeman
April 15
Possible rally at 12 p.m.
Region 9 will reimburse parking
Local 1002 – Work in the Office
April 15 – All Day
Bagel Bar at 10:00 a.m. in the first floor kitchenette
400 NE Stinson Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Join us after the opener rally for a “work-in” to show how unready our offices are for a full return.
Let’s show up together, stay visible, and build solidarity!
Region 14 - Opener Rally
April 15, 12-1 p.m.
MNDOT
1123 Mesaba Ave, Duluth
Lunch will be provided if you RSVP to Ariel.
Region 15 - MAPE Rally at Paul and Babe!
April 15, 8-9 a.m.
Paul and Babe Statue (Paul Bunyan Park), Bemidji
Rally with signs and your MAPE gear to support Bargaining Opener
Region 15 - Negotiations Opener Watch Party
April 15, 7:45 - 9 a.m.
MState 1414 College Way, Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Room: S450
Enjoy some donuts and coffee and check out the opener! Support your MAPE negotiations team!
Let us know you're coming:
Amanda Prince BA – 6129631307-aprince@mape.org – Will get you the link
Brian Mason – Local President – Brian.mason@state.mn.us
Jeff Haukos – Event Coordinator – 2182051177 jeffrey.haukos@minnesota.edu
3. Join virtually
We will be live streaming the rally out front of the opener location. If you cannot attend in person, then hop on this Zoom call using one of the MAPE virtual backgrounds (linked below) and wearing your MAPE gear. Add to your calendar
Other Solidarity Actions:
1. Use one of the MAPE Virtual Backgrounds for all of your virtual meetings on April 15.
- MAPE Blue and Red background
- MAPE Strong background
- MAPE Light Room background
- MAPE Tan Room background
- MAPE Blue Wave background
- MAPE Light Blue background
2. Wear MAPE gear
Need gear? Contact your Local or order online.
3. Send us a picture of you wearing MAPE gear, wearing a MAPE button or holding a sign on social.
- Send pictures to the MAPE DropBox.
- Post your picture on social media tag @MAPEunion and use hashtag #MAPEContract.
4. Engage with MAPE content on social.
5. Share why this contract is important to you.
Why is the work you do important to Minnesotans? Why is telework important to you? Why is the state's healthcare plan important to you?
Negotiations Townhall - April 17
The Negotiations Townhall is a chance for you to hear a summary of how bargaining went and to learn more about the MAPE and MMB proposals. Add to your calendar
Contract Action Teams
A Contract Action Team (CAT) is a group of members working together to amplify the work of the Negotiations Committee and union during the contract negotiations process that is going on right now. CAT work includes mobilizing fellow members to participate in contract actions that may include:
- attending an event to show support for the contract
- contacting Legislators
- posting on social media
- sign a petition
- march on the boss
- showing solidarity by wearing MAPE gear
- and more!
MAPE is your union and this is your contract. Being a part of your Region’s CAT is the way to make sure we win the best contract possible. Not sure your Local? Look it up here.
Leaders of the CATs
MAPE’s Regional Negotiators may be the ones at the table during contract negotiations, but our Contract Action Teams (CATs) play an equally crucial role. The CATs are the groups in each region that support the work of the negotiators by organizing their members to be ready to act. The leads of these teams (LCATs) are volunteer leaders who plan listening sessions, contact members and ensure their regions are ready to show up when the negotiators need to show our strength at the bargaining table. Contact your LCAT below to get involved, or fill out this form.
2025-2027 Contract Cycle LCATs
| Region | LCAT | Region | LCAT | |
| 1 | Doug Leung | 11 | Sophie Polonsky | |
| 2 | 12 | Franklin Martin Melissa Newburgh |
||
| 3 |
Aviva Meyerhoff |
13 | Jenny McDougal | |
| 4 | Lee Sullivan Michael Yost |
14 | Ariel Johnson | |
| 5 | Rachel Horne Nathan Wilson |
15 | Brent Mason | |
| 6 | Rachel Wittkopp | 16 | Aarica Burke | |
| 7 | Axelina Swenson | 17 | No LCAT, reach out to local leadership | |
| 801 | Chad Hermes | 18 | Nate Mullendore | |
| 802 | 19 | Gabby Cahow | ||
| 9 | Meridith Richmond | 20 | Kristine Hernandez | |
| 1002 | Holly Andersen | 21 | Christine Retkwa |
Email Cynthia Isaacson for changes to your regional LCAT.
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