Hundreds of members show up for Capitol Rally, meetings with legislators 

Energetic union chants ricocheted across the Capitol Rotunda as hundreds of MAPE members rallied for strong budgets to support a fair contract with Gov. Tim Walz and House Speaker Melissa Hortman last week. After the rally, MAPE members met with their legislators and urged them to support fully funding and staffing agencies and the work employees do daily, including a strong 2023-2025 contract. 

“We were alive and there for a purpose, we were there to represent the union and we were ready. Members were responsive and engaged – I loved seeing that excitement!” Region 5 Director Vernitta Moore said.   

MAPE Political Council Chair John Ferrara opened the rally and emphasized that “the State must keep its commitment to better serve the people of Minnesota by fully funding and staffing our agencies. This is the Political Council’s top priority.”   

Walz, pictured here, told the group his administration has proposed historic operating adjustments to state agencies in this year’s budget. He noted in previous years MAPE members had come to the Capitol “and made the case that by investing in our workforce, we get better results for Minnesota, and we all prosper. You used to come here with a list of things which you wanted to talk about, and you were treated like these were a ‘wish list.’ This year you’ve come very clearly with a ‘to do’ list. Here’s what’s different this year: we’ve got about seven weeks and we’re going to get it done.”   

The governor added he knows from previous conversations with MAPE leaders “the results of the contract negotiations matter but the tone and the way contract negotiations are done also matter. The strengthening of collective bargaining and the strengthening of the state workers and protecting that in every format is critical.”   

MAPE President Megan Dayton, pictured at right, spoke about the importance of public service and building the union of the 21st Century, “We must all be active union citizens. By being an active union citizen, you are not only advocating for your rights and interests but also contributing to the strength and effectiveness of the union and your communities. Your participation is essential. You are not going to find the quality of the work we do in the private sector. The bottom line will always be more important there than improving the lives of Minnesotans.”  

Hortman greeted members with “I’ve been saying since 2018, this is the House that Labor built!”  She added, “Every single day you make our state work. But in the pandemic, you stepped up in ways that really kept us going when we needed you the most. From the bottom of my heart and on behalf of a grateful state, thank you so much for the services you provide.” 

For the first time in recent memory, Walz, Hortman and Senate Leader Kari Dziedzic agreed to budget targets in March, two months before the legislative session ends. Hortman said these broad budget outlines will put historic investments in public education, the environment and other critical services and, “importantly, taking care of the people who provide all that for the people of Minnesota.” 

Hortman, who met with MAPE members from her legislative district before the rally began (photo at left), reminded union members, “Now, all 201 legislators will be shaping this budget with your input…and we need you to make sure that the results reflect what you want in these bills.”  

MAPE members kept the state running during the pandemic. “We stepped up because that’s what public servants do. Inflation has been brutal, and our already low wages took a big hit. We need to negotiate a contract for 21st Century wages that are competitive and fair, affordable health care and flexible workplaces, which include telework. This will allow the State to recruit and retain the best workforce to serve Minnesotans,” MAPE Statewide Vice President Angie Halseth said.   

Walz emphasized the partnership of working together to improve the lives of Minnesotans and delivering critical services. “We work together to make sure we’re good stewards of taxpayer dollars. We work together to ensure that people want to choose the professions that you have chosen, and we want their children to choose those professions,” he added.   

Watch the full rally here: https://youtu.be/zeAOJHXa2dE
See photos from the rally here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/coukyfhxy2fa8n1/AACzoktBiTlDEQhfiVR9ZZNVa?dl=0