Contract Action Team leaders ask for your involvement this negotiation cycle

MAPE’s Regional Negotiators may be the ones at the table during contract negotiations, but our Contract Action Teams (CATs) play an equally important 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 of the CATs who plan listening sessions, contact members and make sure their regions are ready to show up when negotiators need to show our strength at the bargaining table. 

“Negotiations is a really hard job. Our negotiators need support from people in their region; it is also a lot of work to organize people to support our negotiators, so that is the role of the LCAT,” said Meridith Richmond, LCAT for Region 9.  

LCATs have been busy planning their regions’ listening sessions so all members have an opportunity to weigh in on what they would like to see changed or improved in the MAPE contract and what actions they’re willing to take to make it happen. Attend a listening session in your region, complete the online survey or reach out to your LCAT or negotiator with your proposal ideas.   

LCATs are now shifting focus to Lobby Day on March 6, 2025. “Lobby Day is one of the most important days of the year for MAPE,” Richmond said. “As state workers, our agency budgets are passed by our Legislators. That includes our labor budgets. Legislators need to hear from us to make sure we have the resources we need to provide vital services to Minnesotans.” 

Registration will open soon for Lobby Day. Save the date on your calendar now. 

“Each contract cycle, we need to have as many members involved as possible. Many people think this is to be ready for a strike, but I think of it as a way to avoid a strike,” explained Richmond. “The best way to avoid a strike is to be strike-ready and have as many people as possible take contract actions along every step of negotiations.” 

Richmond likened it to camping: “You have to be prepared and have your bag packed. I do not like sleeping on the ground, but I will if I have to. The same goes for a strike; we will do it if we have to, but the best way to avoid a strike is to ensure we have all our members involved, engaged and ready to go just in case. So now is the time for us to start packing our bags and getting involved.” Reach out to your LCAT or Local Leadership to get involved in your CAT.