Happy Thanksgiving from MAPE

Dear MAPE members,

As we prepare for our Thanksgiving meals with family and friends, we also think about what we’re thankful for. This year, I am thankful for all of you and your engagement with MAPE throughout the year. I have never seen member involvement like this year. Thousands of you across the state stood up to fight against health care takebacks and nearly 1,000 of you rallied at the governor’s residence to protest his unilateral decision to cut telework. I am awed by your super-charged response to your union’s calls to action.    

It was only two weeks ago that the federal government shutdown was making life difficult for millions of Minnesotans and hundreds of MAPE members employed in federal positions. Despite receiving layoff notices of their own, members at the Disability Determination Services program with the Social Security Administration were more concerned about their clients and tried to help them as much as they could. All the while, there was continual stress worrying if this would be the day they would be laid off and without incomes to pay for mortgages and rent, after school programs for children and simply put food on the table, let alone make plans for a holiday meal.  

Washington politicians eventually ended the shutdown after 43 days with seemingly little regard for the chaos and pain caused to millions of Americans. The agreement only goes through Jan. 30, so we could be back in this mess again in two months. There has still been no agreement on what to do when the Affordable Care Act subsidies expire at the end of December, with skyrocketing premium increases expected to follow. We are thankful for our hard-fought 2025-2027 union contract, where we successfully refused to accept management’s attempts to claw back our health care. We know we will have to fight even harder next contract, but we will rise to the challenge. 

The labor movement, on the other hand, has always been about values - solidarity being the most important with actions focused on the common good. A recent example of this is when MAPE members testified before the Legislature about the importance of two programs beginning next year that will provide Minnesotans with paid leave for health care: the Paid Family and Medical Leave Program and the Paid Leave Program to ensure employees can take time off to care for themselves and their loved ones.   

I am also thankful and proud of the commitments you are making not only to each other but to your communities. During this season of giving many locals are supporting foodbanks, toy drives for military children, gifts for seniors, an all-day blood drive in honor of the Annunciation Church shooting victims and even a Great Labor Bake-off. Your creativity and compassion for your colleagues and communities exemplifies the spirit of the season and makes me proud to serve alongside you.  

I hope you and your families and friends have a special Thanksgiving this year and have your share of a meal filled with favorite foods (pumpkin pie 🥧) and future memories to warm you as we face the opportunities and challenges ahead.  

In solidarity,

Angie Halseth
Vice President