John Dufner reflects on walking the strike line with daughter

As MAPE’s contract negotiations heat up, Local 501’s John Dufner can’t help but be reminded of 2001, the only time in MAPE’s 45-year history that members voted to go on strike. “Health care costs back then included egregious takebacks. It was very similar to the draconian takebacks we’re seeing today. If we give in on this, we will never be able to get it back,” Dufner warned.  

Dufner has been employed in state service since 1999. He has held roles in health care, child support policy and IT, where he is now a business analyst with MNIT.  

He pointed out that if MMB have it their way, MAPE members and their families’ health care premiums could go up more than 200% by January. Out-of-pocket costs and other cost-sharing items could mean singles and families would be paying an additional $2,500-$4,500 annually by January 2027. Much of these costs are due to repeated budget mistakes made by SEGIP. “These draconian takebacks are absolutely unacceptable. It is unfair to have the deficit paid for on the backs of the employees,” Dufner said.  

“We should not have to carry the burden on this. We must stand strong and take all available actions that are legally afforded to us - including striking,” he added. 

Dufner advised members to start putting money aside now because “there could be a time when we don’t have income coming in. It will be necessary for us to endure the hardship in the short run to get a fair contract.” 

Back in 2001, Dufner walked the picket line with his then three-year-old daughter, Katie, who held a sign and repeated, “We’re on strike! We’re on strike!” Katie is now also a MAPE member, “I always told my kids the State was a great place to work; good benefits, but you may not get paid as much, but now the good benefits are disappearing. Loss of those benefits like health care will greatly affect the State’s ability to recruit new workers and retain those already here.”  

In 2000, Dufner developed thyroid cancer. He said it “made those health care takebacks really hit home because they were going to affect me directly. I feared not being able to provide for my family - I had two young kids - because the costs were too great.” 

He advised members to think about the future and how a weakened health care contract could devastate your family because of all of those draconian takebacks. “You may not have health care issues now, but you don’t know what the future may bring. I was 30-years-old when I developed thyroid cancer and still have to go in every six-months for scans. That is why good health care insurance is so vital.”  

Dufner says it is vital for members to be on the strike line whether at the building they work at or at the Capitol, “The visibility is essential. When times get crazy, MAPE really matters – they’re representing me, and I need to pay for it and put some ‘oomph’ behind it because they’re doing it for me. We’re all in this together.”