MAPE April Board of Directors Meeting Summary

The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) held its April Board of Directors meeting in a hybrid format, with members attending in person and virtually. President Megan Dayton started the discussion by emphasizing the importance of member engagement and organizing to ensure favorable negotiation outcomes, stating, "We need all hands on deck, all voices heard, and all members involved in our union to achieve our goals." A roll call was then initiated, with each member sharing updates about their respective regions and accomplishments. 

Regions 1-6 provided updates on their recent activities and challenges. These included increased turnout for general meetings, negotiating and engagement efforts, adapting to telework situations, and supporting colleagues in toxic work environments. In Regions 7-10, efforts were made to increase member engagement and improve communication, including implementing strategic plans, establishing equity work groups, and organizing social events to foster camaraderie outside work. 

Directors from Regions 11-15 discussed initiatives to engage and support their members, including hybrid meetings, providing better support to locals that need assistance, and conducting drives to visit various sites. In Region 16, Local 1601 is performing well with successful events and good communication, while Local 1602 is starting to recover from pandemic-related challenges. In Region 17, Locals are facing various challenges such as safety issues, understaffing, and layoffs in technical colleges, with a focus on finding effective ways to share information through meetings. In Region 18, there were concerns about job reevaluations taking too long and the impact of telework on the region. Region 19 was focused on member engagement and supplemental negotiations regarding the expansion of labor. At the same time, Region 20 shifted from in-person to hybrid meetings and discovered more people working from home during contract listening sessions. 

Region 21 consists of one local and includes people assigned to the Anderson Building in downtown Saint Paul. Due to the pandemic, many employees have shifted to telecommuting, leading to a scattered workforce across the greater Twin Cities and even into greater Minnesota. The region recently had a high turnout for a general meeting, with 138 attendees, many of whom were excited and engaged in discussions around negotiations. The region is working on increasing membership, although they still need a membership secretary. 

The hybrid Board of Directors meeting allowed in-person and virtual attendance, making it accessible for members across the state. The meeting allowed members to share updates, exchange ideas, and discuss challenges faced by their respective regions. The initiatives and strategies discussed highlight MAPE's commitment to member engagement, improving communication, and advocating for the working class. As negotiations for the 2023-2025 contract continue, MAPE's collaborative efforts and member involvement will be crucial in achieving favorable outcomes. President Dayton said, “The meeting demonstrated the union's commitment to addressing members' concerns and continuing to work towards fair negotiations and better working conditions.” 

The MAPE Board of Directors meets on the third Friday of almost every month. All members are invited to attend and observe Board meetings. BOD meetings are in-person at MAPE Central (3460 Lexington Ave. N, Suite 300, Shoreview, MN 55126 or online at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/91729150305?pwd=TVBCQ3BYWlAxYW8zeGZoSmpwbnlqdz09. 

Please contact Suzanne Al-Kayali (salkayali@mape.org) for more information.