MAPE testifies with other unions in advance of Frontline Worker Pay Taskforce

MAPE Vice President Angie Halseth spoke at a press conference on Wednesday, July 28 at the Capitol Rotunda in advance of the Frontline Worker Pay Task Force that will determine how to distribute the $250 million allocated from the Legislature. There are about 900,000 workers that could be eligible according to Representative Ryan Winkler who is the chair of the task force. 

Halseth explained, “We are proud to be frontline workers.  I am glad that this taskforce is getting to work today to find a way to recognize the sacrifices that so many made.”

“As you proceed, I know you will discover the need is great and we hope you are ready to ask for more resources for frontline workers. We are a state that is lucky to have more resources available, and I am asking the State to spend those resources helping frontline workers try to be whole again,” Halseth urged. Halseth’s full remarks are available on MAPE’s website.

MAPE member Laura Heezen, a Behavior Analyst for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, submitted written testimony to the Frontline Worker Pay Workgroup. 

In her testimony Heezen explains, “Every day during the pandemic, MAPE members came to work to care for veterans who were scared, sick, and missing their loved ones. We put our clients’ health above our own because they needed us. I, along with other MAPE members, caught COVID as a result.” You can read Heezen’s full testimony on MAPE’s website.

Other essential workers from Minnesota Nurses Association, SEIU, Education Minnesota, Unidos MN and more also testified. A recording of the full work force and powerful testimony is available on YouTube.