Political Council Elects New Chair

Last Thursday, Jame Dirth was voted in as the new Chair by MAPE’s Political Council (PC). It was Nicole Juan’s final meeting as PC Chair before stepping into her new role as MAPE President. Dirth works as a strategic data coordinator at the Department of Human Services (DHS), is a Local 201 steward and has served on the PC for almost three years, including as PC secretary for two years.

“I have always been involved in politics but felt that I didn’t have a voice in the current party system,” explained Dirth. “I initially ran for Political Council in the Fall of 2023 because I knew I needed to be more involved in my union and felt workers were being left behind. Issue-based work is a way to participate in the political process without feeling you have to work directly with one specific party.”

“As Political Council Chair, my mission is to increase members’ desire to engage in politics and ensure they feel heard in that process. I speak to a lot of members who are pretty cynical about politics and that’s a valid feeling. What we need to remember is multiple moments in our nation’s history where collective power led to incredible change. Through our union, we can enact change and that’s what we are working toward on the Political Council,” Dirth continued.

Outside of work, Dirth enjoys spending time with his wife and their dog, Ellie. He loves the outdoors, especially biking on the Nokomis bike path that is near his house in south Minneapolis, camping and hiking. Board games and painting models are two additional hobbies he enjoys.

The PC Chair serves on the MAPE Statewide Executive Team along with the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Organizing Council Chair. The Speaker of the Meet and Confer Chairs sits on the committee as a non-voting member.

Maureen Dunaway was elected as Vice President, which opens the Speaker of the Meet and Confer (M&C) Chairs position. The Interim Chair is Nicole Emerson, Chair of the Minnesota State M&C until the Chairs vote in a new Speaker during the Negotiations Convention on Aug. 28.