President's Corner: July 2023

Dear MAPE members,  

As we approach the conclusion of the 2023-2025 contract negotiations, I want to express my most profound appreciation for your unwavering commitment and resolve. We stand together on the precipice of a historic victory – a testimony to our collective strength and solidarity.     

We have secured significant gains in the Tentative Agreement (TA) recently reached with Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB). Thanks to the tireless efforts of our Negotiations Committee and Board of Directors, the TA brings unprecedented wage increases, a comprehensive 21st-century contract encompassing affordable, quality health care and a flexible workplace. Importantly, it also ensures health care retirement parity for our members in the Correctional Employees Retirement Plan (CERP), something we know has been a long-standing goal.     

You will find a comprehensive breakdown of our wins and the new contract terms in our Negotiations Toolkit, which I recommend you consult for in-depth details: https://mape.org/TAtoolkit.  

Remembering that the road to these achievements took much work is vital. MMB's initial proposals challenged our collective strength – suggesting lower wage increases, curtailing our disciplinary rights, limiting our new employee orientations and more. But we stood firm. Our united front and your compelling personal stories ensured we pushed back against every detrimental proposal.  

Our strength lies in our unity and determination, as displayed by the hundreds of members who showed their support during the negotiation process. Your letters, presence at pickets and meetings and active involvement in various actions and campaigns made a difference. They showed that we are not just a union, but a robust community dedicated to safeguarding and improving our working conditions.    

As we progress, I urge you all to stay informed and involved. Attend your local meetings. Discuss the TA and its implications with your co-workers. We are strongest when we stand together, understand the issues and act in unison.     

Our next step as a union is a crucial one. The vote on the Tentative Agreement will take place from Aug. 11-17, open to all dues-paying members. For non-members wishing to participate in this critical decision, you must join by Aug. 4. Please visit www.mape.org/join-mape to become part of this collective action.     

I want to express profound gratitude to everyone who contributed to our negotiation process. Your efforts, big or small, mattered greatly. Special thanks to our negotiation co-chairs Adam Novotny and Kristin Kirchoff-Franklin, and staff Mike Asmus, Kelly Ahern, Pete Marincel and Roberta Heine. Your hard work and dedication are remarkable and inspiring.    

Looking ahead, should our membership approve the TA, it will automatically be ratified and implemented, strengthening our union and making Minnesota an even better place to work. If not, we are ready for that too, and it empowers us to call for a strike.     

Remember, this is not just about a contract; it's about shaping our future. Let's strive for better contracts, more rights and fairer workplaces. I encourage you to stay involved, as our next contract negotiation will come sooner than you think.     

I am honored to stand alongside you on this journey. Your dedication and collective strength are an inspiration. Together, we make this union powerful, and together, we are building a better Minnesota.    

In solidarity,  

Megan Dayton  
MAPE President