Push Week rallies build energy to fight back
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Committees
Push Week kicked off today with rallies in partnership with AFSCME in Minneapolis, Duluth, Mankato and online! Nearly 1,000 members participated across all locations.
“It’s no secret who makes the state work - it’s you,” said State Representative and MAPE member Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger during remarks at the rally held outside the Delta Hotel in Minneapolis, where negotiators will be working this week to finalize a fair 2025-2027 MAPE Contract. One of the biggest proposals MAPE and the health care coalition of fellow unions are fighting against are huge price increases to health care costs that could be up to $2,500 for individuals and $4,500 for families each year.
Rep. Hemmingsen-Jaeger said, “It’s unfair to shoulder the health care cost burden onto you. As you go into Push Week negotiations, I wish you strength, courage and I wish you the best of luck. Thank you for all you do for Minnesota.”
“Thank you to all the unions for being here; I haven’t seen this kind of collaboration ever for us, so this is great!” Sean McIntyre, MAPE Negotiations Co-Chair, expressed. “The theme this round with Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) has been take-backs. They want to take everything back that we have fought so hard for over the years. Last time we met with [MMB] on the fourth, they clarified their plan for Paid Family Medical Leave to replace and gut Paid Parental Leave for us. Are we going to let them do it?”
“NOOOO!!!” the crowd shouted.
“We are going to fight and we are going to fight all week,” McIntyre closed.
Holly Anderson, Local 1002 and LCAT spoke, saying, “In the richest country in the world, there is enough for all of us. In the richest country in the world, a balanced budget doesn’t need to happen on the backs of public servants, on the backs of our health care. Unfortunately, those in power rarely seem to agree with this. And this is why we show up! To remind them, they are not the only ones in power. We also have power when we show up, show up together, when we show up united. This is how we win fair contracts.”