Senate swiftly approves MAPE's 2013-15 contract

MAPE's 2013-15 contract (Senate File 1952) was swiftly approved by the state Senate Monday morning, March 10, by a 43-22 vote. Authored by Sen. Jim Metzen (D – S. St. Paul), the bill covers eight labor agreements and three compensation plans.

UPDATE: The labor agreements were passed by the House Ways and Means Committee Monday. They are headed to the House floor for final approval.

In the photo to the right, Rep. Leon Lillie (right, D - North St. Paul) testifies in favor of passage of MAPE's contract and the seven other labor agreements Wednesday afternoon. Looking on is Greg Hubinger of the Legislative Coordinating Commission.

"These agreements have been negotiated in good faith," Sen. Metzen told the Senate. He pointed out that state employees helped out during the recession. "At least 50 percent did not get a wage increase for three years."

Republican Sens. Michelle Benson (Ham Lake) and Roger Chamberlain (Lino Lakes) were critical that state employees were getting raises. Metzen corrected Chamberlain's math when he pointed out that only half of state employees receive step increases and then only if after a successful performance review.

MAPE's two-year 2013-15 contract calls for a pair of 3 percent cost-of-living adjustments. The first raise was effective July 1 of last year. The second 3 percent raise goes into effect July 1 of this year.

Additionally, state employees will begin paying 5 percent of the cost of single-coverage premium effective Jan. 1, 2015.