Three at-large members appointed to negotiations

MAPE President Nicole Juan received an unprecedented 21 applications for at-large positions open on the 2027-29 MAPE Contract Negotiations Team. The president can appoint up to three at-large positions. Juan and MAPE Vice President Maureen Dunaway conducted 18 check-ins with applicants last week.

"I worked collaboratively with the executive committee to make this very difficult decision. I believe this level of interest speaks to our memberships' strong engagement in our upcoming contract fight,” Juan said. "I appreciate every member who stepped up for this important role. There are many ways to contribute to our contract fight outside of the position of a negotiator, and I encourage our members to step up to support the now complete negotiations team as members and leads of Contract Action Teams (CATs). 

Monica McDaniel
Local 601, Department of Commerce
Positions: Civic Engagement Officer, Membership Committee member

“I want to be a negotiator because I believe our union is strongest when members are actively engaged in shaping our priorities and building the power needed to win improvements. The last contract campaign reinforced for me that bargaining outcomes are not determined solely at the table, but by the strength, unity and participation of our membership. I want to help ensure members' voices are heard throughout the bargaining process and work toward a contract that addresses the issues most important to state employees, including compensation that actually keeps up with inflation, workplace flexibility, full healthcare and respect for public service workers. Serving as a negotiator will allow me to contribute to both the bargaining process and the broader work of organizing to strengthen our union.”
 

Brent Mason
Local 1501, Department of Natural Resources
Positions: Steward, LCAT 2025-2027 negotiations cycle

“I am ready to fight to win a fair contract for our members.”

“We need a contract that protects our healthcare and provides wage increases that match current inflation and makes up for wage deficits that we have had to endure in recent years. Additionally, we need fair overtime so that state employees don't take a pay cut when promoting to MAPE positions.”
 

Elise Chambers
Local 1101, Department of Human Rights
Positions: Steward, MDHR Meet and Confer

As a lawyer and mediator, Elise teaches a mediation class each year. She is good at finding common ground and uncovering underlying interests. She looks forward to helping members understand the bigger picture and the context around what’s in each contract.