Three reasons this member is sticking with MAPE

When you ask Deb Filipovich what she values most about her union, she has a hard time narrowing it down to one thing. That’s because she credits MAPE with making her job at the state one she couldn’t imagine leaving. Since 2004 Deb has worked in greater Minnesota -- first out of the Grand Rapids Office of Land and Minerals, and for the last couple years out of her hometown of Duluth for the Department of Transportation (MnDOT) in a new program aimed at buying real estate for trunk highways.

Watch Deb's video here: https://youtu.be/7lD9BbKKbAE

“I love this job, I get to get out, meet a lot of people; it’s super,” she said. “I also get to spend some time in the office as well and connect with other MnDOT employees.”

Prior to state service, she worked in city and county government but never in a union-represented position. Experiencing what work life can be like without a union, she says “MAPE means a whole lot” to her.

“I really like the union because it does keep our interests as the employees at heart and they know what we need through our own voices,” she said.

When she transferred to MnDOT after 12 years with the Department of Natural Resources, she was delighted to learn that thanks to her union she would maintain her current rate of pay, accrual rates and accumulated sick and vacation time. And those benefits are what keeps her coming to work for the state as a member of MAPE every day.

“MAPE provides a strong voice at the bargaining table. If I had to go there by myself, I wouldn’t know what everyone else was saying,” she said about the negotiations process. “The concept of having good health care, dental care, vacation time, sick time, and even important for me as a woman is having equal pay for equal work.”

Since 2004 Deb has opted to pay above and beyond her typical union dues because she believes in contributing to the union that’s had her back since day one on the job.

“The union is helping us, as the employees, to do the good work and get these good benefits we have, and I wouldn’t feel right having someone spending all this energy and time for my benefit and not helping them out in some way,” she said. “I’m sticking with MAPE because MAPE has helped me.”