Unions vow to stand in coalition against health care bargaining take-backs
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Committees
MAPE negotiators spent most of last week bargaining health care and overall contract bargaining, and hosted a Negotiations Town Hall today to update members on the latest contract talks. More than 1,800 members attended the town hall.
The Negotiations Team made some improvements in life insurance and dental benefits. But MMB still wants to hike up health care premiums for members and families: the proposed health insurance premium increase could be over $1,000 for an individual and nearly $3,000 for a family per year by 2027.
“It is outrageous to hike up insurance rates like this. We are only seeing such a big spike because of SEGIP’s past budget mistakes. It is not fair to balance the budget on the backs of hard-working public servants,” Negotiations Committee Co-Chair Sean McIntyre.
Other unions MAPE bargains health care with are vowing to stand in coalition with MAPE and fight against the take-backs that we have not seen before. The joint coalition is tentatively planning a solidarity rally for the first day of Push Week, currently scheduled for June 23.
“We continue to fight against proposals that don’t benefit workers. We were able to convince Minnesota Management and Budget to withdraw more of their concessions that would limit our union’s power. They did not, however, come ready to talk about telework and the Return to Office order, despite the looming deadline. Their refusal to consider workers’ needs is stunningly arrogant,” said Negotiations Co-Chair Sean McIntyre.
Check out MAPE’s Get Involved page and participate in informational pickets on June 3 and 4 happening across the state. Look for information from your Region and come to the All MAPE picket at the Department of Corrections in St. Paul on June 4 between 4:30 - 6 p.m.
Tell us how these health care increases would affect you. Take a picture of you/a group of members holding up a sign, answering the question, “Why is health insurance important to you?” (PDF/Word template) and send your picture to us.