Public Worker Attack Response Resources

Federal Freeze Background 

  • On Wednesday, Jan. 29, The White House rescinded the memo, but clarified the Executive Orders calling for the funding freeze are still in effect.  
  • Multiple injunctions have been filed, and we suspect the freeze will hold. 
  • These actions were intended to create chaos. We anticipate the attacks on public workers will continue throughout the next four years.  

Impact on Minnesota State Employees 

  • A funding freeze would put trillions of dollars in federal spending on hold, disrupting public programs that serve millions of Americans.  
  • Minnesotans pay our federal taxes under the promise that we will receive the benefits of federal programming in return. Minnesota receives $40 billion in federal funds per biennium, and the immediate impact on state agency operations, including funding for state positions, is still unclear.   
  • President Trump has also reinstated Schedule F, a move that could strip civil service protections from tens of thousands of federal workers, making them vulnerable to political interference and termination.  
  • MAPE’s Legislative Team is closely monitoring legislative responses to this action at both the state and federal levels.   
  • Governor Walz has publicly stated his commitment to blocking similar actions at the state level, reinforcing Minnesota’s pro-labor stance.  
  • No layoffs have occurred. We need everyone's help to fight back against the freeze on federal spending.   

Actions for MAPE members  
 

Seniority Rosters
Ensure your department’s seniority roster is accurate. If it is not, contact your business agent. Rosters are typically hosted on agency intranets. 

 

Notify MAPE
Notify MAPE of any formal layoff or informal work impact notice using this form


 

Share your impact
Share your impact – we need stories to tell and those are best told using real people to connect to the services we provide. Submit yours using this form

 

Attend Local Meeting
Attend a special local meeting – this should be scheduled by Feb. 7 in your local. 

 
Fund our Future Rally
Join us on Feb. 18 at the Fund our Futures rally at the Capitol. 

 
Contact your Legislators
Contact your legislators - template below.
 
 
Register for Lobby Day
Register for Lobby Day. 
 
 
Become a member
Sign up to be a member today. Ask your colleagues to join. 
 
 
Questions
Contact your Regional Steward Director, Director or business agent with questions or concerns. (Don't know your Local, look it up here)
 
Post on Social
Use our suggested social media content or create your own and post on your social media about the work you do and the effects of attacks on public servants. 

 

Newsletter sign up
Sign up for MAPE’s newsletter to ensure you receive all updates. 

 

 

 

Contact your elected officials

Find who represents you and their contact information.

Template email
Dear Senator/Representative ________: 
My name is __________ and I work at __{insert agency}_ as a _{insert job} . I am a proud state government employee and member of Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE).  
I am writing to urge you to voice your strong opposition to President Trump’s attempts to broadly freeze federal grants and programs. These unlawful actions not only target the vulnerable communities we serve but will have catastrophic effects on numerous state and local government programs due to loss of federal funding. 
{Talk about the work you do and the important role it has in the state.} 
{How would it look for that work to be eliminated? Who would go unserved and how would impact them?} 
We ask you to oppose these devastating funding cuts to protect the people living in your district and maintain the public services many of them rely on. 
Sincerely, 
Name  
Address