A union representing thousands of state of Minnesota employees says it reached a tentative contract agreement with the state early Friday.
AFSCME Council 5 represents about 18,000 state workers. Union officials said the deal was reached after 22 bargaining sessions totaling more than 200 hours. It will need to be ratified by union members; a date for that vote has not yet been set.
“This tentative agreement is the direct result of the incredible strength, solidarity, and determination shown by our union members from every corner of our state who were determined to fight for economic justice and the public services they provide every day,” AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director Bart Andersen said in a news release. “Because we stood together, we beat back disastrous proposals that would have gutted our health insurance, frozen our wages, and cost our families thousands every year.”
Among the provisions of the agreement, the union said it blocked changes that would have raised out-of-pocket insurance costs for its members, and secured across-the-board raises of 1.5 percent this year and 1.75 percent next year.
There was no immediate comment from the state on the tentative agreement.
The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees also represents thousands of state workers and is also negotiating a new contract. There was no immediate word Friday morning on any contract agreement for those employees.
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
