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Contractual authorization

Published (3/21/2008)
By Brian Hogenson
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State labor agreements and compensation plans are one step closer to ratification after receiving House approval.

The bill “ratifies the labor contracts and compensation plans for employees in the executive branch,” said Rep. Karla Bigham (DFL-Cottage Grove), the sponsor of HF3138.

Approved 128-1 March 19, the bill now awaits Senate approval. Senate President James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul) is the Senate sponsor.

The contracts covered by the bill were given interim approval by the joint legislative Subcommittee on Employee Relations.

The bill ratifies labor agreements between the state and the following exclusive representatives of state employees: AFSCME Council 5, Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, State Residential School Education Association, Minnesota Government Engineers Council, Middle Management Association, Minnesota Law Enforcement Association and the Inter Faculty Organization.

In addition, the bill ratifies compensation plans for unrepresented and managerial state employees; the Minnesota State Board of Investment; employees and administrators in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, and Office of Higher Education employees.

Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Delano) expressed his concern with state employees receiving raises in excess of 3 percent, while private sector employees are likely to see no raises this year.

Rep. Morrie Lanning (R-Moorhead), a subcommittee member, urged House members to pass the bill, but said that the raises included in the contracts could lead to a deeper round of budget cuts than what the state currently faces.

Another member of the subcommittee, Rep. Chris DeLaForest (R-Andover), supported the bill, but added that “the compensation system is broken and long overdue for reform.”

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