Members of the AFSCME (AFFS-mee) and MAPE unions representing over 30 thousand state employees have overwhelmingly ratified new two-year contracts that include a two-percent raise the first year and two-and-a-quarter percent the second year. Officials say health care costs will be held down, and state workers who are new parents can get six weeks of paid leave. The contracts need approval by the legislature and AFSCME Council Five head Eliot Seide (SIDE) says, “There are 201 legislators. Bargaining with 201 people is an impossible task. No one could do it…. You negotiate with the executive branch and then you ratify with the legislative branch.”
Key GOP lawmakers have not commented, but some analysts predict the tentative contracts will have less-than-smooth sailing in the Republican-controlled Minnesota House and Senate.