January 15, 2009

MGEC Executive Board - The new board began work this month.  President Peter Buchen welcomed all MGEC members to participate at board meetings as well as in MGEC committees.  Board meetings are usually held the second Monday of each month at 4:30 p.m.  Board committees of interest might include: Negotiations, Awards, Education (PE Class), Legislation & Lobbying, Constitution & Bylaws, Nominations, and Program.  Please e-mail mgec@mgec.org with you interests.

Insurance Negotiations – Collective Bargaining for insurances will begin in March.  The bargaining units are currently putting together proposals.  Please e-mail Dana.Wheeler@mgec.org with your specific issues, problems, questions or proposals.  What’s working and what’s not with your health and/or dental insurance plans?

Pre Tax Medical Benefits Card – We are looking forward to the arrival of Benny(tm) Cards for state employees who are enrolled in the Minnesota Advantage Plan, effective January 1, 2009!  The Benny(tm) Card can be used to cover eligible expenses incurred on or after January 1, 2009.  The cards are due to be mailed out by the week of January 18th.   If card production goes better than expected, some employees may receive cards earlier. Employees can submit receipts for reimbursement of eligible expenses (via mail, fax or on-line) if they happen to make a qualified purchase prior to getting their Benny(tm) Card in the mail.  Once the Benny(tm) Card arrives, employees must call the number on the card to activate it, like any other credit card, prior to use.  Activation occurs within 24 to 48 hours.  If employees would like to view additional information about the Benny(tm) Card, please direct them to EideBailly for questions: http://www.eidebailly.com/services/benefits/doer/

Rachel Guan was appointed by the MGEC Executive Board to fill the remaining one year Director position which was vacated by John Siekmeier when he was elected MGEC Vice President.  Rachel is a Senior Engineer for MnDOT working in the MnDOT Central Office.

Safety Boots – A state policy limits the purchase of safety boots to $100 once per year with exceptions as necessary.  The MGEC contract states that the employer will reimburse an employee for, “Any protective equipment or clothing shall be provided and maintained by the Agency whenever such equipment is required as a condition of employment either by the Agency, by OSHA, or by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.” (MGEC Contract Article 16, Section 2.B.)  The State claims such boots can be purchased for $100 or less from a special pricing arrangement they have set up with vendors.  If you need safety boots try out this arrangement and let MGEC know if it satisfactorily meets your needs.  If not, we need to address the issue.  Employees should work with their respective agency’s safety officer and/or purchasing agent. 

Memo to MGEC
"In regards to the existing statewide safety shoes and boot contract, employees should speak to their respective agency's business office (purchasing agent) for approval of footwear purchases and the process of placing an order.  The business office should have contact information for the various vendors.   

With that said, the vendors under the current contract are:

Catalogs are available through the vendors.  The vendor will include  a price list of the brands and models offered through the contract with the catalog.

As for where employees can see and try the footwear, Lehigh has one store and Chet’s Shoes has multiple stores in the metro area.  Also, Lehigh and Hytest have mobile units that can come to a particular facility or work-site (coordinate through business office).

If an employee's footwear does not last until they are eligible for reimbursement of another pair of footwear, the employee should talk to their immediate supervisor. 

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks,

Luke Waller
Safety Consultant
 Safety & Loss Control
Risk Management Division
Department of Administration
Phone: 651.201.3011
Email: luke.waller@state.mn.us "