July 21, 2009

Tentative Agreement – State Mediator Robert Weisenburger proffered a settlement for a 2009-2011 Agreement between the State of Minnesota and the Minnesota Government Engineers Council.  The proposal will be sent to MGEC members using electronic balloting for their approval or rejection.  If rejected, movement would continue to arbitration of unresolved issues.  If approved, the tentative agreement would go before a legislative committee for interim approval and then take effect.  There are several contract changes, with those of interest to most people being as follows: 

·        Accept 0% wage grid increase for both years of the contract

·        Suspend steps for employees from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010

·        Employer provides employees with an employer contribution of $125 for an HRA in January of 2011

·       Employees who received steps since 7/1/09 will have their wage revert to the wage they received prior to getting the step increase.  They will not pay back the additional pay they received from the time of their step increase until the time it is revoked.  They will wait twelve months until they get the step increase back.

·        Employees who are eligible for a step increase, but have not received one since 7/1/09, will get one step increase on their anniversary date in the second year of the contract.

·      Do a compensation study before beginning bargaining for a successor agreement (share in the cost if done by a third party).

·        Accept tentative agreements previously reached in bargaining for a 2009-2011 agreement

o       Compensatory Bank.  If the employer chooses to pay out the compensatory bank it shall be prior to the last day of the first full pay period in April (previously March).

o       Addition of ability for an employee to file a grievance on his/her own behalf.

o       Addition of Alternative Dispute Resolution to the grievance process.

o       Securing a tuition wavier for dependents of MGEC-represented employees working for MnSCU.

o       An employee laid off may choose to be kept informed of recall by e-mail.

o       Severance pay must be paid out in one year (previous language stated 2 years).  Current practice is usually a few months after separation.

o       Travel Expenses will be based on an employee's permanent residence rather than the original work station.

MGEC Seeking PE Class Instructors – MGEC teaches a PE review class in the spring and fall of each year.  This class is well-known for preparing students to pass their PE exam.  The class needs a few new instructors.  A person who has recently taken and passed the exam often makes a good instructor.  They have recent knowledge of the type and focus of questions and subject matter currently on the test.  The State has supported this effort by allowing their employees to teach the class on work time.  It’s also good experience, and resume-enhancing.  Our major need for teachers is in the area of transportation, in highway design, from curve design to the AASHTO Green Book.  Call MGEC at 651-774-0996 to express your interest or send an e-mail to mgec@mgec.org.