Activity/Organization updates

Just a reminder that if you hold a professional license that requires the completion of an ethics component, MGEC has you covered.  You still have time to view our two-hour webinar and receive the certification required to renew your license. The certification applies to the ethics hours only; continuing education hours are separate. This webinar is a no-cost benefit for MGEC members.  If you’re not a member, or are in a situation where you’re not in the bargaining unit but still have the ethics requirement, let us know and we can find a solution. The renewal window opened on April 1st.  ... Read More >>

The MGEC labor agreement with the State of Minnesota requires that vacation leave balances must be reduced to 275 hours at least once on or before the last day of the fiscal year, June 30th.  If they aren’t voluntarily reduced to that level at some point in the fiscal year, they will be involuntarily reduced by the employer. To prevent this, make sure that you will be able to use a sufficient amount of vacation time by the end of the fiscal year to ensure you don’t lose this benefit.  We understand the difficulty of  meeting that requirement during the time of year that tends to be the ... Read More >>

The nomination window is open for the scholarships & awards MGEC offers.  There are a number of recognitions for MGEC members as well as family members who are pursuing a STEM education. MGEC member recognitions include The Golden Slide Rule and the Distinguished Citizen awards.  The Golden Slide Rule recognizes accomplishments in outstanding technical writing, technical skills, and sharing expertise with their peers.  The Distinguished Citizen award recognized outstanding service to one’s community, whether local, regional, or international.  Both awards are based on nominations from ... Read More >>

There isn’t a lot to report so far on the Legislative Committee on Pensions and Retirement (LPCR).  There’s the possibility of an omnibus pension bill being passed this year, but it remains to be seen how much of an appetite there is among legislators to make any significant changes to the various pension plans beyond adjustments that are mostly technical and don’t affect many people. For the last couple of legislative sessions, there has been a lack of a labor coalition advocating for better pensions.  There has been a fracture where some labor groups prioritize enhanced benefits for those ... Read More >>

The class-action grievance regarding MnDOT’s assertion that a population of Fair Labor Standards Act “exempt” employees continues; the Step 2 grievance meeting was held on March 10th.  If it feels as though this issue has been dragging on for an unusually long time, that’s because it has.  (True to form, the state actually just asked for an extension for its response.) A significant factor in the extended timeline for this grievance has resulted from the state’s conduct that seems to suggest that they do not think the underlying question is a contract issue in the first place, despite their ... Read More >>