Activity/Organization updates

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 >>

MGEC has a series of scholarships and awards available to recognize and support not just members within MGEC, but also their families.  We have several awards and scholarships that are reviewed by fellow MGEC members to determine the winners. MGEC 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 ... Read More >>

On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Donna Blackwell and Tony Kelly visited MGEC members at DOLI in St Paul, bringing with some quite good pizza with.  Even though DOLI is one of the state’s smaller agencies, every MGEC member matters, and we were very happy to take questions from our members there! An issue of significance to MGECers at DOLI is developing a plan to get the agency to implement a student loan reimbursement program.  Those at MnDOT are familiar with the problem of having a pilot program in the contract but an agency that refuses to implement it.  It took years to get MnDOT to get ... Read More >>

MGEC is excited to bring back utilities attorney Kodi Verhalen to facilitate an ethics seminar fulfills the AELSLAGID requirement in this area.  As she puts it, “The presentation will provide an overview of the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct and recent enforcement actions by licensing boards. Attendees will then walk through several real world and Board of Ethical Review cases to test their own understanding of the ethical practice of professional engineering.”  This seminar is a free benefit to MGEC full and supporting members.  It will be remote on MS Teams and be recorded and ... Read More >>

Do you have someone in your family studying in a STEM field?  MGEC has several scholarships available: the Connie Minetor Memorial Scholarship and the Family Members Scholarship.  Applications will be opened March 1st and applications will be accepted through 5:00 pm June 30th.  Winners will be announced at our Annual Meeting in the early fall.  Please encourage eligible applicants to apply! Click here to learn more along with the applications to apply. ... Read More >>