After over 22 years of service, MGEC Executive Director Dana Wheeler has “sailed” towards retirement. We wish him well as he moves into the next chapter, and I thank him for showing me the ropes of MGEC since my own start with the organization in March of 2022. MGEC is a special organization that I feel fortunate to be a part of. As the Exclusive Representative for a group of state employees that has been designated by the legislature as “essential”, it occupies a unique place among the state’s collective bargaining units. Because we have the right to arbitration instead of striking in ... Read More >>
Newsletters
SEGIP Health Insurance Bargaining
As a State of Minnesota employee, your healthcare provided through the SEGIP plan is bargained similarly to how the collective bargaining agreement between MGEC and the State is bargained. But because healthcare is common to all state employees irrespective of which union they belong to, healthcare is bargained with all of the unions as part of a coalition. While Minnesota employees have generally been well-positioned as other employers have increased their costs of healthcare, the economic experience of 2025 is dramatically different. Costs are rising much faster than anticipated; the ... Read More >>
Reminder: Vacation Deadline is Approaching
Every year, MGEC members are placed into the difficult position of having to lower their vacation balances down to the cap of 275 hours before the start of the next fiscal year, July 1st. Please make plans to do so – we don’t want to see anyone lose this benefit! ... Read More >>
MGEC Scholarships & Awards Deadline Fast Approaching!
The deadline for MGEC Scholarship and Award nominations is Friday, June 30, 2023, by 5:00 pm. One of the benefits of MGEC membership is an opportunity to receive either a scholarship for yourself, a family member or an award. Please take a moment to consider if either is of interest to you. Scholarships If you plan on submitting a Scholarship application, be sure to submit both the application and the transcript. We appreciate you sharing the story behind your educational goals. Incomplete applications may not be considered for the scholarship. Family Member Scholarship - Two $1000 ... Read More >>
MDH Layoffs: The Latest of What we Know
As of this writing, the Department of Health has advised its unions that 233 people are directly impacted by the cancellation of federal grants. 57 of those are contractors who were immediately let go. The remaining 176 are full-time employees (FTE) who have contract protections including a 21-day notice period. We are grateful that, so far, no one in MGEC is affected by a layoff. We hope that continues to remain the case. But if circumstances change, we will communicate them as soon as possible and we will fight to maintain the protections of our labor agreement. Those affected FTE ... Read More >>
The Intersection of Funding Uncertainty and Seniority Lists-Position Descriptions- Resumes: Make sure they are accurate and complete!
At most state agencies, your seniority lists are available in your local network. MGEC requests seniority lists on a regular basis, but those requests are not always timely responded to by the agencies. Check your local list to make sure the dates that establish your seniority are accurate. Similarly, your Position Description (PD) should be accurate, up-to-date, and complete. Take a moment to make sure this is all true for you. Work with your supervisor to ensure what you actually do in your role is reflected in your PD, especially if you feel your PD is missing pieces of your ... Read More >>