News & Updates

As you no doubt have heard, the Minnesota Legislature has adjourned without passing the budget and spending bills required to maintain continuity of service without the risk of layoffs for MGEC members.  …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Thanks to everyone who has provided responses to us about the telework policy update. MGEC and MMB met on April 14 and MGEC shared feedback with MMB to represent the feedback we received from members. We have …

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 …

At most state agencies, your seniority lists are available in your local network.  MGEC …

We are aware of emails going around that seem like they could be from MGEC board members or other MGEC people.  They seem to be scraping contact information from our website to engage …

This year’s MGEC Annual Meeting and Golf Event are scheduled for MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22nd.  Like last year, we plan on having a 9-hole golf tournament with a shotgun start at 2pm at Oak Marsh Golf Course in Oakdale, …

The announcement by Governor Walz yesterday about the state’s telework policy changing June 1 to require most state agency employees to work in-person for at least 50% of …

The results of the MGEC membership survey are in!  We are now in the process of collating and analyzing the results to determine what our membership needs.  To those FULL MGEC members who completed the survey, …

Unlike regular contract negotiations where each of the state’s unions negotiates their individual contracts with the State, the healthcare plans offered to employees are negotiated jointly in a …

Do you have someone in your family studying in a STEM field?  MGEC has several scholarships available: the Connie Mentor Memorial Scholarship and the Family Members Scholarship.  Applications opened March 1st, and …

The LPCR held its first meeting of the legislative session on March 11th.  It called itself to order and the State’s pension managers made reports. The State …

Senior leadership at the State of Minnesota, from Minnesota Management and Budget down through the agencies that MGEC members work for, are all reacting and planning for changes that may occur …

The Minnesota office of Management and Budget has changed its policy on insurance coverage that will directly affect employees …

Contract language in the MAPE, MMA, and MGEC contract allows an employee to work part-time but continue to receive a full-time contribution for …

Considering retirement. SEGIP will offer free two hour seminars for employees. Links to dates and registration. Link: https://mn.gov/mmb/segip/retirement/retirement-insurance-seminars.jsp …

MGEC is opening the opportunity to apply for scholarships (Family Member Scholarships and Connie Minetor Memorial Scholarship). Applications will be accepted starting March 1, 2025, and …

I'm honored to welcome you to 2025 and thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your President.  I'm continuing what's become a recent tradition for MGEC of serving my 2nd term as MGEC …

We’ve discussed the importance of maintaining a complete and accurate position description (PD), particularly for those employees who are approaching a reallocation as they …

Workplace safety doesn’t encompass only severe or acute hazards such as one might find in an active construction site, for example.  Your employer is required to ensure that your …

The MGEC Executive Board changes about half its members each year. That allows all members greater opportunity for participation. This year we are saying thanks to the following board members who have …

2025 is almost here!  As we get ready to open a new calendar, we are also preparing to negotiate the next collective bargaining agreement with the State of Minnesota; the current agreement expires June 30, …

The Minnesota Infrastructure Alliance, formerly known as MN 2050, has rebranded and is planning communication and advocacy strategies for the upcoming …

It's been an honor serving as your president for the 2nd time, with half of it in absentia (3 months in Japan, 2 months in the Philippines and 1 month in Guam).   Many thanks to Dan Sullivan for his …

The MGEC Board Election Results are in.  Even though we didn’t have any contested races in this cycle, we wanted to maintain the rhythm of the election cycle for several reasons: we want to make sure …

On Wednesday, November 5th, a “meet and confer” meeting was held between senior MnDOT staff and MGEC.  The goal of a meet and confer is to identify issues that affect members within a specific agency …

Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB)– the state agency that manages operations for its various agencies – announced that they are altering how they expect time to be entered for employees who …

Do you value what MGEC does for you?  Do you see new employees come into your workplace and recognize the importance of being a member of MGEC?  MGEC’s Representatives serve as our site-based …

The statewide Joint Labor Management Committee met October 15th to discuss changes to next year’s health plan.  There aren’t any large-scale changes in this off-cycle …

Has the digital age replaced the value of face -to-face interaction? No. While each person communicates using differing modalities, and digital communication is more frequent and in greater quantity …

If you are a member of MGEC in good standing, you should have received a ballot for this year’s election of the MGEC Board and Officers.  If you haven’t received it, make sure you check your spam …

Each year MGEC provides members an opportunity to elect half their Executive Board. The following positions are open, and the nominees listed are those who have expressed interest thus far. Nominations remain …

Held in the upstairs Grand Oak Marsh Room on September 26th, the MGEC Annual Meeting recapped the previous year and mapped the year ahead. The audience of over 50 heard reports from Vice President Corey …

THANK YOU to everyone who came out to the MGEC Annual Golf Tournament! With clear skies and a temp in the low 80s, we could not have had better weather!  We had 36 MGEC players across 12 …

Like the MGEC labor agreement, your healthcare as a State employee is negotiated at the bargaining table.  But there are some key differences between contract negotiations and healthcare …

We’ve heard a number of folks who have expressed the difference that working under the MGEC contracts have made in their lives.  People who have come from other states where they …

A workplace investigation can happen at work at any point with very little warning.  Even if you’re not the subject of an investigation, you might be called as a witness.  Either …

Do you have ideas and energy regarding how MGEC functions and want to be part of the team that “steers the ship”?  Now is the time to consider running for our …

On Monday, July 8th, Tony Kelly travelled to Camp Ripley to meet with our Military Affairs group to discuss current MGEC issues over amazing pizza from The Main Gate.  While this is an off year for …

Have you considered either reducing or increasing the number of hours you work? New contract language in Article 6; Section 6 allows for the employee, employer and the union (MGEC) to agree to change …

The deadline to renew your professional license is June 30, 2024. We recommend double checking confirmation of your license renewal. The employer will do a license …

The MGEC Board approved dues increase for members. Previous notice and explanation for the increase was provided 12 March 2024. The increase was two parts, like the wages increases of the current contract. …

This is your final reminder to submit your MGEC scholarship applications for the Family Member Scholarships and the Connie Minetor Memorial Scholarship. Applications must be …

MGEC has confirmed the afternoon of September 26th for the Annual Meeting/Dinner & Golf Tournament. (More details coming soon) …

Bemidji Lunch Event On May 22nd, Labor Rep Tony Kelly facilitated an MGEC Lunch at MnDOT’s facility in Bemidji.  Members were able to enjoy lunch and receive a face-to-face update of what is happening …

MGEC had so many agenda items for the May 1st Meet and Confer with the DOT that we had to schedule a second meeting!  The topics covered in both meeting included an update on the student loan reimbursement …