Renewing Your Professional License
15 April 2024
In Minnesota renewals for the Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor licenses are due June 30, 2024.
Somethings to keep in mind.
Your state employer regularly checks public records to …
“Meet and Confer” meetings are held at the agency and labor level to address specific concerns that aren’t part of bargaining but still important to MGEC …
MGEC Ethics Seminar Recap
15 April 2024
On Thursday, April 4th, MGEC hosted a webinar on ethics as a free benefit for its full members. Facilitated by Hamline Distinguished Law Professor David Schultz, the theme of the presentation centered …
Keep your Position Description Updated!
15 April 2024
Your Position Description (PD) is the basis of all things relating to your compensation: job audits, reallocations, or agency-initiated compensation studies all use the PD as the first step …
Retirement – what are some things I should know?
15 April 2024
Nearing retirement? Congratulations! You’ve worked a long time to reach this day. Before it happens, there are many things to attend to.
Communicate with MSRS about your …
We Need Your Help!
12 March 2024
The public employee bargaining unit representatives on the Joint Labor Management Committee on Health Insurance are interested in your feedback about the current vision benefits offered by the …
MGEC Dues Increase
12 March 2024
The MGEC Board has approved a dues increase for full members. Starting with the March 13 pay period, dues will be $16.54.
We don’t increase dues without great consideration. Current MGEC full member dues …
MGEC will be offering an online professional ethics class on April 4, from Noon to 2 pm taught by David Schultz, Distinguished University Professor of …
MGEC has opened the opportunity to apply for scholarships (Family Member Scholarships and Connie Minetor Memorial Scholarship). Applications must be received by MGEC no …
The LPCR has been meeting since the start of the legislative session. The bipartisan commission develops pension bills most sessions that can range from minor revisions …
Vacation Credit
11 March 2024
The 2023-2025 contract changed the “Adjusting Length of Service Credit” language as highlighted below. If you would like to request additional vacation service credit for prior private sector service not …
Category: Newsletters
Reminder to Complete Reimbursement Requests for 2023 Expenses!
25 February 2024
Employees who set aside money in pretax Dependent Care (daycare), Transit and Medical/Dental expense accounts have until Feb. 29 to complete reimbursement requests …
Category: Newsletters
Scholarship & Awards Open March 1st
23 February 2024
MGEC is opening the opportunity to apply for scholarships (Family Member Scholarships and Connie Minetor Memorial Scholarship). Applications will be accepted starting March 1, 2024, and …
President’s Message
29 January 2024
Happy New Year from Okinawa!
First and foremost, thank you to Dan Sullivan for his leadership in the past year! His hard work and along with a dedicated MGEC Staff and bargaining team, we were able to …
Welcome New Board Members
29 January 2024
MGEC is powered by its membership. Our strength at the bargaining table comes from those who choose to be members. But the team that steps to the next level are those elected to the Executive Board. …
Category: Newsletters
MSRS Military Credit Purchase
29 January 2024
Do you have prior military service? Did you take a break in state service to serve in the military?
If you either have military service prior to your employment with the State of Minnesota, or …
Category: Newsletters
IRS Mileage Increases
29 January 2024
Article 19, section 2 of MGEC’s contract with the state ties eligible mileage reimbursement rates to the federal IRS rate. As we are all keenly aware, transportation costs have increased, and the IRS has …
Category: Newsletters
No Longer with MGEC – How Do I Get my Backpay?
25 January 2024
If you separated/changed from State service after 7/1/23 you are entitled to backpay for the increased rate of pay effective retroactively to 7/1/23. This would include those …
Why Didn’t My Pay Change?
8 January 2024
MGEC Contract Implementation Update
We are receiving a deluge of communications from the MGEC membership about the date of the payroll implementation of the new contract. We hear …
MGEC Contract Implementation
19 December 2023
MMB has informed MGEC that the MGEC Contract 2023 – 2025 will be implemented 12-20-2023. The new contract is available on the MGEC website.
The new contract rate of pay will be implemented …
President’s Message
19 December 2023
I am and will remain grateful for the opportunity to again serve as the President of the Minnesota Government Engineering Council during 2023. Things have changed immeasurably since I last served. At the turn …
Category: Newsletters
Thank you & Best Wishes!
19 December 2023
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 …
Category: Newsletters
Military Affairs Pizza Lunch
19 December 2023
On Tuesday, December 5th, MGEC held a Pizza Lunch at Camp Ripley to meet with our members who work for the Department of Military Affairs. MGEC’s engineering professionals ensure the safe operation …
Category: Newsletters
Department of Health “Meet and Confer”
19 December 2023
Also on Tuesday, December 5th, MDH held its quarterly “meet and confer” with the unions who represent its staff. Two of the prominent subjects of the conversation were student loan …
Category: Newsletters
Contract Vote Passes
13 December 2023
Dear MGEC Members,
Thank you to our Full Members who utilized their opportunity to vote regarding the State’s last offer for a new agreement between the State of Minnesota and the Minnesota Government …
Category: Bargaining updates
Bargaining Update
22 November 2023
We had hoped to be sending out the MGEC summary, redline contract with grids and the ballot. Unfortunately, we are still waiting for the state's compensation department to complete the appendices in the contract …
Category: Uncategorized
Two State Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)
22 November 2023
MGEC has been approached by MMB with two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) seeking our agreement. The first MOU is about Sick and Safe Time and the second concerns a potential …
Public Employee Pension Committee Update
22 November 2023
The multi-union collation known as the Public Employee Pension Committee (PEPC) met on Friday, September 15th to hear updates and develop an action plan for the upcoming legislative …
Category: Activity/Organization updates
2024 MGEC Election Results
16 November 2023
The 2024 Election results are in. Changes to the board take effect January 1, 2024 which include:
Fernando Nacionales (MDH) ascending from Vice President to President,
Corey Mathisen (MDH) …
Category: Activity/Organization updates
VOTING IS CLOSED – MGEC Election
14 November 2023
Only Full Members are allowed to vote. Voting closes on November 14th, at 4:30 pm. Not a Full member? Join today and have the right to vote on the current election.
If you have issues …
Category: Activity/Organization updates
Bargaining Update
9 October 2023
Your Bargaining Team continued contract negotiations with the State on October 4. Our team remains frustrated that we’ve now met 5 times with the State including twice with a mediator and we still don’t …
Category: Bargaining updates
Golf Tournament, Dinner & Annual Meeting
9 October 2023
MGEC encourages every opportunity to get members together, have fun and discuss business or concerns. The golf event, a highlight for many members, produced a winning score of -10 …
Category: Uncategorized
MGEC at Metro MnDOT Employee Day
9 October 2023
MGEC joined several other unions at a fall Employee Day. This event had been on hold the past several years due to COVID and a shortage of funds. Now the transportation department finds itself with …
Election Notice
9 October 2023
MGEC is guided by an Executive Board. Each year about half of the positions on the board are up for election. Nominations will be received through October 28, 2023.
To express interest in a position on the …
MGEC Scholarship & Award Winners
9 October 2023
MGEC is very proud to have awarded Julian Klemann, Joey Stam and Erik DeSmith the Family Member scholarships; we want to do our part to encourage students to pursue engineering as a rewarding …
Category: Newsletters
Open Enrollment (SEGIP)
9 October 2023
Open Enrollment - All benefits except short term disability will be included in open enrollment this year. October 26 - Nov. 15. Information will be posted on the website (https://mn.gov/mmb/segip/) by Oct. …
Category: Uncategorized
Bargaining Update
29 September 2023
Much of our last update remains the current status. Bargaining moved to mediation September 27, 2023. A main focus was identification of comparable positions with other public employers. This had been resolved …
Category: Bargaining updates
Bargaining Update
14 September 2023
Bargaining resumed August 25, 2023. MGEC encouraged negotiations that focus on accepting proposals terms and conditions. The State proposed dropping many proposals. Consequently, few proposals have been agreed to …
Category: Bargaining updates
MGEC Election Candidate Notice
14 September 2023
MGEC is guided by an Executive Board. Each year about half of the positions on the board are up for election. Nominations will be received through October 28, 2023.
To express interest in a …
State Employee Group Insurance Plan (SEGIP)
14 September 2023
Open Enrollment - All benefits except short term disability will be included in open enrollment this year. October 26 - Nov. 15. Information will be posted on the website …
Category: Insurance updates
Sticking with it Paid Off
14 September 2023
After years of grumbling and questions, the Minnesota Department of Heath decided to end their practice of requiring receipts for meals reimbursement. Thanks to Fernando Nacionales for listening to …
Bargaining Update
25 August 2023
MGEC met with the State August 17, 2023. At this stage of bargaining, the state likes to propose “drop/drop” packages to eliminate many of the proposals made by either side. MGEC asked that the process focus …
Category: Bargaining updates
Market Rate Compensation Support
25 August 2023
The Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association sent a letter to Governor Walz and MMB that states, “urging you to consider the need for higher salaries for engineers at the Department of …
Category: Newsletters
MGEC Executive Board Elections
25 August 2023
Nominations have started to come in for MGEC Board positions taking office January 1, 2024. Terms are two years for positions other than Vice President. Open positions include VP, Treasurer, Director …
Category: Newsletters
MDH Meet and Confer
26 July 2023
MGEC is very thankful that Minnesota Department of Health has finally staffed Human Resources appropriately and fully. The agency provided services to the public throughout the COVID crisis. Staff often took on …
MDH Executive Meet and Confer
26 July 2023
July 17, 2023, MDH started Executive Meet & Confers on a quarterly basis. MGEC began with thanking Commissioner Brooke Cunningham for making communication and working with employees a new …
MGEC Elections
24 July 2023
Each year the MGEC Executive Board has positions open for the following year allowing half the board to turn over each year. Past board members usually comment that being on the board was educational, a good …
Bargaining Opener
20 July 2023
The bargaining cycle for the next MGEC contract kicked off Tuesday, July 18th at the MnDOT Training Center in Arden Hills. MGEC’s bargaining team exchanged proposals with the State in the first of what is …
Category: Bargaining updates
Significant Gains for State Employees
28 June 2023
The conclusion of the Minnesota Legislature’s session brought some significant changes to state law. Many long-sought worker protections across a number of industries were won! The …
Category: Legislative updates
Contract Bargaining
28 June 2023
In May MGEC surveyed members asking questions about their priorities and preferences for the next contract. The MGEC Bargaining Team met in June and will meet again in July to prepare the bargaining strategy …
Category: Bargaining updates
Insurance Bargaining Update
28 June 2023
Insurance Bargaining concluded on Thursday, June 1. A tentative agreement was reached between the union coalition and the State of Minnesota to provide healthcare for all state employees for the next …
Department of Labor & Industry Lunch with MGEC
28 June 2023
MGEC Representative and Board Member Sam Padelford facilitated Lunch with MGEC at the Department of Labor and Industry on Wednesday, June 14th. Pizza came by way of Little …
MGEC Representatives
28 June 2023
Did you know MGEC has a number of folks who have stepped into leadership positions as MGEC Worksite Representatives? If you have any questions that are specific to your works location, reaching out to your …
Category: Newsletters
Scholarship & Awards Applications Are Open
25 May 2023
MGEC has opened the opportunity to apply for one of three scholarships (2 Family Member Scholarships and 1 Connie Minetor Memorial Scholarship). Applications are currently being …
Category: Newsletters
Change to MGEC Treasurer
24 May 2023
Congratulations to Laura Lyons on her new position with the State of Minnesota in the Department of Commerce. Because that is not a position represented by MGEC, Laura has resigned as MGEC Treasurer. The …
End of Fiscal Year Reminders
24 May 2023
Remember to use your floating holiday and meet the required fiscal year balances for vacation, etc. before the end of the fiscal year (June 30).
All employees who were in employment on June 20, …
Category: Activity/Organization updates
Insurance Bargaining
24 May 2023
We are currently within the cycle of bargaining the health insurance plan for all state employees. Because everyone participates in the same plan, bargaining is done as a coalition with all of the other …
Category: Insurance updates
Bargaining Update
24 May 2023
MGEC has started the process to bargain the 2023-2025 labor agreement. We are always interested in the bargaining process for the other unions like MAPE and AFSCME. They recently started bargaining with …
Category: Uncategorized
AELSLAGID Proposed Rule Update
24 May 2023
The Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience, and Interior Design (AELSLAGID) is proposing a set of rule changes that will affect licensed …
Category: Uncategorized