Activity/Organization Updates

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 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 …

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

The physical exam is an essential part of any doctor's visit. Surprisingly, though, there are no absolutes in a routine physical. A good doctor may be thorough or brief, but they …

The Minnesota Department of Health changed the Fair Labor Standards Act status of approximately 14 MGEC-represented employees from “exempt” to “non-exempt”, effective the pay period …

Even with our best efforts to engage with our membership to bring updates and listen to concerns using technology, there is no substitute for in-person engagement.  In that spirit, MGEC is continuing …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 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 …

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 …

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) …

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 …

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 …

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 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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

Approximately 30 MGEC members braved a blustery April day to participate in our latest MGEC lunch on the 4th.  (And about 8 more joined us online!)  The lunch served as a positive forum to hear the latest …

Reminder to save the date for the MGEC Annual Meeting & Golf Tournament scheduled for September 28th, 2023, at Oak Marsh Golf Course in Oakdale, MN. More details to follow as we get closer to the event. …

MGEC staff will be at the Green Lake conference rooms at MnDOT Willmar on Tuesday, April 4th from noon until 1pm.  We will provide lunch and conversation for MGEC folks.  It’s important to have …

MGEC members have a strong presence in almost all lines of business the State of Minnesota runs.  In the spirit of having a stronger recognition of the totality and nuance of our work, we want to take a moment to …

As we continue to readjust our work lives coming out of COVID, MGEC is restarting our Lunch with MGEC meetings. We want to visit our member’s worksites so that we can reconnect and …

MGEC members were able to get some sun, compete for golf prizes, and participate in the Annual Meeting & Dinner on Thursday, September 29th.  Held at Oak Marsh Golf Course, …

The election ballot was approved at the September 26 board meeting. Thank you to the full members who have dedicated their time by submitting a candidate form and stepping up to work on behalf of the …

Thank you to all of the golfers that participated in our annual golf tournament. We were fortunate to have beautiful weather which contributed to the fun day everyone had. Events like this are a great …

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 …

MGEC apologizes for statements included in our recent Juneteenth website update. We recognize now that in saying Juneteenth matters to MGEC to be able to “celebrat[e] our common humanity …

This is the final days to register for the Professional Ethics Seminar April 18th, 2022 - Noon - 2:00pm.  Register Here Friendly reminder: Remember that you are …

March 1, 2022, the State of Minnesota, following current CDC guidance, rescinded HR/LR Policy #1442 regarding face covering. Agencies may have developed their own policies. Employees who feel more comfortable …

Did you know that you can participate in MGEC's monthly Executive Board meetings?  The Executive Board has been meeting on Teams throughout the pandemic.  Interested parties are …

The 2021 Election results are in. Changes to the board take effect January 1, 2022 which include Corey Mathisen (MDH) ascending from Vice President to President, Dan Sullivan (MnDOT) becoming Vice President, …

If you have not been receiving MGEC emails sent from our Constant Contact address, please see the following FAQ. Question: I am not receiving MGEC e-mails, is there something wrong with my …

This case involved two separate issues. 1) The current MGEC contract provided for Employees in Ranges 1 & 4 to switch from annual progression steps to steps every six months. At issue was implementation …

MGEC filed a grievance concerning employees who were not paid their Deferred Compensation match in 2019. This issue impacted approximately 462 employees! Arbitrator Wallin found that the employer’s …

The annual member meeting has been rescheduled for August 30th, from 4-5 pm.  It will be a virtual only event. The annual MGEC golf event has been scheduled for September 13th, starting with a 12 pm tee time at …

MGEC will no longer be providing a PE exam review course. MGEC started offering the PE exam review class in the early 1990s; this long standing tradition was successful for almost 30 years! This change is …

As of January, agencies were able to submit plans to utilize the ERI to MMB. The following agencies have chosen to NOT use the ERI: PCA, MnDOT, Revenue Agencies/Offices …

The Negotiations Committee has been working since last August to review the contract and draft proposals to revise contract language. A negotiation survey was sent out through email on …

MGEC received the Early Retirement Incentive (ERI) MOU from MMB on December 1st, 2020. MGEC has a process that allows our Executive Committee to approve modifications to the contract when additional …

Here are the election results for the MGEC Executive Board.  They will start their terms in January 2021.  We would like to congratulate them, as well as thank everyone who ran for office.  …

MGEC Executive Board elections are underway!  Ballots were mailed out to all Full Members on October 16th, 2020. If you are not currently a Full Member, but would like to be, it is not too late …

Applications will be accepted through September 24th. Have you always wondered what goes into negotiations/bargaining? Do you have an interest in how MGEC is run? If so, please consider running …

MMB has again set up their system to automatically match the first $300 that an employee contributes to deferred compensation for FY 2021. No action is required for employees to select the match. …

The deadline for award nominations/applying for scholarships is this Friday, April 17, 2020. If you know of any of your coworkers (must be a Full Member of MGEC) who have …

By now many of you are aware of many internet-based resources pertaining to COVID-19.  There are sites specific to MN; employees in Minnesota, and others providing centralized national …

MGEC would like to congratulate Jeff Cremin on his new position, which he took outside of state employment. His last day as a MGEC member and President was Friday, February 21st. Effective Monday, …

If you have not been receiving MGEC emails sent from our ConstantContact address, please see the following FAQ. Question: I am not receiving MGEC e-mails, is there something wrong with …

Dear all Members and Represented Non-Members, MGEC accomplished a lot in 2019 and I am hopeful for a successful 2020. I would like to echo the sentiment that now Past President Derrick recently shared in his …

If you have attended one of MGEC’s recent member meetings, you may recall one of the items included in the presentation was “MGEC helps ensure our members receive …

Each year MGEC holds elections for half of the MGEC Executive Board. The board provides governance for the union and direction for the MGEC staff. Any MGEC Full Member is eligible to run for any open office. …

Our Annual Minnesota Government Engineering Council (MGEC) Elections are coming up soon. We encourage you to consider running for an office and holding a leadership position in your labor union. MGEC …

I’d like to take this opportunity to extend a personal “thank you” to our 684 members who completed the MGEC Member Survey. There were many thoughtful responses provided in the comments section; …

PE Exam Review Classes will be starting Tuesday August 27th! If you are planning on taking the PE exam this fall or later, and want to register for the PE Exam Review Classes, please contact …

While the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is home to most MGEC members (about 80%), MGEC also represents engineering and land surveying professionals at 12 other state …

With rain before and after, the bright sunny day could hardly have been better for the 51st MGEC Annual Meeting and Golf Tournament. Eighteen teams participated in the golf event and several …

(12 noon – 1PM, at the St. Paul MPCA Office).  Stop by for a lunchtime treat!  Ice cream treats provided (including a lactose free/vegan option).  MGEC board members, staff and representatives will be …

MGEC Lunch Meeting at Metro, Oakdale (11:30 a.m. at the Oakdale Office) Pizza will be provided.  Come meet with MGEC board members, staff and representatives.  Questions and ideas welcome! …