The ASF Negotiations Team met with Management July 1-2 in St. Cloud. We are very happy with the progress made regarding language proposals on both sides. We’ve reach tentative agreements on items regarding time off for religious holidays not already covered in the contract, an updated bargaining unit determination and appeal process for new and existing positions, and clarifications about interim and acting assignments. There are still a few outstanding language proposals on both sides, but we feel that those will be addressed in our next couple of rounds scheduled in July, September and October.
We knew going into this week’s session that Management was not prepared to give us an economic proposal yet. They are still determining the financial impact of the AFSCME and MAPE settlements (including insurance for all MN State employees) on system operating budgets. They have assured us that they will be prepared to give their first proposals at the July 29-30 session. We know that the 3% increase in the employee contribution for certain IRAP participants that went into effect on July 1 particularly impacts our newer and younger members who are in the lower steps of their salary ranges. We will continue to advocate for fair pay increases that will help offset the impact of that automatic 3% increase.