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Capitol View®
Tim Pugmire

Unions report tentative deal reached for state workers

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Officials with the state's two largest public employees unions say they've reached a tentative contract agreement with the state that saves jobs and prevents furloughs.

A news release from American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 5 and the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees says the tentative agreement was based on a mediator's proposal. They won't release details until the information is shared with union members.

State negotiators had proposed unpaid furloughs of up to 24 days a year early in the bargaining process. The unions stongly opposed that suggestion. Gov. Tim Pawlenty had also called for a salary freeze.

The two-year contract would cover 32,000 state workers. Union members will vote to ratify the contracts.

UPDATE

Here's what AFSCME Council 5 is telling its members about the tentative agreement:

Today AFSCME reached a tentative contract agreement with the State of Minnesota. We are one of only a few unions to beat back a governor's attempt to force state workers to take unpaid leave. Our deal will serve the common good by saving jobs and preserving the public services that Minnesotans need most during tough times.

Our tentative agreement for 2010-11 includes:

 No furloughs.

 No wage cuts.

 Step increases the second year.

 100% employer-paid health insurance for singles and 85% employer-paid coverage for families.

 No change in health benefits: deductibles, co-pays and maximum out-of-pocket costs.

 No increase in health insurance premiums the first year; 6.7% increase in second year.

 A $125 employer contribution to each employee's benefit card to offset the

premium increase in year two.

This agreement was designed to mitigate layoffs by keeping money in agency budgets.

The union killed the employer's proposals to:

 Force workers to take up to 48 days of unpaid leave.

 Cut wages 1.5% both years.

 Eliminate all step increases.

 Shift $30 million of health care costs onto employees.

 Work employees more than 8 hours a day without paying them overtime. This

take-back would have cost AFSCME members a total of $4 million in lost pay.