University Chronicle Extras:
Movies
|
Rate a Pic
|
Horoscopes
|
Career
|
Scholarships
|
Travel
|
GradZone
News
Briefly
Calendar of Events
Commentary
Sports
Diversions
World News
Classifieds
Login
Letter Submission
Search
Archive
Publishing Policy
Mail Subscriptions
St. Cloud State University
College Publisher
Home
>
News
Employees reject contract
By Carol Seavey
Published:
Thursday, October 2, 2003
The state's two largest employee unions rejected a proposed contract Monday.
Seventy percent of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) council 6 voted last week. Of those, 80 percent voted to reject the state's proposed contract. There are 19,000 AFSCME members in the state and about 360 of those are employed at SCSU.
Members of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) also voted to reject the contract. About 76 percent of their 10,000 members voted. Of those, 66 percent voted to reject the contract.
Monday's rejection allows union leaders to call a strike after giving 10 days notice.
AFSCME and MAPE leaders hope to get back to the negotiating table soon to avoid a strike.
"We're prepared to talk, but we're also ready to take necessary action," said Mary Beth Juetten, SCSU employee and chief steward for AFSCME local 753.
"We believe we can settle it," added Andy Lieffort, second vice president of MAPE. "They shouldn't be forcing us to go out on strike by not having a good offer."
The state's proposed contracts were rejected because no additional health insurance benefits were added. With the increasing cost of healthcare and no pay raises, there would be more out-of-pocket expenses for state employees.
About 30 people gathered to hear Lieffort and Juetten announce the vote results in Barden Park Monday afternoon.
Many donned buttons that read, "simply wrong," as they discussed the cuts. Some picked up signs that read, "Heartless: Gov. Pawlenty's healthcare cuts target working families" or "Simply wrong: Gov. Pawlenty's healthcare cuts take Minnesota backward."
Linda Conway, who works at the SCSU Miller Learning and Resources Center and is a member of AFSCME, would not be able to afford healthcare for her one-year-old daughter, Brooke, who was born with serious heart problems. Brooke just had her third heart surgery last month and sees six different therapists each week.
Conway already pays co-pay and the new contract would have added $120 a week in co-pay and premiums.
While many of the people do not want to strike, they have done it before and will strike again, if necessary.
"I have a wife, three kids and a house payment. I can't afford not to strike," Dan Dillman, St. Cloud Technical College employee and MAPE member said.
The Inter Faculty Organization, representing 650 SCSU faculty, is awaiting contract results for the larger unions before making its own decision.
Forum:
No comments have been posted for this story.
Post a comment
