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 you! Here’s what we know: Communications from MMB to MGEC as well as all agency payroll staff advised that all of the negotiated changes - including the 5.5% effective 7/1/23 - as well as all of the other benefits would be implemented 12/20/23. That pay cycle started 12/20/23 and ended 1/2/24; The 12/20/23 change should be reflected on the upcoming paycheck to be paid 1/12/24, which is visible in the ... Read More >>
MGEC Contract Implementation
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 December 20, 2023. December 20 – January 2nd pay period will be paid at the new rate which you will receive that check on January 12, 2024. Backpay, retroactive pay back to July 1, 2023, should be paid on the January 26, 2024, paycheck. If you are considering changing your deferred comp contribution or withholding allowance, please contact your Human Resources Representative for specific ... Read More >>
President’s Message
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 of the century, most meetings were still in person and as you can see in this dated picture of me preparing for our June 2000 arbitration hearing, almost everything was done using paper. Our work back then seemed more exhausting, but was still well worth it (ie, goodbye to the midpoint of all pay ranges); which is how I feel about our most recent round of negotiations. Although we did not ... Read More >>
Thank you & Best Wishes!
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 provided several years of service. Mary Loeffler (Director 2021-2023), Sam Padleford (Director 2022-2023), Heather Gardner (Treasurer 2023, Director 2020-2021). Thank you for your years of service, recruitment of others and willingness to always put forward your ideas! ... Read More >>
Military Affairs Pizza Lunch
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 and development of the assets of the National Guard across the state, and the opportunity to bring the conversation to Camp Ripley – along with delicious pizza - couldn’t be missed. The visit occurred while the state’s “final offer” was out to a membership vote; the discussion focused on the offer’s details as well as what next steps would look like whether the members voted to accept the ... Read More >>
Department of Health “Meet and Confer”
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 reimbursements and a potential federal government shutdown. Even though the state of Minnesota has made few-if-any reimbursements for employees’ student loans, it continues to cite them as an employee benefit. And while the state attempted to remove them altogether in their proposals made in the recent round of bargaining, MGEC was able to continue the ability for the state to make loan reimbursements by ... Read More >>