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 at the federal level. While there haven’t been any significant actions that have a direct effect on the MGEC as of the time of this writing similar to what federal employees have experienced, State agencies have been directed by MMB to begin conversations with State Unions about potential ramifications through the “meet and confer” model. This is similar to what happened when COVID disrupted state workflow processes.
While they all fall under the MMB umbrella, each state agency which falls under the MGEC contract has different modes and compositions of funding depending on their respective business models. In other words, some agencies might be massively affected by a federal change while others would experience no change under the same deferral action. While this complicates planning, planning must nonetheless occur.
The Department of Health, for example, has been the most active in this space by holding stakeholder meetings on a roughly two-week schedule with the unions that represent its employees. This is critical because MDH relies more on federal grants than any other agency. MDH leadership is committed to doing everything in its power to reduce adverse consequences to its employees of federal actions and is partnering with unions – including MGEC – in those processes. Examples of discussion points include ensuring that funding is moved from one area to another to cover grant shortfalls; moving employees from one funding source to another so they experience continuous work; prioritizing internal hiring so existing employees can have work before turning to an external hire; and offering senior employees the option to be laid off if they choose to, so they can retire early and save a new employee a layoff.
Other agencies are beginning similar planning and discussion. MMB is studying funding sources to determine potential liabilities, and that work should be completed by the end of February.
While this is very serious work, MGEC is committed to doing everything in its power to not just keep people working but to make employment with the State better. As we know more, we will communicate information to our membership.