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 get everything we were asking for, I feel the State believed we were serious in our desire to take their “final” offer to arbitration, we did pick up some items that benefitted all of our membership in the end. I am especially thankful for the hard work and dedication of the outgoing Past President Corey Mathisen and incoming President Fernando Nacionales (who I’m not even sure is or is not a Gopher football fan), as well as the dedicated staff of MGEC.
While our Board and membership meeting attendance (ie, virtual) and the sharing of information (i.e, electronically) have both gotten much easier, the work of negotiating with an employer that remains under the un-ending scrutiny of the taxpayers of Minnesota remains one of the most difficult jobs I have ever done. We are always seeking your creative viewpoints and input. As you celebrate with your families this holiday season, please keep the incoming board members and executive officers in your thoughts and prayers as they step up to whatever challenges 2024 brings their way.
