Collective bargaining agreements between executive branch, state employees

Two collective bargaining agreements ratified as part of a new law will affect more than 5,000 state employees across the Minnesota State College Faculty and Minnesota Government Engineers Council.

Each agreement is for the 2022-23 biennium.

Under the law, the 3,961 full-time equivalent faculty at Minnesota State community and technical colleges will, in part, have two steps added to most of the salary ranges through June 30, 2025. Faculty with 15-plus years of experience will receive a step increase equivalent to a 3.2% salary increase, retroactive to July 1, 2021, and faculty with 20-plus years of experience will receive a one-step increase equivalent to a 3.2% salary increase, retroactive to July 1, 2022. Faculty at the top of their salary range will receive a lump sum equivalent.

For the 1,123 engineering employees, primarily at the Department of Transportation, the agreement calls for a 2.5% across the board increase on July 1 of both 2021 and 2022, step increases of approximately 3.9% for eligible employees, and establishes a pilot program providing recruiting and employee referral incentives, like what is in other contracts.

The law also ratifies memorandums of understanding to amend existing labor contracts previously negotiated with the state, including incentives to retain employees in certain areas.

Rep. Leon Lillie (DFL-North St. Paul) and Sen. Nick Frentz (DFL-North Mankato) sponsor the law that took effect May 16, 2023.

HF800*/SF1431/CH36

HF0800* / SF1431 / CH36