SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Negotiations between Hennepin County and the union representing its attorneys and legal staff have barely begun, but the union has already threatened to strike if they don’t receive pay raises comparable to other Twin Cities metro governments.
AFSCME Local 2938 represents over 350 attorneys and legal staff at Hennepin County. Union leaders say their members are overworked and underpaid, especially when compared to their counterparts in other counties and municipalities.
Representative Cedrick Frazier (DFL-New Hope), Vice Chair of the Judiciary Finance and Policy Committee and a member of the Minnesota House Workforce Development Finance and Policy Committee, released the following statement:
“I wholeheartedly support the union members as they negotiate their contracts. The dedicated work of these professionals is crucial to the functioning of our community. Their expertise and experience are essential contributions to the strength and effectiveness of our legal system, particularly for vulnerable community members who rely on their services.
“Minnesota's legal system had a long history of funding disparities for state public defenders that work at the county level. During the 2022-2024 legislative term, I was a strong advocate for increased funding to support public defenders. This is essential to maintaining parity and sustainability for experienced professionals within our legal government systems, ensuring a high-functioning organization. The high volume and complexity of cases handled by the staff in this office underscore the importance of their work. As with the public defenders, I stand in solidarity and remain committed to advocating for and supporting county attorneys and legal staff as they negotiate fair contracts and address similar compensation concerns.”
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