Publications

Hennepin County, MN, Employees Win Best Contract in Years


Hennepin County, Minn., workers rally
at the Government Center on Nov. 7.
Photo Credit: Jennifer Lovaasen
Five thousand Hennepin County employees, all members of Council 5, are now working under their best contract in 17 years. The employees range from road maintenance workers clerical and social workers to attorneys. Represented by six locals, they hadn't seen a raise since 2003.

Their new contract, ratified overwhelmingly last month, provides a wage hike plus step increases that will give at least 4 percent raises to two-thirds of the employees in both 2006 and 2007. The remaining third will get 2.5 percent each year. Also, approximately 30 percent of the unit will get an additional 1-to-3 percent to bring certain job classifications to market levels.

With their old contract set to expire Dec. 31, the employees determined to achieve victory despite the fact that theirs was the only metro county that had not raised wages for its employees in both of the last two years. Making matters worse, the county for the first time proposed that employees pay premiums for single health care coverage.

On Nov. 7, while the union negotiating team met with the county for mediation, some 750 union members rallied at the Government Center, in downtown Minneapolis, declaring "No more zeros!" Chants of "Strike!" rattled the facility, creating ripples in the fountain pool. County commissioners submitted a new proposal that evening.

The negotiating team unanimously recommended approval of a tentative contract following a 27-hour bargaining session on Nov. 15. The agreement provided a fair wage increase to make up for the past two years with no wage hikes, an affordable health insurance plan that imposed no premium for single coverage, plus market wage adjustments. Members voted their overwhelming approval on Dec. 2. "It's time to celebrate," said Council 5 Exec. Dir. Eliot Seide.

Print Version