Health coverage: collectively bargained, individually claimed

Raises aren't the only common cause connecting every waged, working person. Noisy performances expressed disappointment about 695's current state contract's two raises, (each over 4% per year, the second about to kick in at next paycheck) -- were those size raises something people found underwhelming? Council 5 petitioned membership about the State's usual cheap shot offers, because an expected demographic apocalypse has long portended unprecedented nation-wide health insurance premium bloating and cost shifting.  When time comes to vote (see 695's calendar) on current tentative agreement, AFSCME's negotiators voted 2-to-1 to recommend accepting normal-sized raises (for state workers, under 2% per year) -- or hang in limbo a while, let nature take its course, while waiting and watching to see if members who refuse to accept this TA are willing to go out on unpaid strike. 

In 2025, there's no denying that factory and manufacturing jobs are fewer, that non-AI or non-tech work comes up less often, that high-skill openings are not getting applied for at lackluster wages being offered. Robo-automation, including vehicles, plus the age demographic, have made what labor is needed now less industrial factory floor, more medical nursing and health care. Check out map below, since 2009 entire country has slanted heavily towards gerontocracy. Looking around, old people are everywhere, they say soon to outnumber the young 4 to1. Sadly, when young people run their lives forward, some simply fail to see anything ahead that will resemble how great things used to be for their parents. For sure, State of Minnesota public service at MnDOT is not just some rusty bucketed and threadbare highway maintenance operation. Highway workers do care that in Minnesota, troopers and others that keep this state's highways running and safe have always had less pay than law enforcement in the surrounding region, they see it as you might: that makes no sense. 

There is today more, not less, deadly mortal risk doing any job directly facing the public. Public employment - sounds risky, but reflect a moment. Have you personally risked your life to save someone you do not know as something required and expected doing your job?  It is more than valuing empathy as a moral motive, and thinking every life is precious, those who fail at stewardship or flunk at the care thing, these days even the most conscientious and tireless public servant, nurse or doctor might end up attacked or shot dead without warning - for no reason that makes sense. Nurses, doctors, first responders, peace officers - not just MnDOT plowing highways, but all who track inventory, do maintenance work for public thoroughfares, in some way care for others or enforce laws intended to keep people safe.

Do the workers able to 'enjoy' remote work get a better shot at raising their families?  Is that advantage unfair?  Do better families matter, or not? Don't be too quick to answer that. Would you start a family for only $5000, not enough to cover childcare? Not every working parent has gratis grandparent childcare, retired aunts and uncles, on tap. Decisions about working conditions, or pay and insurance benefits, need to be made with members’ voices and consent at a proper negotiation table to be mutually agreed on to become acceptable, respectful changes in contractual workplace terms and conditions.

AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director Bart Andersen said:

"Let me be perfectly clear: as Executive Director of AFSCME Council 5, representing more than 18,000 state employees, we will not tolerate unilateral changes to our members’ work. The Administration’s decision to impose sweeping workplace policy changes without engaging our union and labor partners first is not just unacceptable—it’s an act of blatant disrespect. Our union members must have and deserve a seat at the table every step of the way. We are demanding full transparency and meaningful dialogue immediately. AFSCME Council 5, alongside our fellow labor union partners, will do whatever it takes to defend our members’ rights, safeguard their ability to work safely and effectively, and continue delivering high-quality public services for all Minnesotans."

https://lowwagelifestyle.blogspot.com/2025/07/state-of-minnesota-mmb-hub...