News

Huge Victory for Workers at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid!

"We are thrilled to announce that workers at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA) have vot

As we start this special weekend, a time when we honor and remember Dr.

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid Workers Forming Union with AFSCME Council 5!

An overwhelming majority of workers at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid have come toge

Your AFSCME Council 5 state employees master contract negotiations team worked countless hours and many long nights and early mornings has reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) with the State of Minnesota at 2:30AM on July 22, 2021 after more than 175 hours of bargaining on behalf of more than 18,000 AFSCME state employees! Please be sure to thank them for their incredible work and carrying on our collective legacy of contracts that directly improve the lives of our fellow union members.

South St. Paul - AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director Julie Bleyhl issued the following statement after the Ramsey County District Court dismissed Republican lawmakers’ lawsuit to invalidate the union contracts of thousands of state employees.

We first want to thank all of our members who made calls and sent countless emails to elected officials, took to social media, participated in our press conferences and more to fight for our legislative priorities during the 2021 legislative session - We were able to secure many victories through our collective diligence, activism, and solidarity!

For decades, infrastructure in Minnesota has suffered from chronic underinvestment. The need for action is clear: Minnesota’s infrastructure received a C grade on its Infrastructure Report Card according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. The American Jobs Plan will make a historic investment in our nation’s infrastructure.

Front line workers, those who can only conduct their work in-person, and all public employees have borne a signifcant share of the burden during the COVID-19 pandemic. For over one year, they have served our state bravely as COVID swept through prisons, offices, group homes, and in many cases workers brought the virus home to their families. 

AFSCME Council 5 held its first ever virtual Day on the Hill on March 9, 2021. With hundreds of dedicated Council 5 members, Council 5 Executive Director Julie Bleyhl and President Eric Hesse, and special guests including President Lee Saunders and Governor Tim Walz in attendance, our members were fired up and ready to talk about our shared values and legislative priorities. Our members held over 150 meetings with legislators and during our plenary session, we heard directly from some of our members who are working to put a face to our priorities at the legislature.