2006 Legislative Summary

Remarkably the 2006 Legislative Session Ending on time.  Legislators in an effort to avoid a public outcry for once again not finishing their work, ended in a timely manner to prepare for the campaign season.  With money once again tight in St. Paul, much of the legislation enacted was policy changes and modifications.  Odd numbered years are considered budget sessions.  Our strategy in this session was to make gains where we could but also to ensure that we suffered no take-aways.  The following contains the session’s highlights as they relate to Teamster Local 320:

Public Safety

Law Enforcement

Blood Pathogens
Legislation supported by 320 was enacted to permit law enforcement officers to be covered under the same statute, section 144.7401, as EMS personnel when exposure to blood occurs.  The section provides protocols so that officers exposed to a potential blood borne pathogen may have the source individual tested to determine the risk.

Peer Counseling and Debriefing
Legislation enacted to extend confidentiality protections to comments that public safety officers make during one-on-one peer counseling.  Currently, the statute only protects comments made during post-traumatic event group debriefings.  The section is intended to encourage public safety officers to seek peer counseling by eliminating the concern that their comments will be added to their personnel records.

U of M

New Gopher Stadium
The Legislature finally approved a football stadium for campus.  Throughout the process Teamsters 320 assisted the U in lobbying key members of the legislature to garner support for the initiative.

Public Pensions

The debate over defined benefit vs. defined contribution continues to thrive at the capitol.  Some interest groups favor changing the way your pension is administered to mirror that of a 401k.  Local 320 was successful, along with help from other public employee unions, in defeating efforts to move Minnesota’s public pension system towards defined contribution. In the coming years we expect an even bigger battle on this issue.

Additional Articles

2005 Legislative Update

Waseca County Deputies Interest Arbitration Award

2005 Legislative Achievements

Local 320 Wins Layoff and Recall Case in Nobles County

2004 Minnesota Legislative Summary

U of M Board of Regents Briefs Members on State,
National Health Care Trends

Local 320 Wins Shift Differential Case At The University of Minnesota