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2004 Minnesota Legislative Summary
Session Overview
In a legislative session that many deemed unproductive, Local 320 was actively engaged in the process to protect the interests of our members. Ultimately the legislature adjourned without reaching agreement on many important items. The following is a summary of Local 320’s lobbying efforts for Minnesota’s school districts:
School District Collective Bargaining
In a direct effort to subvert the collective bargaining process, Rep. Phil Krinkie (R), Shoreview, sponsored legislation that would have allowed school boards to contract with outside entities for services if negotiations were at an impasse after 45 days.
H.F. 1109 would have applied to contracts between school boards and non-teaching employees and would give school boards the authority to contract or subcontract for services.
Rep. Krinkie amended this provision on to the omnibus K-12 finance bill. Aggressive lobbying by Teamsters Local 320 ensured that this language was removed from the bill and subsequently killed for the remainder of the session. |
Closing Thoughts
During the past few years, we have witnessed an increasingly hostile attitude towards public employees at the Minnesota State Capitol. The current administration and the House of Representatives continually offer up proposals that are detrimental to all public employees. Proposals such as wage freezes, pension contribution holidays, privatization measures, attacks on collective bargaining and a host of others have dictated that our efforts be focused on reacting to legislation rather than being as proactive as we would like. Whether you work in a school, the U of M, MNSCU, law enforcement, corrections, the courts, probation, or any other public vocation, these are direct attacks upon your jobs and your livelihood. With your help Local 320 will continue to take the fight to those in government who assault the good work you do every day.
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