News release

For release: January 21, 2005
For information: Eric Feaver, MEA-MFT, 442-4250; Tom Schneider, MPEA, 442-4600

State employees ratify agreement with State of Montana

Members of MEA-MFT and the Montana Public Employees Association (MPEA) have ratified a tentative agreement between these two state employee unions and the State of Montana. Union members ratified the agreement by a strong majority through mail-in ballots.

The tentative agreement was reached January 7 between the two unions and the State of Montana after nine months of negotiations. The tentative agreement must now be amended into HB 13, the state pay plan bill. HB 13 will be heard Monday, January 24, in the House Appropriations Committee.

Eric Feaver, president of MEA-MFT, and Tom Schneider, executive director of MPEA, said, "This agreement is a small but important step toward recognizing the valuable work state employees do for Montanans. It does not repair the damage done to state employees in the past, with 18 months of frozen salaries followed by an insulting 25-cent per hour raise. But it is a step toward a brighter future."

Feaver noted that state employees will continue to earn significantly less than their counterparts in the private sector. "We have a long way to go in compensating our state employees appropriately for the quality services they provide, but this agreement is a start," he said.

"State employees are dedicated, hard-working Montanans who give their lives to helping others through public service. They are the people who keep our communities safe, protect our most vulnerable citizens, plow our roads, and more. Montana could not function without them."

Schneider said, "This is a member-negotiated agreement. It results from months of very hard work by MPEA and MEA-MFT members. We are pleased that the agreement particularly helps state employees at the lower end of the salary scale. Some of these people work two jobs to make ends meet."

Schneider continued, "State employees at all levels have been struggling with budget cuts, staff shortages, hiring freezes, and salaries that don't keep up with the rising cost of living. This agreement will help."

"The deal is far from done," cautioned Feaver. "Now we will work together with the governor's office to get the pay plan passed through the legislature. It will be a long process. I feel optimistic about our chances for success. The governor and most legislators seem to appreciate the important work state employees do."

Details of the pre-budget agreement:

Each employee's salary will increase by 3.5 percent or $1,005, whichever is greater, in 2006 and 4 percent or $1,118, whichever is greater, in 2007 on the anniversary of that employee's employment with the state.

Monthly employer insurance contributions will increase by $46 beginning January 1, 2006 and $51 beginning January 1, 2007.

The state will continue the Labor Relations Training Initiative as established in 2000 with a $75,000 contribution. The Initiative trains management and union members in collective bargaining, labor relations, and conflict resolution.

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