Sponsor: Human Resources
Title
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Terms of Collective Bargaining Agreement with Technical Employees Association for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the terms of the collective bargaining agreement with Technical Employees Association for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027.
2. Authorize the Chair and the County Manager to execute the agreement.
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Background and Rationale
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Collective bargaining with Technical Employees Association has resulted in agreement for a three-year contract for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027. This bargaining unit represents approximately 21 employees who work at the Ramsey County Public Works department in the job classifications of Engineering/Construction/Surveying Technician 1, Engineering/Construction/Surveying Technician 2, Engineering/Construction/Surveying Technician, and Engineering/Construction/Surveying Technician 4.
The current agreement expired December 31, 2024 and Ramsey County Board approval of a new agreement is required. The proposed settlement is the successful result of negotiations between the parties. This agreement reflects the diligent efforts of union and management participants in the bargaining process. The settlement was reached between the parties on December 16, 2024. The bargaining unit subsequently voted to ratify the tentative agreement on January 6, 2025. Although the challenges were significant, there were ample opportunities to address the interests of both union and management. The proposed settlement addresses the important interests of affected employees and the county, including modernization of the classification and compensation structure, while honoring the fiscal limitation expressed by the Ramsey County Board.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
With approximately 4,206 employees employed by Ramsey County, 46% are racially and ethnically diverse with the overall rate of new hires of racially and ethnically diverse background at 53%. Collective bargaining agreements are essential to establishing equitable and consistent wages and benefit structure with equitable opportunities and outcomes in support of the attraction and retention of a diverse workforce who provide the numerous resident facing services to the residents of Ramsey County and promote the county’s vision, mission and goals.
Community Participation Level and Impact
This action is strictly operational and internal facing. The union completed a vote of its membership to ratify the agreement pursuant to the internal union process. This agreement is the result of a traditional negotiation process in which the county and the union meet to resolve identified issues using both a collaborative and productive approach.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Funding for contract costs was accounted for in Ramsey County’s 2025 operating budget and will be included in the 2026/2027 biennial budget.
Last Previous Action
On September 2, 2022 the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved the terms of collective bargaining agreement with Ramsey County Technical Employees Association for years 2022, 2023, and 2024 (Resolution B2022-207).
Attachments
1. 2025-2027 Technical Employees Association Tentative Agreement Summary List