Sponsor: Human Resources
Title
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Terms of Collective Bargaining Agreements with Eight American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Bargaining Units for the Years 2025, 2026 and 2027
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the terms of collective bargaining agreements with American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Bargaining units for the years 2025, 2026 and 2027:
• Local 8 (General County)
• Local 8 (Professional)
• Local 8 (Public Health Registered Nurses)
• Local 151 (Social Services Department, Financial Assistance Services Department and the Administrative Division of the Health and Wellness Service Team)
• Local 151 (Licensed Practical Nurses)
• Local 151 (Workforce Solutions)
• Local 707 (Lake Owasso Residence)
• Local 1935 (Parks & Recreation)
2. Authorize the Chair and the County Manager, to sign the agreements incorporating these terms and conditions.
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Background and Rationale
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Collective bargaining with eight American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) bargaining units has resulted in tentative agreements for three-year contracts for the years 2025, 2026 and 2027. The bargaining units are AFSCME:
• Local 8 (General County)
• Local 8 (Professional)
• Local 8 (Public Health Registered Nurses)
• Local 151 (Social Services Department, Financial Assistance Services Department and the Administrative Division of the Health and Wellness Service Team)
• Local 151 (Licensed Practical Nurses)
• Local 151 (Workforce Solutions)
• Local 707 (Lake Owasso Residence)
• Local 1935 (Parks & Recreation)
These bargaining units represent approximately 2,012 employees (approximately 48% of the county workforce).
The current agreement expires 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 November 29, 2024. Each of the eight AFSCME bargaining units are scheduled to ratify the tentative agreement by December 13, 2024. 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 55%. The eight AFSCME bargaining units represent the greatest portion of the county’s workforce at 48% and span every department within the county and serve the largest number of Ramsey County residents. 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 eight AFSCME bargaining units hold separate votes of their membership to ratify the agreements pursuant to the internal union process. These agreements are the result of a traditional negotiation process in which the county and the union form teams that meet regularly 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
None.
Attachments
1. 2025-2027 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Tentative Agreement Summary List
2. Addendum A, Classification and Compensation Tentative Agreement Summary 1 of 2
3. Addendum A, Classification and Compensation Tentative Agreement Summary 2 of 2
4. Addendum B, Local 1935 Classification and Compensation Agreement Summary