MAPE president Chet Jorgensen

For the first time since the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees split from AFSCME three decades ago, MAPE representatives spoke to an AFSCME Convention Friday.

MAPE executive director Jim Monroe (left) and AFSCME Council 5 president Mike Buesing greet each other Friday.

MAPE leaders speak to AFSCME Convention
Council 5 delegates gave an enthusiastic reception Friday to Chet Jorgensen, president of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, and Jim Monroe, MAPE’s executive director. It was the first appearance ever by MAPE representatives at an AFSCME convention since MAPE broke away three decades ago.

In September, Council 5 president Mike Buesing and executive director Eliot Seide spoke at MAPE’s annual Delegate Assembly.

MAPE is AFSCME’s best partner, Buesing said. The unions – which together represent 30,000 state workers who often work side by side – have bargained together for several rounds of contract talks and even went on strike together in 2001.

“We came together not only for our members, but for the people of Minnesota and our quality of life,” Jorgensen said. “We’re going to have to work together closer than we ever have, stronger than we ever have, but I know we’re going to do it.”

“We have the same objectives, we have the same end game,” Monroe said. “By working together, we can accomplish great things.”