South St. Paul - AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director Julie Bleyhl issued the following statement after the Ramsey County District Court dismissed Republican lawmakers’ lawsuit to invalidate the union contracts of thousands of state employees.

“We are pleased that the courts have dismissed the harmful and egregious lawsuit filed by Senator Mark Koran (R-North Branch) and Representative Marion O’Neil (R-Maple Lake) that would have directly harmed tens of thousands of state employees and our rights as workers. Our union proudly stood up for these workers in court, many of whom are our correctional officers and security counselors, public health professionals, university bookstore clerks, clerical workers, state parks employees, and others who have kept our state working in the most difficult times we have experienced in generations.

"We are grateful for the leadership and legal analysis of Governor Tim Walz, Minnesota Management and Budget, and all of our union partners who joined together to defend our lawfully ratified and implemented contracts that are in the best interest of workers and all Minnesotans. As many thousands of our members are currently negotiating their next contract, it is clear that our union members will continue to fight for contracts that treat all workers with the respect and dignity they deserve and demand and lift up all workers throughout our state."