Matt Stone has been a Correctional Officer at MCF-Togo since 2012 and once he received an offer to use his leadership skills and background in the outdoors at the Minnesota Department of Corrections, he gladly accepted the position and moved his wife and 1-year old adopted son up north.
The Department of Corrections went to the Legislature with a supplemental budget request ($18 million). This request would have addressed a structural shortfall in funding at the Department of Corrections and was a top legislative priority for AFSCME Council 5.
The MN House of Representatives passed legislation which included additional DOC funding. Ultimately, the MN Senate did not pass this funding and a deficit has accumulated at an unsustainable rate since.
In recent days, the Minnesota Department of Health has reported a large spike in positive COVID-19 cases, specifically over 800 new cases in a 24-hour period, the greatest daily spike we have seen in roughly 7 weeks. 23 states as well as city councils and mayors around our state are instituting mandatory mask policies for residents to adhere to in order to stop the spread of COVID-19.
AFSCME Letter to Governor Walz on Extended Peacetime Emergency Powers
June 10, 2020
Honorable Governor Tim Walz,
On behalf of the 43,000 members of AFSCME Council 5, we want to extend a heartfelt “thank you” for your decisive actions and those of your Administration as we work together to improve the lives of Minnesotans, make our communities safe and healthy, and ensure that working people are truly heard. You have made sure that labor unions and other stakeholders are at the decision-making table and we look forward to our continued partnership.
May 30, 2020- This morning, Governor Tim Walz, Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington provided an update on the arrests made in last night's protests. Inclusion, equity, fairness, morality, and justice for all are values we must always fight for.
AFSCME Council 5 honors the life of George Floyd and extends our deepest condolences and solidarity to the family and loved ones of George Floyd. We mourn with you and all people affected by tragedies like these.
“The murder of George Floyd is an absolute tragedy and should never have happened. Do not become numb or blind to injustice. We must stand together with all of our neighbors and reject discrimination, hate, and prejudice in all its forms,” said AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director Julie Bleyhl.
To be clear from the top: Our state employee contracts have been declared ratified and will be implemented, along with the 2nd year 2.5% cost of living increase beginning July 1, 2020 as we fought so hard for!
