September 7th, 2025 Contract Negotiations Update

Hello everyone! 

Thank you to everyone who gave us their feedback in the contract negotiations survey. There was a lot of great input to work with, and we are planning how to best prioritize the needs and desires of the employees we represent. Some popular topics from our respondents included codifying certain rights and benefits into our contract, paid leave, healthcare, and employee pay ranges.

Our next General Membership Meeting will be In-Person in Stillwater on Wednesday, September 17th from 12:00pm-1:00pm. A remote attendance option is available as well, and will be disseminated when the agenda is sent to work emails.

Here are some other quick additional updates: 

• In the future, we are going to be ramping up some visibility opportunities as well as a solidarity rally to come.
• We have been in the process of setting up AFSCME Local 517 with ActionNetwork.org for improved communication.
• We were invited by Bill Czech from United Steelworkers to participate in the First Annual All-Unions Labor Day Rally for South Washington County. So on Labor Day in Cottage Grove, we got 250 honks in just a few hours!

Reminders: 

• If you have not done so, set up your MemberLink account. This is your member portal, but we also conduct voting for contracts in it!
• Join our Facebook Group
• Review our current contracts as well as your rights.

Until Next Time!

In Solidarity, 

Your AFSCME Local 517 Executive Board & Negotiations Team