Minnesota will raise the minimum wage for state government workers to $20 per hour under a tentative contract agreement announced by the state's two largest public sector employee unions.
The agreement, which still needs to be ratified by rank-and-file union members, is nearly double the state's minimum wage of $10.59 per hour and higher than the more than $15 per hour minimum wage required by the city of Minneapolis. It would go into effect as soon as ratified.
The state's two largest public sector unions said the minimum wage will set the standard for other employers across the state and country.
"The workers covered under this union contract make Minnesota happen and without them, our state would cease to function," said Julie Bleyhl, executive director of the American Federation of State County Municipal Employees Council 5, in a statement. The union represents more than 18,000 employees that will benefit from the agreement.
"Our state can better recruit and retain workers who are integral to the functioning of our excellent state services that all Minnesotans need and deserve," she added.
The agreement will also increase wages by 5.5% and 4.5% for all workers — including minimum wage earners — over the next two years. It would raise many job classifications to a higher pay range and expand insurance benefits for employees.
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