---

Workers in the Teamsters union group with Health and Human Services for Chisago County informed the County Board of a strike vote.  Numerous union supporters with signs, (see photo) attended the Board meeting March 18.  Local 320 Union Business Agent Amy Perusse spoke during an open microphone at the end of the meeting. She gave a statement and the audience members held signs high and exited silently. 

According to the county administrator, strike action is not imminent. There has been no notice from the Bureau of Mediation Services regarding the strike authorization, which would be a usual subsequent step.  Administrator Chase Burnham added,  “The county is confident the employees of HHS are being paid competitively in comparison to similar counties.” He said the county is “disappointed the union did not accept” the latest offer for the three year contract, which is expired as of this year.

HHS Teamsters were offered three percent which is the same as what law enforcement union members at the deputy level most recently received.  This becomes 6.5 percent when paired with the standard 3.5 percent awarded every year of an employee’s first nine years of working for Chisago County. 

The business agent referred to a county wage study performed by consultants Baker Tilly.  It recommended in 2023 that certain job descriptions  be adjusted for an improved compensation system.  Social worker and child support officer positions did see a bump resulting from this study in 2023 which have increased slightly in the ensuing two years, according to the union materials given to this paper. However, the county’s top-wage earners have experienced much larger (double digit percentage) wage hikes. With the exception of the administrator these jobs are basically elected posts, however.  When setting elected person wages the county commissioners are more likely looking at specific duties in other counties and elected wages are not ordinarily interconnected with other union agreements.

---