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The next deadline affecting the Chisago County employee unrest arrives this Friday, May 1, when the union’s notice of intent to strike expires. The timeframe will either be extended by request of the Teamsters Local 320— or there could be a counter-offer submitted and talks would resume based on actual numbers.  County officials are waiting for the union response to the most recent contract terms to be submitted formally.  The contract in question began January 1 2026 and would go through 2027.

The county shuttered the North Branch Health and Human Services satellite offices in response to receipt of the intent notice.  April 14 was the first day the contractual cooling off period would have allowed the actual  strike, but mediation has continued.

Checking with county officials as of April 27 there were no new Bureau of Mediation sessions scheduled, however.

Affected staff are functioning under revised operations guidelines,  such as no remote work. 

All county issued keys, devices and I.D. cards are being left at the Government Center each evening and retrieved in the morning when employees arrive for their work day.  Temporary spaces have been set up in Center City  for displaced workers from the North Branch HHS satellite offices.

The union announced this week through a press release that the operational changes are “raising concerns’  among union members. Teamsters primary staff  official Erik Skoog declared, “Directives related to operations appear to be coordinated in an effort to discourage workers from exercising their lawful right, to strike.”

The statement also alleged that vacations have been cancelled, but County Administrator Chase Burnham told the Press this is partially correct.  

The requested vacations that are able to be accommodated during this fluid and dynamic situation, are being authorized.  Burnham added (speaking to the Press) early this week, there currently are five staff members using vacation hours.  Looking outward a few weeks, any vacations affected by a strike, should there be an actual strike,  will not be authorized due to the fact  employees would not be on payroll if participating in a strike.  

No staff member who might opt to go out on vacation would be terminated, Burnham added, there just is no support system for  vacation pay to be provided.

The whole five-member County Board has decided to be involved and there is no  sub-committee of commissioners named to address these work issues.  The union called on the County Board to be “....more active in the oversight role and to reassess current policies, prioritize employee well being and engage in good faith negotiations,” in its union press release. 

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