---

With nearly everybody back on the job in Chisago County offices— there’s some wiggle room being allowed for basic re-familiarization.

The return to work following contract settlement was described as going very well early this week, all things considered, according to County Administrator Chase Burnham.  The Press heard praise for the technology department which had organized the digital devices,  and a system of bins for pick-up as staff, returning from a 122 day strike, are being reintegrated back onto secure passcodes and other fine points.  

Transitioning back to full regular employee strength  is going to need a few days.   For one thing, the Health and Human Services Director was hired almost at the same time the strike was declared, so she hasn’t spent any time interacting with permanent employees.  The director overseeing HHS at the outset of the strike intent was slated for retirement.  Returning social services staff may need to acclimate to management style differences and vice versa, Administrator Burnham told the Press.

Teamsters Local 320 bargaining units ratified terms  late last week for a three year contract, in the fourth month on strike.  Flags, banners, signage and inflatables used by the union to stress their case visually,  were quickly removed from county government center  property, road right-of-way and neighboring yards. On Monday of this week the County Board of Commissioners arrived at 7 a.m. to adopt the verified language for the three year contract.

Other news outlets have been reporting 170 employees went out on strike, however, the county administrator stated the actual tally is closer to 110 physically striking colleagues.  

Burnham said Chisago County lost “four or five” employees during the strike who found employment elsewhere.  

The county hired temporary professionals to fill in service gaps and some of these non-permanent staff are closing down their workloads over this week— as the union members who did go out on the picket line return.  

People that the Press spoke with at the government center are hoping the strike’s residual bad feelings become water under-the-bridge.  Supervisors and elected commissioners were described by strikers as  “vile” when workers repeatedly availed themselves of the open public comment portion at several County Board meetings.  The sidewalks leading up to the courthouse were covered with writing in chalk, some calling out by name the alleged hypocrites and scabs.

County Administrator Chase Burnham said the Health and Human Services building in North Branch was scheduled to re-open Tuesday, one day after the settlement was made final by the Board.

Returning staff will find they are back to square one when it comes to physically performing their jobs.  The remote work privileges are gone (for now.) The plan is to re-boot operations and re-issue technology devices and allow for remote access very deliberately in the coming weeks.

Staff will have 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on site hours again.

Administrator Burnham mentioned that the new contract terms include a union-controlled healthcare plan, which he anticipates may not be attractive when it comes to hiring future employees.  The union health insurance reimbursement account policy does not return unused benefits to employees,  but instead they go into a union-held account.  This may turn out to be a desired outcome identified in the prolonged negotiations but only time will tell.The Teamsters celebrated the final terms. 

In a statement, dated Saturday morning Aug 29, announcing the County Board would vote Monday,  Teamsters announced they are “excited” to see the ratification vote results. The HHS staff was 92.5 percent in favor and the Government Center Professionals 88.5 percent in support. Teamsters extended many thanks to other union bargaining units who provided financial and moral support, saying, “Engineering Techs who stood by us through the strike will be provided the same contract.”

Teamsters added in the official statement,  “We are all so grateful to return to work and hope the transition goes smoothly as we step back into our professional roles.”

The wage issues came down to about a one percent difference from what was offered months ago Administrator Burnham explained.  

The contract terms are wage hikes of  three percent for 2026, three percent for 2027 and four percent for 2028.  Staff who are eligible for “step” wage increases also receive 3.5 percent on their anniversary dates in each year.

The county does pay agreed to wages retroactively but because the staffers went on strike, there is a 122 day time period where the county did not have them on the payroll or cover their benefits/premiums.  

Several union bargaining units mostly in public safety remain to be negotiated with as well.

---