Overview
- MSEA/SEIU Local 1989 filed a prohibited‑practice complaint alleging the state prematurely declared impasse, engaged in regressive bargaining, and canceled sessions.
- The filing came a day before a planned discussion on reclassifications after the state declared impasse in late September, and the board case proceeds with a state response expected by Dec. 15.
- The Mills administration rejects the allegations, saying it has bargained in good faith and noting average state employee wages have risen 24% since 2019, totaling more than $1 billion in added compensation.
- The lapsed contracts, which expired June 30, cover roughly 10,000 workers across four executive‑branch bargaining units.
- Union leaders cite a persistent private‑sector pay gap that narrowed from 15% to 14% over five years and note this is their seventh prohibited‑practice complaint in five years.