This summer, MPHA and various union representatives began negotiations on the contracts for numerous agency bargaining units. Following bargaining sessions that lasted through the fall, the final 2023 contract was unanimously approved by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) members in a vote late last month delivering represented employees pay increases and expanded benefits packages. That contract, along with contracts for the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 70, North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 292, and International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) Local 386, delivered increased employee allowance increases and additional work time flexibility. In return, the agency is afforded financial certainties during its annual budgeting process to support a workforce of nearly 350 team members.

“Our labor union negotiations were excellent, and the work was carried out respectfully and professionally,” said Maria Alvarez, Director of Human Resources and DEI at Minneapolis Public Housing Authority. “The work was guided by the mutual desire to deliver a benefits package to team members that continues to establish MPHA as an employer of choice.”

More than 80 percent of MPHA team members are represented by a labor union. The agency boasts a wide range of unions representing its talented team members in their specific trades, including carpenters, painters, electricians, engineers, maintenance team members, and program and administrative staff.

Agency leadership is proud of the strong working relationship it maintains with union representatives, as evidenced by the effective contract negotiations and subsequent membership approval votes. This strong working relationship and the substantial financial investments made in these recent contracts are just the most recent example of the agency’s commitment to establishing itself as an employer of choice in the Twin Cities region and the affordable housing industry.

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Individuals interested in working at MPHA can find up-to-date job listings and information about benefits on the agency website’s careers page.