Return-to-office for state workers fans tensions between Walz and unions
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Thousands of Minnesota state workers will return to the office on a more regular basis starting this week.
Why it matters: It's a major shift after five years of a much more flexible work from home policy for the state's workforce.
Friction point: The call back, announced by Gov. Tim Walz in March, has infuriated public employee unions, who say they weren't consulted on the move in advance.
- The issue, along with contentious contract talks around health care and other issues, as well as a wave of tentative layoff notices triggered by the unfinished state budget, is fueling tensions with his longtime labor allies.
What to expect: Under the revised policy, most state employees must show up in person for at least 50% of their work days.
- Those who live more than 50 miles away from their assigned office can continue to work remotely.
The fine print: It's not clear how many workers were granted exemptions because of where they live or requests related to other accommodations.
- Those decisions are being made by each agency, a Minnesota Management and Budget spokesperson told Axios.
Between the lines: Those who do return may find their work digs less roomy than they were before the pandemic.
- That's because the state's long-term strategic facilities plan has aimed to reduce agencies' physical footprint, under the assumption that most state employees would continue to work remotely most of the time.
What we're hearing: The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, which has formally requested a delay in the start date, released a statement criticizing the governor's "unilateral" decision and the Walz administration's readiness for the return.
- MAPE union president Megan Dayton said an arbitrary June 1 start date that ignores "operational realities" and "incongruity" in implementation approaches across agencies has "caused chaos at every level, with agency leaders scrambling to reconfigure space and operations."
The other side: Walz downplayed friction with unions and questions about whether the state is fully prepared for the transition, telling reporters late last week that "for the most part, it's a go."
- The DFL governor, whose administration had already tweaked the policy to allow more workers outside the metro area to work from home, said he is still talking through a small number of issues with union and agency leaders.
Zoom out: The telework policy shift comes amid growing concerns about the state and the future of downtown St. Paul.
- Walz's office said the move will support "the economic vitality of office districts...bringing foot traffic back to businesses and public spaces."
What we're watching: It's not just foot traffic that could see an impact. I-94 — and its surrounding side streets — is already a mess due to summer road construction.
- More workers commuting to St. Paul could add to that headache.