A few moments ago, Gov. Walz released Emergency Executive Order 20-07 which directs the creation and implementation of a new COVID-19 Leave policy for State employees, including MinnState employees. This new policy will provide paid leave for employees who must be absent from work for reasons related to COVID-19, including but not limited to caring for their children due to school closure.

We are thankful for the Governor’s action in authorizing this new policy specifically to address COVID-19 leave. The Governor has been thoughtfully addressing and responding to the needs of State Government workers, including those represented by the IFO. The Walz administration is setting the standard for the rest of the nation.

The Governor’s executive order also suspends, for the duration of the peacetime emergency, provisions of public employees’ collective bargaining agreements regarding work schedules, work locations, assignments, and reassignments. We know our faculty, coaches, librarians, and counselors will do their part to tackle the health and safety issues related to COVID-19. We are living in unprecedented times, which call for an inordinate amount of mutual trust and cooperation. Unions are being asked to trust that State employers will not abuse the extraordinary powers they are being granted by this executive order.

The IFO will hold MinnState and university administrations to the highest standards of good faith for the greater benefit of our higher education community.

The IFO, in coalition with other public employee unions, has asked for a public commitment by State employers to work with union representatives to swiftly and fairly address issues that arise as a result of this executive order. We also have requested that Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) emphasize in their internal communications with State agencies that these powers are to be exercised exclusively for dealing with COVID-19. As your Union, the IFO is committed to ensuring adherence to this principle.

It is our job to do what we can for the greater good of Minnesota and its system of higher education. In this crisis, for some people that means the most important thing they can do is stay home if they are sick or symptomatic or if they need to care for family. Others may be asked to work in new ways, to change their duties, or to work with new people. Our job as a union is to make sure that during this crisis, we do not leave workers behind and they are still protected and safe at work.

Our contract provides job protection, academic freedom, fair pay, and benefits for all faculty. We want to step forward as partners with the State to respond to this crisis and support these actions. With that said, we will work to ensure that these powers are exercised in good faith and with fair treatment of all employees represented by the IFO. It is in these difficult times that we must stand together in solidarity and do what is right for the greater good, in trust that others are doing the same.

Please contact me at jeffers@ifo.org or by phone at 952-239-9620 if you have any questions or need further clarification.