What should I do if management notifies me that I must attend a meeting and that I can have a union representative attend the meeting with me?

When you receive such a notification from management, it generally means that the meeting may result in disciplinary action (a written warning, a suspension, or termination) being taken against you. The union recommends that you request a union representative to attend the meeting with you to protect your rights and to be an observer on your behalf. Such requests should be made as follows:

  • City members: Contact Mary Meyer, MPEA President, by email at mary.meyer@ci.minneapolis.mn.us. Your email should include as much detail as possible regarding the matter, and please attach a copy of the notice from management if one is available. If time is of the essence and you do not hear back from Mary within 24 hours, you should contact MPEA attorney, Duane Johnson, at Johnsonlaw@mm.com or 612-529-6041.
  • Park Board members: Contact Jack Bartsh, MPEA Executive Board Member (Park Board), by email at j.bartsh@mpea.net or jbartsh@minneapolisparks.org at 612-490-8896. If time is of the essence and you do not hear back from Jack within 24 hours, you should contact MPEA attorney, Duane Johnson, at Johnsonlaw@mm.com or 612-529-6041.
  • MVNA members: Contact Sue Lundell, MVNA Executive Board Member (MVNA), by email at LundellS@mvna.org or at 612-998-4590. If time is of the essence and you do not hear back from Sue within 24 hours, you should contact MPEA attorney, Duane Johnson, at 612-529-6041.

Note: If you are unable to contact the above persons before the time scheduled for the meeting, then you should request a continuance of the meeting from management until you are able to retain union representation.

What should I do if disciplinary action is being taken against me, e.g. a written warning, a suspension from employment, or termination?

Under the collective bargaining agreement between the union and the employer, the employer must have just cause to discipline you. If the employer does not have just cause, in that either there is no basis in fact for the discipline or the discipline being doled out is overly harsh, then there are procedures available for the discipline to be challenged. If you are the subject of a disciplinary action and you wish to challenge the discipline, then immediately upon being notified that you are the subject of discipline contact the union as directed below. Note that there are timeframes that must be complied with, so it is critical that you do not delay in contacting the union.

  • City members: Contact Mary Meyer, MPEA President, by email at mary.meyer@ci.minneapolis.mn.us. Your email should include as much detail as possible regarding the matter, and please attach a copy of any written materials regarding the matter that you have received from management. If you do not hear back from Mary within 24 hours, you should contact MPEA attorney, Duane Johnson, at Johnsonlaw@mm.com or 612-529-6041.
  • Park Board members: Contact Jack Bartsh, MPEA Executive Board Member (Park Board), by email at jbartsh@minneapolisparks.org or at 612-490-8896. If you do not hear back from Larry within 24 hours, you should contact MPEA attorney, Duane Johnson, at Johnsonlaw@mm.com or 612-529-6041.
  • MVNA members: Contact Sue Lundell, MVNA Executive Board Member (MVNA), by email at LundellS@mvna.org or at 612-998-4590. If you do not hear back from Sue within 24 hours, you should contact MPEA attorney, Duane Johnson, at Johnsonlaw@mm.com or 612-529-6041.