Editor’s note: William McCarthy is president of the Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council, AFL-CIO.
Wright County Human Services Agency workers have worked without a contract since Jan. 1 and are in negotiation with the county. I want to offer support to my fellow workers in their contract struggle and urge the community to do the same. Wright County government has performed very well recently and reports more than $22 million in unrestricted net assets that exceed liabilities. The efficiency and dedication of the employees of Wright County have contributed greatly to this success. However, it appears that the hard work and dedication of Wright County employees have gone unnoticed. Wright County Human Services employees earn significantly less in wages and benefits than their counterparts in surrounding counties. In fact, Wright County ranks as the 59th lowest paying of 79 counties surveyed in Minnesota. Some Wright County Human Services Agency workers’ full-time wages are so low that they qualify for the very government services that they help provide. Wright County has offered a 1 per cent pay increase in the most recent round of negotiations. This offer is far below pay increases that other surrounding counties have put in place. Every day, the staff of the Wright County Human Services Agency work to serve our community. With professionalism and respect, they provide quality services to assist children, families, seniors and individuals in need. Now, in the form of a fair contract offer, Wright County needs to return the respect given daily by Wright County Human Services workers so they can support their own families.