Unions File Complaint for Nixing Raise

Three public employee unions filed an unfair labor practice complaint on Wednesday over the 2011 legislature's refusal to pass the pay raises for state workers they had negotiated with Governor Brian Schweitzer. The MEA/MFT, Montana Public Employees Association and American Federation of State, County and Municipal employees named the State and House Speaker Mike Milburn as defendants in the complaint, filed with the state board of personnel appeals. MEA/MFT President Eric Feaver wonders when Montana employees will be treated fairly.

Feaver said the complaint is one of many options available to the unions, including a lawsuit and a strike, although he wasn't recommending a work stoppage. Feaver also said that, if the unions prevail, they hope to renegotiate with the Governor for even higher pay raises for employees than the original ones, and ask him to call a special legislative session to approve them.