The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees and The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees are two major unions that represent a large number of Minnesota state workers. These unions are currently in contract negotiations with the Minnesota government, and the unions are proposing an increase in the cost of living adjustments for employees. The unions state that the state government has failed to raise salaries in pace with inflation. The state government is experiencing difficulty retaining employees, which is largely attributed to these low wages. State government wages tend to be lower than private sector wages, and many state government workers also have a lower income compared to local government workers and metropolitan council workers.
See "Unions in Minnesota propose greater pay increase for government workers", Jessie Van Berkel , Minnesota Star Tribune, June 21, 2023