Senate Ratifies State Labor Contracts With Raises

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Labor pacts covering 38,000 state workers have won approval from the Minnesota Senate.

Senators voted 43-22 on Monday to formally adopt contracts that have been in place since late last year. The two-year agreements contain annual raises of three percent or more, which some lawmakers say helps make up for years of mostly stagnant pay.

Sen. David Metzen's bill covered eight union agreements and three managerial compensation plans.

A House vote hasn't been held yet, but no one is forecasting trouble in the Democratic-led chamber.

The Senate vote was bipartisan. But Republican Sen. Michelle Benson said the Legislature was wrong to adopt the government pay raises before a tax-cut plan for a range of Minnesota taxpayers and businesses. That plan is pending.