Union calls on Minnesota Historical Society to rescind sudden layoffs

Union officials have called on the Minnesota Historical Society to rescind a decision to lay off seven employees, five of whom they describe as active union members.

The AFSCME Local 3173 union condemned last week's layoffs, criticizing the lack of notice and alternative employment options offered to affected employees.

The union claims that the layoffs have happened while MNHS has 14 job openings, with some having "substantial overlap with eliminated positions."

Three of the five union members laid off created content for popular MNHS sites such as Historic Fort Snelling, Mill City Museum, and the James J. Hill House.

"We are calling on MNHS management to do the right thing, rescind these layoffs, and recall these employees immediately," the union said.

The union says MNHS gave workers just two days notice of the impending layoffs, and that they were asked to sign away their "recall rights" – which would have allowed them to move to an open position within the society – in exchange for receiving severance pay and job coaching.

Last week the historical society told Bring Me The News the decision to cut the seven staff was part of an "ongoing need to rightsize our organization and address a structural deficit."

"These difficult decisions were made through thoughtful and thorough analysis for the future of the institution. The affected colleagues were offered separation packages, including job transition services," it said.

The statement continued: "As part of our collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Local 3173, employees also received vacation and sick time payouts, and eligible employees received six months of continued employer contributions to medical insurance. We wish them all the best in the future.”