Governor reaches deal for pay raises for state employees

HELENA – Governor Steve Bullock announced today that his administration has reached an agreement with state employees to institute pay raises over each of the next two years.  The 2013 Legislature appropriated a lump sum of approximately $56 million to the executive branch to negotiate raises with Montana’s public servants.

For most state employees, the agreement will translate into a 3 percent base pay raise in 2013 and a 5 percent raise in 2014.  Individual bargaining units will now have the option of ratifying the pay plan.  If ratified, the tiered raises will become effective July 1, 2013 and November 15, 2014.

Most state workers have not had a raise in their base pay since 2008.

“In national study after national study, Montana continually ranks as one of the best places to start a business or start a family.  It’s our dedicated, talented and hard working public servants who help make that a reality,” Bullock said.  “This pay plan represents a fair pay increase for the snowplow drivers, nurses, biologists, firefighters and other state employees who go to work every day for all of us.”

The agreement reached today also ensures there will be no increases in health insurance premiums for members of the State’s self-insurance pool.

Bullock also announced that the state will fully fund the “Blue Collar Pay Plan” – the plan for organized trade and craft employees in the executive branch.  These employees will see raises of $0.92 in 2013 and $0.97 in 2014.  None of these nearly 800 workers have had a raise since 2008 and full funding honors the directive from state legislators to ensure that lower wage workers saw increases.