Cass County commissioners approve AFSCME contract after mediation

The Cass County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously June 15, 2026, to approve and implement a three-year collective bargaining agreement with Courthouse employees represented by AFSCME Local No. 2195. County Administrator Joshua Stevenson told the board the union signed the contract during mediation on June 12, 2026; the county had provided notice of intent to impose its final offer effective 12:01 a.m. on June 16, 2026.

Administrator Stevenson said approval will provide retroactive pay to eligible Courthouse Unit employees and will immediately reinstate all new-hire and internal transfer activity for positions represented by the bargaining unit. He described the contract as a three-year deal that includes a 3% cost-of-living adjustment and 3% step increases, adds Step 11 to the salary grade table, and implements longevity pay beginning at five years of service. The board clarified that employees who resigned or whose employment was terminated prior to ratification would not be eligible for retroactive pay.

Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk moved to "approve, implement, and impose the contract signed by the Union during mediation on June 12, 2026, for all Courthouse employees represented by AFSCME Local No. 2195, effective June 16, 2026, at 12:01 a.m.," and Commissioner Scott Bruns seconded. The motion passed with four ayes: Rick Haaland, Neal Gaalswyk, Bob Kangas, and Scott Bruns. Chair Bob Kangas adjourned the meeting at 1:03 PM.

The agreement’s direct fiscal impact (total dollar amount and budget line-item changes) was not specified during the special meeting; the county recorded only the contract’s percentage increases, the addition of Step 11, longevity eligibility, and the effective date. The contract was ratified during mediation on June 12 and formally implemented by board action on June 15.