Minnesota Public Employees Association (MNPEA)

Director: Mike Golen - President: Dave Deal - Legal Counsel: Rob Fowler

Tired of the representation provided by bigger national and international unions, Minnesota Public Employee Union members recently established the Minnesota Public Employees Association, Inc., or MNPEA. Operating as the MNPEA’s first Director, Mike Golen seeks to respond to the needs of workers in the 21st century. Unlike many larger unions, the MNPEA provides legal counsel as an integral part of union members’ monthly rates, not as a surcharge. Under Mr. Golen’s guidance, members no longer have to pay exorbitantly high monthly union fees. With the more affordable payments offered through the MNPEA, members can focus on strengthening their financial wellbeing while receiving the benefits of fair union representation.

The MNPEA was founded on the belief that members should have control over how they are represented. Mike Golen takes efforts to support this goal through his stewardship. With enough support, members can overrule the MNPEA board’s decisions if they feel a decision is not in the best interests of the workers. Unlike many larger national unions, MNPEA’s union representatives answer to the union’s members, not the other way around. Accordingly, MNPEA business agents and board members do not receive the significant income or excessive benefits that representatives of larger unions may be accustomed to. All of the perks go directly to the union itself.

MNPEA members enjoy an affordable dues rate of $39 a month; legal representation for internal affairs cases, employer investigations, and unemployment preference hearings; special discounts on separate legal matters; and financial transparency on all of the union’s expenditures.