Pushing Bonuses Off MnSCU's Agenda

For two straight days, AFSCME members demonstrated outside MnSCU’s board meeting in St. Paul. The message was simple: Stop giving bonuses to college executives at the same time campuses are raising tuition for students, laying off front-line workers, and freezing the pay of workers who still have jobs.

Mark Dayton, Council 5’s endorsed candidate for governor, joined AFSCME and MAPE members during the July 20 demonstration. He publicly criticized the bonus plan as a “misplaced priority” when campuses are cutting budgets, in part because of cuts in state support from the Pawlenty administration. “Leadership leads by example,” Dayton said.

Karen Foreman, of Local 638 at Minnesota State University Mankato, said the bonus money could save jobs and services that students need  Council 5 director Eliot Seide asked trustees why they’re protecting the people making the most but hurting the people making the least. 

Taking a stand made a difference – for now: After giving MnSCU chancellor James McCormick a $40,000 bonus (to go with his $360,000 salary), the trustees adjourned without approving any more bonuses. Last year, they gave out a total of $287,500 in bonuses.

Trustees meet again on Sept. 14-15.