A significant grievance discussion unfolded at the Hibbing School Board meeting on February 19, 2025, as AFSCME labor representative Alex presented a Level 3 grievance concerning the classification of a casual employee. The union argues that the district has violated the collective bargaining agreement by failing to recognize an employee who has worked over 100 shifts in the past year as part of the bargaining unit, contrary to the Public Employment Labor Relations Act (PELRA).

Alex detailed that the grievance is based on violations of Articles 2 and 3 of the collective bargaining agreement, which define public employees and their rights. The union seeks immediate recognition of the employee's status, back pay for lost wages, and the establishment of a seniority date. The union emphasizes that this position should be a district-wide posting, providing community members with stable employment opportunities.

In response, district representatives clarified that the employee's shifts were spread across multiple job classifications, arguing that the 67-shift threshold applies to individual job classes rather than cumulatively across different roles. They maintained that the district has not violated the contract and asserted their managerial rights to hire and manage positions.

The discussion highlighted the complexities of staffing and the need for clarity in the interpretation of contractual agreements. The board ultimately moved to authorize legal counsel to address the grievance, indicating that the matter will continue through the established grievance process.

As the meeting concluded, board members also took a moment to celebrate recent achievements in the district, including a successful one-act play production and the upcoming hockey game, showcasing the community's spirit amidst ongoing labor discussions.