AFSCME Local 1539 wins new contract at Minnesota Prison

Amanda Biggins, President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1539, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about her Local’s new contract with the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Rush City. Biggins also talked about approved legislation that will ban private prisons in Minnesota.

Local 1539 recently negotiated a new contract that Biggins said will help them better serve inmates and the community. The new contract includes increases in pay and improvements to benefits. She also talked about how the pay improvements will help address staffing shortages – one of the biggest issues plaguing the facility. Biggins said she is hopeful the improved pay and benefits will help attract and retain more qualified corrections officers.

Privatizing the correctional industry has been a hotly contested subject. Biggins discussed examples where the privatization of prisons has led to officers and inmates being placed in unsafe and unhealthy environments. A private prison often becomes a profit-focused business, which then places other priorities above the conditions of facilities and the safety of the inmates and corrections officers, Biggins said, adding that she has yet to see a union help these workers in the private sector. With strong outreach by Local 1539 leaders, Minnesota legislators recently passed Minnesota House File 1200, which bans private prisons in the state.

Biggins also shared details about her journey to becoming a corrections officer, which was led by her desire to help people. After many stops, she found herself at the Rush City Correctional Facility, an adult, all-male prison in Minnesota. In 2022, Biggins was elected president of AFSCME Local 1539, representing about 200 corrections officers and support staff at Rush City.  

Listen to the show above for more about the new contract for AFSCME Local 1539.