Montana Public Unions Merge to Form State's Largest Group

HELENA — Two unions representing Montana public employees decided to merge, a decision that organizers said will create the largest union in the state.

Delegates for the Montana Public Employees Association and the Montana Educators Association-Montana Federal of Teachers voted Saturday in favor of the merger. The Helena Independent Record reports that the combined organization will be called the Montana Federation of Public Employees.

Eric Feaver, president of the educators’ group, said the new organization will be Montana’s largest union, with an estimated membership of 24,000 or 25,000 employees. He said the total will give the union more authority to negotiate for its members.

“The impact won’t be immediately felt,” Feaver said, but added that “it will resonate with a wide range of state employees.”

Read more: http://flatheadbeacon.com/2018/01/22/montana-public-unions-merge-form-states-largest-group/