MN HF2939

Establishes employee protections when governmental units form joint powers agreements, defining entities as organizations acting on behalf of two or more cities, school districts, counties, or other governmental units.

Requires the Bureau of Mediation Services commissioner to follow existing certification procedures under section 179A.102 to determine initial certification and decertification of exclusive union representatives for newly formed joint powers entities.

Preserves existing collective bargaining agreements covering transferred employees until a successor agreement is negotiated and agreed to by the certified exclusive representative.

Protects employee seniority based on continuous service with the original member entity and the new joint powers entity; layoffs and recalls must be based on seniority until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached.

Permits the joint powers entity to receive employee personnel files at no charge from member entities and allows discipline of transferred employees under investigation prior to the transfer.