"MPEA, today, is an independent public employee union established on the principle that all dues collected should remain in Montana to benefit those who pay the dues. It became a union in 1973 with the passage of the Montana Collective Bargaining Act. The Association provides the full time organizational structure and staffing that allows public employees to join together to represent their issues in collective bargaining, lobbying the legislature and representation before the courts." Montana Public Employees Association had since merged with Montana Education Association-Montana Federation of Teachers as of 2017 to form Montana Federation of Public Employees. Its archives are kept here as a public record - Project Vote Smart