Bloomington video game workers ‘fighting tooth and nail’ with Microsoft for first contract

BLOOMINGTON – Video game workers rallied Aug. 18 for a fair first contract with their Microsoft-owned publishing firm, while also standing in solidarity with workers across the country fighting layoffs and corporate greed in Microsoft’s gaming studios. Members of Activision Quality Assurance … [Continue Reading ...]

Strike ends as Hazelden nurses ratify historic contract with safety guarantees

Nurses ended their strike at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation’s Center City campus this week, settling a first contract that, union members say, will address concerns that sparked their historic organizing campaign. Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association's bargaining unit – about 60 nurses … [Continue Reading ...]

Feds spied on local unions during Operation Metro Surge

Minnesota’s largest labor federation accused the Trump administration of “bringing back McCarthyism” after court filings exposed wide-reaching federal surveillance of local unions during the deadly and chaotic immigration dragnet last winter. While purportedly investigating a criminal conspiracy … [Continue Reading ...]

AFT calls on educators, families to avoid Target during back-to-school season

As back-to-school shopping season ramps up, the American Federation of Teachers is urging educators and families nationwide to stock up on supplies someplace other than Target. The union’s “Shop Smart, Support Working Families” campaign is a response to Target’s refusal to condemn the unlawful … [Continue Reading ...]

Feature Story

Feds spied on local unions during Operation Metro Surge

Minnesota’s largest labor federation accused the Trump administration of “bringing back McCarthyism” after court filings exposed wide-reaching federal surveillance of local unions during the deadly and chaotic immigration dragnet last winter. While purportedly … [Continue Reading ...]

Labor in the Community

AFT calls on educators, families to avoid Target during back-to-school season

As back-to-school shopping season ramps up, the American Federation of Teachers is urging educators and families nationwide to stock up on supplies someplace other than Target. The union’s “Shop Smart, Support Working Families” campaign is a response to Target’s refusal to condemn the unlawful … [Continue Reading ...]

Workers lead push for community guarantees before potential Allina, North Memorial sales

Unionized healthcare workers are leading a campaign to secure binding commitments from two large, out-of-state health care systems looking to expand their reach in Minnesota, seeking guarantees around patient access, workplace standards, use of artificial intelligence and other issues. A … [Continue Reading ...]

Union volunteers welcome America’s labor movement to Minnesota

Local union volunteers are welcoming the nation’s labor movement to Minneapolis this week and helping the AFL-CIO ensure its biggest event runs smoothly. About 40 retired and active union members answered the call for volunteers during the AFL-CIO's 30th Constitutional Convention, which began … [Continue Reading ...]

AFL-CIO convention spotlights strength, solidarity of Minnesota’s labor movement

Union leaders and activists from across the U.S. are gathering in the Twin Cities this week for the 30th AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention, the American labor movement’s biggest event. The national labor federation picked Minneapolis as the site of its four-day convention well before a violent … [Continue Reading ...]

Labor Voices

Union members sound alarm on threats to Postal Service, mail-in voting

EAGAN – Twin Cities postal workers rallied today to raise awareness about threats to Minnesotans’ mail service coming out of Washington, D.C. Joining a nationwide “Protect Our Public Post Office Day of Action,” local members of the American Postal Workers Union demonstrated outside the U.S. … [Continue Reading ...]

Roxy Hoda holding a picket sign outside Target Field

Target Field workers dig in for fair contract: ‘We love the Twins. We love the fans. But that love is not going to pay our bills.’

For as long as the Twins have been playing baseball at Target Field, Roxy Hoda has been hosting fans in the luxury suites. The 37-year-old from St. Paul went to work at the ballpark in 2010, and she now serves on the bargaining team for her union, UNITE HERE Local 17, in contract negotiations with … [Continue Reading ...]

Poll shows workers trust unions to deliver AI guardrails

The AFL-CIO released new polling this month that shows overwhelming support for union protections against job losses and invasions of privacy caused by artificial intelligence (AI). The nation’s largest labor federation called the report, which draws on surveys, polling and focus groups, the most … [Continue Reading ...]

Research into union busting in MN nursing homes draws lawmaker scrutiny

Authors of two recently published reports on union busting in Minnesota nursing homes presented their findings to the Senate Labor Committee last week, raising concerns among some lawmakers that public funds are being used to stifle worker voice. Committee Chair Jen McEwen (D-Duluth) called the … [Continue Reading ...]