Senate Republicans block $1.9 billion infrastructure jobs proposal
Before the Minnesota Senate voted today on infrastructure jobs bills worth $1.9 billion, union tradespeople pleaded with Republican members not to hold up the package of local public-works projects as leverage in a political fight with the DFL majority. “Quit playing little games with my … [Continue Reading ...]
For Mia workers, fresh approach to bargaining delivers big gains
After their first public contract campaign in recent memory, union members who work at the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) ratified a new agreement yesterday that will raise wages by $4 per hour across the board over the next two and a half years. The contract covers about 120 members of … [Continue Reading ...]
Construction wage theft back on MN lawmakers’ agenda
Construction firms in Minnesota would bear greater legal responsibility for the labor practices of their subcontractors under legislation introduced by DFL lawmakers last month. Building Trades unions and worker advocacy groups say the measure is necessary in the wake of reported abuses on … [Continue Reading ...]
‘Bill of Rights’ would fund $25 minimum wage, health benefits for hourly school staff
As striking food service workers in Hastings put a spotlight on hardships faced by some of the lowest-paid school employees, state lawmakers this week debated bold, new legislation to lift standards for all hourly school workers. The “Education Support Professionals’ Bill of Rights,” introduced … [Continue Reading ...]
Feature Story
Construction wage theft back on MN lawmakers’ agenda
Construction firms in Minnesota would bear greater legal responsibility for the labor practices of their subcontractors under legislation introduced by DFL lawmakers last month. Building Trades unions and worker advocacy groups say the measure is necessary in the wake of … [Continue Reading ...]
Organizing News
Labor in the Community
‘Bill of Rights’ would fund $25 minimum wage, health benefits for hourly school staff
As striking food service workers in Hastings put a spotlight on hardships faced by some of the lowest-paid school employees, state lawmakers this week debated bold, new legislation to lift standards for all hourly school workers. The “Education Support Professionals’ Bill of Rights,” introduced … [Continue Reading ...]
Union Advocate recognized in international Labor Media contest
The International Labor Communications Association (ILCA) announced winners of its annual Labor Media Awards last month, recognizing outstanding work published in 2021. The Saint Paul Union Advocate received a first-place award for photography and a third-place award for analysis. ILCA’s awards … [Continue Reading ...]
In Senate, new DFL majority puts refinery safety atop to-do list
Refinery safety is back on the agenda at the Minnesota Capitol. Union tradespeople helped pack the Senate Labor Committee’s hearing Jan. 12, when members heard public testimony on a bill that would require registered apprenticeship training for workers performing certain jobs in the state’s two … [Continue Reading ...]
Two from Plumbers Local 34 honored with nationwide ‘Heroes’ award
The St. Paul plumbers union has a pair of heroes in its apprenticeship pipeline. Twice in 2022, apprentices with Plumbers Local 34 have been named Tradeswomen Heroes by North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU). Each month the awards program recognizes four union trades-women, selected from … [Continue Reading ...]
Labor Voices
Bree Halverson: Minnesota’s clean economy should power good-paying, safe jobs
Minnesota has a new law that puts us on a path to 100% clean energy by 2040. That’s indisputably good for the environment. Thanks to the strong labor standards and equity provisions in the bill, it will also be great for all workers in our state, specifically union workers. Our nation has been … [Continue Reading ...]
Women workers leading push for statewide paid family leave
Research shows women suffer most from the widespread lack of paid family leave benefits, so it’s no surprise that women workers – and lawmakers – are leading the push to pass a family leave law at the Minnesota Capitol this year. The measure, which is among organized labor’s top priorities this … [Continue Reading ...]
Workers turn out for a say in Metro Transit’s safety plan
Metro Transit bus and train operators packed Met Council chambers Feb. 8, demanding input into the agency’s plan to improve safety across the local transit system. Council members were poised to approve that plan, finalized by Metro Transit in December, but they voted 7-5 to postpone any action … [Continue Reading ...]
Kera Peterson: Our shared agenda is advancing at the Capitol
The Minnesota Legislature convened Jan. 3 with working family majorities in the House and Senate who are working in partnership with our labor-endorsed Minnesota Executive Council. The last time we had a pro-worker trifecta in Minnesota was in 2013-14. That Legislature voted to raise the state’s … [Continue Reading ...]
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