Ellison urges ‘attention, activism’ to shed light on Trans-Pacific Partnership

Rep. Keith Ellison hasn’t seen a draft of the impending Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement, but executives at Cargill and Monsanto probably have. If that arrangement strikes you as skewed, you’re not alone. At a panel discussion on the TPP July 1 in Minneapolis, Ellison faced a fiery crowd of more than 50 people, who […]

CWA sponsors Almanac Trail concert stop in Minneapolis

The Almanac Trail concert tour hits Minneapolis Aug. 8, with a free 7:30 p.m. show at the Minneapolis Eagles, 2507 E 25th St., sponsored by the Minnesota State Council of the Communications Workers of America. The tour features musicians Rik Palieri and George Mann, who are tracing the steps of the Almanac Singers – folk-music […]

River Valley Action to celebrate 10 years in St. Croix Valley

Ten years ago, bolstered by a grant from the Minnesota AFL-CIO, union members and grassroots activists in the St. Croix Valley set out to create a forum for progressive dialogue in the region. The result was River Valley Action, which will mark its 10th year of advocating on issues that improve people’s lives with a […]

Carpenters plan vintage car show to restock food shelf

Muscle-car enthusiasts and family-fun seekers alike will want to mark Saturday, Aug. 10, on their calendars. That’s when local Carpenters unions, for the second consecutive year, will host a vintage car show to benefit their food shelf. Hot-rods owners will compete for 10 best-in-show trophies, and the first 40 vintage cars to arrive at the […]

Labor Chorus plans “Labor Sing” July 30

The Twin Cities Labor Chorus and Minnesota musician Charlie McGuire will host “Labor Sing,” a sing-along and fundraiser, July 30 at the Minnesota AFL-CIO Labor Pavilion on the State Fairgrounds. The Labor Chorus announced the event Monday in a press release: “It’s an excuse to get together, enjoy a summer evening, and have fun. It’s […]

Ten years ago immigrant freedom riders planted the seeds of reform

Immigration reform is on the front burner in Congress this summer, but 10 years ago immigrant “freedom riders,” including some from Minnesota, traveled to Washington to raise awareness of the need for reform, including a pathway to citizenship for undocumented workers. The Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride kicked off its Minnesota leg with an event at […]

AFSCME, MAPE reach tentative contract agreements with state

Workers in Minnesota’s largest public-employee bargaining unit reached a tentative agreement Friday on a new two-year contract that includes annual raises of 3 percent and requires workers to cover more of their health care costs, the union said in a statement released today. The tentative agreement covers 17,000 craft, service, health care, clerical and technical […]