Ask Garrison McMurtrey why he pursued labor support in his campaign to fill the open seat on the Ramsey County Board, and he will point to his childhood in Mississippi, where union density is roughly half of Minnesota’s.
“I’ve seen the impacts of not having a strong labor movement in our community,” McMurtrey said. “I have family members and friends who have probably experienced employee misclassification or wage theft – the things that result from not having a strong apparatus to protect workers in our community, particularly workers of color.
“I know unions are in for the fight, and I’m in for that fight with them.”
Since moving to Minnesota, McMurtrey has fought for economic justice and workers’ rights, most recently as U.S. Rep. Angie Craig’s district director and, previously, on staff with Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
Craig, who represents Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District, tapped McMurtrey to head up her office’s response to recent service and staffing issues with the U.S. Postal Service.
In that role, McMurtrey worked closely with postal unions and saw firsthand, he said, the voice that comes with union representation, from sounding the alarm on short staffing to demanding a response to safety and equipment concerns.
Perry Schmidt, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers’ statewide council, said McMurtrey earned his support by “showing up for postal issues.”
“He takes phone calls and calls me back,” Schmidt said. “He seems to me to be a real, genuine person and good for labor families. I think he’s a very good pick for union members.”
McMurtrey said he intends to continue partnering with unions on the Ramsey County Board as a commissioner for District 3, which includes Falcon Heights and St. Paul’s Payne/Phalen, North End, Como, Frogtown, Hamline-Midway and St. Anthony Park neighborhoods.
Already, McMurtrey said, he has “shadowed” county workers on the job and met with union leaders to discuss their members’ issues, including safety on the job, high turnover rates and competitive pay and benefits. The county employs about 4,000 people.
“I want to work closely with our new County Manager Ling Becker to be a better resource,” McMurtrey said. “I want to get our workers the resources and pay that they deserve – not only to be competitive as an employer, but also because Ramsey County is growing and we want to ensure we’re delivering the best services to our residents.
“We may not agree on everything, but I want to make sure all our union members understand where I’m coming from and I understand where they’re coming from.”
In addition to supporting county employees, McMurtrey won over labor’s support by identifying opportunities to support union jobs in the county’ economic-development work. That includes investments in affordable housing and efforts to increase the county’s sustainability and resiliency in a fast-changing economy.
Richard Kolodziejski, director of government affairs for the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, said union tradespeople can trust McMurtrey to support high-road economic development, whether it’s reimagining downtown St. Paul or revitalizing the Rice Street corridor.
“He understands that jobs and exceptional training go hand in hand, and that fair wages and worker protections are essential to the growth and security of Minnesota’s communities,” Kolodziejski said. “His past work on behalf of Congresswoman Angie Craig’s fight for working families and access to a career in the skilled trades … emphasizes not only his own vision but the steps he will take to make that vision a reality.”
Early voting in the District 3 special election has already begun, with polls open for in-person voting from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day, Feb. 11.
– Michael Moore, UA editor
Union Advocate 