Although a federal appeals court last month temporarily blocked a Minnesota law allowing in-home child-care providers to vote on whether they want a union, AFSCME Council 5, the union seeking the election, dismissed the injunction as temporary. “This one-sentence ruling has nothing to do with the merits of the case,” said union spokesperson Jennifer Munt. […]
AFSCME: Child-care providers continue to organize despite temporary injunction
September 27, 2013 by
Union volunteers make improvements to Central Lutheran School in St. Paul
September 27, 2013 by
Central Lutheran School in St. Paul is now handicapped accessible, thanks to the goodwill donations of three union trades. Volunteers from Laborers Local 132, Plasterers Local 265 and Cement Masons Local 633 helped build a concrete walkway to the school, located in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood, from Lexington Parkway. Local 132 paid for the materials, […]
Health care local celebrates 80th anniversary, welcomes PCAs into union
September 27, 2013 by
The nation’s oldest union of health care workers marked its 80th anniversary Sept. 20 by welcoming a new group of members, home care workers, into the local. For the first time ever, roll call to open SEIU Healthcare Minnesota’s convention included a unit of personal care attendants who are hired by their clients and paid […]
Day of Action for immigration reform planned Oct. 5
September 27, 2013 by
The U.S. immigration system is broken, and both new American immigrants and American-born workers are suffering the consequences. On Oct. 5, supporters of comprehensive immigration reform will take part in a National Day for Dignity and Respect, with events in more than 40 cities nationwide. Locally, activists will gather at 12:30 p.m. at the Basilica […]
IUPAT District Council 82 sees record turnout for PATCH golf fundraiser
September 27, 2013 by
Painters and Allied Trades District Council 82’s annual PATCH Golf Fundraiser Aug. 29 was the biggest – and most successful – in the 11-year history of the event, Business Manager Terry Nelson said. The tournament drew a record 205 golfers, enough to fill both 18-hole courses at Majestic Oaks Golf Club in Ham Lake. It […]
Bragg lends star power to AFSCME rally at U of M
September 26, 2013 by
Folk-rocker Billy Bragg gave a union rally on the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus a kick in the pants today, performing an impromptu, two-song set on the steps of Morrill Hall – and throwing his support behind the U’s frontline workers as they bargain for affordable health care coverage. [Click here to sign a […]
In address to union retirees, Dayton weighs in on Cretex strike, more
September 25, 2013 by
Addressing a roomful of union retirees in Maplewood today, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton recounted his morning meeting with members of Laborers Local 563 who are on strike, fighting to ensure a secure retirement of their own. Dayton’s remarks to the Minnesota State Retiree Council’s 17th convention came on the heels of a dialogue with workers […]
UPDATED: Drivers end strike at Minneapolis metal manufacturer
September 19, 2013 by
After voting unanimously to reject management’s final contract offer, seven members of Teamsters Local 120 who work at Minneapolis-based Metal-Matic, Inc. went on strike Tuesday morning. They remained on the picket line this afternoon. The workers, drivers for the steel-tubing manufacturer, rejected what Local 120 representative Bill Wedebrand called “extreme concessions” regarding their pension benefits. […]
Protesters call on Walmart to stop targeting workers organizing for change
September 6, 2013 by
Gabriel Teneyuque was among 130 Walmart workers who went on strike in June. Sixty of the workers he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with during that strike have been fired or targeted for discipline by the company for speaking out. Yesterday, standing before a crowd of 50-plus protesters gathered outside the Midway Walmart in St. Paul, Teneyuque explained […]
Fasts renewed commitment to grape boycott in 1988
September 1, 2013 by
In 1988 Cesar Chavez, the United Farm Workers leader, protested the poisonous effects of pesticides on grape farmers and their children by staging a 36-day fast. In solidarity with Chavez and the boycott of California table grapes, Twin Cities union members and elected officials launched a series of three-day fasts that fall. Fasters included U.S. […]
