The voice of Saint Paul's working families since 1897
Fallout from Hostess Brands’ decision to cease operations has extended to about 20 union workers in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, who face layoffs as the bankrupt baker begins liquidating its assets. Hostess’ bakery outlet stores, which sell day-old Wonder Bread, Twinkies and other Hostess products, have been shuttering operations gradually since last Friday, when the […]
For the fifth consecutive year, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers will raise funds for local charities with its annual holiday lights display. Presented in partnership with King of Kings Lutheran Church, “Holiday Lights in the Park” will run nightly Nov. 20 through New Year’s Day, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. in St. Paul’s Phalen […]
Greater Twin Cities United Way and the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation’s AFL-CIO Community Services program are co-sponsoring the Labor of Love – Adopt a Family holiday program, collecting donations to support families in need in the East Metro area. Tax-deductible donations will be used to purchase gift cards from union grocers. Gift cards will […]
Minnesota unions achieved a clean sweep of their top priorities for the Nov. 6 election, as voters elected pro-labor majorities to the Legislature, tossed a Tea Party incumbent out of office in the 8th Congressional District and rejected a pair of constitutional amendments opposed by labor. It was a resounding victory for the Labor 2012 […]
Holiday shopping season is right around the corner. Shoppers looking to give gifts but avoid products made in sweatshops should mark Dec. 2 on their calendars; that’s when the Minnesota Fair Trade Coalition will hold its annual Fair Trade/Union Made Holiday Sale. The sale features products made by workers treated fairly and ethically by their […]
Tom DeGree, the labor-endorsed candidate for House District 39B (map), is a small business owner, and his first campaign for public office has a distinctly entrepreneurial feel. DeGree knows the numbers, from his campaign budget to the number of successful voter contacts volunteers have made during phone banks and door-knocks. The campaign has a dynamic […]
Musicians locked out of their jobs by the Minnesota Orchestra rallied with patrons, union leaders and other supporters in Peavey Plaza downtown Minneapolis today, as the lockout of 95 members of Twin Cities Musicians Union Local 30-73 entered its second month. Although buoyed by strike benefits from their international union, the American Federation of Musicians, […]
A name certain to be in the headlines this November – for better or for worse – was also in The Union Advocate’s front-page headlines 50 years ago. The top story in the Nov. 16, 1962, edition analyzed the results of gubernatorial races across the country: “Rocky, Romney, Scranton Win Big For GOP; Nixon, Others […]
“An engineer’s bread and butter is problem solving,” said Barb Yarusso, the labor-endorsed candidate for Minnesota House in House District 42A (map). “You have to figure out the questions that have to be answered, and have an ability to stay focused on the outcome you’re looking for.” Such focus has been lacking at the Legislature […]
Musicians locked out of their jobs by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra voted unanimously today to reject a contract offer from management, prolonging a work stoppage that began Oct. 21. Management’s proposed reductions to current musicians’ salaries and benefits are unacceptable, union members said. They warned even bigger proposed cuts to future musicians’ compensation would […]
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