The request comes at a time when American workers are joining together to form unions in numbers not seen for a decade – and in the wake of a public appeal from the agency’s general counsel for more resources to prevent a backlog of cases.
Workers seek commitment from developers to build with ‘dignity and respect’
May 13, 2022 by
As allegations of wage theft continue to bubble up from the Twin Cities’ nonunion construction industry, a worker-led initiative aims to partner with developers to keep labor abuses off their job sites. After months of behind-the-scenes planning and organizing, construction workers this week publicly invited local developers to join the Building Dignity and Respect (BDR) […]
Safe staffing concerns soar among Minnesota nurses
May 11, 2022 by
The Minnesota Nurses Association released data today showing the number of reported staffing concerns from its members doubled from 2020 to 2021, prompting union members who joined a Capitol press conference to plead for action from lawmakers and hospital administrators. “Each one of these represents multiple incidents and multiple patients who are not getting the […]
Wilfs’ company turned deaf ear to warnings of wage theft at Viking Lakes development
May 10, 2022 by
Tradespeople who worked on the Viking Lakes luxury apartments in Eagan went public last week with accusations of wage theft on the project, owned and developed by the same family that owns the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings. Worker advocacy groups, including the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters (NCSRCC), pinned responsibility for the alleged labor […]
Unions’ pre-apprenticeship program puts more Minnesotans on path to construction careers
May 9, 2022 by
Thirty-five Minnesotans are a big step closer to family-sustaining careers in the unionized construction industry after graduating from the Building Strong Communities program last week. Elected officials, union leaders, employers and family members gathered for a ceremony May 5 at North Hennepin Community College to recognize graduates of the pre-apprenticeship program for women, veterans and […]
Unions honor fallen tradespeople on Workers Memorial Day
April 28, 2022 by
Twin Cities Building Trades councils observed Workers Memorial Day with a ceremony on the Capitol grounds today, remembering union tradespeople who died from workplace injuries and illnesses over the past year and rededicating their organizations to the cause of safer worksites. “Every worker, regardless of their language, their gender, their skin color, their age or […]
St. Paul Starbucks workers win union election
April 27, 2022 by
Baristas in St. Paul won their union election today, giving Minnesota its first corporate-owned, unionized Starbucks.
County attorneys take aim at criminal wage theft
April 27, 2022 by
“It’s not a clerical mistake; people are actually stealing,” Ramsey County Attorney John Choi said. “And I think this is one of those areas that needs improvement to make sure these cases get the attention of the justice system.”
In memoir, United Hospital nurse reflects on experiences in COVID ICU
April 27, 2022 by
After accepting a post in United Hospital’s COVID intensive care unit, Amanda V. Peterson began writing as a form of what she calls “paper therapy.” Two years later her memoir has sold out its first press run in just three weeks.
Roslyn Robertson: ‘Every fatality crosses my desk, and my stomach just cringes’
April 26, 2022 by
Minnesota’s labor commissioner discusses the state’s efforts to promote safe workplaces and more in this Union Advocate interview.
Union Advocate 