In North Branch, union volunteers help build home for disabled veteran’s family

A partially disabled military veteran and his family own a new home in North Branch, thanks to a little help from East Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity and several Building Trades unions. After a dedication ceremony Oct. 29, Eric and JoAnn Trudeau took ownership of the 1,3252-square-foot home, with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a […]

Labor-endorsed candidates back investments in public education, from pre-K to higher ed

Bold investments in public schools and early learners. Higher education that’s affordable for working families. An aggressive approach to narrowing the achievement gap between white students and students of color. Labor-endorsed candidates have high hopes when it comes to education in Minnesota, but they will need to win a majority in the House – and […]

Teamsters say U of M policy punishes dining workers who use earned sick time

  On the steps of Morrill Hall Tuesday, front-line staff at the University of Minnesota rallied with other U of M workers, including faculty members seeking a union vote, to protest an attendance policy that, workers say, unfairly disciplines them for getting sick. Teamsters Local 320, which organized the rally, represents food-service workers at the […]

‘Minnesotans are the losers’ when divided Legislature plays politics with transportation

Republicans and Democrats rarely agree, but when the Minnesota Legislature convened in January 2015, leaders of the GOP House and the DFL Senate were sounding an awful lot alike. It was time to address the state’s transportation needs, they agreed. And the state could not afford to wait. Nearly two years later, Minnesotans are still […]

Bobby Kasper: In an ugly election year, let’s stay focused on what really matters

Labor 2016 is a blueprint for building political power for working people, a statewide plan developed with input from a wide range of unions. When it comes to executing that plan, regional labor federations and area labor councils are where the rubber meets the road. At the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation, we began mobilizing […]

Dayton’s final two years create window of opportunity for progress, unions say

During the 2015 legislative session, a group of DFLers in the Minnesota Legislature put forth a bold set of proposals for paid family leave, earned sick and safe time, fair scheduling and protections to ensure people get paid for their work. They called it the “Working Parents Act,” and it went absolutely nowhere. “We couldn’t […]

Protesters say Trump, Walmart share the same values

From selling goods manufactured overseas to avoiding federal taxes, Walmart and Donald Trump have a lot in common. In fact, it’s a connection so strong that Walmart sells products promoting Trump’s presidential campaign on its website. Nearly 50 people connected the dots between Trump and Walmart at a protest Monday in St. Paul’s Midway shopping […]

Unions, environmental groups brace for lame-duck fight over Trans Pacific pact

On the night of the third presidential debate, a small group of activists gathered inside a union hall in Minneapolis, but their focus was not on the outcome of the 2016 election. It was on what might happen between Nov. 8 and the inauguration, specifically when it comes to trade. President Obama is expected to […]

During break from negotiations, UFCW members provide lifesaving first aid

Four Prescott Nursing and Rehabilitation Community workers got more than they bargained for during a break from contract negotiations Tuesday in South St. Paul. As Gayla Morrison, Kim Nelson, Jody Pederson and Karen Peterson walked into Angelo’s Italian Restaurant for lunch with their union representative, they noticed a woman hunched over, struggling to breathe. “It […]

MCAD faculty members unionize; Augsburg adjuncts on track to vote soon

Faculty at Minneapolis College of Art and Design have voted overwhelmingly to unionize after an organizing drive sponsored by Local 284 of the Service Employees International Union. The election results were announced this afternoon, just days after adjunct faculty at Augsburg College filed for a union election of their own. MCAD’s part- and full-time instructors […]