Day One: Minnesota home care workers’ first contract takes effect today

The union contract that goes into effect today between the State of Minnesota and home care workers statewide is a big deal to Tallaya Byers. But it’s about more than paid time off, wage increases and other benefits that kick in today, the 38-year-old from St. Paul said. “I’m being recognized as an employee,” said […]

High court will hear case targeting public-sector unions

The Supreme Court today announced it would hear arguments in a case challenging unions’ ability to collect fees from public-sector workers who choose not to join a union but, as members of the bargaining unit, enjoy equal access to benefits provided by the union contract. Eliminating so-called “fair share fees,” ruled constitutional by the Supreme […]

Love wins! Union members join celebration at Twin Cities Pride Parade

  Union members joined the party at the Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade in Minneapolis yesterday, cheering the Supreme Court’s historic decision making marriage equality the law of the land. “We’re always fighting; it feels good to be celebrating for a change,” Charli Haataja, a member of Local 7250 of the Communications Workers of America, […]

Minnesota native wins election as CWA’s secretary-treasurer

Fridley native Sara Steffens was elected secretary/treasurer of the Communications Workers of America, one of the largest labor unions in the country. Steffens, 43, was sworn in at the union’s 75th convention in Detroit on June 8. Steffens was previously acting secretary/treasurer of the NewsGuild-CWA, a sector representing journalists, language interpreters and others. A journalist […]

In Minnesota, apprenticeship model expanding to other industries

Apprenticeship has long been the backbone of the Building Trades unions. Their on-the-job training programs put workers on a path to family-sustaining careers while ensuring union contractors have access to the highly skilled labor pool they need to remain competitive. It’s a win-win model. Now, with a push from the federal government, unions and employers […]

Janitors fired after joining strike confront dealerships they used to clean

  WAYZATA – Backed by a delegation of supporters, three janitors fired after going on strike confronted the car dealerships they used to clean yesterday, asking managers to use their influence with cleaning contractor ROC to help them get their jobs back. “I am angry because they’re not listening to us,” fired worker Julio Romero […]

Bobby Kasper: Moving our hall, bringing along the spirit of 411 Main

A house is more than its walls and windows, more than the foundation and support beams that hold it together. Memories make a house a home. The friends and family members who gathered there – and the accomplishments that took place under its roof – are as much a part of any house as its […]

With boost from WESA, training program puts women on path to apprenticeship

  Analise Adams, a 22-year-old from Minneapolis, was working in a Linden Hills childcare center two months ago. When her aunt, a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, told her about a free training opportunity for women considering careers in construction, Adams decided to take a chance. She quit her childcare job and […]

Fired after joining strike, four janitors suspect retaliation

  Four janitors with 8 years of experience cleaning car dealerships in Wayzata were fired June 9, the same day they joined a Twin Cities-wide strike for better wages and working conditions. Suspecting retaliation was the motive behind their release, the janitors and their supporters are pressuring the dealerships and their cleaning contractor, ROC Commercial […]

Results are in: Letter Carriers’ food drive nets over 70 million pounds nationwide

  Letter carriers nationwide collected 70.6 million pounds of food along their routes May 9 during the Stamp Out Hunger food drive, according to results announced on the National Association of Letter Carriers union’s website yesterday. The total continues a streak of 12 consecutive years in which Stamp Out Hunger has collected at least 70 […]