Local 633 apprentices deck the training hall with festive seasonal display

It looked a lot like Christmas earlier this month at the Cement Masons Local 633 apprenticeship training center in New Brighton, where the local’s 20 first- and second-year apprentices constructed an enormous seasonal landscape out of concrete. The display, unveiled to members at the local’s holiday party last week, spreads across the floor of the […]

Union members say ‘thanks for the work’ on Hastings Bridge

When the new Hastings Bridge, which carries U.S. Highway 61 across the Mississippi River, opens all four lanes to vehicles tomorrow after two years of construction, traffic-weary residents won’t be the only ones celebrating. Union members who built the $130 million bridge are joining in ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremonies, and one union joined their contractors […]

IBEW holiday lights glow through New Year’s Day in Phalen Park

IBEW Holiday Lights in the Park, the larger-than-life display of holiday-themed light sculptures, will open its gates Nov. 26 and light up St. Paul’s Phalen Park nightly through New Year’s Day. Developed by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and King of Kings Lutheran Church of Woodbury, Holiday Lights in the Park is a volunteer-run, […]

Fair Trade/Union Made Holiday Sale in Minneapolis Dec. 8

Skip Black Friday and try a sweatshop-free shopping spree instead with the annual Fair Trade/Union Made Holiday Sale in Minneapolis. A benefit for the nonprofit Minnesota Fair Trade Coalition, the sale will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 8 at the CWA Local 7200 Hall, 3521 E. Lake St. Vendors include Ten Thousand […]

Laborers’ charity motorcycle ride lauded by Ronald McDonald House

Ronald McDonald House of the Twin Cities honored the Minnesota Laborers Ride for Charity with its prestigious 2013 Don Shelby Service Award at a banquet Oct. 5 in Minneapolis. In 2013 the Laborers Ride raised $12,000 for Ronald McDonald House charities. The ride has delivered over $75,000 to the charity over its 10-year run since […]

Volunteer pipefitters service furnaces across state

Volunteer members of St. Paul Pipefitters Local 455 and Minneapolis Pipefitters Local 539 serviced furnaces for the needy Sept. 28 during the 28th Annual HEAT’S ON Program. The day of service safeguards low-income, elderly, and disabled homeowners – and reduces their fuel costs. Area union contractors supplied parts and vehicles to the effort, which drew […]

Union volunteers make improvements to Central Lutheran School in St. Paul

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, […]

IUPAT District Council 82 sees record turnout for PATCH golf fundraiser

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 […]

Loaned executives look to grow labor’s support of United Way

United Way was there to support Sheila Pokorny and Joan Killeen when they needed a helping hand. Now the two are returning the favor as loaned labor executives supporting Greater Twin Cities United Way’s 2013 campaign. Pokorny and Killeen began work July 25 and will continue through mid-November, reaching out to area union offices and […]

Photos: ‘Labor Sing!’ raises funds for locked-out musicians, striking Laborers

The Twin Cities Labor Chorus put solidarity into song Tuesday night, hosting “Labor Sing” with Minnesota musician Charlie Maguire at the State Fairgrounds’ Labor Pavilion. The sing-along did more than raise the spirits of 30-plus people in attendance, however. Donations collected at the concert were split evenly between relief funds supporting locked-out musicians of the […]