Wedge keeps shareholders in the dark as workers near union vote

Workers at the Wedge Co-Op in Minneapolis are poised to vote in an organizing election next month. Co-Op Partners Warehouse workers reached a tentative agreement with the Wedge earlier this month. But that might come as news to the co-op’s shareholders, who were left in the dark regarding the strides workers are taking toward a […]

Lawmakers split over state employees’ contracts, set to take effect next month

Contracts covering about 27,500 state employees, including members of AFSCME Council 5 and the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, will go into effect next month after a legislative subcommittee failed to reject or approve the agreements. Members of the Subcommittee on Employee Relations split along party lines in a 5-5 vote yesterday. Under state law, […]

Faith leaders on earned sick time: ‘Something’s got to happen’

  Faith leaders from Minneapolis today called on elected officials to begin addressing Minnesota’s alarming racial disparities by guaranteeing all workers access to earned sick and safe time. “This is exactly what systemic racism looks like: reasonable people who say, ‘Our hands are tied … because it’s just too costly to change our system,’” Rev. […]

Home care workers, clients not backing down from anti-union group’s legal challenge

A week ago, Francis Hall made history as the first known home care worker in Minnesota to take a paid vacation day. Today, Hall stood outside the federal courthouse in St. Paul and condemned the well funded, extremist groups suing to deny her that benefit – and take away her newly formed union. “We’ve come too […]

Building Trades invited, but unwelcome at Bonfe’s job fair

Bonfe’s might want to consider a new recruiting strategy. For the second year in a row, the non-union mechanical and electrical contractor invited members of area Building Trades unions to attend an open house for prospective employees. And just like last year, Bonfe’s recruiters spent most of the open house trying to keep union members […]

In victory for staff, charter acknowledges workers’ union rights – in three languages

Staff at Community School of Excellence in St. Paul, still fighting for a first contract more than a year after organizing their union, have compelled Superintendent Mo Chang to acknowledge her administration infringed on workers’ legally protected rights on the job. The admission comes in a notice to all employees, signed by Chang, affirming CSE […]

Grocery union launches campaign to hold Hy-Vee accountable for ‘good jobs’

As Hy-Vee moves into the Twin Cities market, union grocery workers are rolling out a campaign to hold the supermarket chain to local standards for “good jobs.” That means high wages, guaranteed schedules, affordable health care and retirement plans – and the security of a union contract. “The ability to negotiate guaranteed wage increases, hours […]

U of M workers: ‘Less than 1 percent won’t pay the rent’

  Unions representing about 4,000 workers in contract negotiations with the University of Minnesota took new momentum into a bargaining session today, after workers, students, faculty and other supporters rallied behind their fight for raises and respect. “We’re only going to get what we’re organized to take,” Mick Kelly, a cook at Centennial Hall, said […]

Law judge rules North Memorial violated labor law, orders hospital to reinstate fired worker

North Memorial Medical Center illegally fired one worker and unlawfully attempted to block others from participating in a campaign to fight staffing cuts and protect patient safety at the Robbinsdale hospital, an administrative law judge ruled Friday. Acting on behalf of the National Labor Relations Board, Judge Christine Dibble upheld charges of unfair labor practices […]

AFSCME, MAPE members ratify contracts with state

State employees voted to ratify new two-year contracts in balloting earlier this month, unions representing the workers have announced. Members of both the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) supported the contracts by wide margins. The 2015-17 contracts won’t go into effect until they […]