Minnesota unions are calling on state lawmakers to include crisis relief, paid leave and protections for working people in their final budget. “Working people need their lawmakers’ help,” they said in a letter to legislative leaders this week.
Walz joins Building Trades unions in remembering fallen workers
April 28, 2021 by
In a ceremony today on the State Capitol grounds, Gov. Tim Walz and Labor Commissioner Roslyn Robertson joined members of Twin Cities Building Trades unions in paying tribute to workers who died in the past two years due to work-related injuries or illnesses. Observed each year on April 28, Workers Memorial Day honors those who lost their lives on the job. In ceremonies across North America, union members pause […]
After nearing strike at Allina, SEIU members at local hospitals ratify new contracts
April 21, 2021 by
Earlier this month, essential workers at United Hospital and seven other Allina Health facilities were ready to strike for a fair contract that respects their service on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the 4,000 members of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota struck a last-minute agreement with Allina and overwhelmingly ratified the new contract. “We […]
St. Paul Park refinery picks fight with Building Trades unions, too
March 25, 2021 by
Teamsters aren’t the only union members Marathon is looking to replace with nonunion, out-of-state workers at the St. Paul Park refinery. They aren’t the only ones fighting back, either. Earlier this month, several Building and Construction Trades unions began setting up banners around the refinery, publicly shaming Marathon for turning its back on Minnesota contractors […]
After ‘six years of purgatory,’ retirees celebrate pension fix with Smith
March 24, 2021 by
The Minnesota senator fought to include a rescue measure in the American Rescue Plan, protecting pension benefits for 1.5 million active and retired workers.
Film stimulus would position Minnesota to capitalize on pent-up demand for new TV, movie production
March 18, 2021 by
A bill before the Minnesota Legislature would lure production companies with a backlog of content they are waiting to produce. And as demonstrated these past 12 months, there is a demand for it. But we need to act now.
49ers’ courses offer high schoolers ‘3-for-1’ credit opportunity
March 2, 2021 by
Operating Engineers Local 49 is hoping a new partnership with Minnesota Virtual Academy will draw more high-school graduates into the union’s registered apprenticeship program – and help meet future demand for skilled, trained workers in the heavy-equipment industry. At the start of this school year, instructors from Local 49 began teaching for-credit courses open to […]
St. Paul unions take on new role getting fresh food to families
February 23, 2021 by
Local unions are stepping up this winter to connect thousands of Minnesotans with free, fresh food available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families Food Box program. The St. Paul Regional Labor Federation, which brings together over 100 local unions in Chisago, Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties, is spearheading the effort, working in […]
Community rallies around refinery workers as Marathon lockout enters third week
February 5, 2021 by
Each day the lockout continues, Teamsters warn, Marathon is putting its workers and surrounding communities at risk.
COVID testing is free, fast and encouraged for frontline workers
January 14, 2021 by
COVID-19 testing is fast, safe and open to anyone free of charge at 21 community testing sites across Minnesota. That’s the message state health officials want union members – and all frontline workers – to hear as more businesses, schools and other gathering places begin reopening to the public. As a small group of union […]
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