Unions and worker advocacy groups oppose a two-tier wage system, arguing it leaves behind the very workers a minimum wage is supposed to benefit.
As Super Bowl approaches, NFL players take sides in local labor standoffs
January 12, 2018 by
Players union stands with Teamsters at U of M, calls out Franklin Street Bakery co-owner for abusing workers’ rights.
Albert Lea hospital workers stand up to Mayo with historic one-day strike
December 19, 2017 by
ALBERT LEA – Minnesota’s largest hospital system has picked a fight with two of its smallest bargaining units, but union members at the Mayo Clinic Albert Lea hospital aren’t backing down in their fight for job security and quality rural health care. Workers aren’t standing alone against the health care Goliath, either. Nursing assistants, housekeepers, maintenance […]
Retirees back bill to get troubled pension funds on track
December 4, 2017 by
Federal legislation introduced last month would lend cash to ailing pension funds so they can meet their obligations to current retirees and grow enough to serve people still working toward retirement. The Butch Lewis Act, authored by Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, received a full-throated endorsement from retirees, union leaders and lawmakers at a rally […]
Walker’s anti-union Act 10 dealing major blow to WI public schools, report finds
November 20, 2017 by
A new analysis of Wisconsin’s public schools reveals several alarming trends since the state adopted legislation stripping teachers and other public service workers of most collective bargaining rights in 2011. “Gov. Scott Walker and Republican elected leaders in Wisconsin said that Act 10 would benefit schools and families alike,” said David Madlan, co-author of the […]
Voters back labor-endorsed candidates, referendums in local elections
November 8, 2017 by
Labor-endorsed candidates performed well in municipal and school-board elections across the East Metro area Nov. 7, while voters in four large suburban school districts approved major school-funding requests that drew support from local unions. Kera Peterson, political director of the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation, which issues unified labor endorsements in local races, credited endorsed […]
Mayor’s race divides St. Paul unions
October 24, 2017 by
It was no coincidence that Republican majorities in the Minnesota Legislature last session made stripping power from local governments one of their top priorities. Frustrated by political gridlock at the state and federal levels, working people in Minnesota and beyond are building powerful coalitions to make their voices heard in local government, and their elected […]
Campaign for $15 sets sights on St. Paul
August 21, 2017 by
After an inspiring victory in Minneapolis, the coalition of unions, faith groups and community organizations working in support of a $15 minimum wage has shifted its focus to St. Paul, where a wide-open mayoral contest creates a strategic window of opportunity. After it passed the City Council by an 11-1 vote, Mayor Betsy Hodges signed […]
Unions weigh in on Trump’s plans to ‘modernize’ disastrous NAFTA trade deal
July 3, 2017 by
Since being established in 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement – better known as NAFTA – has triggered job losses, depressed wages and shifted more power to corporations. Now, the Trump administration has notified Congress it plans to “modernize” the horrible trade deal, giving working families an historic opportunity to shape a better trade […]
Home care workers ratify new contract, urge lawmakers to get serious about looming care crisis
June 20, 2017 by
Union members who provide in-home health services to clients across Minnesota have ratified a new contract with the state that will lift wages, provide holiday pay, boost paid-time off and expand training opportunities for an estimated 27,000 home care workers statewide. The new contract, home care workers’ second since voting to join SEIU Healthcare Minnesota […]
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