“I would love to feel like the mayor actually respects the work that we do and respects how difficult it can be.”
Construction wage theft back on MN lawmakers’ agenda
March 17, 2023 by
Construction firms in Minnesota would bear greater legal responsibility for the labor practices of their subcontractors under legislation introduced by DFL lawmakers last month. Building Trades unions and worker advocacy groups say the measure is necessary in the wake of reported abuses on non-union construction sites, most notably the Viking Lakes development in Eagan, where […]
Senate Republicans block $1.9 billion infrastructure jobs proposal
March 16, 2023 by
Union tradespeople pleaded with Republicans not to hold up the package of local public-works projects as leverage in a political fight with the DFL majority.
‘Bill of Rights’ would fund $25 minimum wage, health benefits for hourly school staff
March 9, 2023 by
As striking food service workers in Hastings put a spotlight on hardships faced by some of the lowest-paid school employees, state lawmakers this week debated bold, new legislation to lift standards for all hourly school workers. The “Education Support Professionals’ Bill of Rights,” introduced by DFLers in both the House and Senate, would establish a […]
Women workers leading push for statewide paid family leave
February 16, 2023 by
Women workers have provided compelling, personal testimony about paid family leave and its potential to improve working families’ lives.
Workers turn out for a say in Metro Transit’s safety plan
February 10, 2023 by
Metro Transit bus and train operators packed Met Council chambers Feb. 8, demanding input into the agency’s plan to improve safety across the local transit system. Council members were poised to approve that plan, finalized by Metro Transit in December, but they voted 7-5 to postpone any action for at least one week, giving management […]
Hastings food service workers strike for higher wages
February 7, 2023 by
“We feed their kids,” school cook Julie Clark said. “They should do more to help us feed ours.”
Workers warn ‘bigger does not mean better’ when it comes to hospital mergers
February 2, 2023 by
Union members have emerged as a leading voice of opposition to the proposed merger between M Health Fairview and Sanford Health.
In Senate, new DFL majority puts refinery safety atop to-do list
February 1, 2023 by
Refinery safety is back on the agenda at the Minnesota Capitol. Union tradespeople helped pack the Senate Labor Committee’s hearing Jan. 12, when members heard public testimony on a bill that would require registered apprenticeship training for workers performing certain jobs in the state’s two petroleum refineries. “In my career it was easy to spot […]
Time has come for statewide earned sick and safe time, MN lawmakers say
January 17, 2023 by
In St. Paul, the ordinance has worked so well that council members are poised to strengthen it, extending coverage to employees of companies outside St. Paul when they perform work in the city.
Union Advocate 