The voice of Saint Paul's working families since 1897
When a notorious wage broker pleaded guilty to two felony charges in Hennepin County this week, it was welcome news for unions and community groups working to rid Minnesota’s construction industry of labor abuses. “We are grateful that the legal system is holding those who commit wage theft and illegal trafficking of construction workers seriously,” […]
New penalties for employers who retaliate against employees, commit wage theft or deny workers access to their payroll information are among the bill’s provisions.
Six years ago, it was dismissed as too radical. Today, $15 for all workers is written into St. Paul’s legislative code.
Workers organizing with CTUL kicked off the campaign with a march down Lake Street in Minneapolis.
The ordinance would raise wages for an estimated 56,000 people – nearly a third of the city’s workforce.
The labor movement was at its strongest when we took on fights that benefited the entire working class.
Poverty wages are a big problem in St. Paul, but interest groups are already trying to poke holes in a potential minimum wage ordinance.
“We’re taught sports is this level playing field, this epitome of America, where anybody who’s good can make it. Yet the reality is it’s a very unlevel playing field.”
Activists called out the corporations funding the Super Bowl for prioritizing a high-profile game over people’s lives.
“Minnesota’s Super Bowl shouldn’t just be about entertaining the rich and the powerful,” bakery worker Travis Reinhart said.
