A bill to address hospital staffing shortfalls, however, fell short of the union nurses’ expectations.
‘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.
Nurses’ picket lines swell with community, labor support
September 16, 2022 by
The Minnesota Nurses Association’s trademark red radiated from picket lines outside Twin Cities hospitals during the union’s three-day strike Sept. 12-14, but nurses were far from alone. Elected officials, union leaders and supporters from the community bolstered nurses’ ranks, honking horns, joining picket lines and dropping off coffee and treats for the health care heroes […]
Staffing crisis prompts school employees to ask for support, patience
August 23, 2022 by
“Take a breath and remember that the educators and staff who chose to come back this fall did so because they really care about the students and want them to succeed,” Education Minnesota President Denise Specht said.
Unions decry Supreme Court ruling, urge action to protect abortion access
June 27, 2022 by
Minnesota’s highest-ranking union officer added to the chorus of labor voices decrying the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, eliminating the federal right to abortion. “Reproductive rights are workers’ rights,” Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham said in a public statement, calling the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade after nearly […]
Burnham sworn in as first person of color to lead MN AFL-CIO
February 1, 2022 by
“We must stay united against the forces that try to divide us,” new Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham said.
Burnham to succeed McCarthy as Minnesota AFL-CIO president
December 14, 2021 by
McCarthy’s accomplishments include recalibrating the federation to lead on racial and social justice issues, and overseeing political and lobbying programs that thwarted a wave of state-level attacks on union rights.
Essential workers tell lawmakers: Minnesotans support emergency leave
June 17, 2021 by
“We aren’t asking for a handout,” Minnesota Nurses Association President Mary Turner said. “What we are asking for is justice.”
Unions say Minnesota’s new labor board is ‘superior in every way,’ but its future remains uncertain
June 9, 2021 by
The fate of a newly opened state agency dedicated to keeping public-sector labor disputes out of court hangs in the balance as Minnesota lawmakers negotiate a new, two-year budget.
Union Advocate 