Unions see ‘a generational opportunity’ as state lawmakers begin work at Capitol

When the Minnesota Legislature convened at noon Jan. 8, everything changed – and nothing changed. What has changed? For the first time in a generation, the DFL holds majorities in both the Minnesota House and Senate, while also holding the governor’s office. What hasn’t changed? The state still faces structural budget deficits that the last […]

Labor 2012 Endorsed: Engineer’s approach will serve Yarusso well

“An engineer’s bread and butter is problem solving,” said Barb Yarusso, the labor-endorsed candidate for Minnesota House in House District 42A (map). “You have to figure out the questions that have to be answered, and have an ability to stay focused on the outcome you’re looking for.” Such focus has been lacking at the Legislature […]

For unions, opposition to marriage amendment swells from grassroots

Mary Larson Dennis, a social worker and member of AFSCME Local 151, remembers exactly the moment when she decided the freedom to marry wasn’t just a gay-rights issue, but a union issue as well. It was March 2011, and Dennis, then an officer in her union, was making the rounds on a lunch break, talking […]