With clock ticking, unions push Senate to take action on minimum wage

Minnesota unions are keeping the pressure on state lawmakers to pass a meaningful minimum-wage hike before the Legislature adjourns next week, despite increasing signals from Senate leaders the issue – a top priority for the state’s largest labor federation, the Minnesota AFL-CIO, heading into the 2013 session – may be a lost cause. “Hard work […]

Labor leaders weigh in as Senate takes up immigration bill

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee began hearings last week on an 844-page bill to overhaul the nation’s broken immigration system. The proposal includes a pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants, as well as new boarder-security measures, guest-worker programs, employee-verification methods and other changes to the immigration system. In Minnesota labor leaders who have […]

Unions lead rally for immigration reform in Minneapolis

The time for bipartisan action to fix the country’s broken immigration system is now, according to a diverse group of more than 100 activists who rallied downtown Minneapolis yesterday for “commonsense” immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship. The event, one of several immigration rallies held across the country yesterday, drew support from unions, […]

State Retiree Council to hold annual fundraiser April 20

The Minnesota State Retiree Council, AFL-CIO, will hold its 10th annual fundraiser Saturday, April 20, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Sheet Metal Workers Local 10 Hall, 1681 Cope Avenue in Maplewood. Admission is free, and there will be free food, free parking and music. This is not a “retirees-only” occasion. Rather, it is […]

Working Families Day at the Capitol is April 8

State lawmakers will hear from union members Monday, April 8, at the Capitol during the Minnesota AFL-CIO’s annual Working Families Day at the Capitol. We need union members to step up and make their voices heard on issues like fair taxes, job creation, raising the minimum wage and protecting locked-out workers. To get involved, call […]

‘Home Hankies’ fueled seniors’ rally for tax justice

In October 1987, “homer hankies” provided the magic the Minnesota Twins needed to win their first World Series championship. Five months later, Minnesota’s seniors attempted to recapture the magic during a rally for tax fairness at the Capitol. Seniors waved “home hankies,” during an event March 2, 1988, co-sponsored by the Minnesota Senior Federation and […]

Unions: Dayton’s State of the State provides roadmap to a better Minnesota

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton’s State of the State address last night drew glowing praise from the state’s union leaders, who applauded the DFL governor for his honesty, vision and commitment to middle class families. “In his address, Gov. Dayton rolled out a strong, reasonable path to a better Minnesota, a brighter future for our state,” […]

Union members join push for immigration reform with path to citizenship

U.S. citizenship isn’t something Mitch Azarcon takes for granted – not after watching her Filipino-born mother wait 25 years to move her family to the U.S. Now Azarcon, a surgical core technician at Rochester Methodist Hospital, is exercising her rights as a citizen, taking action through her union, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota, to change federal law […]

Union agenda includes minimum-wage hike, privacy protections for Minnesota workers

Emboldened by victories won at the polls in November, the state’s largest labor federation will push an ambitious legislative agenda that calls for hiking the state’s minimum wage, extending unemployment benefits for locked-out workers and expanding the freedoms and protections Minnesotans enjoy in the workplace. The Minnesota AFL-CIO, which represents more than 1,000 affiliate unions […]

Steve Hunter: Labor agenda includes investments, tax fairness, new jobs and workplace dignity

The 2013 legislative session presents Minnesota’s labor movement with opportunities we haven’t seen since 1990, the last time we had a pro-labor governor and labor-friendly majorities in both the House and Senate. After 22 years of playing defense, we finally have an opportunity to accomplish positive change for working people. The Minnesota AFL-CIO, working with […]