Minnesota unions praise historic legislative session

A bill to address hospital staffing shortfalls, however, fell short of the union nurses’ expectations.

State to invest $240 million in replacing lead pipes

Gov. Walz called the program part of an ‘infrastructure renaissance’ he sees happening across the U.S.

Ban on captive audience meetings advances in Minnesota Legislature

The employer tactic has come under scrutiny in recent years, as union membership has remained flat despite polling that shows interest in forming unions at a near-record high.

Walz signs refinery safety bill at St. Paul Pipefitters hall

It took a change in Senate leadership to get the bill to Walz’s desk, but Minnesota’s oil refineries will soon be subject to stricter safety training standards.

Union-backed coalition rallies to get paid leave across finish line

Union members, retirees, small business owners and faith-based organizations rallied with Gov. Tim Walz and other lawmakers at the Capitol March 21 in a bid to get paid family and medical leave legislation across the finish line this session. “Paid family and medical leave is one of the best policies we can pursue to support […]

Construction wage theft back on MN lawmakers’ agenda

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

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

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 […]

Bree Halverson: Minnesota’s clean economy should power good-paying, safe jobs

Minnesota has a new law that puts us on a path to 100% clean energy by 2040. That’s indisputably good for the environment. Thanks to the strong labor standards and equity provisions in the bill, it will also be great for all workers in our state, specifically union workers. Our nation has been struggling with […]

Women workers leading push for statewide paid family leave

Women workers have provided compelling, personal testimony about paid family leave and its potential to improve working families’ lives.