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.

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.

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 […]

Labor 2022 volunteers say their freedoms, fundamental rights are on the ballot

Energized to help re-elect Gov. Tim Walz and deliver majorities that will move labor’s agenda in the Minnesota Legislature, union volunteers are hitting the streets across the state and talking with fellow members about the stark choice voters face Nov. 8.

Minnesota union members led the fight to secure bonus pay for 1 million frontline workers

Over 1 million Minnesotans will begin receiving payments of $487.45 from the State of Minnesota this week as a token of public appreciation for their work on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

State AFL-CIO convention spotlights worker power, political goals

Labor leaders and activists from across the state gathered in St. Paul this week for the Minnesota AFL-CIO‘s 56th constitutional convention, looking to tap into the energy of a recent wave of union-organizing victories as they make a united political push this fall. Several of the federation’s endorsed candidates, including Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. […]

As staffing crisis deepens, DFL lawmakers respond with bill to keep nurses at bedside

Sen. Erin Murphy, a registered nurse and the bill’s chief author, called the measure “a hyperlocal, hospital-by-hospital approach” to dealing with the staffing crisis.

Union educators join effort to expand child care, early ed

“Teachers are leaving the profession at very high rates, and no one who has worked in a school or child care center is surprised,” one former educator said.

As session begins, Minnesota unions see opportunity for investments in infrastructure, frontline workers

It’s a bonding year, but a record budget surplus and unspent federal pandemic relief funds could allow for more broad spending measures, including long-delayed compensation for frontline workers.