Local lawmakers, unions scramble to support federal workers harmed by Trump cuts

Unions and community allies put out the call for attorneys to volunteer their services to advocate for workers who have seen their rights violated by the Trump administration’s recklessness.

Union members push bill to give striking workers unemployment benefits

“Going on strike will still be financially challenging, but at least workers won’t be starved back to work,” one union member said.

Unions to stay vigilant at Capitol: ‘What we’ve got can go away in a vote’s notice’

The state’s largest labor federation has identified its top priorities for the session, and defending the gains made in 2023 is at the top of the list.

Minnesota unions praise historic legislative session

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

Staffing crisis prompts school employees to ask for support, patience

“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.

As driver shortage hampers start of school, unions point to low pay, benefits

Access to unemployment insurance would help retain drivers through the lean times, advocates said.

Excluded from unemployment benefits, hourly school workers speak out: ‘It is insulting’

School employees have been fighting to change the law restricting their access to UI benefits for decades. Now, the pandemic has brought the issue to a tipping point.

Resources for workers impacted by COVID-19 response

Efforts to halt the spread of COVID-19 are creating immediate economic hardship for many working families, but help is available during the crisis.

Unions praise Dayton’s approach to building a ‘state that works for everyone’

In his State of the State Address last night, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton called on legislators to join him in addressing the state’s racial and geographic disparities, and in making needed investments in public education, transportation and infrastructure. Afterward, union leaders from across the state praised Dayton’s speech. Education Minnesota President Denise Specht called Dayton […]

House Republicans play politics with unemployment extension for steelworkers

Steelworkers pleaded with members of a House committee yesterday to pass a clean bill extending unemployment benefits to workers impacted by the Iron Range mining slowdown, but they couldn’t convince Republicans, who continued holding the relief package hostage for $271 million in tax cuts for businesses. “Believe me, this is not an easy thing for […]