Labor 2012
Minnesota AFL-CIO Statement on the 2012 Elections
Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson issued the following statement in response to the 2012 election results:
"Yesterday, Minnesotans once again voted in record numbers and made their voices heard loud & clear.
Minnesotans firmly rejected the politics of division, restriction, & corporate greed and embraced a call to build a better state for today & tomorrow. read more »
It's up to us! Volunteer Today!
In 2011 and 2012, instead of focusing on fixing our economy, Legislators put working people at the center of their attacks.
We deserve better. It’s time for us to elect a Legislature that shares our values and priorities – a strong, growing Minnesota economy; family-sustaining jobs; education opportunities for our children to compete in a global economy; and moving our state forward instead of holding us back read more »
2012 Minnesota AFL-CIO Endorsements
The following candidates have been endorsed by the Minnesota AFL-CIO for the November 6 General Election.
These are candidates we believe will put middle class families first. They will work to create the jobs we need, ensure that middle class families are treated fairly, and help build a better Minnesota.
These candidates have either demonstrated that commitment in office or committed to do so if elected.
Additionally, the Minnesota AFL-CIO has taken positions on both proposed constitutional amendments before voters. read more »
2012 Legislative Report
The 2012 session presented Minnesota’s Labor movement with even more challenges. The right-wing on the GOP majority attacked working people with a vengeance.
Fortunately, our work in the 2010 election paid off. Governor Mark Dayton, the first Labor-endorsed Governor in more than two decades, stood firm and protected middle class families from reckless anti-labor policy proposals. read more »
Romney-Ryan Budget Would Cost Minnesota $3.8 Billion in Funding For Infrastructure, Education
In light of Mitt Romney’s choice of Paul Ryan to serve as his running mate, the Minnesota AFL-CIO is highlighting the policies that Paul Ryan has proposed and Mitt Romney supports to make the top 1% richer at the expense of working families. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the Romney-Ryan budget would end Medicare and slash crucial funds that support Minnesota’s roads, bridges, schools, clean water facilities and community and mental health services. read more »
Effort underway to organize Itasca County unionists into a central labor body
By Larry Sillanpa, Editor, Labor World Newspaper
According to AFL-CIO numbers there 3,038 active union members in Itasca County, and over 700 retired union members. The county hasn’t had a strong union tradition in spite of those numbers but efforts are underway to change that. read more »
"Our Vote Our Future” Statewide Campaign Launched To Defeat Photo ID Amendment
A broad array of individuals representing organizations from across the state of Minnesota, flanked speakers from the Minnesota AFL-CIO, AARP, Minnesota Farmers Union, League of Women Voters, MPIRG, and TakeAction Minnesota as they gathered Thursday morning at the State Capitol to launch the “Our Vote Our Future” statewide ballot initiative campaign to defeat the photo ID amendment. read more »
Amendment Will Make it Harder for Minnesotans to Vote
In response to the Legislature's passage of a constitutional amendment imposing strict photo ID rules for citizens to vote, Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson issued the following statement:
"Plain and simple, this amendment will do more to prevent law-abiding Minnesotans from voting than actually stopping any fraud at the ballot box.
"This amendment puts an undue burden on seniors, members of the military, students, people of color, the disabled, and absentee voters who may not have the specific kind of identification this unnecessary amendment requires. read more »
Recount Begins Today
The recount in Minnesota’s Governor race begins today. Labor-endorsed Mark Dayton won the election by 8700 votes. This legally mandated recount will show, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Mark Dayton won the election with an insurmountable lead. Any election contest by Tom Emmer and the Republicans after the recount would only serve to delay Mark Dayton’s inauguration as Governor. We’ll keep you posted with more details.
