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Take Action: Time is Running Out for Millions of Americans

23 Oct, 2025

The government shutdown has now dragged on for 23 days. Across the country, federal workers are struggling to pay bills without their paychecks. And President Trump and his allies in Congress still seem to have no interest in getting to work funding the government and fixing the health care crisis

Photo of retiring MN AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Brad Lehto

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Minnesota AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Brad Lehto Retires

23 Oct, 2025

After more than 25 years and serving in multiple roles at the Minnesota AFL-CIO, Secretary-Treasurer Brad Lehto retired this month. Prior to his 2018 election, Secretary-Treasurer Lehto served as the State Federation’s Legislative Director and Chief of Staff. During his time at the Minnesota AFL-CIO

Federal workers holding signs that say, "Public Service is a Badge of Honor."

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End the shutdown, fund our government, fix the healthcare crisis, and put working people first

01 Oct, 2025

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement on the federal government shutdown: “It’s unfortunately no surprise that President Trump and the Republican majority in Congress have allowed our nation’s government to shut down. Since this administration came to office, it has

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Minnesota State Capitol with a large group of people in front of it. The sky is deep blue behind the Capitol Dome.

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2025 Legislative Report

17 Sep, 2025

The Minnesota AFL-CIO, the state’s federation of more than 1,000 local unions who represent over 300,000 working people, released its 2025 Legislative report. The report analyzes how state lawmakers voted on key labor priorities during the 2025 session.

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Court dismisses challenge to captive audience meeting ban

04 Sep, 2025

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Benrie Burnham made the following statement on Wednesday’s ruling by the Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit dismissing a challenge to Minnesota’s 2023

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Statement on Minneapolis school shooting

27 Aug, 2025

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement on today’s school shooting in Minneapolis:

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Action Alert: Call to Restore Veterans Affairs Workers’ Union Rights

08 Aug, 2025

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the backbone of support for our nation’s brave heroes, providing essential health care, benefits and services that veterans have earned through their service.

But the VA is under attack.

A person holding a sign that says "UNION YES."

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Statement on union busting at the VA

07 Aug, 2025

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham & Secretary-Treasurer Brad Lehto made the following statement in response to the Department of Veterans Affairs unilaterally terminating collective bargaining agreements for workers at the VA, including more than 4,000 Minnesotans:

Photo of the late Representative Melissa Hortman

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Statement on June 14th's Political Violence

14 Jun, 2025

Statement from Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham and Secretary-Treasurer Brad Lehto in response to today’s political violence: