Thank You, Governor Walz

In response to Governor Tim Walz’s announcement that he will not seek a third term, Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement:

“Tim Walz’s time as Governor has been defined by honesty, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to Minnesota’s workers and families. When historians look back at this era, Governor Walz will be remembered as one of the most pro-labor Governors to serve Minnesotans.

“During the global pandemic, Governor Walz worked closely with Minnesota’s unions to ensure that essential workers could do their jobs as safely as possible, were protected from retaliation when they reported unsafe conditions, received a bonus payment for their work, and went on to enact the strongest wage theft law in the nation.

“When Minnesotans re-elected him and sent a DFL majority to the Legislature, Governor Walz understood that political capital is meant to be spent. Alongside House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic, who are sadly no longer with us, he led a historic legislative session that produced Paid Family & Medical Leave, free school meals, expanded union rights & protections, historic infrastructure investment, and more.

“When we elect union members to public office – people who know firsthand about the challenges we face – working people can make meaningful progress. Today, we can proudly say that Minnesota is once again one of the best states for working people, and Governor Walz’s work is a major reason why. We look forward to continuing to partner with him during his final year in office to continue building a state working people can be proud of.”