News

Photo of Minnesota's State Capitol with a deep blue sky in the background.

Key wins for working people in the 2026 Legislative Session

18 May, 2026

As the constitutional deadline to pass legislation passed, Minnesota’s Labor Movement celebrated key legislative victories for working people in the 2026 Legislative Session, including a Minnesota AFL-CIO-led Workers Compensation bill with a historic increase in benefits for disabled workers.

Photo of union members marching with banners that read "Honor the Harmed" and "Honor the Dead."

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Response to Trump Administration investigating VA employees mourning Alex Pretti

05 May, 2026

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement in response to a CNN report showing the Department of Veterans Affairs investigated VA employees who attended vigils and memorials for fellow VA worker and American Federation of Government Employees (AGFE) member Alex Pretti

A photo of Governor Tim Walz addressing the 2022 Minnesota AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention

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Statement on Governor Walz’s final State of the State Address

28 Apr, 2026

Following Governor Tim Walz’s final State of the State Address, Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement reflecting on the Governor’s office: “Over the past seven and a half years, Governor Walz worked closely with working Minnesotans, their unions, and advocates to

A collage of Minnesota's three Labor newspapers.

Minnesota Labor Newspapers

Only a handful of active Labor newspapers remain in the United States and Minnesota is fortunate to be home to three of them. For the latest local labor news, check out:

Duluth Labor World

Recent

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Labor applauds Mayor Betsy Hodges’ Minneapolis Working Families Agenda

02 Apr, 2015

In her State of the City Address, Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges announced a bold working families policy agenda. In her speech, Mayor Hodges called for fair and predictable scheduling for shift workers, increased protections against wage theft, and earned sick and safe time.

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Minnesota AFL-CIO statement on February Budget Forecast

27 Feb, 2015

Minnesota AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Steve Hunter issued the following statement on today’s state budget surplus forecast of $1.9 billion:

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Workers, Legislators Support Bill to Modernize Workplace Scheduling Laws

19 Feb, 2015

Looking to ensure workers have a voice in how much and when they work, a coalition of worker advocacy groups, social justice organizations, labor unions and workers joined together with Rep. Rena Moran today to introduce the Fair Scheduling Legislation.

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Labor backs legislation ensuring workers are paid what they earn

11 Feb, 2015

Addressing a large, but rarely talked about problem, the Minnesota AFL-CIO announced today that it was partnering with lawmakers and workers on legislation to crack down on wage theft.

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State continues to post budget surpluses despite years of Republican fear mongering

04 Dec, 2014

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson issued the following statement on today’s state budget forecast:

“Minnesotans learned today that their state government continues to be on sound financial and economic ground.

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Minnesota AFL-CIO Statement on 2014 Election

05 Nov, 2014

Following the 2014 election, Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson issued the following statement: