Working Minnesotans are celebrating historic Labor Policy & Finance legislation heading to Governor Walz’s desk for his signature. In addition to funding the Department of Labor and Industry to enforce Minnesota’s labor laws, the legislation includes provisions that working people have long sought at both the state and federal level, including:
- Allowing workers to opt out of anti-union captive audience meetings.
- Construction worker wage theft protections.
- Warehouse worker protections.
- Meatpacking worker safety standards.
- Creating a Nursing Home Standards Board.
- Expanding the scope of public sector collective bargaining
- Paid sick and safe time for all Minnesota workers.
“This unprecedented legislation will fundamentally improve conditions for working people in every job sector and in every corner of our state,” said Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham. “Minnesota has a long history of putting working people first, and after Governor Walz signs this legislation, we will truly be the best state for working people.”
The Minnesota AFL-CIO led the effort to give workers the freedom to opt out of anti-union meetings, bringing workers to the Capitol to share their experiences with this all-too-common employer tactic. The measure received bi-partisan support in multiple legislative committees before its inclusion in the omnibus bill.