News and Updates

Workers OK first contract, making Wedge first union co-op in Minnesota

April 6, 2016

Workers at the Wedge voted Tuesday to ratify their first union contract, making the Minneapolis grocer the state’s first unionized co-op. Wedge Community Co-op workers voted last November to join United Food...
AFSCME members defend public services during annual lobbying day

April 5, 2016

No one knows more about public services in Minnesota than the workers who deliver them, and state lawmakers had access to an abundance of wisdom today during AFSCME Council 5’s annual lobbying blitz. “The...
Lawmakers urged to keep passenger rail on track

April 5, 2016

A small investment by state lawmakers today could move passenger rail between the Twin Cities and Duluth closer to reality – and strengthen Minnesota’s entire transportation system, unions and other supporters...
Drazkowski threatens to derail state contracts with Right to Work ‘poison pill’

April 1, 2016

It’s fair to say state Rep. Steve Drazkowski has a reputation for advancing extreme ideas. He’s supported logging in Minnesota’s state parks and eliminating the Pay Equity Act, even floated the idea of ...
Faculty blast U’s attempt to delay union vote with legal appeal

March 31, 2016

The University of Minnesota is asking the state Court of Appeals to slow down a historic union-organizing effort among faculty at the Twin Cities campus. Union supporters today branded the university’s...
Iron Range communities get good news

March 27, 2016

Communities on Minnesota’s Iron Range got some good news when lawmakers approved an extension of jobless benefits for thousands of laid-off workers and two mining companies announced they would resume...
Private prison debate raises issues of race, justice

March 22, 2016

Issues of race, poverty and justice bubbled to the surface in an emotional hearing Tuesday over legislation to re-open a privately run state prison in Appleton, Minn. After several protesters disrupted the...
TPP Video: Zahara Heckscher tells her story

March 22, 2016
Students urge lawmakers to recognize Capitol workers

March 17, 2016

Six Owatonna public school students testified before state lawmakers Thursday, urging them to authorize a memorial plaque recognizing the scores of workers who built the state Capitol – including six who died...
Senate Should Schedule Hearing and Vote on Supreme Court Nominee Merrick Garland

March 16, 2016

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka released the following statement in response to President Barack Obama's nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court: "Chief Judge Merrick Garland of the U.S...
Governor Dayton’s budget invests in working families

March 15, 2016

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bill McCarthy issued the following statement on Governor Mark Dayton’s 2016 supplemental budget proposal: “Governor Dayton should be commended for submitting a budget plan that...
Family and medical leave bill clears first hurdle in Legislature

March 14, 2016

Legislation to provide Minnesota workers with paid family and medical leave benefits cleared its first committee hurdle Monday, but the proposal faces concerted opposition from some businesses. The proposal,...
Statement on the death of former Congressman Martin Sabo

March 13, 2016

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bill McCarthy issued the following statement of the death of former Congressman Martin Olav Sabo: “For nearly five decades, Martin Sabo epitomized what holding elected office in...
Wage theft gains attention in Congress, courts

March 13, 2016

The growing problem of wage theft is gaining attention in the U.S. Congress and in Minnesota courts, where a company owner was recently convicted of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from workers. Earlier...
Statement on Governor Dayton’s 2016 State of the State Address

March 9, 2016

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bill McCarthy issued the following statement on Governor Mark Dayton’s 2016 State of the State address: “Governor Dayton has demonstrated his commitment to ensuring that Minnesota...
Do You Know Where Your Nabisco Treats are Made?

March 8, 2016

BCTGM members working at Nabisco plants throughout the U.S. take great pride in producing the iconic products that have been a part of millions of Americans’ lives for more than 50 years. Today the BCTGM has...
Coalition Calls on Legislature to Pass Paid Family and Medical Leave Act

March 7, 2016

Today, Minnesotans for Paid Family Leave, a statewide coalition of working families, faith communities, labor and nonprofit organizations, showed their support for the 2016 Paid Family and Medical Leave Act,...
Bethany Winkels joins Minnesota AFL-CIO as Field & Member Development Director

February 29, 2016

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bill McCarthy today announced that Bethany Winkels will serve as Field and Member Development Director. Bethany brings her background in legislative, electoral, and organizing...
Minnesota AFL-CIO urges lawmakers not to squander surplus on tax giveaways to corporations and the rich

February 26, 2016

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bill McCarthy issued the following statement on the report showing the state budget surplus had decreased from $1.2 billion to $900 million: “While slower economic growth has...
Minnesota AFL-CIO announces first round of 2016 political endorsements

February 25, 2016

The Minnesota AFL-CIO announced its first round of endorsements for the 2016 election cycle, today. The Minnesota AFL-CIO’s General Board, consisting of representatives of affiliate unions throughout the...

News and Updates

Workers OK first contract, making Wedge first union co-op in Minnesota

AFSCME members defend public services during annual lobbying day

Lawmakers urged to keep passenger rail on track

Drazkowski threatens to derail state contracts with Right to Work ‘poison pill’

Faculty blast U’s attempt to delay union vote with legal appeal

Iron Range communities get good news

Private prison debate raises issues of race, justice

TPP Video: Zahara Heckscher tells her story

Students urge lawmakers to recognize Capitol workers

Senate Should Schedule Hearing and Vote on Supreme Court Nominee Merrick Garland

Governor Dayton’s budget invests in working families

Family and medical leave bill clears first hurdle in Legislature

Statement on the death of former Congressman Martin Sabo

Wage theft gains attention in Congress, courts

Statement on Governor Dayton’s 2016 State of the State Address

Do You Know Where Your Nabisco Treats are Made?

Coalition Calls on Legislature to Pass Paid Family and Medical Leave Act

Bethany Winkels joins Minnesota AFL-CIO as Field & Member Development Director

Minnesota AFL-CIO urges lawmakers not to squander surplus on tax giveaways to corporations and the rich

Minnesota AFL-CIO announces first round of 2016 political endorsements

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