Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement on the results of Tuesday’s General Election:
“Elected leaders come and go, but the Labor Movement endures in Minnesota, across the country, and around the globe.
“While this election did not go the way we would have hoped – our mission and the work we do to improve the lives of working people, retirees, and our families — to bring economic and social justice to our workplaces, communities, state, and nation while striving to eliminate all forms and systems of oppression remain stronger than ever.
“Over the course of more than 9 weeks, hundreds of union volunteers had tens of thousands of conversations with their fellow members at work, online, on the phones, and in neighborhoods across Minnesota. Thanks to their hard work, union members helped Minnesota buck the national trend to deliver statewide victories for Labor-endorsed Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, and Amy Klobuchar, a decisive victory for Angie Craig in the Second Congressional district, preserved the working families majority in the Minnesota Senate, and (pending recount) stopped an anti-worker takeover of the Minnesota House.
“Union Member Candidate Training graduates Peter Butler (MAPE) and Mike Hoppe (IBEW) were elected to City Council seats in Coon Rapids and Stacy, respectively. The Minnesota AFL-CIO did extensive outreach to members in these communities as part of our ongoing Union Member Candidate Program and congratulate Peter, Mike, and all the union member candidates who stepped up to run for office this year.
“Like we have for generations, we accept this election’s results. However, if the incoming administration attacks the rights of workers – no matter where they were born, what they look like, how they pray, who they love, or how they identify – Minnesota’s Labor Movement will continue to stand in solidarity and fight like hell. We refuse to be divided.
“Representatives from unions across sectors and geography are already hard at work developing the Minnesota AFL-CIO’s shared 2025 Legislative Priorities. We look forward to sharing it in the new year, because now more than ever, Minnesota must become the best state for working people.”
Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement on the results of Tuesday’s General Election:
“Elected leaders come and go, but the Labor Movement endures in Minnesota, across the country, and around the globe.
“While this election did not go the way we would have hoped – our mission and the work we do to improve the lives of working people, retirees, and our families — to bring economic and social justice to our workplaces, communities, state, and nation while striving to eliminate all forms and systems of oppression remain stronger than ever.
“Over the course of more than 9 weeks, hundreds of union volunteers had tens of thousands of conversations with their fellow members at work, online, on the phones, and in neighborhoods across Minnesota. Thanks to their hard work, union members helped Minnesota buck the national trend to deliver statewide victories for Labor-endorsed Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, and Amy Klobuchar, a decisive victory for Angie Craig in the Second Congressional district, preserved the working families majority in the Minnesota Senate, and (pending recount) stopped an anti-worker takeover of the Minnesota House.
“Union Member Candidate Training graduates Peter Butler (MAPE) and Mike Hoppe (IBEW) were elected to City Council seats in Coon Rapids and Stacy, respectively. The Minnesota AFL-CIO did extensive outreach to members in these communities as part of our ongoing Union Member Candidate Program and congratulate Peter, Mike, and all the union member candidates who stepped up to run for office this year.
“Like we have for generations, we accept this election’s results. However, if the incoming administration attacks the rights of workers – no matter where they were born, what they look like, how they pray, who they love, or how they identify – Minnesota’s Labor Movement will continue to stand in solidarity and fight like hell. We refuse to be divided.
“Representatives from unions across sectors and geography are already hard at work developing the Minnesota AFL-CIO’s shared 2025 Legislative Priorities. We look forward to sharing it in the new year, because now more than ever, Minnesota must become the best state for working people.”