Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s selection as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate:
“As Minnesotans, we’re proud to have one of our own on a Presidential ticket. As working people and union members, we’re even more thrilled to have one of our own as the Democratic nominee for Vice President.
“As a parent, educator, coach, soldier, Congressman, and Governor, Tim Walz will be a Vice President who knows firsthand the challenges that working Americans and our families face and what we need to improve our lives.
“Over the last two years, Governor Walz and the DFL majorities in the Legislature partnered with Minnesota’s Labor Movement to enact one of the most pro-labor legislative agendas in state history.
“Thanks to our shared work Minnesotans will have one of the most progressive paid family and medical leave programs in the nation, safer workplaces, more wage protections, tens of thousands of new construction jobs, reproductive freedom protected by law, fully funded schools & public services, free nutritious school meals for our state’s kids – and most importantly greater freedom to organize unions at their workplaces.
“Vice President Harris has played a key role in the most pro-union administration in our history and Governor Walz has been a true partner in making Minnesota the best state for working people – we are committed to sending them both to the White House in November.
“The rest of the country is about to find out what working Minnesotans have known for years – Tim Walz is one of us who fights for working people like us every single day.”