Posts tagged Minnesota
Op-Ed: Florida vs. Michigan on Public Unions
August 30, 2024 // Each local union chapter must show that at least 60% of its eligible members are paying dues, or the state requires it to hold a new election. That sets teachers, clerks and custodians free from unions that haven’t won them over, and at least 20 units have been decertified in the past year. A few other states have also rolled back union coercion. Arkansas and Tennessee enacted paycheck protection for teachers. Kentucky legislators overrode a veto by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear to secure the same. On the other side of the trend is Michigan, where Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a repeal of paycheck protection for teachers last summer. She also ended a requirement that schools pay teachers based on merit instead of seniority alone
Shawn Fain’s DNC Bombast And Trump/Musk Lawsuits Show UAW’s New Political Power
August 23, 2024 // A company statement said market conditions have caused it only to delay its production plans for the plant. It went on to say, “The Company has not violated the commitments made in the Investment Letter included in the 2023 UAW Collective Bargaining Agreement and strongly objects to the Union’s accusations. In fact, the UAW agreed to language that expressly allows the Company to modify product investments and employment levels. Therefore, the Union cannot legally strike over a violation of this letter at this time.”
Harris secures support from union leaders. But workers are still weighing their options.
August 14, 2024 // A video message from Fain praising Walz on the union’s Facebook page elicited a tsunami of negative comments from factory workers across the country, many of whom voiced their support for the Republican ticket.
Walz will address union members in first solo campaign stop
August 13, 2024 // As Minnesota governor, Walz signed a variety of pro-worker laws supported by labor — most significantly paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave. He also supported laws that banned noncompete agreements, prohibited employers from holding mandatory meetings intended to persuade workers against unionizing, raised safety standards in warehouses and meatpacking plants, and expanded unemployment benefits to hourly school employees who do not work during the summer.
Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board approves union worker contract, ending strike
August 9, 2024 // LIUNA Local 363, the union that represents around 300 of the striking park workers, has said its members sought both increased wages and worker protection. Through back-and-forth negotiations, accusations were leveled by MPRB officials who said picketers threatened workers during their strike.
4 reasons why labor unions love Tim Walz
August 8, 2024 // The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers noted that Walz, a former teacher, understands the struggles of working people. The AFL-CIO hailed the governor as a principled fighter and labor champion. The Service Employees International Union pointed to what it called "the Minnesota Miracle," a sweeping package of pro-worker laws passed by the state's Democratic legislature last year and signed into law by Walz.
Democratic Governors Association, chaired by Tim Walz, involved in alleged union laundering scheme
August 7, 2024 // One of the three complaints, filed with the Pennsylvania Department of State, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and the Dauphin County District attorney accuses the Walz-chaired DGA of failing to report receipt of significant contributions from PSEA’s political fund in violation of Pennsylvania’s Election Code. The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office has confirmed that the complaint has been forwarded to its Criminal Division for “further review.” If confirmed, the alleged violations may result in civil fines or criminal prosecution of PSEA and/or DGA officials.
Opinion: UAW’s President Shares Union’s VP Wish List, and It Conflicts With Likely Kamala Pick Shapiro
August 5, 2024 // After a notable moment of dead air, Fain explained that the UAW has "really broken down these candidates, looked at them." Who is the top favorite? Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who, the union organizer pointed out, has walked the picket line with UAW, like lame duck Pres. Biden. He also gushed about the Bluegrass state progressive governor's ability to win reelection in a "traditionally" red state: He's been with us through every bit of our walk, and he's won in a state that [former Senate Majority Leader, GOP Minority Leader] Mitch McConnell is from. It's been a red state traditionally. He's won twice there.
Illinois bans companies from forcing workers to listen to their anti-union talk
August 2, 2024 // U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business are challenging similar laws in other states. The groups say the laws are a violation of the First Amendment, denying employers their right to free speech, and are also in conflict with the National Labor Relations Act, which protects an employer's communications with employees as long as they do not contain threats of reprisals or promises of benefits.
Minneapolis Park Board files unfair labor practice against striking union members
July 22, 2024 // Park Board officials now say some of the union members’ picketing activity violated state law, claiming employees blocked access to public facilities and interfered with food deliveries to Sea Salt at Minnehaha Regional Park and Bread and Pickle at Lake Harriet. The unfair labor practice filing also claims picketers blocked off the parking lot at the Southside Operations Center for about an hour and a half on Thursday morning.