This week, food service workers at Minnesota State University in Mankato voted 46-to-2 to join AFSCME, the state\'s largest public employees union. Now 57 Sodexho employees will become part of Local 638, the union already representing many other employees at the university. Their slogan is "Reaching Higher Together."
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| AFSCME members in Mankato celebrate joining the union. Photo courtesy of AFSCME Council 5 |
Impetus for the organizing effort was the sale of the campus food service to a new vendor last July. Jane Lang, a seven-year employee said she "lost everything" when the new company came in, and the former contract was voided.
"All of my benefits, everything: I had to start all over again." Being an AFSCME member could mean a newer car in the next year for Lang, "and maybe a slight lifestyle change, too."
Also this week, the St. Louis County Board recognized AFSCME as the exclusive representative of workers hired as investigators and assistant county attorneys in the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office. This group includes 28 prosecutors and 8 investigators.
"AFSCME is building power through organizing," said Eliot Seide, director of Council 5. "We\'ve moved resources into membership growth. We\'ve trained tireless organizers. And our field staff is already empowering new members to secure union benefits and a voice in their workplace. That\'s how you retain members and build a stronger workers\' movement."
Nearly 2,600 workers joined AFSCME Council 5 in 2006. They include:
- 1,475 child care providers in Hennepin County
- 860 child care providers in Ramsey County
- 57 Sodexho food service workers at Minnesota State University
- 51 nurses at Mercy Hospital in Moose Lake
- 28 prosecutors in St. Louis County
- 8 investigators in St. Louis County
Council 5 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees provides one strong united voice for 43,000 public and non-profit workers throughout Minnesota.
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This week, food service workers at Minnesota State University in Mankato voted 46-to-2 to join AFSCME, the state\’s largest public employees union. Now 57 Sodexho employees will become part of Local 638, the union already representing many other employees at the university. Their slogan is "Reaching Higher Together."
|
| AFSCME members in Mankato celebrate joining the union.
Photo courtesy of AFSCME Council 5 |
Impetus for the organizing effort was the sale of the campus food service to a new vendor last July. Jane Lang, a seven-year employee said she "lost everything" when the new company came in, and the former contract was voided.
"All of my benefits, everything: I had to start all over again." Being an AFSCME member could mean a newer car in the next year for Lang, "and maybe a slight lifestyle change, too."
Also this week, the St. Louis County Board recognized AFSCME as the exclusive representative of workers hired as investigators and assistant county attorneys in the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office. This group includes 28 prosecutors and 8 investigators.
"AFSCME is building power through organizing," said Eliot Seide, director of Council 5. "We\’ve moved resources into membership growth. We\’ve trained tireless organizers. And our field staff is already empowering new members to secure union benefits and a voice in their workplace. That\’s how you retain members and build a stronger workers\’ movement."
Nearly 2,600 workers joined AFSCME Council 5 in 2006. They include:
– 1,475 child care providers in Hennepin County
– 860 child care providers in Ramsey County
– 57 Sodexho food service workers at Minnesota State University
– 51 nurses at Mercy Hospital in Moose Lake
– 28 prosecutors in St. Louis County
– 8 investigators in St. Louis County
Council 5 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees provides one strong united voice for 43,000 public and non-profit workers throughout Minnesota.