The former attorney general resigned Tuesday from a high-ranking post in the Attorney General\'s office. After losing the election for governor in November, Hatch was hired by his successor, Attorney General Lori Swanson.
Thirty-six staff people – about 10 percent of the staff – have left since Swanson took office in January. About half are lawyers, who are not represented by a union.
On Friday, AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director Eliot Seide accused Swanson of firing Assistant Attorney General Kari Ferguson because she was leading a union drive among the employees. Swanson denied the allegation.
Seide described an atmosphere of "intimidation and harrassment" in the Attorney General\'s office.
Hatch\'s resignation does not resolve the workers\' concerns, AFSCME spokeswoman Jennifer Lovaasen said Tuesday.
"Our issues have always been with Attorney General Swanson," she said. "Hatch\'s resignation appears to be a first step, but recognizing her workers\' right to form a union is the only true way to resolve the problems.
"Workers are hopeful that Attorney General Swanson will now try to rid her workplace of fear and intimidation by recognizing the workers\' right to form a union to address their working conditions. AFSCME will continue our organizing effort."
Council 5 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees represents 43,000 public and non-profit workers throughout Minnesota, including many state employees.
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The former attorney general resigned Tuesday from a high-ranking post in the Attorney General\’s office. After losing the election for governor in November, Hatch was hired by his successor, Attorney General Lori Swanson.
Thirty-six staff people – about 10 percent of the staff – have left since Swanson took office in January. About half are lawyers, who are not represented by a union.
On Friday, AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director Eliot Seide accused Swanson of firing Assistant Attorney General Kari Ferguson because she was leading a union drive among the employees. Swanson denied the allegation.
Seide described an atmosphere of "intimidation and harrassment" in the Attorney General\’s office.
Hatch\’s resignation does not resolve the workers\’ concerns, AFSCME spokeswoman Jennifer Lovaasen said Tuesday.
"Our issues have always been with Attorney General Swanson," she said. "Hatch\’s resignation appears to be a first step, but recognizing her workers\’ right to form a union is the only true way to resolve the problems.
"Workers are hopeful that Attorney General Swanson will now try to rid her workplace of fear and intimidation by recognizing the workers\’ right to form a union to address their working conditions. AFSCME will continue our organizing effort."
Council 5 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees represents 43,000 public and non-profit workers throughout Minnesota, including many state employees.