Delegates to the Minnesota Building & Construction Trades Council convention at the Mankato Holiday Inn also heard from a number of elected officials and held educational workshops.
This year at the state Capitol, workers won some key victories with legislation to promote "best value" contracting, crack down on the misclassification of employees as independent contractors and language to strengthen enforcement of the prevailing wage.
Rep. Debra Hilstrom, DFL-Brooklyn Center, author of the "best value" bill, said using this new concept rather than simply awarding contracts to the lowest bidder will pay off for the state. The University of Minnesota already is using the process and has saved more than $13 million, she said.
"They got better projects, more skilled labor doing the job and they saved the taxpayers money," she told Building Trades delegates.
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| Minnesota Building Trades President Dick Anfang greeted state Rep. Debra Hilstrom, DFL-Brooklyn Center, before she addressed the convention. |
But Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed both a bonding bill and a transportation bill – measures that would have provided thousands of jobs.
"There are too many people unemployed," said Tom Bakk, a Carpenter and state senator from Cook. Many construction workers are among the thousands of Minnesotans looking for work. It\'s the first time in more than 30 years that the state\'s unemployment rate is higher than the national average, Bakk noted.
Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller and House Speaker Margaret Anderson-Kelliher echoed those concerns.
"Nobody in this room was alive the last time Minnesota trailed the national averages" in job creation, Pogemiller said. "Minnesota cannot afford to slip further in terms of job growth and education."
Anderson-Kelliher said DFL lawmakers still hope to push Pawlenty to call a special session to deal with the tax bill. And she urged union members to keep building support for more gas tax revenue to address the gridlock on the roads.
DFL lawmakers said the Aug. 7 special election, to fill the state House seat held by Republican Steve Sviggum, will be critical. If a DFLer wins, the party will move one vote closer to being able to override gubernatorial vetoes.
Bakk called on his fellow Building Trades members to lay the groundwork now for success in the 2008 elections.
"Let\'s not wait until next summer to start getting organized," he said.
For more information
Visit the Minnesota Building & Construction Trades website, www.minnesotabuildingtrades.org
 |
| Delegates unanimously endorsed Warren Harder for election this year to the Anoka-Hennepin school board. Harder is an organizer for the Painters union. |
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Delegates to the Minnesota Building & Construction Trades Council convention at the Mankato Holiday Inn also heard from a number of elected officials and held educational workshops.
This year at the state Capitol, workers won some key victories with legislation to promote "best value" contracting, crack down on the misclassification of employees as independent contractors and language to strengthen enforcement of the prevailing wage.
Rep. Debra Hilstrom, DFL-Brooklyn Center, author of the "best value" bill, said using this new concept rather than simply awarding contracts to the lowest bidder will pay off for the state. The University of Minnesota already is using the process and has saved more than $13 million, she said.
"They got better projects, more skilled labor doing the job and they saved the taxpayers money," she told Building Trades delegates.
|
| Minnesota Building Trades President Dick Anfang greeted state Rep. Debra Hilstrom, DFL-Brooklyn Center, before she addressed the convention. |
But Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed both a bonding bill and a transportation bill – measures that would have provided thousands of jobs.
"There are too many people unemployed," said Tom Bakk, a Carpenter and state senator from Cook. Many construction workers are among the thousands of Minnesotans looking for work. It\’s the first time in more than 30 years that the state\’s unemployment rate is higher than the national average, Bakk noted.
Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller and House Speaker Margaret Anderson-Kelliher echoed those concerns.
"Nobody in this room was alive the last time Minnesota trailed the national averages" in job creation, Pogemiller said. "Minnesota cannot afford to slip further in terms of job growth and education."
Anderson-Kelliher said DFL lawmakers still hope to push Pawlenty to call a special session to deal with the tax bill. And she urged union members to keep building support for more gas tax revenue to address the gridlock on the roads.
DFL lawmakers said the Aug. 7 special election, to fill the state House seat held by Republican Steve Sviggum, will be critical. If a DFLer wins, the party will move one vote closer to being able to override gubernatorial vetoes.
Bakk called on his fellow Building Trades members to lay the groundwork now for success in the 2008 elections.
"Let\’s not wait until next summer to start getting organized," he said.
For more information
Visit the Minnesota Building & Construction Trades website, www.minnesotabuildingtrades.org
|
| Delegates unanimously endorsed Warren Harder for election this year to the Anoka-Hennepin school board. Harder is an organizer for the Painters union. |