Minnesota
On March 31, workers, students, and allies rallied together on the steps of Johnston Hall, the University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham’s office, to protest what they criticize as the university’s complicity in ICE’s recent abduction of a graduate student, and an onslaught of university policies limiting the freedom of speech across campus.

University of Minnesota Unions Say University is Capitulating to Trump Admin, Rally Against Detention of International Student

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On March 31, workers, students, and allies rallied together on the steps of Johnston Hall, which contains the office of the University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham’s, to protest what they criticize as the University’s failure to forcefully object to ICE’s recent abduction of a graduate student, and an onslaught of University policies limiting the freedom of speech across campus. By assembling in the hundreds, the crowd challenged the University’s policy that any gathering of more than 100 people must have a permit obtained two weeks in advance. The rally was organized by AFSCME 3800, representing about 6,500 clerical workers across campus, and the Graduate Labor Union (GLU), representing about 4,000 graduate workers at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus. GLU, local 1105 of United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE), won its first union contract earlier this year. 

Abaki Beck, a Ph.D. candidate in public health and president of GLU-UE Local 1105, kicked off the rally by denouncing Cunningham’s administration, stating that the University’s leadership “capitulated to the Trump administration to protect funding.” 

In a January 30 article published in the The Minnesota Daily, Jake Ricker, a University spokesperson, is quoted as stating that, “While the University does not have responsibility or an active role in federal officials enforcing federal law or court processes, as a public university and employer, we cannot ignore federal court orders or subpoenas.” Some students and workers have criticized this and similar statements as an indication that the university doesn’t plan to aggressively fight the Trump administration rounding up of students. Beck went on to characterize Cunningham’s campus-wide email on March 28, one day after the abduction of a graduate student by ICE, as “insufficient” and delayed, “after violence already occurred.” In that email, Cunningham stated, “The University had no prior knowledge of this incident and did not share any information with federal authorities before it occurred.” She called the news “distressing” and offered mental health support to those disturbed by it, but critics say she did not condemn the detention itself or publicly outline steps to avoid this kind of action in the future.

Minnesota
First Avenue workers pose with their fists raised outside the iconic Minneapolis music venue only a few hours before the First Avenue management voluntarily recognized the union.

First Avenue Workers’ Victory: Another Win for Union and Worker Center Collaborations

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In the late summer of 2021, a group of workers from First Avenue, the iconic Minneapolis music venue, were fed up with low pay, last-minute scheduling, lack of parking, and safety concerns, and wanted to implement some of their own ideas in their workplace. Unsure of how to get it done, the workers decided to first contact  Restaurant Opportunities Center of Minnesota (ROC-MN) to learn more about their workplace rights. 

Fast forward to November 2: Over 200 bartenders, event staff, and other in-house workers across seven venues affiliated with First Avenue marched on the boss and delivered a petition that included the faces and names of over 70% of staff who want to unionize with UNITE HERE Local 17. About 24 hours later, First Avenue management voluntarily recognized the union. 

Workers say the unionization effort was successful, in part, due to the collaboration between the worker center and the union. Even before formal recognition, workers were confident. Pauli DeMaris, a First Avenue bartender and event staff for the past 18 years, said in an interview with Workday Magazine a few hours before recognition, “We have over 70% majority already on board.