Policy
Ehrenreich: ‘Class war going on in U.S.’
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“There is a class war going on in the U.S.,” and workers are losing it, noted author Barbara Ehrenreich says. Not only that, she adds, but progressives should be unafraid to spell it out.
Community
Stagehands tour new Guthrie Theater
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Members of IATSE Local 13 ? the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees ? toured the new riverfront Guthrie Theater May 19. The theater holds its grand opening June 25.
Immigration
May Day events dramatize immigrant, labor connection
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A “National Day Without Immigrants” and other May Day events dramatized the link between immigrants and the labor movement, a connection many say is providing new energy to the effort for worker rights in the 21st century.
Policy
Administrative law judge blocks change in apprentice wage rules
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In a victory for Building Trades unions and union contractors, an administrative law judge has blocked an attempt by the state Department of Labor and Industry to lower apprentice wages. Unions say the department’s proposal could undermine the entire framework of prevailing wages for construction work.
Policy
Hopes dashed, Ford plant workers vow to press on
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Hope of maintaining 1,800 good-paying jobs at the St. Paul Ford Ranger plant were dashed Thursday when the company announced the facility will be closed as part of its national restructuring plan. But members of United Auto Workers Local 879 vowed to continue efforts to keep the facility open in some form.
Policy
Preserve a strong Pioneer Press, speakers say
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Minnesota’s capital city deserves a strong, viable newspaper that serves the community and provides good wages and benefits to employees, speakers at the “Save the Pioneer Press” rally said Thursday.
Policy
Rally Thursday to support Pioneer Press
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City and state leaders will join employees of the St. Paul Pioneer Press and supporters at a rally Thursday, April 6, to ensure the 157-year-old paper remains a strong asset of Minnesota’s capital city, despite its pending sale.
Policy
Community steps forward to aid Minnesota Beef workers
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Community leaders from around Buffalo Lake are stepping up to help workers laid off by the sudden closing of the Minnesota Beef plant last month. The suddenness of the closing — with no notice — and the ineligibility of many of these workers for public resources such as unemployment insurance, has left them struggling to survive.
Government
Senate passes $1 billion bonding bill
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The state Senate approved more than $1 billion worth of capital projects Thursday ? a capital budget that exceeds the governor’s preferences by $150 million. The so-called bonding bill, which typically is the primary order of business in even-year legislative sessions, passed 56-9. It is a top priority for organized labor in this session.
Policy
Look out — here come NAFTA corridors!
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Proposed NAFTA transportation corridors would pave the countryside — and allow companies to bust unions.