Workday Magazine (https://workdaymagazine.org/category/unions/page/17/)
The labor movement is split on the question of cops. While union officials have signaled their tempered support for police unions, the push to expel law enforcement from the movement has grown quickly in the rank-and-file.
MNA is urging state and local lawmakers to make face coverings mandatory in public places, calling it a “necessary measure to protect the public and stave off a resurgence of the vicious COVID-19 virus that has ravaged this state.”
The Movement for Black Lives is encouraging union members to plan “Labor for Black Lives” actions in their communities on Friday, June 19—Juneteenth.
In These Times spoke with Ryan Timlin, the president of ATU Local 1005, about the impact of the union’s actions on the lives of its members, and on the political climate.
‘To me, addressing the harm of policing is certainly a labor issue and we should be fighting for a labor movement free from jobs that harm and dehumanize us as workers as well as those with whom we interact. We have that opportunity in Minnesota right now.’
At 9 a.m. on Tuesday, ports across the U.S. West Coast ground to a halt as longshore workers stopped work to mourn the death of George Floyd.
The calls to separate the labor movement from police unions are now coming from inside the house of labor.
Yesterday, former Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau published a letter penned by Minneapolis Police Federation President and notorious local villian Bob Kroll. The response was swift, angry and righteous. Unions are calling for his resignation.
Home care workers and clients across Minnesota criticized inaction by Minnesota lawmakers following news that the bill that would have provided an emergency wage and benefit increase for the workers who care for Minnesota seniors and people with disabilities was not passed in the final hours of the 2020 legislative session.
The Minnesota House has already passed HF 2768, “but the Minnesota Senate has not scheduled a final vote, which appears to set up state workers as bait for end-of-session drama.” According to an emailed statement.