SEIU and MSEA members provide care and support for Minnesota families in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools, and the Twin Cities’ largest public and private buildings.
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| Members of SEIU and MSEA gathered on the steps of the state Capitol Wednesday. |
The workers heard from Governor Mark Dayton, House Speaker Paul Thissen and other lawmakers who affirmed their belief in the right to organize in the workplace and pledged to raise the minimum wage and increase funding for education.
Thissen applauded Senator Chris Eaton and Representative Mike Nelson, co-authors of a bill that would give home care workers the right to form a union.
“Our state is facing a looming workforce crisis in our public programs providing home care to seniors and people with disabilities,” Thissen said. “If we’re going to attract and retain enough workers, we should pay them a competitive wage. The work they do is invaluable and helps keep thousands of Minnesotans living independently in their homes, rather than expensive nursing homes and other institutions.
“Home care workers should have the right to form a union, just like anybody else, so they can improve the quality of care for our family, our friends and our neighbors.”
Darleen Henry, a 23-year-old home care worker from Rosemount, also spoke at Wednesday’s rally. Her mother suffered a series of strokes, and Henry cares for her so she can stay at home. She works three jobs at 70 hours a week, yet has no benefits.
“There are many other home care workers struggling to get by like me,” Henry said. “By forming a union, we can fight to get better wages, paid time off, even training.”
Ronda Renee Koch, a paraprofessional in the Windom school district and a member of MSEA, urged lawmakers to provide adequate funding for public schools.
“We need to stop cutting Minnesota education,” she said.
Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk said legislators are getting that message. “We’re going to build a fair tax system and invest in what is important to Minnesotans. That starts by reinvesting in our K-12 schools.”
Governor Dayton thanked the workers for taking part in the democratic process. He also reaffirmed his commitment to providing all workers with the opportunity to vote for a union.
“The right to organize should be a very basic right in this country and state,” he said.
Dayton urged legislators to increase the state minimum wage, saying, “There ought to be the ability for anyone who has a job to support a family.”
The SEIU and MSEA members spent the morning in individual meetings with their state representatives and senators. At the rally, they also heard from Senator Tony Lourey and state Representatives Jim Abeler, Patti Fritz and Ryan Winkler.
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SEIU and MSEA members provide care and support for Minnesota families in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools, and the Twin Cities’ largest public and private buildings.
|
| Members of SEIU and MSEA gathered on the steps of the state Capitol Wednesday. |
The workers heard from Governor Mark Dayton, House Speaker Paul Thissen and other lawmakers who affirmed their belief in the right to organize in the workplace and pledged to raise the minimum wage and increase funding for education.
Thissen applauded Senator Chris Eaton and Representative Mike Nelson, co-authors of a bill that would give home care workers the right to form a union.
“Our state is facing a looming workforce crisis in our public programs providing home care to seniors and people with disabilities,” Thissen said. “If we’re going to attract and retain enough workers, we should pay them a competitive wage. The work they do is invaluable and helps keep thousands of Minnesotans living independently in their homes, rather than expensive nursing homes and other institutions.
“Home care workers should have the right to form a union, just like anybody else, so they can improve the quality of care for our family, our friends and our neighbors.”
Darleen Henry, a 23-year-old home care worker from Rosemount, also spoke at Wednesday’s rally. Her mother suffered a series of strokes, and Henry cares for her so she can stay at home. She works three jobs at 70 hours a week, yet has no benefits.
“There are many other home care workers struggling to get by like me,” Henry said. “By forming a union, we can fight to get better wages, paid time off, even training.”
Ronda Renee Koch, a paraprofessional in the Windom school district and a member of MSEA, urged lawmakers to provide adequate funding for public schools.
“We need to stop cutting Minnesota education,” she said.
Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk said legislators are getting that message. “We’re going to build a fair tax system and invest in what is important to Minnesotans. That starts by reinvesting in our K-12 schools.”
Governor Dayton thanked the workers for taking part in the democratic process. He also reaffirmed his commitment to providing all workers with the opportunity to vote for a union.
“The right to organize should be a very basic right in this country and state,” he said.
Dayton urged legislators to increase the state minimum wage, saying, “There ought to be the ability for anyone who has a job to support a family.”
The SEIU and MSEA members spent the morning in individual meetings with their state representatives and senators. At the rally, they also heard from Senator Tony Lourey and state Representatives Jim Abeler, Patti Fritz and Ryan Winkler.