The measures – one to build and repair the state’s infrastructure and another to finance construction of a new Vikings stadium in downtown Minneapolis – are scheduled to receive votes on the House floor Monday, according to House Speaker Kurt Zellers.
“We’re in the fourth quarter with one minute to go,” Foreman told union members who jammed Mac’s Industrial Sports Bar at the Minneapolis Labor Center Sunday evening. “I’m going to be there [at the Capitol] tomorrow. I want you to come be there with me.”
Governor Mark Dayton, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and other dignitaries also participated in the rally.
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| After addressing the crowd at Mac\'s, Chuck Foreman signed a Vikings jersey worn by Roofers Local 96 Business Manager Rob Snider. |
The Minnesota Building & Construction Trades Council and the Minnesota AFL-CIO are calling on members to turn out. The Building Trades, which represent workers in construction, said thousands of their members will make it to the Capitol or reach out to lawmakers by phone or e-mail.
Between 20 and 30 percent of the 14,000 construction workers represented by the Minneapolis Building Trades Council are out of work, Council Business Manager Dan McConnell said. A Vikings stadium would provide a big boost to employment, he said.
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| Scot and Jim McNamara applaud as Governor Mark Dayton calls on legislators to pass the stadium financing bill. |
“About 20 percent of our members are on the bench right now,” said Scot McNamara. The stadium would be publicly owned and would generate revenue from other events besides earning lease income from the Vikings, he noted.
Glen Johnson, business manager for International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, said, “We’re looking at a three-, four-year project for the stadium. The economic impact for the state of Minnesota is huge. You’re talking union workers, working on this project, spending money in the economy.”
Workers also will benefit from the permanent jobs created in concessions at the stadium, said Wade Luneberg, secretary-treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 17, which represents workers in hospitality industry. He predicted the number of jobs at a new stadium would double from the current 600 positions at the Metrodome.
“It’s an economic engine for the city of Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota,” Luneberg said.
Union members will hold lawmakers accountable for their votes, union leaders said. Noted McConnell: “You can’t be for something unless you vote for it.”
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| Flanked by stadium supporters, including Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation President Bill McCarthy, Governor Mark Dayton and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson rallied the crowd at Mac\'s Industrial Sports Bar. "Every voice counts," she told union members. |
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The measures – one to build and repair the state’s infrastructure and another to finance construction of a new Vikings stadium in downtown Minneapolis – are scheduled to receive votes on the House floor Monday, according to House Speaker Kurt Zellers.
“We’re in the fourth quarter with one minute to go,” Foreman told union members who jammed Mac’s Industrial Sports Bar at the Minneapolis Labor Center Sunday evening. “I’m going to be there [at the Capitol] tomorrow. I want you to come be there with me.”
Governor Mark Dayton, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and other dignitaries also participated in the rally.
|
| After addressing the crowd at Mac\’s, Chuck Foreman signed a Vikings jersey worn by Roofers Local 96 Business Manager Rob Snider. |
The Minnesota Building & Construction Trades Council and the Minnesota AFL-CIO are calling on members to turn out. The Building Trades, which represent workers in construction, said thousands of their members will make it to the Capitol or reach out to lawmakers by phone or e-mail.
Between 20 and 30 percent of the 14,000 construction workers represented by the Minneapolis Building Trades Council are out of work, Council Business Manager Dan McConnell said. A Vikings stadium would provide a big boost to employment, he said.
|
| Scot and Jim McNamara applaud as Governor Mark Dayton calls on legislators to pass the stadium financing bill. |
Scot and Jim McNamara, brothers and members of Heat and Frost Insulators Local 34, said a stadium would “really get things going again.”
“About 20 percent of our members are on the bench right now,” said Scot McNamara. The stadium would be publicly owned and would generate revenue from other events besides earning lease income from the Vikings, he noted.
Glen Johnson, business manager for International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, said, “We’re looking at a three-, four-year project for the stadium. The economic impact for the state of Minnesota is huge. You’re talking union workers, working on this project, spending money in the economy.”
Workers also will benefit from the permanent jobs created in concessions at the stadium, said Wade Luneberg, secretary-treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 17, which represents workers in hospitality industry. He predicted the number of jobs at a new stadium would double from the current 600 positions at the Metrodome.
“It’s an economic engine for the city of Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota,” Luneberg said.
Union members will hold lawmakers accountable for their votes, union leaders said. Noted McConnell: “You can’t be for something unless you vote for it.”
|
| Flanked by stadium supporters, including Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation President Bill McCarthy, Governor Mark Dayton and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson rallied the crowd at Mac\’s Industrial Sports Bar. "Every voice counts," she told union members. |