‘Labor News’ Archives
Minnesota Nurses Strike Settlement Is a Win for Patients
By HARRY LEEDS, RN After intense negotiations, Minnesota nurses at metro and Twin Ports hospitals, including Abbott Northwestern, have reached a settlement that will improve working conditions for nurses and, in turn, benefit the patients they serve. The strike was sparked by nurses' concerns about staffing levels and safety that they said were putting patients at risk. Allina Health, a hospital system at the center of the dispute, initially refused to budge on these issues, leading the nurses to strike for three days in September. They threatened to strike again from December 11th through December 31st. This comes at a time when the “tripledemic” of RSV, influenza, and COVID are filling hospitals to the brim. It seems the threat of losing the skilled, dedicated nurses that staff Minnesota hospitals forced leadership to face the staffing issues that have been harming patients. The agreement includes a commitment from most hospitals to work with nurses to improve [...]
Hennepin County Workers Reject County’s Offer and Authorize a Strike
By AFSCME Locals 34 and 2822 photo credit James "Jim" Edin AFSCME Locals 34 and 2822 have rejected Hennepin County’s latest labor contract offer. The County is attempting to stagnate wages, pass business costs on to employees, and is blatantly ignoring COVID risks employees are enduring during the pandemic. AFSCME Local 34 and Local 2822 members include social workers, human services representatives, service center representatives, and library workers. On Monday December 13,workers represented by AFSCME Locals 34 and 2822 voted to reject Hennepin County’s “Last, Best, and Final Offer,” and authorize a strike. The no vote comes one day after members of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, representing county snow plow drivers and other workers also rejected the county’s offer. Collectively AFSCME Locals 34 and 2822 represent 3,545 workers at Hennepin County, the two largest bargaining units who work at the county. Throughout the negotiations [...]
Random alley Labor News
Random Alley Labor News By Lindsey Fenner Minimum wage goes up in Minneapolis: On July 1, 2021, the minimum wage in Minneapolis is going up to $12.50 at small businesses and $14.25 at large businesses. The Minneapolis minimum wage ordinance defines small businesses as 100 or fewer employees and large businesses as more than 100 employees. Tips and gratuities do not count toward payment of a minimum wage. The City”™s Department of Civil Rights oversees enforcement of the municipal minimum wage, and workers are encouraged to report violations online at http://minimumwage.minneapolismn.gov/ or by calling 311. Transit Workers Reject Metro Transit Contract Offer: Members of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1005 voted overwhelmingly to reject Metro Transit”™s “best and final” contract offer. ATU Local 1005 represents public transportation bus drivers, rail operators, mechanics, and many other support personnel. Metro Transit [...]
