By LINDSEY FENNER
By Lindsey Fenner
International Workers Day March | Marcha en el Dia Internacional de lxs trabajadores May 1: May 1st is International Workers”™ Day, and the Twin Cities Labor Movement will be marching, Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 2 PM, Minneapolis. Gather at Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue. The organizers demand: Labor Rights! Justice for Essential Workers! Immigrants Rights! Immigration Reform Now! Stop Police Brutality! Climate Justice Now! Stop Line 3! Derechos laborales Justicia para lxs trabajadores esenciales Derechos para lxs inmigrantes Reforma migratoria ya Alto a la brutalidad policial Justicia climática ya — alto a la Linea 3
Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship Deadline June 1: Nellie Stone Johnson was a fierce advocate for workers, folks of color, and the power of education. The Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to racial minority union members and their families who wish to pursue an education at one of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Scholarships ranging from up to $1200 for part time and up to $2500 for full time are given each year to students enrolled in community or technical college, along with undergraduate and graduate programs. For more:
http://www.nelliestone.org/scholarship-program
Healthcare Workers at Allina authorize strike: At the end of March, 4,000 workers represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare MN overwhelmingly voted to authorize an Unfair Labor Practices Strike against Allina Healthcare, if the two sides cannot reach a deal. Workers at Allina, which includes Abbott Northwestern Hospital and Phillips Eye Institute in the Phillips neighborhood, have been in contract negotiations with Allina since January. According to SEIU, continuing issues are Allina”™s 0% pay increase offer and refusal to address health and safety concerns. As of press time, SEIU workers have not yet gone on strike, but have been holding informational pickets at Allina healthcare facilities throughout the Twin Cities. SEIU is required to give 10-day notice before workers can walk out.Â
Photo courtesy of SEIU Healthcare MN
Hospitality Workers Win “Right to Recall” Ordinance in Minneapolis: In March, the Minneapolis City Council passed an ordinance that requires hotels and event centers to give priority to their former employees before hiring new applicants. The ordinance applies to hotels of more than 50 rooms and event centers of more than 50,000 square feet or 2,000 seats. Employees need to meet all three of the following criteria to be eligible:
- Employed at least 6 months from March 13, 2019 to March 13, 2020 (including at least 80 hours of work performed in the City);
- “Lay-off” occurred after March 13, 2020; and
- “Laid off” due to lack of business or other economic, non-disciplinary reason.
Violations of the ordinance can be reported to the City of Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights by visiting their website https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/government/departments/civil-rights/ or by calling 311.
