News and Views from the People's Struggle
Minneapolis, MN – Hennepin County union workers keep fighting for worker and community safety. AFSCME Local 2822 has led the charge, alongside sister Hennepin County AFSCME locals. AFSCME Local 2822 represents almost 1300 clerical workers, including service center representatives, office specialists and library specialists, who do work that cannot be done from home.
Jacksonville, FL – Over 75 people gathered together to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8 in Jacksonville. The program was held in the union hall of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
Milwaukee, WI – On February 25, workers at the Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) packed the annual MPM Board of Directors meeting holding signs reading “Silenced” and “Not allowed to speak.”
Saint Paul, MN – On January 20, Twin Cities Coalition 4 Justice 4 Jamar (TCC4J) held an evening event to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., Marcus Golden, and “stolen lives” of community members lost to police crimes and terror.
Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee’s city council (called the Common Council) held a joint public meeting for the city’s 2020 budget, October 7. Residents came into city hall that evening, and a majority shared a similar message: put money into city services and divest from the Milwaukee Police Department.
Saint Paul, MN – Hundreds of immigrants, union members and activists marched to the Minnesota State Capitol on May 1, International Workers Day. They demanded that the state legislature pass a bill to give immigrants access to drivers licenses, without adding amendments to further criminalize immigrants. They also raised other demands for immigrant and workers’ rights while commemorating the workers who lost their lives in 1886 in the struggle for an eight-hour workday.
Minneapolis, MN – More than 100 Hennepin County AFSCME workers packed the Hennepin County commissioners board meeting, August 14, to protest two issues currently being negotiated in their union contract. The county is proposing to eliminate step pay increases that benefit workers. As well, commissioners are being stubborn on the issue of pay equity.
Minneapolis, MN – On May 7, over 300 workers rallied on the plaza of the Hennepin County Government Center during the opening day of contract negotiations. The action was organized by workers from Hennepin County AFSCME (American Federal State County & Municipal Employees) Locals 34, 552, 1719, 2822, 2864 and 2938. Also in attendance was representatives of AFSCME Council 5.
Memphis, TN – Members of AFSCME and other unions, along with civil rights activists, marched in Memphis, April 4, the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. King was in Memphis to support striking sanitation workers, members of AFSCME Local 1733, at the time of his 1968 murder.
Minneapolis, MN – It may have been Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17, but the sea of green in downtown Minneapolis was not a display of holiday revelry, it was a sign of an important labor struggle, as over 200 AFSCME Hennepin County Medical Center clerical and technical workers, along with supporters, picketed to demand a decent contract.
Miami, FL – Union members and leaders gathered at Bayfront Park in Miami Feb. 24, to rally for workers’ rights, immigrant rights and inter-union solidarity. Workers pledged to fight against anti-union laws and court cases. Unions in attendance included Broward Teacher Union, United Teachers of Dade, AFSCME Local 199, IBEW and SEIU 1991.
Minneapolis, MN – Trade unions and their supporters are mobilizing for the Feb. 24 Working People's Day of Action. A major outpouring for workers’ rights is expected in cities across the U.S.
Teamsters, AFSCME demand raises and respect
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Minneapolis, MN — About 40 members of AFSCME Local 3800, Teamsters Local 320, and their supporters rallied in front of the admiration building, Morril Hall, Oct. 31 and then marched into the office of University of Minnesota’s President Kahler. Protesting workers then delivered petitions signed by thousands of employees and supporters that read in part, “The university is a wealthy institution with plenty of money, that is in the midst of a $4 billion fundraising campaign. We reject the notion of two universities, one for the haves and the other for the have-nots. We want raises and respect for all university workers.”
Minneapolis, MN – A row of chairs reserved for the University of Minnesota Board of Regents sat empty while university unions held their own public hearing on university budget, June 8.
Milwaukee, WI – On March 7, management of the Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) announced layoffs an cuts to hours for 14 members of AFSCME Local 526, which is 8% of the workforce. After six months of negotiations and two quick months after contract ratification, these hard-working men and women found out with zero warning that their position at the museum will either be cut or working hours permanently reduced. Those who are facing reduced hours will lose their health benefits and livable wages to support their families.
Minneapolis, MN – AFSCME 3800 members – clerical workers at the University of Minnesota – joined nurses of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) on the picket lines June24 to show their solidarity.
Washington, D.C. – Two of the largest and most influential labor unions in the U.S. have announced plans to substantially consolidate their work. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) are actively considering a joint resolution that would build strategic collaboration between the two unions, up to and including a potential merger.
March will oppose Trump's agenda; put forward working people’s agenda
Minneapolis, MN – On Friday April 29, at 4:30 p.m., immigrant rights activists, union members, students and others will gather at the intersection of Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis to march downtown for immigrant and workers’ rights. They will unite to denounce the racism, xenophobia, immigrant bashing and attacks on worker’s rights that are typified by Donald Trump and other politicians who share his views. In contrast, they will march for a working people’s agenda that unites workers of all races, nationalities, genders and backgrounds to fight for economic and social justice.
Rauner itching for a fight with organized labor
Chicago, IL – Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner abruptly broke off contract negotiations with the more than 37,000 State of Illinois union workers represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31. Rauner refused to negotiate any further, giving workers the ultimatum of a “last, best and final offer.”
Minneapolis, MN – After six difficult months of contract negotiations with management and a hard-hitting contract campaign targeting the inequality of “Two Universities,” the union of 1500 clerical workers at the University of Minnesota, AFSCME 3800, won a tentative agreement Dec. 10. The clerical workers’ negotiating committee characterized the agreement as a breakthrough for workers which is better than any contract they’ve won in the past decade.
