Labor update MN

[Omaha Steve]

From email. These stories and more are here: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/

Top of the News - September 9, 2013

Coalition mobilizing for $9.50 minimum wage
Vowing that “it’s time for work to pay again,” a coalition of community, faith, labor and service organizations came together at the Minnesota State Fair to announce a campaign for a $9.50 minimum wage by 2015.

The group held a news conference at the Minnesota AFL-CIO’s Labor Pavilion, where a large banner proclaimed support for the higher wage.

“It is simply wrong to pay poverty wages to someone who works hard for 40 hours a week or even more,” said Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson.

The Minnesota House passed legislation in the 2013 session with a $9.50 minimum wage by 2015, increases for inflation, no penalty for tipped workers, and federal conformity to work hours and family leave. The Senate passed a bare bones bill that gradually increased the wage to $7.75 over two years.

Read more at Workday Minnesota.


Not at the AFL-CIO Convention? Join the Conversation Online
We've been talking with you for months about how we build a robust movement for working people, and now these ideas are coming together to be discussed at the AFL-CIO's 2013 quadrennial convention Sept. 8–11 in Los Angeles, in the form of resolutions and action sessions.

To follow updates from the convention online, be sure to come back to the AFL-CIO Now blog and participate in our live discussions each day 8:30 a.m. PDT through 6 p.m. PDT (10:30 a.m. CDT through 8 p.m. CDT).

You also can follow the conversations on Twitter using the hashtag #aflcio13 and by seeing updates on the AFL-CIO Facebook page.


TONIGHT: Colombia Labor Scholarship Fundraiser
Join Witness for Peace tonight for a happy hour fundraiser supporting the upcoming labor solidarity delegation to Colombia!

In just 3 weeks we will travel as part of a group of labor advocates, elected officials including Congressman Keith Ellison, and organizers to Colombia. During the delegation to Colombia, we will gather narratives from people living in urban areas, campesinos, Afro Colombians and indigenous peoples to document the impact of current US policies, especially the recent US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

WHERE: Mac's Industrial Sports Bar, 312 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis
WHEN: Today, September, 8, 5:00 to 7:00 PM

RSVP on Facebook


Lockout has hurt community, Orchestra patrons say
The nearly year-long lockout of Minnesota Orchestra musicians has been devastating to the quality of music in the Twin Cities and to the community as a whole, members of Save Our Symphony said at a rally Friday, where they called on management to bring the musicians back to work.

A large crowd gathered outside Orchestra Hall, where a gala celebration was being held by the Orchestra Association. Nils Halker, speaking for Save Our Symphony, said orchestra patrons were appalled.

"We are quickly approaching the one-year anniversary of the beginning of the lockout imposed by the board and management of the Minnesota Orchestral Association, led by Richard Davis of US Bank, Jon Campbell of Wells Fargo and Michael Henson, president of the MOA," Halker said.

Read more at Workday Minnesota.


September 17: Solidarity with the Farmer's Strike in Columbia
Join the conversation about Farmers in Colombia who have not been left alone to fight against the Free Trade Agreement and attempt to achieve an economic model offering something other than hunger and unemployment. Transportation workers, students, trade unions, indigenous peoples and Afro-Colombians have also joined them in this struggle. In fact, this national movement is even crossing borders and debate has been newly initiated on how commercial relationships can be created so that all people may benefit.

WHERE: SEIU Local 26, 706 North 1st St. #110, Minneapolis
WHEN: Tuesday, September 17, 6:00 PM

RSVP on Facebook


Save the Dates

Tues., Sept. 17 (9:30 AM) - MN AFL-CIO General Board meeting - Painters Hall (IUPAT) District Council 82, 3205 Country Dr., Little Canada