News
Submitted by mcody on Friday, February 3, 2012 - 3:52pm
If there was any doubt how Gov. Mark Dayton feels about the Republican plan implement "right to work'' legislation, the governor said Friday morning that he strongly opposes it in Minnesota, according to the Star Tribune.
On Thursday, GOP State Sen. Dave Thompson and GOP Rep. Steve Drazkowski held a press conference to introduce and publicize a proposed anti-middle class “...
Submitted by mcody on Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 2:21pm
Legislative update week 2:
Legislature takes aim at your rights, wants to mandate high insurance premiums hikes
The 2012 Minnesota Legislature has picked up where it left off last year, producing multiple attacks on organized labor through anti-labor legislation. While bills that were introduced in 2011 remain alive and could still be passed through committee and their respective...
Submitted by mcody on Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 11:56am
State Sen. Dave Thompson (upper right photo) and Rep. Steve Drazkowski (lower right photo) held a press conference Thursday to publicize an anti-middle class amendment that would force union workers to pay for their non-union co-workers’ representation. MAPE's statement is below.
The Minnesota AFL-CIO's statement is here: Anti-Middle Class “Right to Work” Amendment...
Submitted by mcody on Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 11:04am
Indiana became the 23rd “right to work” state in the country Wednesday after the legislation was passed by the GOP-controlled House and Senate, and signed into law by the GOP governor, according to multiple media reports.
Indiana becomes the first state in the Rust Belt of the industrial Midwest and Northeast to adopt the bill. Opponents, though, said the bill will begin a...
Submitted by mcody on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 - 3:45pm
MAPE members can join our partner, the American Cancer Society, in the fight against cancer by taking part in a cancer prevention study.
If you are between 30 and 65 years old, and have never been diagnosed with cancer, you are eligible to participate. Enrollment will be 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, in the Capitol Rotunda. Schedule your appointment to take part in this important...
Submitted by mcody on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 - 2:35pm
The United Steel Workers on Tuesday night announced a tentative agreement with Shell Oil Co. and BP on a new three-year contract, pending ratification by the union’s membership, according to media reports.
BP Whiting refinery employees represented by United Steelworkers Local 7-1 were watching as the current three-year deal was set to expired at midnight Tuesday. But the national...
Submitted by mcody on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 - 11:50am
Minnesota media outlets have been editorializing against the bundle of constitutional amendments proposed by the GOP majority in the Minnesota Legislature. You can add the Austin Daily Herald to the list with its editorial titled, “Fewer referenda.”
The Daily Herald editorialized that legislating by constitutional amendment is “… a trend that could prove destructive...
Submitted by mcody on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 - 4:55pm
Contract negotiations continued for U.S. refiners and the United Steel Workers union Tuesday, with the looming possibility of a strike giving gasoline and diesel prices a slight bump, the Wall Street Journal is reporting.
The union has been pushing for stronger safety measures in the industry. The negotiations cover refineries comprising 6.24 million barrels a day of capacity, about a third...
Submitted by mcody on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 - 3:09pm
You’ve heard of the GOP’s Reform 2.0? Now, Democrats in the Minnesota House have some reform ideas of their own, according to multiple news sources.
Rep. Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, said Tuesday Democrats will introduce a package of changes that includes a way to prohibit future state government shutdowns and a plan to require fuller disclosure of outside income by...
Submitted by mcody on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 - 12:19pm
American Crystal Sugar Company refused once again on Monday to negotiate with the 1,300 workers who have been locked out from their jobs for nearly six months.
Members Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) met with a federal mediator and representatives of American Crystal Sugar Company in a formal negotiation session. Once again the company was...
