Press Releases

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham & Secretary-Treasurer Brad Lehto made the following statement in response to the Department of Veterans Affairs unilaterally terminating collective bargaining...

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement on the close of the Minnesota Legislature’s 2025 Special Session:   “Despite an equally divided House and lawmakers from both parties...

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham issued the following statement on a new executive order from the Trump administration stripping collective bargaining and union rights from workers across the federal...

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement on the beginning of the 2025 Legislative Session: “Working Minnesotans expect their elected leaders to set extreme partisanship aside and...

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s selection as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate: “As Minnesotans, we’re proud to have one of our...

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement upon adjournment of the 2024 Legislative Session:   “In 2023 Governor Walz and DFLers delivered the most pro-worker legislative session...

In response to news the state budget surplus increased to $3.7 billion, Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement: “Today’s announcement shows prioritizing investments in workers...

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement on today’s State Budget Forecast showing a one-time surplus of $2.4 billion: “After 2023’s historic pro-worker legislative session,...

As the Legislature adjourned for the year, Minnesotans are taking stock and celebrating some of the most sweeping pro-Labor legislation in state history that will improve the lives of workers in every corner...