Press Releases

Working Minnesotans Celebrate Close of Historic Pro-Labor Legislative Session

May 22, 2023

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...
Minnesota AFL-CIO celebrates groundbreaking Labor legislation heading to Governor Walz’s desk

May 16, 2023

Working Minnesotans are celebrating historic Labor Policy & Finance legislation heading to Governor Walz’s desk for his signature. In addition to funding the Department of Labor and Industry to enforce...
Minnesota AFL-CIO welcomes six regional organizers to strengthen local organizing

May 16, 2023

The Minnesota AFL-CIO is welcoming six new regional organizers to support affiliated Local Unions across Minnesota in mobilizing union members at their workplaces and in their communities. The positions are...
Senate Republicans embrace MAGA misinformation while insulting working people

April 27, 2023

During Thursday’s Senate Debate on House File 3, legislation protecting our elections from foreign influence and increasing voter access to our democracy, Senator Steve Drazkowski made an unsupported...
Statement on Governor Tim Walz’s 2023 State of the State Address

April 19, 2023

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement in response to Governor Walz’s State of the State Address: “As we head into the final weeks of the Legislative session, Governor Walz and...
Statement on the February 2023 state budget forecast

February 27, 2023

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement on today’s state budget forecast: “With an unprecedented $17.5 billion in unallocated budget dollars, state government has an even larger...
Statement on state budget forecast

December 6, 2022

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement on today’s state budget forecast: “Today’s budget news puts our state in a good position for what will likely be a historic legislative...
Working Minnesotans elect a Pro-Labor State Government

November 9, 2022

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement on yesterday’s election results: “The 2022 election showed that no matter where we live or what we look like, union members can make...
Burnham/Lehto re-elected to lead Minnesota AFL-CIO

September 20, 2022

The 56th Convention of the Minnesota AFL-CIO concluded with delegates re-electing President Bernie Burnham and Secretary-Treasurer Brad Lehto to lead the state’s federation of unions for the next four years....
Ahead of Frontline Worker Pay Application Period Closing, Coalition Calls for $500 Million Blocked by Senate Republicans to Be Added to Fund

July 22, 2022

Groups celebrate huge application numbers, praise workers who sacrificed to keep state running and call on Senate Republicans to reverse course and release $500 million they blocked from fund Essential...
Minnesota AFL-CIO makes additional 2022 Congressional & Legislative endorsements

July 20, 2022

The Minnesota AFL-CIO General Board endorsed Congressman Dean Phillips and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar for reelection, State Representative Jen Schultz for the 8th Congressional District, and 11 additional...
Minnesota AFL-CIO Statement on Supreme Court Ruling

June 24, 2022

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement on the US Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturns Roe v. Wade: “Reproductive rights are...
Minnesota AFL-CIO makes first round of 2022 Congressional & Legislative endorsements

June 22, 2022

The Minnesota AFL-CIO General Board began taking action on Congressional and Legislative candidate endorsements for the 2022 election by endorsing Congresswoman Angie Craig and Congresswoman Betty McCollum...
Senate Republicans walk away from working Minnesotans

June 17, 2022

Responding to news that Senate Republicans have abruptly cut off negotiations on a potential special legislative session, Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement: “Senate...
Budget Agreement includes key investments

May 16, 2022

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement in response to Governor Walz and legislative leaders agreeing to a framework on the 2022 supplemental budget: “After listening to working...
Frontline Coalition Welcomes Overdue Passage of Frontline Worker Pay as an Important Step in Recognizing the Sacrifices of Essential Workers

April 29, 2022

A coalition (Minnesota AFL-CIO; SEIU Local 26; SEIU Local 284; ISAIAH / Faith in Minnesota; UFCW Local 1189; Minnesota Nurses Association; CTUL; Unidos MN; Committee to Protect Health Care; Education Minnesota...
Minnesota AFL-CIO makes 2022 statewide election endorsements

March 8, 2022

The Minnesota AFL-CIO’s Committee on Political Education (COPE) kicked off the Labor Federation’s “Labor 2022” political program by endorsing Governor Tim Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, Attorney...
Statement on February Budget Forecast

February 28, 2022

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham issued the following statement on today’s state budget forecast showing $9.25 billion in unallocated budget dollars: “For the past two years, working people were...
Statement on COVID-19 Workers’ Comp reinstatement

February 3, 2022

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham issued the following statement on passage of legislation reestablishing rules to make healthcare workers and first responders who have tested positive for COVID-19...
Former MN AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson passes away

February 3, 2022

The Minnesota AFL-CIO is saddened to announce the death of former Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson. Elected in 2009 and serving through 2015, Knutson was the first woman to lead the state’s federation...

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Press Releases

Working Minnesotans Celebrate Close of Historic Pro-Labor Legislative Session

Minnesota AFL-CIO celebrates groundbreaking Labor legislation heading to Governor Walz’s desk

Minnesota AFL-CIO welcomes six regional organizers to strengthen local organizing

Senate Republicans embrace MAGA misinformation while insulting working people

Statement on Governor Tim Walz’s 2023 State of the State Address

Statement on the February 2023 state budget forecast

Statement on state budget forecast

Working Minnesotans elect a Pro-Labor State Government

Burnham/Lehto re-elected to lead Minnesota AFL-CIO

Ahead of Frontline Worker Pay Application Period Closing, Coalition Calls for $500 Million Blocked by Senate Republicans to Be Added to Fund

Minnesota AFL-CIO makes additional 2022 Congressional & Legislative endorsements

Minnesota AFL-CIO Statement on Supreme Court Ruling

Minnesota AFL-CIO makes first round of 2022 Congressional & Legislative endorsements

Senate Republicans walk away from working Minnesotans

Budget Agreement includes key investments

Frontline Coalition Welcomes Overdue Passage of Frontline Worker Pay as an Important Step in Recognizing the Sacrifices of Essential Workers

Minnesota AFL-CIO makes 2022 statewide election endorsements

Statement on February Budget Forecast

Statement on COVID-19 Workers’ Comp reinstatement

Former MN AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson passes away

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