Press Releases

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...
Burnham sworn in as Minnesota AFL-CIO President

February 1, 2022

Bernie Burnham was sworn in today as the 10th President of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, the state federation of Labor Unions who represent more than 300,000 working people. Burnham was unanimously elected by the...
Minnesota union membership continues to grow

January 20, 2022

Union membership in Minnesota continued to grow in 2021. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the percentage of working Minnesotans who belong to labor unions increased from 15.8% of the...
Local Jobs & Projects Plan an opportunity for working Minnesotans

January 18, 2022

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bill McCarthy issued the following statement responding to today’s announcement of the Governor & Lt. Governor’s Local Jobs & Projects Plan: Today’s Local Jobs &...
Minnesota AFL-CIO Elects Bernie Burnham as next President

December 14, 2021

The General Board of the Minnesota AFL-CIO unanimously elected Bernie Burnham as the Labor Federation’s new President. Burnham, who has served as Vice President of Education Minnesota since 2019, will succeed...
Budget surplus an opportunity for working Minnesotans & families

December 7, 2021

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bill McCarthy responded to news the state budget is projected to have $7.7 billion in unallocated funds: “Thanks to Governor Walz’s stewardship, Minnesota continues to be on firm...
Statement on President Biden’s visit to Minnesota

November 30, 2021

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bill McCarthy issued the following statement on President Joe Biden’s visit to Minnesota: “I had the opportunity to meet with President Biden today and thanked him for his...
Essential Workers Condemn Republicans Obstruction of Frontline Worker Pay

October 27, 2021

Plans turn to Legislative Session after Republicans Reject Compromise on $250 million Fund Workers will continue push both inclusive recognition and additional steps to protect Minnesotans A coalition of...
Workers call on “Essential Workers Frontline Work Group” to deliver hero pay

September 13, 2021

Coalition says Republican legislators must drop demand to exclude key workers “We worked to not leave anyone behind during COVID, and now some legislators are holding up Essential Worker pay in order to...
Minnesota AFL-CIO Condemns Anti-Worker Line 3 Letter

August 31, 2021

A recent letter from U.S. Representatives Ilhan Omar, Betty McCollum and other federal and state officials calling on President Joe Biden to stop the Line 3 Replacement suggested the presence of construction...
Statement on the passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

August 5, 2021

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bill McCarthy issued the following statement on the death of national AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka: “Minnesota’s Labor Movement and working people across the nation lost a...
AFL-CIO Executive Paywatch Report Reveals 226 to 1 Minnesota CEO-to-Worker Pay Ratio in 2020

July 14, 2021

According to the 2021 edition of the Executive Paywatch report released today by the AFL-CIO, the average CEO-to-worker pay ratio at S&P 500 companies in Minnesota was 226 to 1 in 2020, down slightly from...

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Press Releases

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

Burnham sworn in as Minnesota AFL-CIO President

Minnesota union membership continues to grow

Local Jobs & Projects Plan an opportunity for working Minnesotans

Minnesota AFL-CIO Elects Bernie Burnham as next President

Budget surplus an opportunity for working Minnesotans & families

Statement on President Biden’s visit to Minnesota

Essential Workers Condemn Republicans Obstruction of Frontline Worker Pay

Workers call on “Essential Workers Frontline Work Group” to deliver hero pay

Minnesota AFL-CIO Condemns Anti-Worker Line 3 Letter

Statement on the passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

AFL-CIO Executive Paywatch Report Reveals 226 to 1 Minnesota CEO-to-Worker Pay Ratio in 2020

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