Victory rally for Senator-elect Al Franken turned out throngs of union members on the Capitol steps. To view photos from the rally, click here. (Photo at left from Laura Askelin).   Also, see the report below from KARE 11 News which features MN AFL-CIO staff members Verretta Strickland and Lily Melander and Southeast MN ALC staffer Liz McLoone.

 

Statement by Ray Waldron, President, Minnesota AFL-CIO on Supreme Court ruling in favor of Sen. Franken
After a number of people asked Senator Franken to concede in November, he stood his ground and said, “I don’t think so.” This is what we expect for a senator in the State of Minnesota who, in the Paul Wellstone mode, went against the tide and declared it was not over. We are thankful for his strong and steady convictions, and we look forward to working with our new United States Senator.

Statement by Minnesota AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Steve Hunter 
We are pleased to hear that the Supreme Court ruled today that Al Franken has won the election. Former Senator Coleman is to be commended for choosing not to continue the legal wrangling over this Election.
We call on Gov. Pawlenty to sign the election certificate as soon as possible in order that Minnesota may once more be represented in Congress by two U.S. Senators. The Minnesota AFL-CIO looks forward to working with Senator Al Franken to advance the cause of workers in Minnesota and across the Nation.

Minnesotans tell Congress: We need Health Care for America Now!
Minnesotans were well-represented at the June 25 Washington DC rally for health care reform. Among the union members urging Sen. Klobuchar, Rep. Walz and Rep. Collin Peterson to support health care reform that will offer quality affordable health care to America now were: Linda Slattengren, president of MNA, Laura Askelin, president of SE MN ALC, Mark Froemke, president of the Western Minnesota ALC and Tim Lovaasen, president of the CWA State Council. See link for a Southeastern Minnesota perspective on health care reform and the June 25 rally.

International Labour Council to Meet in Minnesota
Union delegates from the U.S. and Canada will meet July 10-12 at the Bloomington Sheraton for the 57th annual conference of the International Labour Council. Pam Donato, president of the council and president of National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 9 in Minneapolis is inviting Minnesota unions to attend. You’ll be sharing information, goals and strategies with other unions—and helping to link unions in the US and Canada. Locals can affiliate for $35 and may send an unlimited number of delegates. Conference registration is $100 per person. For more information, contact Pam Donato at 612-781-9858.

CWA Workers Dial Up Support
CWA workers continue to be disconnected by their employer, AT&T, as they head into their tenth week of working without a contract. Support them by signing the online petition at www.standupforworkers.com. Better yet, attend an informational picket happening at 901 Marquette in downtown Minneapolis every Thursday from 11:30 AM-1 PM. To view a quick video of the action, click here.

Waldron announces retirement
Minnesota AFL-CIO President Ray Waldron this week announced that he will retire Sept. 4, 2009. The federation’s general board will meet Aug. 17 to elect Waldron’s successor. Waldron led the state’s largest labor federation through the anti-union administrations of President George Bush and Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Waldron turned hard times for Minnesota’s unions into an opportunity to restructure the federation. The result of that work: an expanded role for women leaders on the organization's board and staff and a major expansion of the federation’s political program with the establishment of six regional labor federations. Waldron has been a strong advocate for the AFL-CIO’s Working America campaign, and helped build the group to over 200,000 members in Minnesota. Waldron’s farewell luncheon is scheduled for 11 AM, Monday, Aug. 24 at the Prom Banquet Facilty in Oakdale.