After weeks of obstruction by Republican Senate leaders, millions of jobless workers who have or who will soon run out of unemployment insurance (UI) benefits may finally have a chance to grab an economic lifeline in the form of extended UI benefits. Read More>>

Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) has been fighting for health care reform for more than 50 years, and he’s seen the situation become even more dire over the past decade. In a great new op-ed, he explains the hard truths of our broken system and why we can’t wait any longer for health care reform: Read More>>

Everyone in Minnesota Counts
The 2010 Census begins in March. At stake in Minnesota: a Congressional seat and federal funding for everything from highways to energy assistance. You can find Census info at this link.

Heads up: Minnesota makes it easier for eligible unemployed workers to keep health insurance
Union members who lost their jobs after Sept. 1, 2008 and are eligible for a federal COBRA subsidy may be eligible for state help as well. A just-announced state subsidy, which does not apply to workers covered by Taft-Hartley plans, will cover 35 percent of the premium for COBRA continuing health care coverage for eligible Minnesotans. For information and application forms, see link.

Senator Sheran holds district dialogue meetings
Senator Kathy Sheran will host a series of "District Dialogue" meetings across Senate District 23 beginning Monday, Nov. 2 and continuing through Wednesday, Nov. 18.

• 4:00-4:45 PM, Nov. 12 - St. Peter, Waldo's Coffee Company
• 11:00-11:45 AM, Nov. 14 - Gaylord Public Library and
• 12:30-1:35 PM-Winthrop, Lyle's Cafe
• Nov. 18 - Nicollet, Ron's Pine Street

Labor Education Service expands programs, adds Minnesota Union Leadership Program
U of M Labor Education Services is adding the Minnesota Union Leadership Program to its 2010-2011 programming. Participants in the Minnesota Union Leadership Program will attend eight full-day sessions over a two-year period, starting in February 2010. The program will allow up to 30 union officers and staff to exchange ideas and explore the critical issues affecting working people, our unions, and our state. For information about the Union Leadership Program, please call Howard Kling at 612-624-4326.

For information about LES skills classes, go to this link.

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