With Minnesota’s unemployment rate now at 7.5 percent, Shar Knutson, president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, called on Minnesota’s Congressional Delegation and the state Legislature to create an aggressive new jobs program announced in Washington by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.

“Working Minnesotans know,” Knutson said, “that a jobless recovery is no recovery at all. We need a coordinated national and state approach to putting people back to work.  An average of six workers are competing for every open job nation-wide,” Knutson said, “but in Minnesota the situation is worse, with eight unemployed people competing for every job opening.”  See link for full news release.

Today at the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and other leaders joined together to call for urgent action to create jobs and rebuild the economy. In a live webcast panel discussion, the consensus was clear: Without quick action, an entire generation could be mired in economic turmoil. The nation can, and must, put people back to work—while addressing critical needs for the future of our communities. Read More>>

Cheers to the four Minnesota Congresspeople who said YES to health care for all!
There’ve been thank you letters, news releases, rallies and even a pot-luck, but it was only a week ago that US Reps. Keith Ellison, Betty McCollum, Jim Oberstar and Tim Walz cast their votes for HR 3962, the Affordable Health Care for All Americans act. Now, the US Senate is gearing up to work on its version of the bill. With the right-wing stepping up its attacks, Sen. Franken and Sen. Klobuchar need to hear from you. Stay tuned....and check out the House bill here.

President Obama’s picks for the National Mediation Board (NMB) are poised to overturn a long-standing undemocratic aspect of labor law for workers governed under the Railway Labor Act. Presently, a representation election requires yes votes from the majority of workers eligible to vote, rather than yes votes from the majority of people who cast their vote. Click link above for full article...

We’re watching closely to see if the U.S. Senate begins its debate on health care this week. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) will unveil the Senate bill tonight and we could see the first vote to begin debate as early as Saturday. Read More>>

Netroots Minnesota Conference Nov. 20-21 showcases social media and politics
Progressives from all over Minnesota will gather in St. Paul on November 20-21 for the first ever Netroots Minnesota conference. The conference offers most everything you need to know about social media as an to aid community and political mobilization. You’ll find everything from a gubernatorial forum to a series of pragmatic how-to sessions. SE ALC President Laura Askelin, SE ALC field rep, Liz McLoone and Minnesota AFL-CIO field coordinator Jessica Hayssen are among the presenters. Check out the full agenda—and register here.

Duluth CLC elects new president
Dan O'Neil last week, was elected president of the Duluth Central Labor Body. O’Neil, an organizer with the Minnesota Pipe Trades, is based at Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 11. Alan Netland retains his role as President of the Northeast Area Labor Council.

Elections have consequences—and that means good news for airport and airline workers...
Airport and airline workers will soon have their rights to organize and collectively bargain strengthened by President Obama’s appointees to the Transportation Security Administration and the National Mediation Board.

AFGE/Transportation Security Officers...
Errol Southers has been chosen to head the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and is waiting to receive confirmation from the full U.S. Senate. The AFGE union (American Federation of Government Employees) has represented Transportation Security Officers (TSO) in grievances around discipline and safety concerns since the agency’s inception. When the TSA was formed in 2002, President Bush’s administration codified language denying workers the right to collective bargain for wages and working conditions. Southers has promised to overturn those limitations, and AFGE is working with TSOs around the country to organize the entire workforce and hit the ground running when full bargaining powers are finally achieved.

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.

Things are tough for a lot of working families as the 2009 holidays approach. St. Paul and Duluth Community Services have announced several efforts to line up help for working families See link for scheduled events.

IBEW Holiday Lights in the Park—Nov. 24-Dec. 31
Get the family into the car and enjoy the fantastic IBEW Holiday Lights in Phalen Park. Tour the park, enjoy the lights and animated exhibits, and your entrance fee of $8-10 per vehicle will help raise funds for four important local charities: Second Harvest Heartland, Union Gospel Mission, St. Paul Parks Conservancy and UnderConstruction.

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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