One of the best ways to support union members and their families is to support the businesses that employ them.

To help Twin Cities consumers locate union-made products and services in their communities, the Saint Paul Regional Labor Federation compiles an annual “Union Buying Guide” directory, printed in The Union Advocate newspaper each May.

What follows is an online version of the “Union Buying Guide,” available for download. The files are sorted according to the type of products or services offered by the listed employers. To download a list, click on the heading in capital letters.

AUTOMOBILES (PDF)
Includes American-made Vehicles, Auto Body Shops, Auto Glass Repair, Auto Parts Supply and Auto Service Shops.

FOOD (PDF)
Includes Baked Goods, Beverages, Catering, Food Products and Grocery Stores.

GETTING AROUND (PDF)
Includes Airlines at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Bus Transportation and Public Transportation.

HEALTH (PDF)
Includes Acute Care, Clinics, Drug Stores, Hospitals and Nursing Homes.

HOME REPAIRS AND PROJECTS (PDF)
List of contractors for specific residential and commercial projects.

MEDIA (PDF)
Includes Audio Visual Services, Telephone Services, Internet, Radio, Television, Newspapers, Wireless Service Stores and more.

ON THE TOWN (PDF)
Includes Concessions Services, Entertainment, Hotels, Restaurants and Bars and Theaters.

PRINTING AND MAILING (PDF)
Includes Mailing Services, Package Delivery, Printers and Screen Shops.

PUBLIC SERVICES (PDF)
Includes Colleges and Universities; Federal, State and Local Governments; and Public Schools.

OTHER UNION WORKSITES (PDF)
Where else you'll find union members working locally.

If you’re union-proud from the hat on your head to the steel toes of your boots, then there’s just one place in the East Metro where you shop for your clothes: Union House in Wyoming. At Union House, union members embroider, screen print and sell union-made apparel, including work wear, casual wear and even underwear – boxers and briefs.

When Hollywood directors need a throwback, neighborhood grocery store for a film set in Minnesota, they find their way to Cooper’s Supervalu on West 7th Street and St. Clair Avenue in St. Paul.

In the wake of last year’s mortgage meltdown, the federal government set aside nearly $1 trillion to thaw credit markets and shore up the nation’s banks.

Union Bank and Trust of Minneapolis won’t receive a dime of that federal money, but the bank’s executives aren’t likely to claim any million-dollar bonuses or plan corporate retreats to exotic spa locales, either. And that, according to Union Bank President Greig Payne, makes it a pretty good place for union members to keep their money.