Mitra Jalali Nelson Tradeswomen • Ward 5: Amy Brendmoen Build Nations Con - • Ward 6: Nelsie Yang Ference Banner • Ward 7: Jane Prince Parade

Find out where you vote Nov. 5 at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us

123rd Year, No. 5, Issue 5432 For union homes in Ramsey, Dakota, Washington and Chisago counties November-December 2019

Labor Union members from across the Endorsed U.S. and Canada Nov. 5 General Election marched together through the St. Paul City Council streets of down - • Ward 2: Rebecca Noecker town Minneapolis • Ward 3: Chris Tolbert Oct. 5 during the • Ward 4: Mitra Jalali Nelson Tradeswomen • Ward 5: Amy Brendmoen Build Nations con - • Ward 6: Nelsie Yang ference banner • Ward 7: Jane Prince parade. Led by an St. Paul School Board: all-tradeswoman Chauntyll Allen, Zuki drum corps from Ellis, Steve Marchese Chicago, the Ramsey County Board parade stretched • District 1: Nicole Frethem across multiple city blocks, as St. Paul Trash: Vote Yes tradeswomen Cottage Grove City proudly celebrated Council: Justin Olsen their crafts, their Falcon Heights City unions and the Council: Adam Sychla, potential for more Yakasah Wehyee women to join their ranks. The Mounds View School conference, organ - Board: Heidi Danielson, ized by North James DeMay, Jonathan America’s Building Weinhagen Trades unions, set Rosemount-Apple Valley- a record for atten - Eagan School Board: dance. Joel Albright, Sachin Isaacs, Jackie Magnuson Union Advocate photos South Washington County School Board: Melinda Dols, Louise BUILDING NATIONS, BREAKING BARRIERS Hinz, Simi Patnaik White Bear Lake School Annual conference draws record number of tradeswomen to Minneapolis Board: Margaret By Michael Moore tradeswomen, labor leaders, elected offi - that you’re not the only one.” Newmaster, Angela Union Advocate editor cials and industry experts to the Hilton in That became even clearer Saturday Thompson, Scott Wilson Tradeswomen from across the U.S. and downtown Minneapolis Oct. 4-6. afternoon, as conference attendees paraded School Referendums - Vote Canada descended on the Twin Cities last Conference attendees came from 48 states shoulder to shoulder through the down - Yes: Burnsville-Eagan- month for the union-sponsored and 10 provinces. town streets, carrying their local union ban - Savage, Lakeville (levy + Tradeswomen Build Nations conference, “On a lot of job sites, you’re the only ners and celebrating the pride trades- bond), Mounds View, the world’s largest gathering of women woman there,” Tamika Foster, a member women take in their craft. Rosemount-Apple Valley- working in the skilled construction trades. of St. Paul Plumbers Local 34, said during a The parade stretched several city blocks Eagan, White Bear Lake In its ninth year, the annual event set a volunteer event on the event’s opening and drew cheers from onlook ers. record for attendance, drawing 2,800 day. “This conference is a nice reminder (C ONTINUED ON PAGE 7)

Election 2019 Labor gets behind school bonds, levies in East Metro Organized labor is boosting always pay off in the long run, operating levy and bond refer - efforts to fund new invest - St. Paul Regional Labor endums as down payments on ments in several East Metro Federation President Bobby our economic future.” public school districts, includ - Kasper said. The St. Paul RLF, which ing a record-breaking building “Great schools are the unites local unions from referendum in the White Bear bedrock of every strong com - Ramsey, Chisago, Dakota and Lake Area Schools. munity,” Kasper said. “They Washington counties, has Levy and bond referen - educate our future workforce endorsed levy requests on the well as a separate bond request dums empower communities and attract good employers to Nov. 5 ballot in the Burnsville- in Lakeville. to invest in their schools’ pro - our area. Eagan-Savage, Lakeville, But the referendum in gramming, facilities and tech - “That’s why, as a labor Mounds View and Rosemount- White Bear Lake is the biggest nology – investments that movement, we usually support Apple Valley Eagan districts, as (C ONTINUED ON PAGE 8) 2 • THE UNION ADVOCATE • NOVEMBER -D ECEMBER 2019 Go Figure Letters • Send letters to: 353 W. 7th St., 23% Average effective tax Suite 201, St. Paul, MN 55102 rate paid by the 400 • Fax them to 651-293-1989 richest U.S. families • Email them to: last year [email protected] 24% Average effective tax on the bottom half of U.S. households, Official publication of the marking the first time St. Paul Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO in history they have 353 W. 7th St. #201, St. Paul, MN 55102. Phone 651-222-3787 x112; fax 651-293-1989; paid a higher rate e-mail: [email protected] than billionaires Editor: Michael Moore ST. PAUL REGIONAL LABOR FEDERATION 80% Share of households Phone: 651-222-3787 Fax: 651-293-1989 whose combined Website: www.stpaulunions.org wealth matches that Bobby Kasper, President Perry Schmidt, Executive Vice President of the top 0.1% Bernadine Engeldorf, Secretary-Treasurer Source: “The Triumph of Injustice” Jennifer Guertin, Sergeant-At-Arms Theresa St. Aoro, V.P. - Ramsey County Brian Beedle, V.P. - Washing ton County Labor Voices: Ray Waldron Connie Beissel, V.P. - Dakota County Michael Madden, V.P. - Chisago County Trustees: Jamie McNamara, Don Mullin, We won’t win in 2020 without working together Paul Slattery I’m worried Donald Trump will win another term in Executive Board Members At Large : Bob “If we spend too much DeRoy, Mike Dreyer, Kelly Gibbons, Wade the White House, and I know I’m not the only one. Luneberg, Dorothy Maki-Green, Jamie Nearly 20 Democrats are seeking the party’s nomina - energy fighting each other, McNamara, Mona Meyer, Dave Monsour, tion to run against Trump next year. My preferred candi - we will give President Carrie Robles, Mary Sansom, Paul Slattery, Howard Terry, Rick Varco date probably isn’t your preferred candidate. Your candi - Trump a clear run at four date probably isn’t your neighbor’s, your coworker’s or MN AFL-CIO General Board Geographical more years in office .” Representatives: Nick Faber, Ken Gorman, your best friend’s candidate. Jennifer Guertin, Deb Haugen, Mike Many of us who have been active in politics and in the – Ray Waldron Hoppe, Suzanne Markham-Kocurek, labor movement have seen this script play out before. Tom McCarthy, Bob Ryan, Scott Seath, While Republicans fall in line behind President Trump, his Leah Vandassor, Lisa Weed opponents and their supporters are arguing amongst $1 trillion infrastructure investment or a $10 federal mini - Committee on Political Education: Craig themselves. It appears this primary fight will drag on for mum wage. Angrimson, Tom Edwards, Gus Froemke, Martin Hoerth, Mark Krey, Travis Lohmann, months, creating the potential for fractures that may carry And as for that newly renegotiated trade agreement Bob Mayer, Philip Qualy, Josh Wise over into the general election. with Mexico and Canada? It’s just NAFTA with a different State AFL-CIO Retirees Rep: Gerald Beedle Our inability to unite in opposition to this incumbent name, giving a green light to corporations looking to out - is a liability. I’m worried that if we spend too much energy source American jobs, but without strong, enforceable Office staff: Colleen Nocerini, Kera Peterson fighting each other, we will give President Trump a clear labor standards to ensure a level playing field for workers. AFL-CIO COMMUNITY SERVICES run at four more years in office. As the 2020 election approaches, we can expect Phone: 651-222-3787 Fax: 651-293-1989 And we can’t afford four more years of Donald Trump. President Trump to gloss over his failures with lies, Twitter Website: www.stpaulunions.org/lsrc This president has been a disaster for working people. insults and divisive rhetoric. Given the loyalty of his base Lynne Larkin-Wright, Liaison His signature achievement, the tax cut passed in and the deep pockets of his donors, it would be foolish to December 2017, was a windfall for corporations and the underestimate Trump’s chances at reelection. super rich. Already, it’s pushed income inequality to a 50- But as we saw in the midterm elections last year, our year high and increased our national debt, putting Social base is energized to fight back, and polling shows most This issue went to press Oct. 22 Security and Medicare – investments American workers Americans are growing tired of Trump’s act. We can win It was scheduled to go in the mail Oct. 28 and their families count on – at risk. back the White House in 2020, but only if we’re united in Next news deadline: Friday, Dec. 6 Meanwhile, Trump appointees in the Department of our purpose and committed to doing the work. Labor are rolling back regulations that protect working Whatever our differences, as union members and Remaining publication dates in 2019: people from wage theft and other abuses. They succeeded retirees we share a common interest in removing Trump Dec. 16. in blocking a rule issued by the Obama administration from office. Whether you’re a millennial or a retiree, News deadlines precede our publication expanding overtime pay to more Americans. And the whether you live in the city or a small town, whether you dates by 10 days; ad deadlines by 12 days. number of inspectors at the U.S. Occupational Safety and work with your hands or at a computer – that common To advertise, contact the Advocate office Health Administration has steadily fallen since President interest is greater than the things that divide us. for display options and rate information, or Trump took office, reaching its lowest level ever. Let’s remember that as the field of Democratic presi - download an ad flier online at Just a month ago the Republican-controlled Senate dential nominees narrows down over the next few advocate.stpaulunions.org/advertise. appointed a new labor secretary who, throughout his months. Permanent fractures in our unity only serve this Subscriptions are $15 for calendar year career, has been a hired gun for corporations and industry president’s interests. We may not agree now, but after the 2020. Mail payment to Union Advocate, 353 groups looking to dismantle protections for working peo - process plays out, we’ve got to unite behind one candi - W. 7th St., Suite 201, St. Paul, MN 55102. ple. He’s put the fox in charge of the henhouse. date. Whoever that turns out to be is surely a better choice POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: It’s frightening to imagine what this administration for working people than Trump. The Saint Paul Union Advocate, 353 W. 7th St., might “accomplish” with another term. – Ray Waldron is a retired member of Local 96 of the STE 201, St. Paul, MN 55102-2314. Published We know that in 2016 many working people bought United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Trades. He monthly except during July and December by served as president of the state’s largest labor federation, the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation, 353 W. into Trump’s sales pitch. But the president seems to have 7th St., STE 201, St. Paul, MN 55102-2314. forgotten promises he made during that campaign, like a the Minnesota AFL-CIO, from 2001 to 2009. (USPS 647820) (ISSN 24723320) Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN. Editor’s Note: “Voices” is a forum for opinions from across the labor movement. It appears regularly in The Advocate. We encourage readers to respond to our columnists’ opinions. To write a letter to the editor, see the upper-righthand corner of this page. To inquire about contributing to Member International Labor “Voices,” call 651-222-3787, extension 112. This column does not reflect the position of the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation or its assemblies. Communications Association. NOVEMBER -D ECEMBER 2019 • THE UNION ADVOCATE • 3 Labor Events

Breakfast with the Sisters Carpenters Local 322’s Sisters in the Brotherhood group will host its annual pancake-breakfast fundraiser Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to noon at the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters union hall, 710 Olive Street, St. Paul. Proceeds will benefit the children of Josh Blackledge, a recently deceased Local 322 member, as well as the Steve Rummler Hope Network, an organization focused on treating chronic pain with wellness rather than drugs. The breakfast, in its second year, is open to the public. The suggested donation is $10. The event will include a silent auction. If you cannot attend but would like to make a donation, mail a check payable to “SIB Pancake Breakfast” to Carpenters Local 322, 730 Olive St., St. Paul, MN 55130. Members of several Twin Cities-based unions showed their support for striking members of United Auto Workers Local 722 Politics is ugly. during the General Motors strike. Members of AFSCME, the Minnesota Nurses Association, MAPE, the St. Paul Regional Labor How did we get here? Federation and other organizations joined a “union family day” on the picket line Sept. 28. Union Advocate photos The East Side Freedom Library in UAW members stick together, make gains after monthlong strike St. Paul will host a discussion led by two Minnesota historians to answer a After more than a month on strike, last three years, and CEO Mary Barra question on many voters’ minds as we nearly 50,000 union autoworkers from last year took home $22 million in head into the 2020 election cycle: General Motors facilities across the total compensation. How did our political culture get here? U.S. were voting on a tentative agree - Steve Frisque, a Local 722 steward Elaine Tyler May, professor of ment for a new contract as this edition who lives in Woodbury, said workers American Studies at the University of of The Union Advocate went to press. haven’t forgotten the sacrifice they Minnesota, and Scott Laderman, a As voting progressed, picket lines made to keep GM alive, even if the history professor at the University of remained up, including one outside company’s executives have. Minnesota-Duluth and president of GM’s Hudson, Wis., facility. The parts- “This company has made record the campus’ faculty union, will guide distribution center employs 75 mem - profits the last four years, and they got a discussion that’s free and open to bers of United Auto Workers Local 722, there with help from two sources – the public, beginning at 1 p.m. Nov. 2. who stood together – without crossing their employees and the taxpayers in The independent, nonprofit the picket line – as their international Kasper said. this country,” Frisque said. “And the library is located at 1105 Greenbrier union held out for a better deal. U.S. Sen. Tina Smith also joined thanks they show the taxpayers and St. A big reason why workers in the Sept. 28 event, which fell on the employees is to ship more and more To learn more about ESFL pro - Hudson were able to hold the line, first day of a two-week Senate recess. work to Mexico, more and more work grams and events, go to eastsidefree - Local 722 President Jennifer Grabczyk The DFLer said striking workers are to China.” domlibrary.org. said, was the support they received fighting not just for themselves, but Frisque and Grabczyk are legacy from members of other unions, par - for all working people. GM workers, but both identified the Show off your selfies ticularly those based in the Twin “They’re fighting for the basic prin - issue of equal pay as their top priority. Cities. ciple that people should get paid “You are standing next to some - (or other photos) “We were very worried about how equally for equal work,” Smith said. “I body for 60 or 70 hours a week, and Entries are due Monday, Nov. 4, for long we could sustain everybody and think that’s really important.” they’re doing the same exact job as the annual Women Building Success keep everybody’s spirits up, but with GM’s use of temporary workers you,” said Grabczyk, who works in apprentice photo contest. In its sec - all these people coming in every single emerged as a major sticking point in inventory control. “It is not OK to ond year, the contest, open to union day, it helps so much,” Grabczyk said. contract negotiations, as did the sys - know that they are struggling.” apprentices, aims to celebrate the “It’s been amazing.” tem of wage tiers allowing GM to com - The proposed contract would not work of women in the building trades. Local 722 hosted a “union family pensate union members differently completely eliminate wage tiers or The contest will issue awards in day” on the picket line Sept. 28, and depending on when they were hired. temporary hires, but it does include three categories: photo at work, photo members of several East Metro unions Autoworkers hired since 2007 are paid increases in wages, a quicker path to of the job site or building, and photo answered the call for support. according to a lower scale than so- permanent employment for temps of your tools or craftsmanship. Only “Solidarity knows no borders,” St. called “legacy workers,” and tempo - and an $11,000 signing bonus. one photo per category may be sub - Paul Regional Labor Federation rary workers are paid even less, with The Hudson parts distribution mitted. President Bobby Kasper said, noting fewer benefits and no formal process center serves dealerships across the Winners will be announced at a that the RLF, through its nonprofit to become permanent employees. Midwest. All 75 workers who are eligi - free event Nov. 13 at the International Labor Studies and Resource Center, The UAW agreed to those conces - ble to join the UAW have done so, Brotherhood of Electrical Workers helped arrange financial assistance sions in 2007, when GM was on the Grabczyk said, even though Local 110 hall, 1330 Conway St., St. for striking workers in Hudson, many brink of bankruptcy. Wisconsin is a right-to-work state. Paul. The event is open to the public. of whom reside in Minnesota. Now, with an assist from a federal GM relocated the parts distribu - To RSVP or submit photos, e-mail “I’m incredibly proud of the sup - bailout in 2009, GM is more profitable tion facility to Hudson from Edina 15 administrator@womenbuildingsuc - port our affiliate unions showed for than it’s ever been. The company has years ago, and many workers still cess.org. striking UAW members in Hudson,” reported $35 billion in profits over the make the commute from Minnesota.

NOVEMBER -D ECEMBER 2019 • THE UNION ADVOCATE • 5 St. Paul boxers with a union in common enter Minnesota Hall of Fame together By Michael Moore Union Advocate editor Two St. Paul natives who traded in their boxing gloves for work gloves were inducted into the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame last month. Brian Brunette and Matt Vanda, both members of Local 563 of the Laborers International Union (LIUNA), received the honor during a banquet Oct. 11 at Mystic Lake Casino. After working in the field for 15 years, Brunette, 61, is now a marketing representative for LIUNA’s Great Lakes Regional Organizing Committee. He joined the union in 1976 as a teenager, after his father discovered he had no prospects for a sum - mer job. “My dad said, ‘Get in the car,’ and he drove me down to the Laborers hall,” Brunette said. “I even - tually went to college, but I always found my way back into the Laborers union in the summer.” Brunette and Bobby Kasper, now president of the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation, worked together as business agents for St. Paul Laborers Local 132, which has since merged into Local 563. “I congratulate Brian on receiving this well- deserved honor from the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame,” Kasper said. “I’ve known Brian for years, Brian Brunette working the speed bag. submitted photo Matt Vanda landing a blow in the ring. submitted photo and he’s always fought just as hard for working people as he fought in the ring.” boxing at 28. Vanda, 41, joined LIUNA in 2012 after taking a Still, Brunette remained active in the sport. His job with a local excavating company. The choice to family opened an amateur gym, Brunette Boxing, go from breaking down opponents in the ring to in 1983, and after hanging up his gloves, Brian took breaking down rubble on the job site, he said, was on a more active role in working with young fight - “the best move I’ve ever made in my life.” ers in St. Paul. “The best part of demo work is I don’t get hit in “It provides structure for so many young kids,” the head,” Vanda laughed. he said. “The work ethic, having to be somewhere The ‘Saintly City Slugger’ at the same time every day, the diet, the training. Boxing is in Brunette’s DNA. His father was an And when they go home at night, all they want to accomplished Golden Gloves fighter in the 1930s, do is go to sleep.” and Brian began boxing in the backyard with ‘The Predator’ brothers Tom, Bobby and Al as a young kid. Vanda began boxing at 12 and compiled a 12-2 Growing up on St. Paul’s East Side, he remembered, record as an amateur before turning pro in 1996, at “it was either boxing or baseball.” the age of 17. At the time, only a handful of states Initially, Brunette chose baseball. He excelled as allowed minors to box professionally, and a middle infielder in high school and accepted a Minnesota wasn’t one of them. So Vanda hit the scholarship to play for coach Dick Siebert at the road, boxing in South Dakota, Indiana and University of Minnesota. But when Siebert, during Colorado before finally returning home a year later. a fall meeting, advised his players to commit to a It didn’t take long for Matt “the Predator” Vanda conditioning program during the school year, to become a hometown favorite. He won his first Brunette could think of only one place to go – the 11 professional bouts by knockout. boxing gym. “After a few fights people came to watch,” Vanda When one of the gym’s fighters dropped out of a said. “They liked watching me fight, I guess.” bout in February 1978, a coach approached Vanda fought in five middleweight title bouts. Brunette with a question. He won one, defeating Luis Ramon Campas for the “He asked me, ‘What do you weigh?’ And that I.B.A. Americas Title in June 2005. He ended his was pretty much the start of my career,” Brunette career with a 45-16 record and 25 knockouts. His said. “I fought the next night and won.” last bout came in January 2014 at Madison Square Brian Brunette (L) and Matt Vanda, both members of Brunette fought the next two years as an ama - Garden, where Vanda lost a title challenge by tech - LIUNA Local 563, paused for a photo on a job site in teur, continuing to play baseball for the Gophers, nical knockout. downtown Minneapolis. photo courtesy of Dwight Engen then turned professional as a 21-year-old. By 1980 Vanda jokes that his wife, Cyndi, forced him to he was on the undercard of a Larry Holmes fight retire, but he knew his days were numbered. is to go to work. It’s almost like a party for me. The produced by famed boxing promoter Don King. “I was 34 years old, and I had a good run,” he guys at work call me a social butterfly.” Brunette didn’t lose a bout after turning pro said. “But it gets to a point when they start using Brunette and Vanda see a few similarities until 1986, when he challenged Patrizio Oliva for you as bait, as someone who they know can go the between boxing and working as a laborer. the world light-welterweight championship in distance against an up-and-coming young guy but “You’re there to work hard, and you have to get Naples, Italy. Brunette took an accidental thumb to probably not win. That’s when you could get hurt.” out there and work with your co-workers, share the the eye in the first round. Two rounds later, at the ‘Everyone works together’ responsibilities,” Brunette said. “It’s the same thing urging of his trainer, Brunette threw in the towel. Retirement hasn’t been easy for Vanda. He and in the boxing gym. You might have 50 kids on the “The fight didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to, Cyndi briefly separated, but they reunited after floor, but everyone’s treated equal, no matter where but the way I look at it, I was a champion just get - Vanda embraced sobriety three years ago. The cou - you’re from or what your background. When you’re ting there,” Brunette said. “Not everybody gets a ple has since welcomed a new daughter, 2-year-old in the gym, everyone works together. chance to fight for a world championship.” Magdalena, into their family, which also includes “You go from one hard job to the next, breaking The loss in Naples turned out to be his only as a 15-year-old Gabriella and 10-year-old Viviana. down whatever’s in your way,” Vanda said. “And professional. He signed on to fight for the champi - “People think I’m crazy, but I enjoy getting up at you’ve got to be in shape to go the distance in a onship again – this time in South Africa – but after 4:30 a.m., going to work and getting away,” Vanda fight, just like you’ve got to be in good shape to be a reinjuring his eye in training, Brunette retired from said. “Since I quit drinking, the only time I get out Laborer.” 6 • THE UNION ADVOCATE • NOVEMBER -D ECEMBER 2019 St. Paul Labor Center Wild welcome union members during Trades Night at the X pledges support for Salvation Army’s holiday toy drive As the headquarters of the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation, the St. Paul Building and Construction Trades Council and several local union offices, the St. Paul Labor Center attracts a steady stream of vis - itors to union meetings, volunteer events, rallies and other happenings. Parking can be hard to come by on West 7th Street, and oftentimes Labor The Minnesota Wild Center traffic spills over into the rolled out the red carpet neighboring lot, owned by the Twin for union members Oct. Cities Salvation Army. The organiza - 20 during Building tion has been a patient and gracious Trades Night, held in neighbor since the Labor Center partnership with the St. opened its doors four years ago. Paul Building and To show appreciation for this Construction Trades deepening partnership – and as part Council. Before the of labor’s tradition of supporting good game, a 4-3 Wild win causes in our communities – the over the Canadiens, Labor Center will host a toy drive in union members enjoyed support of Toy Shop. The Salvation dinner and drawings for Army program provides toys each autographed memorabil - year to over 20,000 Twin Cities chil - ia at the St. Paul Labor dren who may not otherwise receive Center. Afterward, they holiday gifts. Toys for older children – had a chance to walk on from ages 10 into their teens – are a the Xcel Energy Center particular area of need. ice. Trades Night is in its To support the drive, donate an second year, and will like - unwrapped toy (or two!) during busi - ly continue to take place ness hours at the Labor Center, 353 in October going forward. West 7th St., before Dec. 13. Union Advocate photos NOVEMBER -D ECEMBER 2019 • THE UNION ADVOCATE • 7 Tradeswomen Build Nations conference draws record crowd in Minneapolis

(C ONTINUED FROM PAGE 1) “This conference is a celebration of these trail - blazers and a testament to the growth of tradeswomen among our ranks,” North American Building Trades Unions (NABTU) President Sean McGarvey said. Additionally, the conference offered opportuni - ties for tradeswomen to share experiences and best practices for thriving in the industry, to learn about career-advancement opportunities and to engage with labor, political and industry leaders. They also enjoyed a rare shout-out from a Supreme Court justice. “Women who build are here to stay,” Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg told tradeswomen in a video greet - ing, which thrilled the standing-room-only crowd inside the Hilton ballroom. A major focus of the conference was increasing Minnesotans from three pipe trades unions – St. Paul Plumbers Local 34, Minneapolis Plumbers Local 15 and women’s participation in the construction work - St. Paul Pipefitters Local 455 – volunteered at Ascension House in Minneapolis on the opening day of force. About 3 percent of construction tradespeople Tradeswomen Build Nations. Pictured, L to R, are Jessica Lorentz, Jennifer Plaster, Tamika Foster, Tasha nationwide are women, but the rate is increasing Lawrence, Rebecca Zinke, Emily Heller and Clara Schiller. thanks, in part, to the efforts of building trades unions to recruit more women into their appren - ticeship training programs. “NABTU is committed to empowering current and future tradeswomen as we increase opportuni - ties for and retention rates of women in fulfilling union trade careers,” McGarvey said. “Every day, we recruit more women into great union construction apprenticeships and careers, and these trailblazing tradeswomen are moving up in the top ranks of leadership.” There are plenty of benefits to a career in the building trades: family-sustaining wages, high-qual - ity health insurance, retirement security and, notably for women, pay equity. Women working in the construction trades earn about 96 cents for every dollar earned by men, and under a union contract, the pay scale works the same for men and women workers alike. “You can support your family all on your own,” said Monique Lewis, a member of Steamfitters Local 469 from Phoenix. “It’s an amazing feeling to wake up and have all that earning opportunity in front of you.” “We’re half the population, and maybe 2 percent on the job site?” Foster added. “That’s a whole untapped labor market – half the world!” Early arrivers to the conference participated in a Day of Service Friday morning, coordinated by Minnesota’s tradeswomen group, Women Building Success. Some 200 tradeswomen packed 11,000 pounds of food for local food shelves at Second Harvest Heartland in Brooklyn Park. And 200 more spruced Tradeswoman volunteers at Ascension House includ - Members of Twin Cities-based District 82 of the up Haven Housing’s Ascension Place, a women’s ed (L to R) Jamie Joseph of Painters Local 61 in St. International Union of Painters and Allied Trades shelter in North Minneapolis. Paul, Timesha Beattie of Bricklayers Local 5 in marched together in the banner parade through down - As she stood atop a ladder painting a hallway in Houston, Carissa Shaffer of Local 61 and Keisha town Minneapolis. Ascension House, Timesha Beattie, a member of Campbell of Carpenters Local 327 in Boston. Union Advocate photos Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 5 in Houston, said she was excited to reconnect with the do, the ideas they’ve come up with to recruit and strongest economies in the nation, the best wage union sisters she met a year ago, when the confer - inspire more girls to join us.” theft law in the country, strong prevailing wage laws ence was in Seattle. Jessica Looman, director of the Minnesota State and incredible apprenticeship programs that con - “Last year I was completely amazed that we had Building and Construction Trades Council, said the tinue to increase the diversity and inclusion of our so many strong women working in the building record-breaking conference was the latest feather in unions,” she said. trades. It was inspiring,” Beattie said. “I’m looking her state’s cap. “Now, we can also say that we have hosted the forward to seeing what everyone has been able to “We are proud that Minnesota has one of the largest group of union tradeswomen in the world.” 8 • THE UNION ADVOCATE • NOVEMBER -D ECEMBER 2019 White Bear district seeks historic facilities investment

(C ONTINUED FROM PAGE 1) of the bunch. District leaders have pitched a $326 million package of technological, facility and safety improvements that would touch every building and program in the school system. It’s the largest school bond referendum ever to appear on a ballot in Minnesota, and it comes on the heels of months of strategic planning, which brought together residents with and without children, busi - ness owners, teachers and other district staff. Even if it passes, property owners in the White Bear district would still be paying less toward school debt, about $275 per year, than their counterparts in neigh - boring districts, who average about $317 per year. And taxpayers who file for the state’s property tax refund Volunteers from LIUNA Local 563, ATU Local 1005 and would see their burden cut by as much as 80 percent. IUPAT District Council 82 filled a Regional Labor Meanwhile, the building referendum provides Federation phone bank in support of the bond last month. an opportunity to address issues that have been bubbling to the surface within the community for high school is “something the community has over a decade, like concerns about school safety and wanted for a long time.” changing technology, as well as an expanding stu - With improvements proposed at every school dent population. site, and a brand new elementary school in Hugo, Tiffany Dittrich, president of the White Bear the White Bear bond would create hundreds of con - Lake Teachers Association, said the district antici - struction jobs. It would also strengthen and support pates an influx of up to 2,000 students over the next existing jobs in the district, which maintains 11 dif - 10 years. ferent collective bargaining agreements with local “We’re currently at capacity,” Dittrich said. “So unions. it’s critically important that we have additional Dittrich said she isn’t taking anything for grant - classroom space to be able to support those stu - ed, but she remains hopeful the referendum will dents.” pass Nov. 5. The building referendum also would fund con - “In my experience, the residents of the White struction of a unified high school in the district, Bear community support their schools,” she said. which currently splits students between north and “That support has contributed to an environment south campuses. Dittrich, in her 23rd year as a lan - that empowers me to support students and allow guage arts teacher at White Bear, said a single-site them to thrive educationally.” NOVEMBER -D ECEMBER 2019 • THE UNION ADVOCATE • 9 Election 2019

Volunteers with the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation gathered before a door- knock in support of Nelsie Yang, the labor-endorsed candidate for St. Paul City Council in Ward 6. submitted photo In St. Paul, city council candidates aim to build on new labor standards with enforcement, outreach In November 2015, when St. Paul is the labor-endorsed candidate in last held regular City Council elections, Ward 6. the city had no earned sick and safe In interviews with The Union time ordinance on the books, and hard - Advocate, all six endorsed candidates ly anyone at City Hall was talking about voiced support for backing up the city’s a $15 minimum wage. new labor standards with education What a difference four years make. and enforcement. Nelson called it “the When voters in St. Paul go back to next step to protecting our hard-fought the polls Nov. 5, they will weigh in on an victories … so working families in St. historic shift in the council’s work. Paul receive every dollar and day off Raising labor standards within the city they have earned.” limits, many council members said, is Already, workers have come forward work that would not have gotten done with complaints they are not getting the without the partnership of local unions. sick leave mandated by the new ordi - “It was definitely the catalyst,” said nance. Prince said that’s something the Ward 3’s Chris Tolbert, a lead author of city needs to fix soon – before the city - both the sick leave ordinance and the wide minimum wage kicks into effect $15 minimum wage. “My plan is to con - next year. tinue to partner with labor and look for “The city hasn’t been in the business ways we can enhance those protec - of enforcing labor laws before,” Prince tions, make sure there’s compliance said. “So now that we are, it’s really across the board and continue to look important that we be deliberate and for ways to have better working condi - intentional about it.” tions for St. Paul workers.” “Our endorsed candidates have Tolbert is one of five labor-endorsed proven they’re serious about listening incumbents seeking reelection, along to working people,” St. Paul Regional with Rebecca Noecker in Ward 2, Mitra Labor Federation President Bobby Jalali Nelson in Ward 4, Amy Kasper said. “They’ve earned our sup - Brendmoen in Ward 5 and Jane Prince port Nov. 5.” in Ward 7. Nelsie Yang, a member of the Read more of what the endorsed Communications Workers of America, candidates had to say on Page 10. 10 • THE UNION ADVOCATE • NOVEMBER -D ECEMBER 2019 Labor Endorsed: St. Paul City Council Ward 2: Rebecca Noecker Ward 3: Chris Tolbert Ward 4: Mitra Jalali Nelson

Rebecca Noecker isn’t run - Chris Tolbert doesn’t take the Running in a special elec - ning for school board, but she is labor endorsement lightly, and tion to fill the Ward 4 seat last putting public education at the he’s proved it over the last eight year, Mitra Jalali Nelson cam - forefront of her reelection cam - years representing Ward 3. paigned eagerly in support paign in Ward 2. He was the lead author of measures to address inequities Noecker is leading the push ordinances to raise the citywide that plague the city. She won for St. Paul 3k, a city-led effort minimum wage and guarantee decisively, just in time to cast a to ensure all families have earned sick and safe time to all vote in favor of the $15 mini - access to high-quality, afford - workers. And Tolbert champi - mum wage. able early childhood education. oned a measure to extend paid But Nelson isn’t about to Noecker lists the initiative among her top priori - parental leave to all city employees. stop fighting. ties, along with affordable housing and supporting A big reason why Tolbert supports labor’s issues? “We have a lot of work to do to make sure that small businesses. He’s a dues-paying member of a union himself. St. Paul is an equitable and safe place for working “I am deeply invested in creating opportunities Tolbert works as a lawyer in the Hennepin people to call home,” she said. “But we’ve made for young people,” the former middle school sci - County Attorney’s office, and he is a member of tremendous progress in just the one year alone ence teacher said. “While the St. Paul School Board Local 2938 of the American Federation of State, that I’ve been in office.” sets major policy for schools in the city, I believe County and Municipal Employees. As someone who rents her home, Nelson has the city has an important role to play in support - “I’m grateful for all that labor has done to been a fierce advocate for measures that make ing children and families.” improve the lives of workers not just in St. Paul, but housing more attainable and affordable in the city. Quality child care and preschool are unafford - across the state and across the country,” Tolbert said. It’s an essential part, she says, of making St. Paul a able for too many working families, preventing some “And I continue to appreciate the confidence unions place that’s livable for working families. parents from entering the workforce and leaving too have in me. It’s been an honor.” Nelson is currently working to pass new protec - many children unprepared for kindergarten. St. Paul While the council’s work to raise standards for tions for renters, and she helped secure a $10 mil - 3K seeks to create more equitable access to early people in low-wage jobs has drawn much attention, lion investment in the city’s Affordable Housing education by creating more options, simplifying the Tolbert is also working to attract good jobs to the Trust Fund. At the same time, she works to make early-education system and joining forces with the city. He co-founded Full Stack, a public-private part - sure city-backed development deals uphold com - county, school district and community. nership focused on attracting, retaining and growing munity – and labor – standards. It’s just one way the council member is putting innovative jobs and businesses, last year. “City development deals that receive public kids first. “I am also a strong voice on the council “We have to continue to make sure not only do subsidy or other public benefit should always have for the city’s Right Track youth-employment pro - we have living-wage jobs, but we’re continuing to to meet community benefits agreements that gram, and have consistently supported increased create more living-wage jobs,” he said, “so more include strong hiring, labor, prevailing wage and funding for Parks and Recreation programs that people can support their families and be able to live contract standards for developers and workers are free to all kids in the city,” she said. in a city like St. Paul.” involved with the project,” she said. Online: www.rebeccanoecker.com Online: www.christolbertmn.com Online: www.mitranelson.com

Ward 5: Amy Brendmoen Ward 6: Nelsie Yang Ward 7: Jane Prince

In the eight years Amy The culturally diverse East After taking her seat on the Brendmoen has served on the Side neighborhoods in St. Paul’s City Council in 2016, Jane City Council, St. Paul has Ward 6 include some of the Prince posed a question to folks emerged as a leader in advanc - city’s highest levels of concen - at City Hall, and she heard the ing policies that improve work - trated poverty. same answer from pretty much ing families’ quality of life. It’s a very different city than everyone she asked. Now, she says, it’s time for the one Nelsie Yang sees in There’s no way St. Paul will the rest of the country to catch other neighborhoods. ever open a new city-staffed rec up. “When I drive to more afflu - center again. “The $15 minimum wage ent, predominantly white areas, Three years later, Prince and earned sick and safe time will be the best poli - these places look drastically different from the East proved the doubters wrong, as she secured funding cies when they’re statewide and national policies,” Side,” Yang said. to reopen Highwood Hills, a rec center closed in Brendmoen said. “We need to take the momentum Now, the community organizer and daughter of 2008 when the city faced a deep budget shortfall. from the city level and help move that platform on Hmong refugees is running for City Council to make Prince and Mayor Melvin Carter cut the ribbon on a statewide basis.” sure the people who live in her neighborhood get Highwood Hills in last April. And yes, the facility is That won’t happen, she added, unless the city their fair share –“because we are not getting that on staffed by AFSCME-represented city employees. can show its new labor standards work. That the East Side of St. Paul right now,” she said. It’s a victory for families in Ward 7 and an means the council must take steps to adequately Yang wants to see the East Side get more infra - example, Prince said, of what the city can accom - educate the community about the new labor stan - structure investments, like roads, transit, bike plish by partnering with organized labor. dards and enforce them. lanes and walkways. She wants the East Side’s rec “Many of the best initiatives in our city come After being elected council president last year, centers to stay open longer and support children from our union brothers and sisters,” Prince said. Brendmoen now chairs the city’s budget commit - whose parents work multiple jobs. She wants the “The workers know what’s best, so when things tee. That means she’ll play a critical role in secur - city to strengthen renters’ rights and mandate that aren’t going right, there’s no one better to turn to ing funds for the city’s new office dedicated to developers doing business in the city commit to a than our employees.” implementing labor standards. minimum amount of affordable housing. The rec center isn’t the only example Prince Brendmoen knows she’s likely to hear from her And Yang, a steward in the Minnesota can cite. partners in the labor community along the way. Newspaper Guild-CWA’s bargaining unit at When the mayor floated the idea of eliminating “They know that I’m accessible and approach - TakeAction Minnesota, wants to partner with fines and fees to make the city’s libraries more acces - able, so I feel like I get calls, texts, emails and in- unions to get those things done. sible, AFSCME backed it. And the city’s approach to person visits often,” she said. “It helps make sure “Having the people power of labor unions and snow plowing vastly improved last year after Public we plan our policies right from the get-go. people working alongside each other, that’s how Works sought input from workers and their unions. “It seems like with lots of other advocates, the we will build toward a progressive future for all of “Complaints went way down,” she said, “and I really response comes after a policy is in place. But with us,” she said. “People are so ready to get invested feel confident that it was listening to our employees labor it happens before, after and during.” and activated.” that made all the difference.” Online: www.amyforcitycouncil.com Online: www.nelsieyang.com Online: janeprincew7.com NOVEMBER -D ECEMBER 2019 • THE UNION ADVOCATE • 11 12 • THE UNION ADVOCATE • NOVEMBER -D ECEMBER 2019 In Memoriam Labor movement mourns Debbie Wallace, Dick Savard The local labor movement lost two longtime union activists last month. Debbie Wallace, general manager of Impact Printing in St. Paul, died Oct. 1 at the age of 58. Dick Savard, former secretary-treasurer of Machinists Local Lodge 459, died Oct. 4 at 76. Wallace, who ran the union print shop on Rice Street for 30 years, was a familiar face to almost everyone active in labor or DFL politics in the Twin Cities. Impact Printing put its union bug on picket signs, bumper stickers, campaign pins, fliers and anything else that needed printing. Over the years, Impact assembled an impres - Wallace Savard sive archive of campaign materials in the shop’s lobby, where Wallace greeted customers with her smile. kind personality, wealth of selflessness and friendly Impact Printing remains open for business as a union shop, although the company has a new email address, [email protected]. Savard remained active in the Machinists union well into his retirement, receiving a 50-year mem - bership pin at the State Council’s meeting last March. He also carried on his work in the commu - nity, particularly with Guide Dogs of America, the union’s preferred charity. “Dick spent countless hours volunteering for this charity, primarily coordinating the Guide Dogs motorcycle run,” John Steigauf, directing business rep for District Lodge 77, told the Minneapolis Labor Review. “Even when his health was waning this year, he made it a priority to attend the event because it meant that much to him.” Savard was a longtime delegate to the St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly, a forerunner to the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation, throughout his career, and he was an active member of the Assembly’s Community Services Program. NOVEMBER -D ECEMBER 2019 • THE UNION ADVOCATE • 13 Labor News in Review $15 CLOSE TO LANDING AT MSP The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) introduced an ordinance Oct. 7 that would raise the minimum wage for all workers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, putting the facility’s labor standards on par with those in the City of Minneapolis. If approved by commissioners, the airport’s minimum wage would increase to $13.25 per hour July 1, 2020. It would increase by another dollar July 1, 2021, and reach $15 on the same date in 2022. The rate would adjust for inflation Jan. 1 of each subsequent year. Unions applauded the proposed ordinance, which covers all work done at the airport with no exemptions for tipped workers or employees covered by col - lective bargaining agreements. Concerns that the MAC might carve out lower minimum-wage rates for some workers prompted hundreds of Minnesotans to attend a public hearing on the airport minimum wage Sept. 23 in Bloomington. Of more than 50 peo - ple who spoke at the hearing, not one voiced opposition to $15. “To make ends meet I have to work two jobs. Because of this reality I am rarely able to see my kids and family,” Herbert Lubega, a cook at MSP and mem - Members of LIUNA, including St. Paul Regional Labor Federation President ber of UNITE HERE Local 17, said at a press conference staged by worker groups Bobby Kasper (R), gathered for a photo with Reps. Angie Craig and Peter before the hearing. “One job should be enough. That’s why we need $15 for all DeFazio at the St. Paul Labor Center last month. submitted photo workers at MSP.” In addition to Local 17, worker groups supporting the fight for $15 at MSP TALKING INFRASTRUCTURE include the Service Employees International Union, IAM Delta Workers Unite, The Minnesota State Building and Construction Trades Council and Teamsters Local 120, and Restaurant Opportunities Center Minnesota. the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation co-hosted a public discussion last month with two members of the U.S. House Transportation and STRIKE AVERTED IN ELK RIVER Infrastructure Committee. Rep. Angie Craig, a DFLer who represents A week after voting to authorize their bargaining committee to call a 10-day Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District, and Committee Chair Peter strike, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota members who work at Guardian Angels Care DeFazio of Oregon warned that the nation’s aging infrastructure is a poten - Center in Elk River reached a tentative agreement with their employer on a new tial disaster waiting to happen. union contract. They voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying the pact three “We’re living off of Eisenhower-era infrastructure,” DeFazio told union days later. members at the event. “It’s past time to do something about it.” The three-year contract includes DeFazio and Craig said Democrats had hoped President Trump, who pay increases of 7.5% over the life of pledged $1 trillion for infrastructure during his campaign, would work with the contract, with retroactive pay for them on a bipartisan funding package, but those hopes fizzled soon after he hours logged since the previous con - took office. Now Democrats are close to unveiling a plan of their own. tract expired. The union also won “We’re going to challenge the president to support it or not,” DeFazio improvements to staffing, hiring said. “Put up or shut up.” bonuses and access to Guardian Meanwhile, Craig admitted she is bracing for a tough reelection cam - Angels’ facility for its representatives, paign in 2020. She became the first DFLer in decades to win the south-sub - giving SEIU members a true voice on urban district in 2018, with support from the St. Paul RLF and other the job for the first time in 30 years. unions. But House Republicans, she said, are likely to make her race “their Workers hope the new contract top target in the country in 2020.” will help address staffing shortages DeFazio urged union members to get behind Craig: “I wouldn’t be a and the employer’s use of temporary chairman if it weren’t for Angie and the members of her freshman class.” SEIU Healthcare Minnesota members workers – issues that prompted a picketed outside Guardian Angels during two-day strike at the facility in June. a two-day strike in June. file photo The bargaining team released the following statement following the membership vote to approve the agreement: “After a long and drawn-out fight, we voted to approve our contract today and won an important victory for workers, residents and our whole communi - ty. We are so proud that we won the right to have union access, retro pay and pay increases that will help recruit and retain the staff that make this the Five Star facility that it is. We learned through the last six months that SEIU’s saying is true: When We Fight, We Win!” 14 • THE UNION ADVOCATE • NOVEMBER -D ECEMBER 2019

Union pipefitters gathered for breakfast Oct. 5 in Roseville before their annual volunteer event, Project Heat’s On. Some 200 members participated. Union Advocate photo As winter approaches, union pipefitters ensure ‘Heat’s On’ for low-income, senior homeowners Some 200 union pipefitters fanned out across Project Heat’s On is made possible by three homeowners in need of assistance. This year 120 the state Oct. 5, giving up their Saturday to provide United Association local unions: St. Paul and homeowners – from the Twin Cities, St. Cloud and free furnace repairs and inspections to senior, low- Mankato Pipefitters Local 455, Minneapolis and St. Rochester areas – were treated to no-cost assistance income and disabled homeowners as part of Project Cloud Pipefitters Local 539 and Rochester Plumbers from a local union member. Heat’s On. and Pipefitters Local 6, as well as the Minnesota Since Heat’s On started in 1986, union pipefitters The community-service program prepares resi - Mechanical Contractors Association. have volunteered more than 36,000 hours of skilled dents for winter by repairing furnaces, helping The unions and their contractors work with labor, with a value of over $3.8 million. In total, 8,244 reduce energy costs and prevent heat failure. Community Action Partnership agencies to identify households have received assistance.

Labor Blood Drive Dec. 3 The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will make its annual stop at the St. Paul Labor Center Dec. 3, and union members, retirees and friends of labor are needed to donate blood. To schedule an appointment between 2 and 7 p.m., contact Lynne Larkin-Wright, AFL-CIO Community Services liaison, at 651-222-3787, extension 116, or at [email protected]. The Labor Center is located at 353 West 7th St., St. Paul. The annual blood drive is co-sponsored by the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation, St. Paul Labor Studies and Resource Center and its AFL-CIO Community Services program, Greater Twin Cities United Way and the American Red Cross. Make a holiday gift to Labor of Love St. Paul Labor Studies and Resource Center, the nonprofit arm of the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation, will collect cash donations to the annual Labor of Love Sponsor a Family holiday drive through Nov. 19. Each year, Labor of Love donations are pooled to purchase gift cards from union grocers. LSRC staff then distributes the gift cards to St. Paul-based agen - During FamilyWise’s Fall Fundraiser at Surly Brewing Oct. 14, Executive Director Ann Gaasch (R) present - cies – including Catholic Charities, Sponsor A Family ed a volunteer award to Machinists District 77 Secretary-Treasurer Ko Vang (L), Vice President Kera MN, Jewish Community Center and the LSRC’s own Peterson and Business Representative John Duerscherl. Union Advocate photo Emergency Fund – so that families in need will not go without food during the holidays. FamilyWise honors Machinists union volunteers All gifts are tax-deductible. To contribute, mail a check to “Labor Studies Resource Center (LSRC) FamilyWise Services recognized Machinists “FamilyWise is a fairly scrappy organization. Labor of Love – Sponsor a Family” and mail it to District Council 77 with an award for volunteer We invest a lot of our money back in our pro - LSRC – AFL-CIO Community Services Program, Attn: service to the nonprofit organization at its Fall gramming and our talented staff,” FamilyWise Laura, 353 West 7th St., Suite 201, St. Paul, MN 55102. Fundraiser Oct. 14. Associate Director Bernell Buchanan told The FamilyWise, based in the Twin Cities, works to Union Advocate during a volunteer day last year. Raise your voice in the Labor Chorus strengthen families by promoting the safety, sta - “So getting stuff done around our facilities – it’s bility and well-being of children. the last thing that the money goes to, so it’s the The Twin Cities Labor Chorus is seeking new The organization operates facilities in last thing that gets done.” voices. The chorus, which performs at union rallies, Minneapolis and St. Paul, and in previous years Three District 77 leaders – Business on picket lines and elsewhere within the labor com - volunteers from the Machinists have helped reha - Representative John Duerscherl, Vice President munity, rehearses the second, fourth and fifth bilitate, repair and spruce up those buildings as Kera Peterson and Secretary-Treasurer Ko Vang – Tuesdays of each month at the Minnesota AFL-CIO part of the union’s IAM HELPS initiative, which attended the Fall Fundraiser to accept the award. offices in St. Paul, at 175 Aurora Ave. increases awareness of the work Machinists do Learn more about FamilyWise and its work All voice parts and ages are welcome to join the for their neighbors. online at familywiseservices.org. chorus. Contact director Josh Wise at tclaborshorus @gmail.com or 952-818-5474 for more information. NOVEMBER -D ECEMBER 2019 • THE UNION ADVOCATE • 15 Minutes of the Saint Paul Regional Labor Federation

OCTOBER 9, 2019 The Saint Paul Regional Labor Wall of Beer winner at Oktoberfest Federation met in regular session on Notice of the above date and was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance by Nominations President Kasper at 6 p.m. Board mem - The St. Paul Regional bers in attendance were Beedle B, Beedle G, Beissel, DeRoy, Dreyer, Labor Federation will Engeldorf, Faber, Gibbons, Gorman, hold nominations for Guertin, Kasper, Luneburg, Madden, seats on its Executive Maki-Green, McCarthy, McNamara, Board during the Mullin, Robles, Sansom, Schmidt, Slattery, St. Aoro, Terry, VanDassor, and Dec. 11 meeting. Varco. Excused were Ryan. Absent were Haugen, Hoppe, Markham-Kocurek, Meyer, Monsour, Seath and Weed. Board. • President Kasper called for a – WASHINGTON COUNTY LABOR moment of silence for Deb Wallace, ASSEMBLY: Justin Olson, Cottage Grove Impact Printing, and Richard ‘Dick” City Council Special Election; Melinda Savard, IAMAW Local 459. Dols, South Washington School Board; Louise Hinz, South Washington School GUESTS Board; Simi Patnaik, South Washington • David Wakely, Assistant Director School Board. of Census Operations and Engagement, • Kera Peterson, Political Director, spoke to the delegation regarding deter - and Colleen Nocerini, Political Organizer, mination of district lines. We need to fill updated the committee on: Phone out the census forms so that we can Banks for the White Bear Lake Schools get a complete count in the State of Bond Referendum on Oct. 8, 10, 22 Minnesota. This helps us determine and 24, 2019 here at the St. Paul where the money goes. Labor Center; and the Door Knock for • The President of the Minnesota Nelsie Yang, Ward 6, on Sunday, Oct. Postal Workers Association spoke to 20, 2019 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Saint the delegation regarding the fight Paul Federation of Educators, located at Aaron Young, a Regional Labor Federation delegate from the American Postal Workers Union, against privatization of the Post Office. 23 Empire Drive in St. Paul. They submitted a request to Governor • PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Kasper held the winning ticket for the Wall of Beer drawing during last month’s Oktoberfest fundraiser. Walz to proclaim Nov. 27, 2019, Public spoke to the committee regarding finan - Proceeds from Wall of Beer, as well as food and drink sales during Oktoberfest, benefitted the National Post Office Day. cial support for upcoming mailings that RLF’s nonprofit St. Paul Labor Studies and Resource Center, which provides guidance and sup - • Mayor Melvin Carter thanked the will be done. port to union members and families facing financial hardship. Thank you to everyone who COPE Committee and the RLF. We have • M/S/C TO RECOMMEND an appropriate partnership with labor GRANTING LABOR ENDORSEMENT TO made the event a success! Union Advocate photo and there are opportunities to build on HEIDI DANIELSON, MOUNDS VIEW the big vision and reinvest in the City of SCHOOL BOARD; JIM DEMAY, • President Kasper reported on the Minnesota LECET for the RLF’s $1,000 mendations to grant labor endorse - Saint Paul. MOUNDS VIEW SCHOOL BOARD; following: contribution to the Laborers Family Fun- ment. JONATHAN WEINHAGEN, MOUNDS – UAW Auto Workers Picket in Raiser, Teamsters Local 120 and Home M/S/C TO GRANT LABOR MINUTES VIEW SCHOOL BOARD; JUSTIN Hudson regarding the issue of Health for our Troops for the RLF’s $1,000 con - ENDORSEMENTS TO: HEIDI DANIEL - M/S/C TO APPROVE MINUTES OLSON, COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUN - Insurance & temporary workers. Kasper tribution to the Homes for our Troops, SON, MOUNDS VIEW SCHOOL BOARD; OF AUG. 14, 2019, AND SEPT. 11, CIL SPECIAL ELECTION; MELINDA thanked Kera Peterson, the UAW Auto and UAW Local 722 for the RLF’s sup - JIM DEMAY, MOUNDS VIEW SCHOOL 2019, AS PUBLISHED IN THE UNION DOLS, SOUTH WASHINGTON COUNTY Workers and union leaders who showed port on the picket line. BOARD; JONATHAN WEINHAGEN, ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER AFTER THE SCHOOL BOARD; LOUISE HINZ, up in Hudson to support the Auto There being no further business to MOUNDS VIEW SCHOOL BOARD; SECRETARY NOTES THERE ARE NO SOUTH WASHINGTON COUNTY Workers. The Regional Labor Federation come before this committee the meet - JUSTIN OLSON, COTTAGE GROVE CITY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES CALLED SCHOOL BOARD; SIMI PATNAIK, offered them Community Services ing adjourned. COUNCIL SPECIAL ELECTION; MELIN - FOR. SOUTH WASHINGTON SCHOOL Resources. DA DOLS, SOUTH WASHINGTON BOARD; ADAM SYCHLA, FALCON – I attended the St. Paul Teachers REPORT OF THE TREASURER SCHOOL BOARD; LOUISE HINZ, COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL; AND Association bargaining session and Secretary-Treasurer Engeldorf SOUTH WASHINGTON SCHOOL EDUCATION (COPE) MINUTES YAKASAH WEHYEE, FALCON HEIGHTS there is another session tomorrow. reported on the financial status of the BOARD; SIMI PATNAIK, SOUTH WASH - OCTOBER 9, 2019 CITY COUNCIL. – I met with the President of Federation as of September 2019. The INGTON SCHOOL BOARD; ADAM COPE met in regular session on • M/S/C FOR THE RLF TO MAKE AFSCME Local 3931 to get them to report was accepted as read. SYCHLA, FALCON HEIGHTS CITY the above date and was called to order ANOTHER $500 CONTRIBUTION TO affiliate with the Saint Paul RLF. COUNCIL; AND YAKASAH WEHYEE, by President Kasper at 5 p.m. Board SENATOR MATT LITTLE, SENATE DIS - – We will be having our 2019 PRESIDENT’S REPORT FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL. members in attendance were TRICT 58. Holiday Party at the IBEW Local 110 Kasper reported on: UAW Auto Angrimson, Beedle B, Beedle G, • M/S/C FOR THE RLF TO MAKE union hall on Dec. 11, 2019, from 7 to Workers Picket, the St. Paul Teachers GOOD AND WELFARE Beissel, DeRoy, Dreyer, Edwards, A $500 CONTRIBUTION TO STATE 10 p.m. Association negotiations, AFSCME Local • We will be organizing Toys for Engeldorf, Faber, Froemke, Gibbons, REPRESENTATIVE JOHN HUOT, 57B. • ORGANIZING/UPDATES/CAM - 3931 affiliating and the 2019 Holiday Tots and are looking for volunteers to Gorman, Guertin, Hoerth, Kasper, • M/S/C FOR THE RLF TO MAKE PAIGNS: Thank you to those who Party at the IBEW Local 110 union hall pass out presents through the Luneburg, Madden, Maki-Green, Mayer, A $600 CONTRIBUTION TO ANGELA attended the public hearing for $15 on Dec. 11, 2019. Salvation Army. Please focus gifts/toys McCarthy, McNamara, Mullin, Robles, THOMPSON, WHITE BEAR LAKE NOW at MSP International Airport. This between the ages of 13-17 years old. Sansom, Schmidt, Slattery, St. Aoro, SCHOOL BOARD. week the first committee meeting for STAFF/LABOR LIAISON REPORTS • Vice President Perry Schmidt has Terry, VanDassor, Varco and Wise. • M/S/C FOR THE RLF TO SPON - the ordinance to be passed. • Lynne Larkin-Wright, Community been elected as President of the Excused were Ryan. Absent were SOR A TABLE FOR $1,250 AT THE • REQUESTS: Services liaison, announced our Annual Minnesota State National Letter Haugen, Hoppe, Krey, Lohmann, 2019 MINNESOTA DFL FOUNDS DAY – M/S/C FOR THE RLF TO Labor-Red Cross Blood Drive will be on Carriers Association. Markham-Kocurek, Meyer, Monsour, BEING HELD ON FRIDAY, DEC. 6, ENDORSE SUPPORT AND MAKE A Tuesday, Dec. 3, here at the Labor • The Saint Paul Building Trades is Qualy, Seath and Weed. 2019 AT THE MINNEAPOLIS HILTON $500 CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS TO Center from 2 to 7 p.m. sponsoring a Building Trades Night for Items to come before this board BALLROOM. THE VOTE YES FOR ST. PAUL CAM - • There are 74 UAW Auto Workers the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, Oct. 20, included: • THANK YOU NOTES received PAIGN. are on strike in Hudson regarding 2019. Please talk to Don Mullin for pur - • The RLF COPE Board members from Angie Craig for Robert Kasper and – M/S/C FOR THE RLF TO MAKE health care issues and full- time chase of tickets. screened and requested consideration the RLF’s support. A $500 CONTRIBUTION TO CTUL’S employment for temporary workers. The • M/S/C TO CONSIDER PUR - of granting Labor Endorsement to Adam There being no further business to NINTH ANNUAL GALA ON OCT. 24, strike line is 24/7 at 2200 Willis Miller CHASING WOMEN’S NATIONAL BAS - Sychla, Falcon Heights City Council, and come before this committee the meet - 2019. Drive in Hudson, Wis. They are looking KETBALL ASSOCIATION TICKETS TO Yakasah Wehyee, Falcon Heights City ing adjourned. – M/S/C FOR THE RLF TO PUR - for gas cards and County Market and BE RAFFLED. Council. CHASE MINNESOTA WILD TICKETS TO Cub Food gift cards. • M/S/C TO DO SOMETHING • Request for Labor Endorsement EXECUTIVE BOARD MINUTES BE RAFFLED AT RLF MEETINGS FOR FOR THE VETERANS IN THE FUTURE. recommendations from the following OCTOBER 9, 2019 MEETING ATTENDANCE, VOLUNTEERS REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES There being no further business to assemblies. The Executive Board met upon con - AND FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES AND President Kasper deferred all com - come before this delegation the meet - – RAMSEY COUNTY LABOR clusion of COPE with those same mem - AT THE DISCRETION OF PRESIDENT mittee reports due to Oktoberfest. ing adjourned. ASSEMBLY: Heidi Danielson, Mounds bers present who are duly elected to KASPER. View School Board; Jim DeMay, Mounds this board. • THANK YOU NOTES received NEW BUSINESS Submitted by, View School Board; and Jonathan Items to come before this board from IUPAT for the RLF’s $500 contribu - President Kasper called for a floor BERNADINE ENGELDORF Weinhagen, Mounds View School included: tion to their PATCH golf fundraiser, vote on the COPE committee’s recom - Secretary-Treasurer 16 • THE UNION ADVOCATE • NOVEMBER -D ECEMBER 2019 Exit Interview: Tina Smith A fighter for working families in the U.S. Senate

Tina Smith isn’t on the ballot this November, with upwards of 22,000 Minnesotans enrolled in it. but for Minnesota’s junior U.S. senator, the reprieve I tell my Republican colleagues this is an issue from campaigning will be brief. The seat Smith that’s not only affecting workers, but also affecting won in 2018 goes back on the ballot in November businesses. Many businesses also did everything 2020, and the race already has attracted a well- right and paid into these pensions that now are funded opponent in former 2nd District Rep. Jason facing a lot of insecurity... This is not an example of Lewis. mismanagement or somebody doing something For working families, the contrast couldn’t be wrong. It is through no fault of anybody that these sharper. pension plans are struggling, and it’s going to be to While Lewis’ signature achievement was a tax the benefit of all of us if we step in and make sure break that overwhelmingly benefited corporations they get stabilized. and the wealthy, Smith has a track record of putting What happens with Butch Lewis is really an working people first, one that dates back to her open question after the work we did last year to try work in Gov. Mark Dayton’s administration, when to come up with a compromise plan. We weren’t she worked closely with Minnesota’s unions. able to persuade the Republicans to come up with Smith has maintained those ties in the Senate, something, but we’re continuing to try to find a where she’s emerged as a leading voice on the way. Time is of the essence. Committee on Health, Education, Labor and UA: So much of the focus in Washington is on Sen. Tina Smith talked with Steve Frisque (R), a stew - Pensions, advancing issues like equal pay and pen - the president, whether it’s his Tweets or his scan - ard of UAW Local 722 and resident of Woodbury, on sion reform. She offered insight into that work last dals. Is there room for action on issues of impor - the picket line in Hudson, Wis., during the General month in an interview with The Union Advocate. tance to working families – like an infrastructure Motors strike. Union Advocate photo UA: Your committee recently held the new labor jobs bill – where there might be common ground? secretary’s confirmation hearings. What did you TS: I think that the House of Representatives to do the work in high schools and even middle learn? has demonstrated they can move forward positive schools so that young women are exposed to career TS: I voted against Gene Scalia for labor secre - legislation to improve people’s lives. They passed opportunities, so they can find the good-paying tary because I felt that a person who dedicated his the Butch Lewis Act. The problem we have right jobs that are more than jobs, they are careers. life to fighting for management and against labor is now is that the U.S. Senate is the place where good The other thing, since you mentioned infra - not the kind of leadership we need at the ideas go to die. Mitch McConnell moves forward structure, I remember the work I did when I was Department of Labor. The DOL was established as nominations like Gene Scalia for the DOL, but lieutenant governor to get the new Vikings stadium an agency that was solidly fighting for the needs of dozens of bills that would help working families sit built, and the large number of women trades mem - workers, whether it’s fair working conditions, safe at the doorstep of the U.S. Senate and he refuses to bers who participated on that work site. That’s just working conditions, fair wages, a secure retirement take them up. He doesn’t have do that, but that’s one example of the kind of big infrastructure proj - – that’s the purpose of the DOL. To have somebody what he chooses to do. He’s turned the U.S. Senate ects we ought to be funding and supporting be nominated who has consistently fought on the into a personnel agency for the White House, and because they make our country more competitive, other side of all those issues seemed to be com - it’s a big problem. and they create such great jobs. pletely wrong. UA: Minneapolis recently hosted a convention UA: You’ve worked closely with organized labor But now he’s in this role, and I will do every - with 2,500 tradeswomen from across the country going back to your time in the Dayton administra - thing I can to make sure he fulfills the promise of and Canada. What can Congress do to get more tion, when we watched the tide turn for unions in the DOL. women into high-paying jobs like these? Wisconsin. That pendulum has swung back. UA: You’ve been active in the fight to protect TS: I had a chance to go and hang out with Unions have never been as popular as they are pensions since before you were appointed to the some of those amazing tradeswomen, and drink a now. Why do you think that is, and what can feder - Senate. Where does that work stand, and what bar - beer made by a Minnesota women-owned brewery. al lawmakers do to seize that momentum and help riers are you running into? I played hammerschlagen and did not do well, but more people win a voice on the job? TS: I’m proud to be a co-sponsor of the Butch it was great just to be with these powerful, ener - TS: Wherever I go, when I’m talking to people, I Lewis Act, which is a practical and common-sense getic tradeswomen who are really breaking barriers remind them of the contributions organized labor way to make sure people who did everything right, every day in the building trades, fighting for their has made. Whether you’re a union member or not, who paid into their pensions, who sacrificed cur - opportunity to fill those jobs. It was wonderful that if you enjoy a weekend off, thank a labor union. If rent earnings for their retirement security aren’t the Twin Cities was able to host that group. you enjoy overtime or a safe pension, thank a labor penalized. I know that many of my brothers and sisters in union. If you work in a safe job with good working I raised this (issue) with Mr. Scalia when he the building trades are focused on expanding conditions, thank a labor union – and remember came to my office for an interview, and I raised it opportunities for women. We need to especially the 150 who died in the Triangle Shirtwaist fire. again during the confirmation hearing. And I’m support union apprenticeship programs in the One of the challenges we have in this country is going to continue to raise it. This is an issue that is building trades and other areas, and make sure that there has been a concerted, coordinated effort to really important to the Central States Pension Plan, there’s lots of room for women. And I think we need weaken organized labor. You see it in so-called right to work laws. You see it in the challenges and barriers that have been thrown up to stop people who want to come together and organize for better wages and working conditions. And, I think, as people become more aware of those challenges, we become better able to fight back. Last, I’ll say the blatant inequity in CEO salaries compared to the wages regular workers are making is becoming more and more apparent. We were talking about this last week while I was walking the picket line with UAW workers. The CEO of General Motors took home $22 million in total compensa - tion last year, yet UAW workers are fighting to get rid of this two-tiered wage system, which has peo - ple working side by side on the line and the non- legacy or temporary worker is making a fraction of what the long-term worker makes? That’s just wrong. And I think people are ready to rise to the occasion and fight back.