WEDNESDAY APRIL 17, 2019 VOL. 125, NO. 18 (ISSN 0023-6667) An Injury to One is an Injury to All! Twin Ports prepares for Workers Memorial Day The Twin Ports Labor com- Breakfast will be offered in the able for obeying safety and labor munity will be joining with Duluth Labor Temple’s laws, and issued Executive Order Head of the Lakes United Way Wellstone and Freeman halls 13771, which requires that for and other community partners from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. All are wel- every new protection, two exist- in observing Workers come. At 9:15, the community ing safeguards must be repealed. Memorial Day next week. will hold a brief ceremony and Trump’s proposed 2020 The day is meant to give plant a tree outside the building. budget would slash the communities the chance to The Superior Workers Department of Labor’s budget remember fallen workers and Memorial Day event will be held by 10%; cut coal mine enforce- renew the call for safe work- Wednesday, April 24. The pan- ment and eliminate worker safe- places and job sites. Every April cake breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. ty and health training programs; 28, AFL-CIO unions across the at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, eliminate the Chemical Safety nation observe Workers which is right next to the UW- Board; and cut NIOSH’s job Memorial Day to honor the Superior campus. This will be safety research by $146 million. thousands of workers killed on followed up with a tree planting The administration also to the agency. It has also and refuge alternatives in coal the job and the millions more at Wade Bowl Park, on the corner delayed enforcement of delayed action on new OSHA mines, and suspended work on who suffer injury or illness. of N. 12th St. and Clough Ave. OSHA’s silica standard in con- standards on workplace vio- new standards on silica and The Occupational Safety & Workers rights and safety struction 2017, allowing con- lence and emergency planning. proximity detection systems Health Act was passed by have suffered under the Trump tinued high exposures to dead- Other changes include weaken- for mobile mining equipment. Congress on April 28, 1970, administration, which has ly silica dust, and revoked a ing key provisions of MSHA’s Hiding data about safety on and promised every worker the repealed OSHA rule requiring requirement for large employ- mine examination rule for the job has also been a priority right to a safe job. employers to keep accurate ers to report detailed injury metal and nonmetal mines after for the Trump administration: In Duluth, the observation injury records, repealed the Fair data to OSHA after delaying delaying the rule for months, It has stopped posting informa- will be held on Monday. April Pay and Safe Workplaces rule to requirement for all employers and abandoning work on new tion on all worker fatalities 29. A free, complete Solidarity hold federal contractors account- to submit summary injury data MSHA rules for civil penalties reported to OSHA. Union activist’s story sparks major push for labor law reform in U.S. House By Mark Gruenberg didn’t. And after Fuyao illegally spoke up strongly for enactment Republican witness from the elections. It would mandate PAI Staff Writer fired Harper for her union of a pro-worker rewrite of the vicious and venal National automatic and immediate rein- WASHINGTON (PAI)— activism in 2017 – thus chilling nation’s extremely weak 84- Right to Work Committee, tes- statement for illegally fired Every day Cynthia Harper her colleagues and defeating the year-old National Labor tified the new Trump-named workers, like Harper. It would went to work for two years, UAW’s organizing drive just Relations Act. Harper told the GOP NLRB majority is restor- ease the way for NLRB injunc- from early 2015 to early 2017, days later – co-worker Ricky House Health, Education, Labor ing those management prerog- tions against labor law-break- at the Fuyao Glass America Patterson was crushed to death and Pensions subcommittee atives. ing firms. plant in Moraine, Ohio, she last March 20, caught between a members her retaliatory firing is The major labor law reform And it would impose real wondered if she’d come home mis-driven forklift and 2,097 a frequent boss response to measure, drafted by committee fines and punishment on labor alive. pounds of industrial glass. organizing drives. members and staffers in con- law-breakers, rather than the She didn’t have such wor- The contrast between work- Illegal retaliation isn’t the sultation with the AFL-CIO, current sanctions. Kirk said ries, she told lawmakers, when ing conditions at the unionized only management tactic that would remove most, if not all, those amount to NLRB orders she toiled at that then-union- GM plant and the non-union helped bring union density in those roadblocks. It would ease See REFORM...page 4 ized GM bus and truck assem- Fuyao plant which succeeded it the U.S. down to 10.5 percent, the path to union recognition bly plant for the prior 14 years. in the same building, and also and just under 7 percent in the That plant, she said, had a Fuyao’s retaliation against her, private sector. Others include What’s inside this issue? health and safety committee, brought Harper to Washington “captive audience” meetings regular consultations on safety on March 26 to testify for com- which bosses force workers to Letter Carriers’ food drive on May 11...page 2 issues and the union contract prehensive labor law reform. attend – under threat of punish- Health care workers at IFCC join AFSCME...page 5 protected workers who spoke Unionization, witnesses ment – to listen to anti-union Thousands strike against Stop & Shop...page 6 up. told lawmakers, not only propaganda. And bosses hire It also had high health and improves workers’ wages and “consultants” aka union- An interview with the new DLI commissioner...page 7 safety standards. Fuyao Glass benefits, but more importantly, busters, as Fuyao did, for Tell Super One to treat UFCW workers fairly...page 8 gives workers a voice and $800,000, against the UAW. Proposal targets workplace assaults...page 9 leverage on the job, including Bosses also issue illegal VA nurses protest working conditions...page 10 on health and safety. threats to close and move, Legislation targets on-the-job harassment...page 11 And it even benefits non- which Harper described to the union workers. panel. Kirk added there are These dudes are profiting off GM plant closures...page 12 As Washington University numerous management road- Speculation fueled GM plant closures...page 13 of St. Louis sociology profes- blocks and stalling tactics to Radical right takes aim at PLAs...page 14 sor Jake Rosenfeld put it, when both organizing drives and bar- Book Review: Good Trouble...page 15 a non-union plant is next to an gaining first contracts. Trade Union Directory...page 16 union plant, the non-union The Democratic majority plant raises wages and under the prior National Labor News Guild pushes pay equity...page 18 improves benefits “to try to Relations Board started remov- Phony ‘crisis’ scapegoats Postal unions...page 19 keep the union out.” ing the various management AFSCME holds strong after Janus...page 20 Harper, Rosenfeld and pro- blockades, but several witness- Register your golf scramble team...page 20 worker labor lawyer Devki Kirk es, including Kirk and the Letter Carriers’ Food Drive set for May 11 The 27th annual Letter Carriers’ “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive will be held Saturday, May 11. On the sec- ond Saturday of May, just set out your non-perishable food well before your letter carri- Success! er’s normal pick-up time. The After three votes, USW 1028 has ratified a six-year con- earlier the better! Note that tract at ME Global. “This should benefit all union members carriers will be delivering and and their families for years to come,” said Mike Connolly, collecting mail as usual, on vice president of USW 1028. top of collecting food dona- tions, so that pickup time could be slightly later than Come help with spring clean-up usual. Your letter carrier might Maintaining the Labor on Saturday, April 27, from 8 also have helpers. A good rule Temple takes a lot of effort, a.m. to noon, there will be a of thumb is to have the bags and by working together we variety of projects to keep by your mailbox by 9 a.m. can minimize expenses. To everyone busy, regardless of The top requested non-per- continue the tradition of volun- skill level. Please bring gloves, ishable food items are: cereal, teering to maintain the Duluth rakes, shovels and brooms. pasta, pasta sauce or spaghetti Labor Temple, you’re invited Refreshments will be provided. sauce, rice, canned fruits and to help with this year’s spring We look forward to seeing you vegetables, canned meals clean-up. Weather permitting, April 27! (such as soups, chili and pasta), 100% juice, peanut Musolf endorsed in SLC race butter, macaroni & cheese, canned protein (tuna, chicken Keith Musolf, a union organ- Stauber, was elected to represent and turkey), beans (canned or izer with Ironworkers Local the 8th Congressional District in 512, was endorsed by the Duluth 2018. dry). You also can donate Central Labor Body in his effort This is Musolf’s first try at healthy, low-sodium, low- to fill the vacant 5th District seat politics and he said he’s interest- sugar items such as beans, oat- on the St. Louis County Board. ed in making sure Labor issues meal and other whole grains, There will be a primary on are strongly considered at the and canola or olive oil. Baby May 14 and the top two candi- county level. PLEASE MENTION THIS LABOR WORLD AD food may be donated by the dates will face off in a special After the special election this case or pallet, but single item election on August 13. Early vot- year, the seat will come up again donations present potential ing for the primary is now open. on the November 2020 ballot. contamination risks and spe- The seat became vacant Musolf faces two other candi- cial handling requirements. when the previous hodler, Pete dates in the May primary. No special bags are need- ed. Paper is sturdy and tends to hold more food, while plastic holds up better if it gets wet (in Safety doesn't have to mean ugly the rain, etc.). Cloth bags or boxes are also fine. All food stays in your local community. If you would like to volunteer with food distribution and sorting call your local post office and ask to speak to the local food drive person there. Many food banks have a great need for volunteers on Food DIVORCE • PATERNITY Drive Day. CUSTODY/PARENTING TIME GRANDPARENTING RIGHTS IBEWIBEW 3131 &242242 STEP PARENT ADOPTIONS The look of dress eyewear while FELONIES • DUI/DWI Retirees’Retirees’ exceeding OSHA requirements. MISDEMEANORS • OFPS/HROS LuncheonLuncheon 2002 Tues., April 30 LONDON 1:00 p.m. ROAD Aces on 29th DULUTH in Superior 728-2863 There will be a Blue OFF COUPON Cross Blue Shield $ presentation during 25 On Complete Eyewear the luncheon. NO OTHER DISCOUNTS APPLY Don’t mourn; organize!

PAGE 2 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 Labor relations shouldn’t be hard By Catherine Conlan taining company owned wind Is Al Hodnik a friend of turbines located on MINNTAC’s Labor? mining property near Mountain That was my question for Iron, MN. This was a group of Will Keyes, business manager at four employees, and the IBEW Local 31. The local rep- Company likely spent tens of resents employees at several thousands of dollars to ensure ALLETE Companies including the group didn’t come into the Minnesota Power, where existing labor agreement. It took Hodnik is CEO — and makes approximately two years to get a his opinions about Labor clear. contract for this group and The company has rocked the involved a Federal Court Case, boat over the past few years. an Unfair Labor Practice, and Hodnik was in the process of ultimately arbitration. All Local taking over as CEO in 2009, and 31 was asking for was to have that year’s contract negotiations the Wind Tech’s treated the same reached an impasse over wages, as other bargaining unit employ- long-term disability, workers ees. The most recent groups that compensation and pension. The chose to join Local 31 were the contract was ultimately decided Distribution Service by an arbitrator, eliminating the Representative, and Call Center pension for new hires at MP in groups, both of whom chose to addition to other benefit reduc- join Local 31 within the last year. tions. Company leadership has pro- Local 31 has organized three vided confusing or conflicting work groups at the Company information, then blamed the during the past four years, in all union for any confusion. One fect, but whether working as a Hodnik mentioned the email their rate base, then they were instances the company held cap- example is a Planning, Lead Lineworker or Local 31 Keyes sent him and said “I going to take it away from tive audience meetings encour- Engineering, and Construction Business Manager, I’ve always blame him for all of the labor employees,” Keyes said. “This aging employees to vote against Report acquired by Industrial done my job to the best of my relation problems” and that is false, anyone in the know, joining the union. One of the Information Resources, for the ability and take great pride in Local 31 “spread this total bull- knows that federal law prohibits groups entailed Wind Nemadji Trail Energy Center in my integrity. I started with the shit rumor about their new gas taking earned pension benefits Technicians that work on main- Superior listing “nonunion” for Company in 2004, and have wit- plant being built non-union.” Al away from employees. Al and construction and operation pref- nessed a slow decline in labor went on to claim that “he creat- the VP of HR told me that the erences. When Local 31 tried to relations since approximately ed all the Union Lead positions pension would likely be on the ~NOTICE~ clarify, the company accused 2009 with the difficult negotia- in the Company.” In looking negotiating table if the Labor World next issues: them of spreading rumors about tions that took place that year.” back at old contracts, Union Company couldn’t recover the May 8, 22; June 19; the project being built nonunion. Keyes said Local 31 is rou- Lead/Foreman positions have cost through their ratepayers and July 10, 24; Aug. 7, 28; During numerous meetings tinely left out of discussions that been in existence since at least this is what I relayed to employ- Sept. 11, 25; Oct. 9, 30; across the Company’s service have direct impacts on member- 1946, long before Al was even ees.” Nov. 13, 26; Dec. 18. territory, Hodnik made it very ship, such as the planning and born. Labor relations just shouldn’t clear that he doesn’t care for staffing discussions regarding “Al stated I told employees be this hard. But when they are, LABOR WORLD Local 31’s current leadership. In the REC, Boswell, Thomson that if the Company can’t it’s often the company putting (ISSN#0023-6667) is published addition to the false statement and so on. include pension costs within up the roadblocks. semi-monthly except one issue in about Local 31 stating the “In any case, it is much easi- April, June, December (21 issues). Nemadji Trail Energy Energy er and productive when both The known office of publication is Center would be built non- parties work together when pos- I.U.O.E. Local 70 Labor World, 2002 London Road, union, Hodnik claimed the sible,” Keyes wrote. “We cer- Room 110, Duluth, MN 55812. Monthly Arrowhead Regional Meeting Periodicals postage is paid at Union lied to the Call Center tainly understand that for our Duluth MN 55806. group that was recently organ- members to do well, the Thursday, May 9, 5:00 P.M. POSTMASTER: ized. He stated it had told the Company needs to do well, we Duluth Labor Center, Hall C (Heaney) Send address changes to: group the Company had signed may have a slightly different Dave Monsour, Business Manager, (651) 646-4566 Labor World, 2002 London Rd., a contract to outsource all of view of how to get there from a Room 110, Duluth, MN 55812 their positions, and that it was labor perspective, and there are S-70 T 7 likely times when we will sim- W E S complete crap because he signs I N C I T I DULUTH Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 10 (218) 728-4469 all the contracts. Ironically, his ply agree to disagree.” FAX: (218) 724-1413 signature isn’t on the current No response. Retirees’ Luncheon [email protected] labor agreemen. At a meeting in Little Falls, www.laborworld.org The Call Center employees Tuesday, May 7, 1:00 p.m. ~ ESTABLISHED 1896 ~ were told by management that Fair Use Notice Owned by Unions affiliated with the the Company was exploring Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body The Labor World may contain Pizza Man, 1602 Tower, Superior Subscriptions: $25 Annually outsourcing options. copyrighted material the use of which Keyes said reached out to has not always been specifically Catherine Conlan Editor/Manager Hodnik after the meeting, hop- authorized by the copyright owner. Deborah Skoglund Bookkeeper We make such material available in Donʼt know where to turn? ing to clear the air. “Labor rela- our efforts to advance understanding Dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-543-7709 or visit Board of Directors tions is a two-way street,” he of labor, economic, political, human Pres/Treas Al LaFrenier, Workers wrote. “I am certainly not per- rights, democracy, social justice, and www.211unitedway.org United; VP Stacy Spexet, USW environmental issues. We believe this 9460; Sec Kathleen Adee, The non-profit Labor World, Inc. is the constitutes a “fair use” of any such Get connected to resources in Minnesota and Wisconsin Education MN; Mikael Sundin, official publication of the Duluth AFL- copyrighted material as provided for For services provided by the Community Services Program Painters & Allied Trades 106; CIO Central Labor Body. It is an educa- in Section 107, US Copyright Law. sponsored by the Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body and Dan O’Neill, Plumbers & tional, advocacy newspaper for workers In accordance with Title 17 the Head of the Lakes United Way...Call 218-726-4775 Steamfitters 11; and unions. The views and opinions sub- U.S.C. Section 107, the material in mitted and expressed in the Labor World this paper and on the website is dis- Rachel Loeffler-Kemp, Director Dan Leslie, IBEW 31; do not necessarily reflect the views of the tributed without profit to those who 424 West Superior St. Steve Risacher, Carpenters 361; paper, its Board of Directors or staff, the have expressed an interest in receiv- AFL-CIO Tom Cvar, UFCW 1189 Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body, its ing the included information for edu- Suite 402 Community Services Scott Dulas, NALC 114 affiliated unions, their officers, or staff. cational purposes. Duluth, MN 55802 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 PAGE 3 REFORM: ‘right to work was born out of racism’...from page 1 But the proposed rewrite optimistic the labor law rewrite through the 116th Congress. bly the Democratic-run U.S. Education and Labor would not accomplish a two would get bipartisan support. Labor law reform got a favor- House. The GOP-run Senate Committee, which the GOP major labor goals, one of them She also promised to move it, able hearing from the panel and anti-worker GOP President had renamed “Education and long-held: Repeal of the 1947 though she couldn’t give a and is virtually assured of a Donald Trump are another the Workforce,” Wilson said. GOP-passed Taft-Hartley Act’s schedule. similarly favorable reception matter. “Seventy percent of this com- Section 14(b), which author- Wilson’s subcommittee from the Democratic majority “What I see is a big differ- mittee is new and they ized and approved state so- hearing was the first step for on the full Education and ence” from prior Congresses (Republicans) seem to have called “right to work” laws. the legislation’s journey Labor Committee, and proba- and prior versions of the gained some sense,” she added. The other omitted goal: Writing “majority signup” union recognition, also called “card check recognition,” into law. Card-check has been on the books thanks to a 1962 NLRB ruling, but not in the law itself. RTW was a major flash point for Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio. She got Rosenfeld to discuss its origins. After Rosenfeld told the panel how a wealthy Texan dreamed up RTW in the 1940s because he feared and loathed giving any power to black workers, “right to work was born out of racism,” Fudge replied. Rosenfeld agreed, noting states of the Old Confederacy first passed RTW. Since the 2010 GOP state sweeps, how- ever, RTW laws have spread beyond Dixie and other “red Francis Lightner Robert Hinkley Teddy E. Burgraff states” to former industrial bas- Hydro-Electric Operator Utility Lineman Utility Maintenance & Repairman November 12, 1959 tions such as Michigan and February 16, 1940 April 13, 1979 Wisconsin. Tom Brown The GOP also enacted Louis Saelens Maintenance & Construction Laborer Inside Wireman Joseph W. Stattelman right-to-work in Missouri, but August 13, l963 Rosenfeld proudly told the March 31, 1943 Utility Lineman panel his state’s voters Fred Griener August 13, 1981 bounced it last August by a 2- Utility Lineman Howard Bluhm June, 1943 Head Utility Lineman Jeff Rowe to-1 ratio. They did, though he October 14, 1964 did not say so, after unions, Roy Martini Utility Lineman community and civil rights Utility Lineman Charles A. Erickson October 1, 1990 groups banded together in a April 16, 1947 Maintenance & Construction February 9, 1965 mass drive against it. Roger Whiteside As might be expected, the Walter S. Johnson Utility Operator Roy Paulson Utility Lineman Construction Lineman GOP panel members directed December 20, 1948 October 1, 1990 their questions to the RTW wit- August 20, 1965 ness, attorney Glenn Taubman. George E. Dion Utility Lineman Lowell Kramer Kenneth W. Graves But when Taubman put his foot Utility Lineman June 28, 1950 Cable Splicer in his mouth by saying union November 25, 1968 organizers have the right to talk Richard J. Adamson September 19, 1997 to employees in the workplace, Utility Lineman Harlan W. Lehto April 5, 1951 Maintenance & Construction Leslie R. Beach Rep. Andy Levin, D-Mich., the June 19, 1970 former AFL-CIO deputy Toivo Sillanpaa Linestaker organizing director, jumped on Utility Lineman Kenneth Hamren July 4, 1999 him. April 15, 1953 Utility Electrician May 19, 1971 “You’re wrong. I was an Kerry Roe organizer for years and I’d be Dewey R. Harmon Maintenance & Construction Helper John E. Somers Sappi Maintenance Electrician arrested if I went inside the Utility Lineman September l8, 1953 November 11, 2003 plant,” Levin said. June 11, 1971 Donald King Senior Republicans Kenneth L. Meints mouthed anti-union talking Utility Lineman Drew Schwarz April 1, 1954 Sr. Elect - Maint. & Construction Utility Lineman points, and viciously anti- January 14, 1972 union Rep. Robert Roe, R- June 29, 2018 Tenn., announced he reintro- duced his legislation, which went nowhere in the last GOP- run Congress, to virtually destroy unions. Nevertheless, panel chair Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., told Press Associates Union News Service afterwards that she’s

PAGE 4 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 Health-care workers at IFCC vote overwhelmingly to join AFSCME Registered Nurses (RNs) & Star Ratings for quality long across Minnesota. MLPNA is in Minnesota. We’re always sion,” said Deb Tauer, Licensed Practical Nurses term care have been awarded to the only statewide professional happy to have more nurses join MLPNA President and an LPN (LPNs) at IFCC were looking the organization. These Nurses LPN organization run by LPNs us to advocate for our profes- in New Ulm, MN. for the freedom to join togeth- pride themselves on providing er to improve working condi- the high quality care residents tions in their workplace. They of IFCC expect and deserve, reached out to the American but also know their working Federation of State County & conditions must support them Municipal Employees in that mission. Local Leaders (AFSCME) Council 65, and of the new Union stated: “We within weeks voted over- love our work and care deeply whelmingly to form a Union. for our residents. We also look AFSCME Council 65 forward to working with Inter- already has a strong history Faith to find common ground with union members in health- and agree to a mutually benefi- care & public employment in cial contract.” the region. Long-time In addition to working with AFSCME Local 542 member, IFCC to establish a contract, Rosemary Heath, stated, “I’m they will also have access to Committed to ensuring a excited to have the nurses join professional development the AFSCME family! Our through AFSCME Council safe, healthy and supportive AFSCME union at the Cloquet 65’s affiliation with MLPNA. workplace for all workers. Public Library has helped “By joining AFSCME Council employees, and improved 65, the nurses at IFCC will also communication between the be joining the Minnesota Library and the employees.” Licensed Practical Nurses The Nurses at IFCC are a Association (MLPNA) which major part of why several Five represents hundreds of Nurses LarsonForDuluth.com As a Fire Fighter I’ve seen how LarsonForDuluthMayor LarsonForDuluth devastating work injuries are to @LarsonforDuluth those injured and their families. As a State Senator, I’ll Paid for by Emily Larson for Duluth Mayor, Bill Burns, Treasurer. continue to do all I can to make work places safer. Sen. Erik Simonson Minnesota Senate • District 7 [email protected]

In Memoriam

When you look close, your union benefits are clear

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LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 PAGE 5 Thousands of UFCW workers at Stop & Shop stores walk off the job More than 30,000 Stop & • Elimination of Sunday financial trouble. Shop is trying to stiff them. ation table and are asking for Shop workers from more than and holiday pay for part- At the same time the com- The decision to walk off the Stop & Shop to properly value 240 stores in Massachusetts, timers. pany was demanding workers’ job is a tough one. If one per- the employees whose hard Connecticut, and Rhode Island • Increase in weekly premi- pay more for health care and son were to try to fight back on work and dedication have walked off the job Thursday, um costs for employee only lose Sunday and holiday pay, cuts like these by themselves, made their company so suc- April 11. This massive worker coverage by up to 90% over Ahold authorized $880 million they wouldn’t stand a chance. cessful. protest comes in response to three years. in dividend payments to share- But the 31,000 workers who UFCW members who work months of negotiations with • Doubling of health care holders from 2017 to 2019. made this choice are doing it at Stop & Shop could use your Stop & Shop in which the com- out-of-pocket limits for many Ahold also recently received together as one union family. support. If you live in New pany has refused to back down employees, going from $1,000 $217 million in corporate tax None of them have to fight for England, please don’t cross the from proposals attempting to cut for an individual to $2,000, and cuts. Amongst other actions, their health care and benefits line. Please stop at other union workers’ health care, take home from $2,500 to $5,000 for a the company unlawfully refus- alone. Together they can fight stores. pay, and retirement benefits. family. es to provide financial infor- these cuts and protest the com- Sign and share the petition Stop & Shop is claiming Stop & Shop is the number mation to verify its claim that pany’s unlawful actions in con- today to support Stop & Shop they are offering a wage one grocery chain in New their proposed cuts are neces- nection with negotiations— workers by visiting increase, but $.30 in hourly England. It is a subsidiary of sary. and win. www.ufcw.org, or text “sup- wages for a part-time worker multinational company Ahold- Instead of investing in the UFCW’s five New England port” to 698329 to sign the would not offset the cuts they Delhaize, which reported more workers who made the compa- locals are unified at the negoti- petition by mobile. have included in their proposal than $2 billion in profit last ny successful and who take such as: year. This is not a company in care of their customers, Stop & This nation has a terrible history of death, I n R e m e m bb r a nn c e of Fallen injury and illness in the workplace. Workers Please Work safely All working Americans owe a debt of gratitude to Unions for their efforts Wilson-McShane Corporation in making work safer and more bearable. Plan Administrators for Taft-Hartley Trust Funds Andrew, Bransky & Poole, P.A. Since our first client in 1969 our goal is to provide high quality service to each and every individual we serve. Tim Andrew ~ Aaron Bransky Wilson-McShane Locations Jane C. Poole • Bloomington, MN • Duluth, MN • Des Moines, IA • Omaha, NE Representing Unions and their Members • Kansas City, MO • Kansas City, KS • Oak Brook, IL • Las Vegas, NV 302 W. Superior St. Suite 300 www.wilson-mcshane.com Duluth, MN 55802 218-722-1764 Construction workers die from work-related illnesses The struggle for and injury 8 to 12 years earlier than white-collar workers. workplace safety We’re working to change that as we... saves lives! NWBCTC Fight For The Living! Northern Wisconsin Building & Construction Trades Council President Kyle Bukovich (218) 591-1266 Vice President Casey Aronson Secretary-Treasurer Derek Pederson Boilermakers Lodge 107~(262) 754-3167 Laborers Local 1091~(218) 728-5151 Bricklayers Local 2~(715) 579-9602 Millwrights & Machinery Erectors Carpenters Local 361~(218) 724-3297 Local 1348~ (218) 741-6314 Demand a U.S. Postal SERVICE! Cement Masons, Plasterers & Operating Engineers Local 139~ Shophands Local 633~(218) 724-2323 (715) 838-0139 National Association of Letter Carriers Electrical Workers Local 14~ Painters & Allied Trades Local 106~ Branch 114 Merged (715) 878-4068 (218) 724-6466 Duluth, Two Harbors & Silver Bay Electrical Workers Local 242~ Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 11~ (218) 728-6895 (218) 727-2199 Please join us Saturday, May 11 Elevator Constructors Local 9~ Roofers, Waterproofers Local 96~ for our 27th NALC Food Drive! (651) 287-0817 (218) 644-1096 Insulators Local 49~(218) 724-3223 Sheet Metal Workers Local 10~ Call Scott Van Daele, 727-2391, to volunteer, and (218) 724-6873 Iron Workers Local 512~(218) 724-5073 leave non-perishables near your mailbox May 11. Teamsters Local 346~(218) 628-1034

PAGE 6 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 New DLI commissioner brings global expertise to solve state’s job issues By Catherine Conlan began her career as an assistant ing forward to implementing The new commissioner of attorney general with the her vast expertise. “I think the Minnesota Department of Minnesota AG’s office, and ‘These memorials are a call to the depart- there’s a real opportunity for Labor and Industry, Nancy then served as chief general ment that we need to redouble our the department to be much Leppink, brings a global per- counsel for the DLI. The efforts.’ more strategic and proactive,” spective to her new position. Obama Administration — Nancy Leppink she said. And as Workers Memorial Day appointed her to be the deputy She also wants the depart- approaches, she takes the mis- administrator of the Wage and ment to take a data-based sion of the department to Hour Division of the U.S. Leppink said a couple of when cases landed on my desk approach to its work. “We ensure the state’s work and liv- Department of Labor and led key transitions in her career at the attorney general’s office, need to really work on improv- ing environments are equitable, the division as its acting admin- gave her broader perspectives a lot of opportunities had been ing the data the department has healthy and safe very seriously. istrator, when she reimagined she’ll bring to the department. missed along the way, and liti- to inform its policies, laws and “From the department’s per- the Wage and Hour Division as Going from a state level to a gation is not a particularly good regulations as well as enforce- spective, any time a worker is an innovative and proactive federal level, even with such a problem-solving mechanism,” ment and compliance, and also injured or killed on the job, it hits enforcement agency by large change in the land mass she said. “I had a growing inter- think about what data we’re home,” Leppink said. “We reflect rebuilding its capacity, re-engi- and number of people in her est in doing more preventive collecting — what we have on how it feels like a failure on neering its compliance strate- scope, the issues didn’t really law, building agencies with and what we can use better,” our part — somehow we haven’t gies, and refocusing its change, she said. Globalization more solid policies and proce- she said. found that silver bullet for these resources on protecting low has spread good and bad prac- dures and rulemaking at the Finally, she says technology issues. It’s personal, and we wage workers and creating a tices in supply chains, and legislative level.” Good laws moves so quickly that when it redouble our efforts to prevent it level playing field for business- issues Minnesota is facing may are easier to implement, follow comes to licensing and other from happening again.” es seeking to create decent jobs. have solutions from innova- and understand, and that makes regulatory responsibilities, it Events like Workers Before coming to DLI, she tions and best practices around a big difference, she said. can be a challenge to keep up. Memorial Day are important, served as a branch chief for the the world. “Over my career, as Leppink said there’s a lot of We need to ensure that we have she added, not only because International Labour I’ve changed perspectives of opportunity to build on the the skills and tech competency workplace injuries and deaths Organization in Geneva, my work, I’ve absorbed that work that was done in the DLI to do our work effectively,” she don’t always get the attention Switzerland, where she was information and expertise along during the Dayton administra- said. “We often talk about tech they deserve, but because these responsible for their internation- the way. It’s very exciting for tion. Wage and hour laws and in the scope of the private sec- incidents can seem like a part al work assisting governments me to be in a position where I the issue of wage theft is one tor, but what does it mean for of doing business. “Even the and the employer and worker can bring that to the table.” area Leppink said she’s look- the regulator?” fact that we call them ‘work- organizations to improve their Leppink said the biggest place accidents’ gives a sense labor administration, labor shift came when she moved that they’re inevitable, particu- inspection and occupational from being an attorney with the larly in certain sectors,” she safety and health capacities. AG office to DLI. “Often, said. “These are all preventa- ble. These memorials are a call to the department that we need In Remembrance of our to redouble our efforts.” The department serves fallen Brothers and Sisters. employees, employers and the public by regulating buildings Sadly, we all have had friends and and workplaces through educa- tion and enforcement. Earlier co-workers who have died on the job or this year, Gov. Tim Walz and had their lives tragically impacted by work Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan named Leppink as the new accidents or job-related illnesses. commissioner to the depart- ment. Carlton County Central Leppink has a strong back- Ensuring Minnesota’s work and living ground in protecting the rights environments are equitable, healthy and safe of workers in national and Labor Body, AFL-CIO international settings. She 1-800-342-5354 • www.dli.mn.gov Iron Range Solidarity Forever! We will fight in St. Paul for safer workplaces as we remember those who have been killed and injured on the job! Sen. David TOMASSONI Rep. Dave LISLEGARD Rep. Rob ECKLUND Rep. Julie SANDSTEDE

Paid for by: Tomassoni Campaign, P.O. Box 29, Chisholm, MN 55719 Lislegard for House 6B Committee, Aurora, MN 55705 Rob Ecklund for 3A Committee, 4647 Highway 11, International Falls, MN 56649 Sandstede for House 6A, 1428 – 16th Avenue East, Hibbing, MN 55746

LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 PAGE 7 Tell Super One to treat UFCW workers fairly Super One is dragging its cation. people to call your Super One feet in negotiations with In addition, Super One wants store, ask for the manager and UFCW 1189. The UFCW has to take away from Duluth tell them to treat workers fairly been providing information employees in retaliation for the by negotiating a fair, just and and fliers about Super One’s city passing Earned Sick and equitable contract. Other stances. According to the Safe Time, take away seniority Union stores in the area are UFCW, Super One refuses to: rights for part-time employees Cub Foods, Whole Foods Co- • allow time for Union and use Union members’ dues op, Mount Royal and Representatives and Stewards money to pay for their own mar- Woodland Market Place. For to talk to new hires, new to the keting program. more information, visit Union workplace. The UFCW encourages ufcw1189.org • provide benefits for part- time baggers, carry-outs and cart pushers. This means no vacation and no holiday pay, even when they work the holi- Thank You! day. ...to everyone who makes • promise to increase full- time jobs in its stores. safety their top priority. • provide equal opportuni- ties for women – only 25% of full time jobs are held by Proud to be a union contractor women. • work collaboratively with LAKEHEAD Painting Co. the Union to improve condi- tions in the workplace through “Serving the upper midwest since 1965!” Labor Management meetings. FREE ESTIMATES! Superior, Wisconsin (715) 394-5799 • give employees funeral leave for the death of a brother- It says a lot about some employers when in-law, sister-in-law, daughter- unions can only get a safety committee in-law, or son-in-law unless the union agrees to perpetuate an Protecting our Members through collective bargaining. unequal system of benefits for Employers’ grieving comes too often employees in the same classifi- and All Workers... because of paperwork and hearings. Ours is for workers killed, injured, When was the or made sick by their jobs. last time you USW Local 1028 were on a roof? Affiliated with: Did you think ME Electmetal Lerch Bros. (Allouez) about getting United Steelworkers District 11 Duluth Steel Fabricators down safely? North American Salt 3433 Broadway Street NE, Suite 315 Township of Duluth (Police) That’s every Minneapolis, MN 55413 day at work for us. Let's all get home safely this construction season! We’re Congratulations to these Twin Ports area Union Contractors on their 2018 Minnesota LECET Safety Driven Contractor Award: serious NOscar J. Boldt Construction about NFour Star Construction NJ.R. Jensen SAFETY! Construction NKraus Anderson NLakehead Constructors NMavo Systems NNorthland Constructors NVeit & Co.

RRooooffeerrss Heavy Highway Union Contractors Skilled Construction Union Laborers www.mnlecet.org LLooccaall 9966 Proudly supporting the Twin Ports Construction Liaison Committee PAGE 8 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 Legislation targets workplace assaults Remembering our fallen In 2017, workplace vio- employees from workplace workplace violence injuries lence was responsible for more violence. has increased. brothers and sisters than 450 workplace homicides These plans are tailored to Health care and social serv- and more than 28,000 serious, specific workplaces and ice workers are at the greatest lost-time injuries for workers. employee populations; require risk: They experience the high- Women are disproportion- identification and control of est rate of serious injury due to ately affected: Workplace hazards, improved reporting, workplace violence at 13.7 per homicide is the second-leading training for workers and man- 10,000 workers, compared cause of work-related death for agement, and evaluation of with 2.9 for all workers. women and the fifth for men; it policies and procedures; and In 2017, psychiatric hospi- is responsible for 22% of lead to workplace improve- tals had the highest-ever- women killed on the job. Two ments such as emergency recorded rate of serious injury of every 3 serious workplace response systems, surveillance due to workplace violence violence events are suffered by and monitoring systems, (181.1 per 10,000 workers). women. improved lighting, safe Hospitals and nursing and resi- These realities helped staffing levels and other strate- dential care facilities also have inspire Rep. Joe Courtney (D- gies identified by the employ- high rates. Conn.) to introduce legislation ers and employees to keep Nurses, psychiatric aides, to protect workers from vio- workers safe. nursing assistants and social lence on the job. The legisla- Workplace violence injuries workers are at especially high tion would require the are severe and life altering: risk of injury from assaults on Occupational Safety and Workers miss a median of the job. Health Administration eight days from work due to an Contact your member of (OSHA) to issue a workplace injury from a work-related Congress (844-332-8460) and violence prevention standard, assault. urge him or her to support and TEAMSTERS LOCAL 346 requiring employers in the While the overall rate of co-sponsor H.R. 1309: health care and social service workplace injuries has Workplace Violence sectors to develop and imple- declined significantly in the Prevention for Health Care and ment a plan to protect their past two decades, the rate of Social Service Workers Act. SAFESAFE JOBS:JOBS: EVERYEVERY WORKER’SWORKER’S RIGHT!RIGHT! As we remember all workers who have been IN victimized by their MEMORIAM... employment, we renew To our Brothers of Iron Workers Local 512, our fight for strong whose deaths occurred while on the job workplace safety and Winston Churchill, White Pine, MI Leo Podvin, U.S.Steel, Duluth Works health protections. Orlen Rehbein, Ironwood, MI Hank Shields, White Pine, MI Leroy LeClaire, Cooley (MN) Taconite Unions lead Ron Wiski, Silver Bay, MN the struggle for Bob Weideman, Blatnik Bridge, Duluth Workers Reino Hendrickson, Eveleth Taconite safer working Guy Axtell, Grand Rapids, MN, Blandin Memorial Day Kenneth Maki, Hibbing, MN conditions, dignity, Joe Parendo, Hibbing, MN 2019 Len Pistilli, Mt. Iron, MN and respect on John Puttonen, Hoyt Lakes, MN Safe Jobs: Johnny Carlson, Soo Locks the job for Charles Sarasin, Quinnisec, MI Every Worker’s Right John Casper, Aurora, MN all workers. Darryl Roe, Duluth, MN John Zager, Duluth, MN Join us for a free breakfast 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Monday, Roy Salo, Grand Rapids, MN April 29, in the Duluth Labor Temple’s Wellstone Hall. Robin Sutter, Minneapolis, MN Arne Fliginger, Minneapolis, MN A Memorial Ceremony at 9:15 a.m. will remember all our Mike Rathjen, Two Harbors, MN brothers and sisters who have lost their lives, been injured Robert Wilkens, St. Louis Park, MN and/or fallen victim to disease as a result of workplace I r o n hazards or wars. We’ll call on Congress to not jeopardize workers’ lives by destroying our workplace safety rights. W o r k e r s Local 512 Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body Hermantown, MN

LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 PAGE 9 VA nurses march for safe staffing, contract By Mark Gruenberg “We have 17 (nursing) wing ideologues and profiteers Everyone expects to return PAI Staff Writer vacancies in a 20-bed ICU,” Trump has installed at top levels WASHINGTON (PAI)— Westmoreland explained. “The of the agency. Veterans groups home Irma Westmoreland says her nurse-patient ratio is supposed have vehemently oppose priva- Department of Veterans Affairs to be 1-to-1 or 1-to-2, With us, tizing the VA system. (VA) hospital in Augusta, Ga., it’s 1-to-3 or 1-to-4. And those “By his actions, Wilkie is safely needs some help. She wants that are working are working privatizing” care for the vets, GOP President Donald Trump’s overtime, or caring for patients” Westmoreland adds. “They’re from VA Secretary, Robert Wilkie, to while nurses “are supposed to making a profit on the least step up and hire more doctors be on their lunch hours. We amount of money they can and nurses for VA’s hospitals, need to give patients the best spend” on care. VA officials work. including hers – and agree to a care possible every day, and we “are using our” lack of “a con- contract for the nurses, too. can’t.” tract to keep us from standing Wilkie’s done neither and “And all the hospitals have up for our nurses and our Sadly, that sent Westmoreland and vacancies that need to be patients.” more than 100 nurses, members filled,” she added. “And in all And Westmoreland makes not of National Nurses United, out units, not just those he (Wilkie) the point that veterans, especial- onto a March 15 informational wants to fill,” mostly in mental ly those returning from the Iraq picket line at VA headquarters health care. and Afghanistan wars, have spe- everyone in D.C. They flew in from all But the nurses have another cialized illnesses or sets of inter- over the U.S. and all took a day, worry that dogs them: No new related ailments – post-traumat- Laborers Local 1091 members plant a tree does. or more, of vacation time to do contract. Wilkie’s staff had ic stress disorder among them – every year on Workers Memorial Day. so. actually hammered out a con- that VA doctors and nurses They wanted to. Nurses are tract with NNU to cover the VA know how to treat. The private working under their old con- nurses, but he rejected it last doctors, who specialize in one Please help us by watching tract, signed in 2012. They October. He also is pursuing a field, don’t, she adds. And VA don’t have safe staffing levels Trump administration plan to doctors and nurses are taught to for our members as you either – not with 43,000 vacan- divert more VA money – and treat the whole veteran, not just cies among the VA’s physicians, more of the veterans – to care a specific ailment. nurses and other medical by private-sector doctors and A contract would alleviate travel through staffers nationwide. That’s 12 clinics. one worry the nurses have, percent of all VA spots. Neither the nurses nor veter- Westmoreland says, by giving work zones. And it shows up in the ans want that. NNU and other them better schedules, better Albany VA’s intensive care VA unions call it backdoor pri- leave and more time to care and unit, Westmoreland, an NNU vatization, at the behest of right- advocate for patients. Thank You! board member, said in an inter- view as she walked the picket We all need to stop From the Officers and Members of line, before going up to Capitol Hill to lobby lawmakers on the and remember on LABORERSLABORERS LocalLocal 10911091 issue, too. Workers Duluth, MN/Superior, WI & surrounding counties In Memory... Memorial Day those who have paid Of our many far too dear a price RailroadRailroad Workers...Workers... members who for their jobs. Workers Memorial Day 2013 On Workers Memorial Day We honor and remember our Brothers have died Patrick BOYLE Paid for by St. Louis County Board, District 2 Patrick Boyle and Sisters in Rail Labor who have lost because of their lives or suffered serious injuries. their jobs They Shall Not Be Forgotten! Representing Railway Labor and their families for injuries on and off the job for over 75 years!

Criminal Defense & Family Law Serious Personal Injury International Workers’ Compensation Association of Heat & Frost Insulators Social Security Disability and Allied Workers www.northlandlawyers.com HUNEGS, LENEAVE & KVA S Local 49 1000 Twelve Oaks Center Drive, Suite 101 800-535-1665 • 218-727-5384 Wayzata, MN 55391-4704 Duluth, MN Free Consultation • No Recovery, No Fee Chartered 1937 612-339-4511 1-800-328-4340

PAGE 10 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 Legislators look for ways to prevent harassent, provide more accountability on the job Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Katherine Act sends a clear message to or are a veteran.” Murray said. vent workers from coming for- Legislation aimed at ensuring Clark (D-MA-5), Vice Chair of those who think they can get The Be HEARD Act invests ward and holding perpetrators businesses have more resources the House Democratic Caucus, away with assault or harass- in research about the economic and businesses accountable. It to prevent harassment and and Congresswoman Ayanna ment on the job: Time is up. impact of workplace harass- also expands civil rights laws workers have more support Pressley (D-MA-7). The “No matter who you are or ment, requires regular report- regarding discrimination and when they seek accountability Bringing an End to Harassment where you work—whether you ing on the prevalence of work- allowances for reporting, and and justice was introduced last by Enhancing Accountability are the only woman on the place harassment, and ensures eliminates tipped wages. week by U.S. Senator Patty and Rejecting Discrimination board, or a janitor, or farm that workers have access to Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D- Murray (D-WA), (Be HEARD) in the Workplace worker, you should be treated more information and training MN) signed on as a co-sponsor. fairly, respectfully, and with about what constitutes harass- The legislation has been dignity. This should be true no ment and their rights if they are endorsed by the matter your gender or race, harassed. In addition, it puts an Communications Workers of your religion or sexual orienta- end to mandatory arbitration America, the AFL-CIO, SEIU From www.IFJ.org tion or age—and regardless of and pre-employment non-dis- and National Nurses United, The International Federation of whether you have a disability closure agreements, which pre- among others. Journalists reports that 88 Journalists and Media Staff were killed in 2018. The Committee to Protect Journalists says over half of those Journalists killed were targeted for assassination. Far too many are still in prisons for doing their jobs.

Defend the freedom of the press!

1-612-789-0044 [email protected] www.mnguild.org ONON WORKERSWORKERS MEMORIALMEMORIAL DAY!DAY! We all know someone devastated, even killed, by a work accident. That’s why unions are the driving force to ensure all jobs are safe. It’s every worker’s right! North East Area Labor Council Serving Cook, Lake, Koochiching, Itasca, St. Louis, Carlton, and Pine counties We appreciate the work of our affiliates in the Koochiching NEALC FIELD COORDINATOR (President Mark Thorpe), Iron Range (President Tom Cvar), KATIE HUMPHREY – Duluth, MN Carlton County (President Tamara Jones), and Duluth 218-370-01887 [email protected] (President Beth McCuskey) Labor Assemblies.

LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 PAGE 11 Who’s profiting off GM job losses? These guys By Negin Owliaei predatory way Einhorn makes bath, wood-paneled library, and General Motors closed its his cash. The Greenlight Capital views of New York City. We mourn the plant in Lordstown, Ohio, earli- president is a heavy fossil fuel Ravenel Boykin Curry IV, er this month. And as thousands investor. CONSOL Coal Eagle Capital Management of workers lose their jobs, GM Resources is one of If you’re going to read any- loss of workers says it expects to save $4.5 bil- Greenlight’s big investments. thing about this guy, make sure lion. And its parent company, Consol it’s the Architectural Digest That may seem like a large Energy, has paid out millions piece on Curry’s Dominican past and present and vow sum, but it’s not even a fifth of for violating pollution discharge Republic compound – a private the amount that the company limits hundreds of times. To retreat for their fellow elite, has sent to Wall Street investors make matters worse, Consol is including Charlie Rose, to make worksites safer! over the last four years, a new part of a trade association lob- Mariska Hargitay, and Georg report from the Hedge Clippers bying against updated regula- Soros, looking for something and the American Federation of tions that would tighten the beyond the standard luxury United Steelworkers Teachers has found. $10 billion emissions of a carcinogenic resort. Boykin and his wife, United Steelworkers of that amount alone has gone coal power byproduct. Einhorn Celerie Kemble, created the HealthHealth CareCare LocalLocal 94609460 towards controversial stock doesn’t only gamble with peo- opulent Playa Grande Beach buybacks that inflate the price ple’s livelihoods and the planet. Club, where a bungalow goes Suite 202 of GM shares and line Wall The investor is a World Series for thousands of dollars a night. 2002 London Road Street pockets. of Poker regular. The family has a private resi- Duluth, MN 55812 So who’s profiting off the Kyle Bass, Hayman Capital dence at the beach club, in addi- job losses at GM? The report Bass is known for disputing tion to their multi-million dollar (218) highlights the vultures heading pharmaceutical patents while apartment in a Trump building 724-5223 up the hedge funds who have short-selling drug stocks – a off Central Park. been pushing GM for a payout. maneuver that makes him Here’s an introduction, courtesy money while raising drug prices of the Hedge Clippers, to the for everyone else. Before that, Our members work in an unsafe industry! billionaires killing jobs at Bass made a fortune thanks to a We need the right to refuse General Motors. big bet on the housing market David Tepper, Appaloosa collapse. He’s used that fortune unsafe work and protection Management to turn himself into a caricature David Tepper doesn’t need a of a cartoon villain. According from discrimination for windfall from GM. The to financial journalist Michael reporting injuries, illnesses Appaloosa Management Lewis, Bass keeps gold bricks founder is worth $11.6 billion, and platinum bars in his desk and unsafe conditions! and pulled in $1.5 billion in and Fed-Exes himself himself We need a system of oversight 2017 alone. Where did all that explosives to blow up beaver cash come from? Tepper’s dams on his Texas property – and coordination on wealth skyrocketed by nearly the same property that holds a multi-employer projects! 500 percent thanks to his bet on $60 million, 41,000 square foot the financial collapse that ranch house. We need an Office of caused the misfortunes of mil- Frank Brosens, Taconic Construction Safety, Health lions. He’s used that wealth to Capital buy an NFL team for a record Brosens knows how to prof- and Education at OSHA! sum of $2.275 billion. And he it off the pain of others. Taconic still has enough cash left over to Capital, the firm he founded, Duluth Building & Construction Trades Council buy a $43 million oceanfront has been pulling in massive Craig Olson, President, (218) 724-6466 mansion in the Hamptons that sums, all on the backs of Puerto he promptly razed to build an Ricans living through an inhu- Boilermakers Lodge 647 ~ (218) 326-2522 Millwrights Local 1348 ~ (218) 741-6314 even larger home in its place. mane austerity program. Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers But Tepper still might fancy Taconic bought up subordinated Operating Engineers Local 49 ~ himself a bit of a philanthropist. bonds after Hurricane Maria hit Local 1 ~ (218) 724-8374 (218) 724-3840 He founded a PAC devoted to Puerto Rico, turning the devas- Carpenters Local 361 ~ (218) 724-3297 Painters & Allied Trades Local 106 ~ privatizing schools and suppos- tation of others into a $68 mil- edly fights poverty through lion financial windfall for vul- Cement Masons, Plasterers & Shophands (218) 724-6466 “relentless monetization” as a ture investors. Before Brosens Local 633 ~ (218) 724-2323 Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 11 ~ board member of Robin Hood was calling for draconian cuts Foundation. to social services for Puerto Electrical Workers Local 242 ~ (218) 727-2199 David Einhorn, Greenlight Ricans, he bought a $6 million (218) 728-6895 Roofers, Waterproofers Local 96 ~ Capital co-op from Rupert Murdoch’s (218) 644-1096 Job losses aren’t the only ex-wife, complete with marble Elevator Constructors Local 9 ~ (651) 287-0817 Sheet Metal Workers Local 10 ~ Insulators Local 49 ~ (218) 724-3223 (218) 724-6873 Iron Workers Local 512 ~ (218) 724-5073 Sprinkler Fitters Local 669 ~ (507) 493-5671 Laborers Local 1091 ~ (218) 728-5151 Teamsters Local 346 ~ (218) 628-1034 Solidarity!

PAGE 12 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 Report: Speculative Wall Street pressure prompted closures of GM plants By Mark Gruenberg the Teachers (AFT), is from the sure due to the financier- and have relatives who were focused on learning, when their PAI Staff Writer non-profit Hedge Clippers cam- GOP-caused Great Recession. employed at the plant. “The clo- families are deciding whether to WASHINGTON (PAI)— paign, an organization dedicated The UAW helped in the rescue sure could decimate the commu- move hundreds of miles away or Wall Street pressure, particular- to investigating, exposing and by agreeing to wage cuts and a nity’s tax base—Lordstown’s stay? Some GM workers have ly from rich and secretive hedge reining in the hedge funders’ hated two-tier wage system. two schools currently receive left their families behind to take funds and their managers, financial machinations. The pressure has come in the about $800,000 a year in proper- jobs, tearing families apart. This prompted the General Motors It added the moneyed inter- form of financiers’ threatened ty tax revenue. With the plant is weighing on kids and making plant closures that will throw at ests have been pressuring GM takeovers accompanying idle, the property could be everyday tasks so difficult,” least 14,000 United Auto ever since 2013, after the “new demands that GM send profits devalued, drastically affecting Lordstown Teachers President Worker members – and count- GM” returned to profitability to stockholders and stock buy- funding,” AFT said in a state- Alyssa Brookbank told AFT. less other workers in GM’s sup- following the Democratic backs, rather than investing to ment. The report’s details include: ply chain – out of jobs, a new Obama administration’s rescue modernize its factories. The “The report exposes how • The hedge funds demanded report says. of GM and FiatChrysler from recent plant closures are just the GM’s decision to close GM spend $25 billion on divi- The report, commissioned by collapse, bankruptcy and clo- latest symptom of company Lordstown and shutter two other dends and buybacks, four times yielding to the capitalists, the North American assembly plants as much as the company claims report adds. and component factories fol- it will save by closing MOURN FOR THE DEAD, AFT commissioned the lowed a 4-year bid by hedge fund Lordstown and the other plants. report because its members, too, managers to squeeze company • “Hedge fund investors FIGHT FOR THE LIVING, will suffer from the closures. profits.” The report names the repeatedly launched pressure That’s because when the compa- hedge funds and their five man- campaigns to prevent GM from ny closes the four plants – two agers, who collectively raked in reinvesting their profits any- AND STAY ALERT! in Michigan and one in billions from all their deals. where but back into their own Baltimore after the one in “The Lordstown community share price after the federal gov- SAFETY must be FIRST! Lordstown, Ohio – tax rev- has been loyal to GM for 52 ernment bailout. Through paid enues, from both personal years, and GM was a trusted agents, harassing proxy meas- income taxes and, more impor- employer and community part- ures and public threats, funds tantly, property taxes, will ner. Now hedge funds have extracted billions in buybacks, Cement decline. muscled their way in and are unwarranted cash payouts and And property taxes provide lining their pockets at the ruinous job cuts.” The first buy- Masons, most of the revenue for local expense of the real people who back, of $5 billion, was in 2013, school districts, AFT President worked to make GM a house- the report says. Randi Weingarten explained. hold name,”said Weingarten. • Ohio taxpayers are getting Plasterers & She cited Lordstown, which “This report looks under the stuck with the bill, too. Ohio closed March 6, as the example. hood of the closure decision and Federation of Teachers Shophands Some 1,400 workers, toiling at exposes greed at its worst. President Melissa Cropper making the Chevy Cruze on the Shareholder buybacks do noth- reported the state gave GM an Local 633 one remaining production line, ing but enrich those wealthy $82 million tax credit at the lost their jobs. Several years shareholders.” depths of the recession in 2008, ago, the plant employed 4,600 “This is not a story of a to help the firm pay for a $317 1-218-724-2323 in three lines. struggling corporation that cares million retooling of Lordstown AFT represents Lordstown’s about investing in America, to make the Cruze. In return, America’s Oldest Building Trades Union • Est. 1864 public school teachers. Many American jobs and American GM promised to keep the plant communities. This is a story of open for 30 years. All the finan- rampant greed and structural cial figures come from Forbes Thanks, Moline Machinery, deficiencies in the economy, magazine, which advertises for a PLA on your expansion! which incentivize the hollowing itself as “a capitalist tool,” but out of our communities for which is also known for inves- short-term financial gain.” tigative reporting. The Twin Ports Construction Liaison Committee “And this is a story about the • “In 2013, GM completed fate of the people President the taxpayer-funded bailout that We meet regularly to ensure that customers who use our Trump promised to protect. kept the company alive and services are getting the best bang for their construction dollar. Many voted for him, but instead saved thousands of American A Project Labor Agreement is a great way to accomplish that! he’s attacked their communities jobs. Billionaire hedge fund and their unions while govern- managers have been attacking ing to protect the hedge funds the company ever since. Hedge that are waging war on GM.” funds aren’t interested in “The closing’s impact on American jobs, or in the com- students is heartbreaking. How munities that will be hit by plant can we expect kids to be closures and job loss.”

• Amendola Builders • Associated General Contractors of MN • A.W. Kuettel • Belknap Electric • Bricklayers #1 • Carpenters #361 • Cement Masons #633 • Duluth Builders Exchange • Four Star • Holden Electric • Hunt Electric • IBEW #242 • Insulators #49 • Iron Workers #512 • Jamar • J.R. Jensen • Johnson-Wilson • Kraus-Anderson • Laborers #1091 • Lakehead Constructors • Minnesota LECET • NECA Twin Ports Arrowhead Chapter • Northern Mechanical/Plumbing Contractors • Northland Constructors • Operating Engineers #49 • Operating Engineers #139 • Oscar J. Boldt • Painters #106 • Parsons Electric • Plumbers & Steamfitters #11 • Ray Riihiluoma • Sheet Metal Workers #10 • Swanson & Youngdale • Veit Disposal If you have a project in mind, no matter how big or small, we will take the stress out of it for you! Call TPCLC, 218-728-6895, you’ll be glad you did!

LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 PAGE 13 Radical right takes aim at Project Labor Agreements — in court By Michael Moore “They’re claiming the PLA “This project will be built helped represent the Southeast they agree to abide by the St. Paul Union Advocate discriminates against non- 100% union, creating hundreds Minnesota Building Trades all PLA.” MINNEAPOLIS (PAI)—In a union contractors by precluding of local jobs, and we’re super the way to the Minnesota Court Still, the backing of an out- case whose outcome could set a them from bidding and winning happy about that,” St; Louis of Appeals. That court, of-state legal fund indicates this precedent elsewhere, the radi- work on school projects,” building trades Executive Cummins said, heard many of case is about more than the cal right is trying to destroy Cummins said. “That is false. Secretary-Treasurer John the same arguments Laketown Minneapolis schools’ building construction workers’ labor Union and non-union contrac- Stiffler said. is making now. projects. And the plaintiffs’ protections, in federal court. tors have bid on and won work In the Twin Cities, “PLAs “Supposedly, non-union free-speech argument has a dis- Their vehicle: A lawsuit, in the Minneapolis Public have been used successfully on contractors can’t bid. turbingly familiar ring to it. The filed last month by a non-union Schools.” many important high-profile Supposedly, everyone’s got to right wing used the same “free contractors’ association and a That includes contractors projects in Minnesota: U.S. become a union member,” speech interference” claim to right-wing legal foundation in from the non-union industry Bank Stadium and the 35W Cummins said. “That’s not true. win the infamous Janus case by U.S. District Court in group suing the school district, Bridge just to name a few,” Anyone can successfully bid the usual 5-4 ideological split at Minneapolis, charging that Associated Builders and McConnell said. “We have a and be awarded work, provided the U.S. Supreme Court. Project Labor Agreements – Contractors (ABC), Cummins track record of building large- and specifically one the said. Dozens of non-union con- economic-impact projects on Minneapolis Public Schools tractors have won bids from time and on budget, and with a :RUNHUV¶0HPRULDO'D\ signed with the city’s building MPS since the project labor workforce that reflects the and construction trades council agreement went into effect 15 diversity of our state.” – unconstitutionally violate years ago, according to “We help build communities ³:RUNLQJWRSURWHFW contractors’ rights. Minneapolis Building Trades and grow our economy.” ZRUNHUVVHQLRUVFKLOGUHQDQG YXOQHUDEOHDGXOWV The lawsuit is in line with President Dan McConnell. Laketown Electric is hardly the long offensive in recent “Anyone can bid on and the first non-union contractor to years by right-wing legal funds. work on these jobs under a claim discrimination as a result $GYRFDWLQJWRSURYLGH KHDOWKFDUHIRUHYHU\RQH´ They’re waging a shadowy PLA, both union and non- of a PLA. But past legal prece- campaign in courtrooms across union,” McConnell said. dent is not on its side, at least in the country to strip working “PLAs ensure a steady sup- Minnesota. ²5HSUHVHQWDWLYH-HQ6FKXOW] people of their freedom to join ply of high-quality, well-trained When a non-union contrac- together and negotiate a fair labor” he added. “Most of the tor challenged the PLA govern- 3UHSDUHGDQGSDLGIRUE\WKH-HQQLIHU6FKXOW]9ROXQWHHU&RPPLWWHH return on their labor. major projects in Minnesota ing the Rochester Civic Center That campaign took aim at and around the country are development in 1999, Cummins 32%R['XOXWK01 members of Minnesota’s build- done under PLAs and for good ing trades unions. reason because they ensure the In 2006 in the U.S. 1,239 construction workers died on the job. The non-union contractors’ quality of labor you need and group, the Associated Builders they ensure the work gets done Starting in 2007 those deaths dropped for five consecutive years. and Contractors (ABC) and one on time and on or under budg- In 2012 there were 775 construction deaths. OSHA data for 2013 member, Waconia-based et.” Laketown Electric, is suing the Property owners, developers shows 3,929 worker fatalities in private industry that year with 796 school system. Their com- and governments enter into ― plaint, filed March 13, argues PLAs to ensure fair wage and or 20.3% in construction that is, one in five worker deaths. the district’s PLA breaks benefit standards on construc- Every one of our members knows how dangerous their job is and Laketown’s 1st Amendment tion projects. The agreements free speech rights. establish terms and conditions expects their union to do all it can to make their jobs safer. MPS negotiated its PLA for construction employees and It's the most important thing we can do for their families. with the Minneapolis Building contractors on a project, from and Construction Trades wages and benefits to overtime Safe working conditions are our chief concern. Council in 2004. All construc- pay, grievance procedures, drug tion firms seeking contracts to testing, holidays and more. build or repair any of the dis- By setting those terms and In Memory Of Our Fallen Brothers And Sisters trict’s facilities must agree to conditions at the outset, project the terms of the PLA. owners make their labor costs Among those terms: Hiring more predictable, weed out Carpenters highly skilled tradespeople, irresponsible bidders and sometimes from a union hiring ensure labor peace for the hall, and paying into an estab- entirety of the project. Several Local 361 lished, high-quality health and studies show projects built Hermantown, Minnesota benefit fund maintained by under PLAs are more likely to building trades unions and their be completed on time, within signatory contractors. budget and with quality con- Attorneys from the big-busi- struction. ness and right-wing financed PLAs are commonly used Increasing workplace safety California-based Pacific Legal on large-scale construction Foundation, speaking for ABC projects like hospitals and pro- will improve all of our lives and the non-union firm. argue sports stadiums. In one recent that’s a violation of the plain- example, the federal National tiffs’ constitutional rights to Geospatial-Intelligence free speech, due process and Agency, part of the Homeland equal treatment under the law. Security Department used a Brendan Cummins, an attor- prior agreement with North ney at Minneapolis-based America’s Building Trades Cummins and Cummins, LLP, Unions to sign “in essence a who has worked with PLAs for PLA” worth $711.7 million for 2520 Pilot Knob Road, Suite 325 decades, said the lawsuit’s a new western headquarters in Mendota Heights, MN 55120 arguments are “ideologically St. Louis, the Labor Tribune 651-256-1900 driven” and not based in fact. reported.

PAGE 14 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 Review: ‘Good Trouble’ short but insightful By Richard Hudelson duct nonviolent direct action Many of the short accounts Steve Thornton has been an for progressive causes. also illustrate the power of AFL-CIO activist and organizer all his Good Trouble is a short cooperation between different Community Services life. He retired in 2013 as a (100-page) book. It offers progressive groups over the vice president of District 1199/ accounts of an impressive array course of Hartford’s history. SEIU, Connecticut’s largest of nonviolent direct actions in Good Trouble includes a News From Your Partnership Program healthcare union. He believes support of morally positive brief introduction by Thornton in the power of nonviolent ends throughout Hartford’s his- and concludes with a bibliogra- Rachel Loeffler-Kemp, Director direct action as a way by which tory. phy of recommended reading. ordinary people can win greater The book is divided into six It does not offer a recipe for Save the date for the 2019 justice, greater freedom, sections: Community/ success. greater respect and greater Neighborhood, Work/Labor, What it does offer is a sense prosperity. He is also an edu- Civil Rights, Anti-War, Human that things don’t have to remain LIVE UNITED Luncheon cator. Rights, and Students. the way they are; that by nonvi- The Head of the Lakes United Way will be holding our He has written books and Each section offers short olent direct action ordinary annual luncheon on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 in the Harbor articles on the labor history of accounts of several different people can make change for the Side Ballroom at the DECC. Connecticut, developed a walk- nonviolent direct actions by better. Each year, we are amazed by the outpouring of support in ing “shoeleather” labor history ordinary people. Each account Steve Thornton, Good our community through partnerships with Head of the Lakes tour of Hartford, participated in is unique, but each illustrates Trouble: A Shoeleather History United Way. From advocating to volunteering, donations to nonviolent direct action for the courage, imagination and of Nonviolent Direct Action sponsorships, we live in a community that cares. social justice, and trained hun- power of ordinary people (Brooklyn Hard Ball Press, Each year, we recognize those who LIVE UNITED at our dreds of people in how to con- working together. 2019) annual celebration luncheon. Planning has already begun for this year's event. The theme, a carry-over from our annual community cam- Every line of work has its perils. paign, is "United We Win." We are thrilled to welcome Deb DeLuca from the Duluth Seaway Port Authority as our keynote speaker and Dan Wolfe Make sure you’re working safely from KBJR6 News as our MC. To purchase individual tickets or a table visit: www.hlunit- edway.org. Mark your calendars! Together we will celebrate all and using all protective gear. of those who LIVE UNITED! Since 1957, the Duluth AFL-CIO and United Way have jointly committed resources and support to local programs that create real and lasting change for union members and their fam- ilies. Frank JEWELL For more information on the community services partner- ship and opportunities to get involved, please contact Rachel St. Louis County Commissioner • District 1 Loeffler-Kemp at 218-726-4775 or via email at rloeffler [email protected]. Paid for by Frank Jewell for County Commissioner, Bill Burns Treasurer

Unions have fought hard for years to improve working conditions for all American workers. Our efforts have resulted in huge improvements in safety since OSHA became law in 1970. In Honor Of Workers’ Since then, more than 370,000 Memorial Day U.S. workers have been killed on the job, and every year, attempts Thank you City of Duluth are made to gut Minnesota and federal Employees for serving the public with courage, OSHA to improve companies’ profit margins. dedication and compassion, and thank you to all workers Mourn for the Dead across the city and region. but continue to Fight for the Living! SHEET METAL WORKERS LOCAL 10 Mayor Emily Larson Workplace safety did not evolve by accident!

LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 PAGE 15 T r a d e U n i o n D i r e c t o r y “The world is run by those who show up!” AFSCME COUNCIL 5— President Judy 2323; Meetings 1st Thursday each month, [email protected], 2002 London Road, Room Wahlberg, Local 66; VP Mike Lindholt, Local 5:00 p.m. Duluth Labor Temple 99, Duluth, MN 55812 221; Sec. Mary Falk, Local 4001; Treas. Jaqueline Terry, Local 22; Director John DULUTH AFL-CIO CENTRAL LABOR NORTHERN WISCONSIN BUILDING & Westmoreland; Area Office, 211 West 2nd BODY —Meets 2nd Thurs., 7:00 p.m., CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL— St., Duluth, MN 55802, 722-0577 Wellstone Hall, 2002 London Rd., (218) Meets the 3rd Wednesdays, 11am, Superior 724-1413, President Beth McCuskey, Duluth Library. President Norm Voorhees, (218) AFSCME Co. 5—LOCAL 66—Meets 1st Federation of Teachers; VP Chad McKenna, 724-5073, 2002 London Rd., Room 117, Tues. at 6:00 p.m. Even months in the Du- AFSCME Co. 5; Sec./Treas. Todd Duluth, MN 55812; VP Casey Aronson, uth AFSCME Hall, Arrowhead Place, 211 Gustafson, UFCW 1189; Reading Clerk Sec.-Treas. Chris Thacker West 2nd St. Odd months at the Service- Larry Sillanpa, MN News Guild 37002 man’s Club, 227 Chestnut St., Virginia. Pres. OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 70— Dennis Frazier; VP Dan Buckanaga; Treas. DULUTH BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION 2722 County Road D East, White Bear Deb Strohm, Sec. Wendy Wohlwend, Union TRADES COUNCIL—Meets 3rd Tues, 3pm Lake, MN 55110, 651-646-4566. Bus. Mgr. office, 211 W. 2nd St., Ste. 205, Duluth, MN Freeman Hall, Labor Temple. Pres. Craig Dave Monsour. Meets 2nd Tues.,5 p.m., 55802, 722-0577 Olson, Painters & Allied Trades 106, 724- Duluth Labor Temple, 2002 London Rd. 6466; VP Darrell Godbout, Ironworkers 512; AFSCME Co. 5—LOCAL 695 - Meets 4th Treas. Stan Paczynski, Bricklayers 1; PAINTERS & ALLIED TRADES LOCAL Tuesday of even numbered months at Rec. Sec. Dan Olson, Laborers 1091 106 Meets 2nd Wed., 6:00 p.m., Duluth Council 5 Duluth offices and odd numbered Labor Temple. President Lee Carlson; VP months at Gampers in Moose Lake. IBEW LOCAL 31 (UTILITY WORKERS)— Gordon Smith; Rec. Sec. Mikael Sundin; President Don Anderson, 722-7728 Rm.105, Duluth Labor Temple, 728-4248. Fin. Sec. Tim Rooney; Treas. Jack Carlson Pres Dale Torma; VP Steve Olson; Rec Sec Bus. Rep. Craig Olson, Duluth Labor AFSCME Co. 5—LOCAL 1123—City of Brian Campbell; Treas Kevin Flaherty; Bus Temple, Room 106, 2002 London Rd. Two Harbors workers. Meets as needed. Mgr/Fin Sec Will Keyes Duluth, MN 55812, 724-6466 Pres. James Gilbert; VP Mariah Blettner; Bus Rep Jordan Marquardt Treas. Aaron Heim; Sec. Jodie Larson 1st Wednesday of each month- PLUMBERS AND STEAMFITTERS LOCAL 11, U.A.— Meets 1st Thursdays at AFSCME Co. 5—LOCAL 1681- Duluth Labor Temple, Hall A, 6:00 p.m.; 2nd Tuesday of each month- union hall, 4402 Airpark Blvd. (218) 727- For-profit group home employees. 2199; President Scott Randall; VP Clayton Everyone deserves Meets 3rd Tuesdays, 1:00 p.m.. Gilbert VFW, 6:00 p.m.; 2nd Wednesday of each month- Grand Childs; Rec. Sec. Butch Liebaert; AFSCME Hall, 211 W. 2nd St., Ste. 205, Du- Bus. Mgr./Fin. Sec. Andy Campeau, luth, President Stephanie Markus Rapids IBEW Local 160 Hall, 6:00 p.m.; 3rd Wednesday of each month- All 6 p.m. Ass’t Bus. Mgr. Dave Carlson a safe workplace AFSCME Co. 5—LOCAL 1934— Jan- Brainerd; Feb- Park Rapids; SHEET METAL WORKERS LOCAL 10— St. Louis Co. Essential Jail Employees. March- Pequot Lakes; April- Little Falls; Bus. Mgr. Jim Bowman, 1681 E. Cope Ave., Meets 3rd Wed., 3:15 at Foster’s Bar & Grill. May- Crosby/Ironton; June- Brainerd; St Paul, MN 55109, 1-800-396-2903. Hospital workers suffer one of the highest Pres. Nancy Mosack, 726-2345; VP John July- Park Rapids; Aug- Little Falls; Duluth-Superior-lron Range-Bemidji area. Wohlwend; Treas. Heather Ninefeldt; Sept- Aitkin; Oct- Brainerd; Bus. Rep. Doug Christy, 6279 Industrial Rd, Nov- Pequot Lakes; Dec- Wadena rates of workplace injury in the US, so we AFSCME Co. 5—LOCAL 3558 - Non-profit Saginaw, MN 55779, 218-724-6873 4th Tuesday of each month- Duluth-Superior area meets 2nd Monday, employees. Meets 3rd Tuesdays, 5:30 pm Superior- Shamrock Pizza- 5:30 p.m. join our labor family in honoring those AFSCME Hall, 211 W. 2nd St., Ste. 205. Locations 5:00 p.m. Sheet Metal Training Center, 6279 Pres. Michelle Fremling ; VP Dale Minkki- Duluth-Labor Temple-2002 London Rd. Industrial Road, Saginaw, MN 55779 killed or injured on the job in 2018. nen; Treas. Nicholas Deluca; Aitkin-40 Club, 950-2nd St. NW Iron Range meets 2nd Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. Sec. Alison Keaupuni Brainerd-American Legion, 708 Front St. Hibbing Park Hotel, 1402 East Howard St. Crosby/Ironton-Ironton American Legion Hibbing, MN 55746. AFSCME Co. 5—LOCAL 3801 - UMD Cler- Gilbert-Gilbert VFW, 224 N. Broadway Bemidji area meets 3rd Thursday Jan., ical & Technical employees, 1049 University Grand Rapids-IBEW Local 160 Hall April, July & Oct., 6:00 pm, Carpenters Hall, Dr., Meets 4th Th., Noon, location varies; 300 SE 17th St. 609 2nd St. South, Bemidji, MN 56601 President Andrea Sande-Harju 726-7534 Little Falls-Cabin Fever, 15331-183rd St. SUPERIOR FEDERATION OF LABOR — Pequot Lakes-Tasty Pizza North, Hwy 371S AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION Meets 1st Weds, 6:30 p.m., Superior Elks, Park Rapids-Rocky’s Pizza House, 102 Pres. Warren Bender, 218-590-4464, AFL-CIO Greater Northland Area Local— Park Ave. N P.O. Box 16321, Duluth, MN 55816. Vice President: Dan Olson 218-348-2346 Superior-Shamrock Pizza, 5825 Tower Ave Treas. Eric Barnard, 218-591-9398, Membership meetings held monthly in Wadena-VFW, 213-1st St. SE Duluth, quarterly on Iron Range, Rec. Sec. Ruth Ludwig 218-590-0440, 218-722-3350 IBEW LOCAL 242 (CONST., R.T.V., MFG., PO Box 1246, Superior, WI 54880 MAINT.)—Rm.111, Labor Temple, 728-6895. BRlCKLAYERS & ALLIED TEAMSTERS LOCAL 346 — Meets 2nd Pres. Darik Carlson; Rec. Sec. Brad Butler; Wednesday of the month, 6:00 p.m., Union CRAFTWORKERS LOCAL UNION 1— Treas. Gary Erickson; Bus Mgr./Fin. Sec. Chapter 3/Duluth & Hibbing meetings are Hall, 2802 West 1st St., Duluth 55806, Donald J. Smith. Meeting 6 pm, 4th Weds. Sec-Treas Rod Alstead, 218-628-1034 listed in the Quarterly Update newsletter. every month, Duluth Labor Temple. Vice President/Field Rep. Stan Paczynski, Unit meeting - Brainerd, American UNITED AUTO WORKERS LOCAL 241 — (218) 724-8374, Chairman Brent Finifrock, Legion, 6:00 p.m., 1st Mon. each month Meets Ist Tuesdays, 5:30 pm, Duluth Labor Rec. Sec. Anthony Welch, Sergeant-at- Temple, 2002 London Rd., Pres. David Arms, Mark Welch IBEW LOCAL 294 - Meets 4th Thursday, Friske 218-626-7601; Fin. Officer Kevin 7:30 p.m., at 214 E. Howard St., Suite 1 Hi- Dooley, P.O. Box 81, Iron River, WI 54865 BRIDGE, STRUCTURAL, ORNAMENTAL bbing, MN. 55746. Business Manager Dan AND REINFORCING IRON WORKERS Hendrickson, (218) 263-6895, Bemidji Unit, UNITED FOOD & COMMERCIAL LOCAL 512—N. MN. office/training center, meets 3rd Thursdays, 7 p.m. in Carpenters WORKERS LOCAL 1189—President Jen- 3752 Midway Rd, Hermantown MN 55810, Hall nifer Christensen; Sec. Treas. Jim Gleb (218) 724-5073, President Joe Tomjanovich, St. Paul Office: 266 Hardman Ave. N., South B.M./F.S.-T. Barry Davies, B.A. Darrell INTL. ASSOCIATION OF HEAT & FROST St. Paul, MN 55075, 651-451-6240 Godbout, Rec. Sec. Kevin Fredrickson INSULATORS & ALLIED WORKERS Duluth Office: Labor Temple, 2002 London LOCAL NO. 49—Meets 2nd Fridays, 7 p.m. Rd., Rm. 211, Duluth 55812. 218-728-5174 BUILDING & GENERAL LABORERS Duluth Labor Temple. Business Manager LOCAL 1091—Meets 3rd Thursdays, 7 pm Dave Cartwright, 2002 London Rd., Room UNITED STEELWORKERS LOCAL 1028 - Duluth Labor Temple, Wellstone Hall. 210, Duluth 55812, 724-3223. Pres Dennis Meets 2nd Tues., Room 212, 2002 London President Chris Thacker, V.P. Curt Davey, Howard; VP Tom Enger; Fin Sec/Treas. Rd., Duluth 55812, 728-9534. Pres. Jayson Rec. Sec. Derek Pederson, Business Mgr.- Wayne Twight Grozdanich, VP Mike Connolly, Treas. Lee Fin.Sec./Treas. Dan Olson; (218) 728-5151 Popovich, 624-2868, Fin. Sec. Mike Gerard, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER Rec. Sec. Brandon Colt CARLTON COUNTY CENTRAL LABOR CARRIERS, BRANCH 114 MERGED— BODY—Meets 1st Monday of month except Meets 2nd Mondays, 7 p.m., Duluth Labor UNITED STEELWORKERS LOCAL 9460- Sept. which meets last Monday in August. Temple, Pres. Scott Dulas, 260-8976, P.O. Meets 3rd Tuesday each month, 5:30 pm, Meeting 7:00 pm 2nd floor of Labor Temple, Box 16583, Duluth 55816; VP Jason Duluth Labor Temple, 2002 London Rd, 1403 Ave C, Cloquet 55720; Pres. Tamara Lagergren; Recording Secretary Sheila Suite 202, Duluth, MN 55812, (218) 724- Jones, 728-5174, VP Tim Ryan, Sec. Treas Fawcett; Financial Secretary Shawn Hansen 5223. President Stacy Spexet, VP Adam Tamara Jones, Rec. Sec. Patty Harper, Treasurer Mike Sylvester Ritscher, Fin. Sec Tracy Osterhues, Treas. NEALC Delegates Jones, Steve Risacher Brenda Simon, Rec. Sec. Jackie Leibel NATIONAL CONF. FIREMEN & OILERS CARPENTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 361— SEIU 956—Meets 4th Saturdays, 9 a.m. at WORKERS UNITED LOCAL 99—Hotel and Meets 2nd Tues. of the month at 6:30 p.m. Denfeld High School. Pres. Sam Michelizzi, hospitality workers, President Jon Ozzello, at Training Center, 5238 Miller Trunk Hwy., 628-2689; Treas. Dennis McDonald, 7208 VP Don Brewington, Secretary Treasurer 724-3297. Pres. Chris Hill, VP Jeremy Ogden Ave., Superior, WI 54880, 628-4863; Lynette Sims, Representative Al LaFrenier, Browen, Rec. Sec. Cody Carroll, Fin. Sec. Sec. Steve Lundberg, 8304 Grand Ave, 218-340-0635. Regular bi-monthly meetings Henry Wakefield, Treas. Donald Renne, Dir. Duluth 55807 schedule is posted in shops. of Organizing & Resource Management www.facebook.com/Local99, www.cmrjb.org Chris Hill; Field Rep. Jeremy Browen, Field NORTH EAST AREA LABOR COUNCIL, Rep. Adam Johnson AFL-CIO-President Alan Netland, Field Coordinator Katie Humphrey, 218-370-0187, CEMENT MASONS, PLASTERERS & SHOPHANDS LOCAL 633—Duluth & Iron Range Office: Mike Syversrud, 2002 London Road, Room 112, Duluth 55812; 218-724-

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PAGE 16 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 WORKERS Local 1189 WORKERS MEMORIMEMORIAALL DDAAYY In memory of the deceased members of the Duluth Federation of Teachers, Local 692

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LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 PAGE 17 News Guild pushes for pay equity at nation’s major newspapers WASHINGTON (PAI)—- Inquirer to 86 cents per dollar at Those pay gaps are less than “Study after study has shown The News Guild, a CWA sector, the Post. The Inquirer gap for the nationwide chasm, just as that at news organizations recently launched a big pay veterans in 2016, though, was the pay gap between union men across the country, women and equity drive at the nation’s 16%. and union women is 86 cents people of color are paid signifi- newspapers. A sample from four The gaps were wider for per dollar. But the median for cantly less than their colleagues. locals representing workers at people of color, who were union women is 9% above the That issue has sparked plenty of five newspapers – the underrepresented in newsrooms national median for all workers, union organizing drives.” Philadelphia Inquirer, the as well, the sample showed. The male and female, union and “Today, News Guild mem- Philadelphia Daily News, the only two with actual figures, non-union, combined. bers around the country are Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the though, were Philadelphia News Guild President Bernie posting on social media, putting Washington Post and the New (19.2%) and Minnesota (18%). Lunzer said the union’s materi- up table tents, and talking with e appreciate area York Times – shows male- Elsewhere, management resis- als can be used at both TNG- their colleagues about how the workers, your female pay gaps ranging from ted disclosing the representation represented papers and on social union can address pay discrimi- W zero for new hires at the figures at the papers. media. nation directly.” commitment to this region and share your We value our workers’ safety more Working in the construction dedication to quality! trades for three decades has than the excellent quality of their work Ⅲ Quality 4-Color Printing made me a strong advocate Ⅲ In-House Creative Design Thanks For for workplace safety. I am a Ⅲ Computer Forms & Checks Ⅲ Union Contracts workers’ advocate in St. Paul! Ⅲ Letterheads & Envelopes Working Safely! Ⅲ Color & High Speed Copies Rep. Mike Ⅲ Gathering & Stitching Ⅲ Laminating SSUNDINUNDIN 114 West Superior St. • Duluth, MN 55802 218-722-4421 • Fax 218-722-3211 Minnesota House District 11A Paid for by Sundin Volunteer Committee, PO Box 193, Esko, MN 55733

Twin Ports Unions have worked hard to improve jobsite safety. Iron Range As we’ve found out the hard way, politicians are able to Over 100 legislate it away. Know who it is that you’re voting for! Years of Service! from your friends in the 18 affiliates of the 1916 - 2019 Iron Range Building & Trades Council General Contractors and Contact us - we can direct you to high quality Equipment Rental Specialists contractors who use highly skilled, area workers. President Michael Syversrud, 1-218-741-2482 Rec. Sec. Dan Hendrickson All year long, Solidarity! Financial-Secretary Doug Christy, 107 S. 15th Ave. W., Virginia, MN. 55792 Unions fight for Identifying risks to your safety and 8 hours for work... safer jobs and health is the first step in reducing the 8 hours for rest... workplaces. large number of avoidable workplace 8 hours for what we will! On Workers deaths and injuries that occur. WORK That doesn’t seem unreasonable, does it? Memorial Day, In Northern Minnesota, we know too many we understand SMART, lives that have had those last two “8 hours” STAY cut short or ruined by those first “8 hours.” why we do that. Mesothelioma and other ~~~ SAFE, terrible cancers and MAKE IT diseases are found here at AFSCME much higher rates than Local 3801 HOME! elsewhere, killing workers and destroying families. UMD Clerical & Technical Employees Iron Range/Northern Minnesota Why are answers so hard to come by?

PAGE 18 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 Too many of our members have had Phony Postal ‘crisis’ scapegoats the unions By Brian Wakamo public sector unions back in his tremendous insecurity, with the their lives cut short, or the quality Blame it on the unions. own state. Why wouldn’t he be closure or consolidation of 485 When corporations, govern- just as eager to cut union rights of its 685 mail processing of their lives severely affected, by ments, or public agencies are for postal employees? facilities, more than 200,000 facing financial challenges, As the Trump task force career job cuts, and reduced materials they use and conditions this is often the default expla- notes, postal service employ- hours of operations at 13,000 nation. ees have more rights than other primarily rural post offices. they work under every day. We saw this knee jerk federal workers to bargain over Attacking postal workers’ response at a recent Senate wages and benefits. The work- union rights is merely an ideo- hearing on the U.S. Postal ers won these rights during logical distraction from the real We take Service. The Committee on what’s known as the Great cause of the postal service’s Homeland Security and Postal Strike of 1970. Over the financial losses. In 2006, Government Affairs called the course of a week, as many as Congress created this crisis by Safety March 12 hearing to discuss 200,000 postal workers walked passing the Postal recommendations from a task off the job or called in sick to Accountability and and force appointed by President protest their meager pay, poor Enhancement Act (PAEA), Trump that include cutting or working conditions, and long which requires the USPS to set privatizing various postal serv- hours. They shut down post aside reserves sufficient to Workers ices, increasing delivery offices in 13 states. cover the cost of its employee prices, and — you guessed it When the Nixon adminis- post-retirement health benefits — eliminating employees’ tration finally reached a settle- 75 years into the future. Memorial rights to collective bargaining. ment with the workers, wage Getting rid of collective Committee Chair Ron bargaining rights were part of bargaining, as has been sug- Day Johnson, a Wisconsin the deal. gested, is not the way to ensure Republican, seized on the anti- Nearly five decades later, the sustainability of the postal union proposals. He repeatedly the Trump task force now service and its role as a very inquired about the wages and argues that postal workers provider of good middle class benefits that USPS employees don’t deserve these rights jobs. We need to can the pre- enjoy compared to private sec- because they don’t face “the funding mandate so we can seriously. tor employees and questioned same level of risk that their keep moving the USPS for- whether postal workers should company will go out of busi- ward. Painters & Allied be allowed to continue to col- ness” as private sector workers Brian Wakamo is a lectively bargain over wages. do. researcher on the Global Trades Local 106 This hardly comes as a sur- The postal worker unions Economy Project at the prise. Johnson was an ardent beg to differ. Over the past Institute for Policy Studies. Leading the way to Safety thru Training supporter of Governor Scott decade, they point out, the This article originally Walker’s efforts to undercut postal service has endured appeared at Inequality.org.       

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LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 PAGE 19 IN MEMORY... Of our departed members, who have died as a result of work-related accidents, injuries or illnesses. ...In Their Honor Golfing for a good cause The Duluth Building and Construction Trades Council This Workers’ Memorial Day raised more than $15,000 at last year’s golf outing for local Community Services/United Way programs. The DBCTC has scheduled its 29th Annual Golf Outing for June 8, shotgun start at 9 a.m. Check the May 7 issue of the Labor World for registration information, or call 218-724-6466. AFSCME reports almost 95% retention rate after Janus WASHINGTON — The it represents, including both American Federation of State, dues-paying members and fee County and Municipal payers. Employees (AFSCME) sub- According to the report, Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 11 mitted its annual LM-2 filing AFSCME represents 1,329,594 with the Department of Labor, working members, agency fee which requires all unions to payers in the private sector and report the number of members retirees, compared to 1,411,877 and agency fee payers they reported last year. Though this represent. AFSCME’s filing represents a bottom-line shows a gain of 9,097 dues- decrease of six percent thanks paying members and 18,638 to the Supreme Court’s deci- dues-paying retirees over the sion, it crushed union analysts’ union’s report last year, sug- expectations, which anticipated gesting that efforts by the bil- a loss upwards of 30 percent. lionaires and corporations “In overwhelming num- behind the Janus v. AFSCME bers, AFSCME members have case and the anti-worker blunted the attacks of the majority of the United States wealthy special interests and Supreme Court to “defund and chose to stick with their defang” public service unions union,” said Lee Saunders, have fallen flat. president of AFSCME. The report is the first since Since 2016, AFSCME has Janus v. AFSCME, the 5-4 won 245 organizing campaigns Supreme Court ruling which and has ramped up those efforts held that requiring fees from across the country in both the public service workers who public and private sectors. receive union benefits but There is also momentum in choose not to join the union is public and political support for unconstitutional. In the wake unions and pro-worker solutions of the decision, the report to a rigged system in which the shows that, overall, the union richest few continue to take retained 94 percent of workers advantage of working people.

PAGE 20 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019