Jim Oberstar: Don't Close the Door on Anything
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(ISSN 0023-6667) Rep. Gauthier challenges right to work bill Republicans who took over the state Constitution to pro- Minnesota AFL-CIO both houses in the Minnesota hibit any collective bargaining President Shar Knutson issued Legislature in November’s agreement between an employ- the following statement about elections wasted no time in er and a union from: the Republican bills: promoting their agenda. On 1) Requiring union mem- “Republican legislators January 10, the first day bills bership as a condition of showed middle class Minne- could be introduced, a right-to- employment; or sotans exactly where they stand work bill that would attack 2) Requiring union non- today. Their proposals would unions surfaced. members to pay union dues or give big corporations a free An Injury to One is an Injury to All! State Rep. Steve Draz- (any fees, etc.) to a union ride all while lowering pay and kowski, R-Mazeppa, intro- “This bill is intended, pure cutting benefits for hard-work- WEDNESDAY VOL. 116 duced HF 65 to “establish free- and simple, to starve unions out ing middle class families. JANUARY 19, 2011 NO. 14 dom of employment” but trade of existence,” Gauthier said. Governor Dayton is already unionists know that all right to “If voters adopt this constitu- working on a jobs and infra- work (for less) laws as they call tional amendment, the rights structure bill to help put them are really an effort to and wages of working people Minnesotans back to work and weaken unions and undermine in this state would be severely a plan to balance the budget wages for all workers. diminished.” fairly. Republican lawmakers Freshman Rep. Kerry Under the law, unions should be following the Gauthier (DFL-Duluth 7B), would be prohibited from Governor’s lead in helping who was endorsed by the North requiring non-members from build a better Minnesota.” East Area Labor Council in his paying 50 or 80 percent of the “This bad bill is intended to campaign after being a Duluth dues that union members pay, destroy unions and every work- city councilor, voiced strong even though non-members – as er's human right to bargain col- opposition to the union-busting required by law – are covered lectively for a better life,” bill. Rep. Gauthier said he will under a collective bargaining AFSCME Council 5 said on its do everything he can to defeat agreement and benefit from website. “Let’s stop this rip-off the legislation, and inform increased vacation time, higher and continue to strive for a Minnesotans about its adverse pay, etc. Minnesota where all labor is impact on working families in “Similar laws in 22 other rewarded with wages that can our state. states have been effective in raise a family, health care if “So-called ‘right-to-work’ dismantling labor unions and people get sick and a retire- Former Congressman Jim Oberstar met with over three legislation is nothing more than driving wages lower for hard- ment that's dignified.” dozen trade unionists Monday along with his wife, Jean, an assault on middle-class, working people,” Gauthier AFSCME predicted that and staffers Bill Richards, and Jackie Morris, foreground. working people,” said Rep. said. “I am determined to not “putting this on the ballot will Gauthier. “It is an attack on all let that happen to the hard- certainly guarantee strong Jim Oberstar: Don’t close labor unions – a labor move- working people of Minnesota.” labor turnout in the next elec- ment that has improved work- If the bill is passed by the tion. It could backfire on Rep. the door on anything ing conditions and wages for Republican-controlled legisla- Drazkowski and his You could tell the TV reporter was impressed that former Minnesotans since 1917.” ture, the constitutional amend- Republican caucus.” Congressman Jim Oberstar was having lunch with over 40 mem- One average, workers in ment would go on the ballot in Right-to-work (for less) bers of the region’s trade unions Monday. He was asked “why?” “right to work” states earn 2012 to be decided by bills as labor calls them, are “In 1974 I lost the party endorsement (in his first run for the $5,000 less per year than those Minnesota voters. Bills con- surfacing in state legislatures U.S. House of Representatives), but the Duluth Building Trades in more unionized states like cerning constitutional amend- around the country as and the United Steelworkers said ‘you have to run,’ I did, they Minnesota. ments do not require the signa- Republicans move their anti- supported me and so it’s appropriate to spend time with my Drazkowski’s HF65 would ture of DFL Governor Mark labor agenda. One website, friends in labor,” Oberstar responded. seek to dismantle labor unions Dayton – just a simple majori- www.badforindiana.org, has The long luncheon at the JJ Astor atop the Radisson found in two ways. It would amend ty in the House and Senate. RTW background information. Oberstar revisiting many of the issues that he had worked on for working families including stimulus bills, Buy American amend- Teamsters could strike St. Louis Co. today ments that put American steel into highway projects, mining and About 160 members of not all that we wanted, but we Mauren said the issues had aviation safety, air transportation for small towns, Davis-Bacon Teamsters Local 320 that work do have a final offer,” said Sue not been monetary saying “we prevailing wages...the list is long. Prospects for the future are on St. Louis County’s Road Mauren, Principal Officer of know there is a shared sacri- dim. Oberstar said Congress and the Republican agenda appear and Bridge crews could be on Teamsters Local 320. She said fice.” But the county sought to to be on a collision course with America. strike at 12:01 a.m. this morn- the membership was to meet at destroy the seniority system “They can’t make the investments American needs with the ing. That includes snowplow 5:30 p.m. Tuesday evening in and gut the ability of members Republican platform and budget,” he said. Their agenda calls for and other heavy equipment Virginia after this issue goes to to work overtime. huge cuts in government programs because they refused to raise drivers. press. “There’s a clause in our taxes on the richest two percent of Americans. An example he Teamsters 320 and St. Louis “We’ll have the member- contract that states there is pre- said is the aviation industry that will not be able to grow. It can County have been in contract ship look at it and take a vote,” mium pay for heavy equipment only meet Republican’s agenda by slowing down the system by negotiations for over a year on said Mauren. operators, which are usually having fewer air traffic controllers. their contract that expired Dec. At issue have been employ- our senior people, that the “This is not the time for 31, 2009. Last Dec. 22 a long er proposals that would affect county wants to do away with,” America to turn the clock back session of negotiations broke the duties and pay of long-term said Mauren. “Our seniority is if we’re going to compete in off when the parties were no experienced employees. not for sale.” the global economy,” Oberstar closer to a settlement at the end “We know times are tough. If the contract is turned said about the need to improve of the day than at the start. Our members are willing to do down, members can start pick- transportaion and infrastructure Union members gathered in their part to help the county and eting at 12:01 this morning or needs. Every other country is Virginia January 6 to conduct a our communities, but the any time up to February 7th, pushing forward in that compe- vote authorizing a strike if nec- employer seems intent on kick- when they would need to refile tition but the Republican agen- essary. The vote passed by a ing us when we are down,” said their intent. Pickets could go up da will stifle America he said. nearly-unanimous margin. Mauren at that time. “Our goal at any of 15 tool houses and The U.S. has incredible needs Negotiations continued this is to resume negotiations to get county courthouses. for improvements in those week on Monday, Martin a contract that our members Teamsters Local 320 is a areas and every time we create Luther King Day, until 9:30 can accept and maintain unin- statewide local that represents projects to help we create jobs p.m. terrupted service to the com- 11,500 public employees in See Oberstar...page 5 “We made some progress, munity.” Minnesota. Superior Federation of Labor starts screenings for local elections Feb. 2 Just months after going endorse candidates in a number mayoral candidates, Bruce Bridge will face challenger Mike Herrick is running unop- through one of the more diffi- of races to give voters a better Hagen, Gil Davidson, Kevin Marty Curtiss. posed. cult election cycles in memory, idea of who the working fami- Peterson, and Dan Raihala will In District 10 incumbent Bender said an additional Wisconsin residents will be ly friendly politicians are. be screened. Dave Ross Esther Dalbec will be opposed candidate forum may be held back at it quickly with local Screenings will begin stepped down Jan. 3 as mayor by former Douglas County perhaps either Saturday, March elections that culminate in a Wednesday, Feb. 2 at the to be secretary of the Board Supervisor Bob Browne, 19 or 26, prior or to the General Tuesday, April 5 General Superior Public Library.