Senate Tough on Unemployment, House? (PAI)—With 72,000 More a Second 60-Vote Hurdle to Work,” He Declared

(ISSN 0023-6667) Senate tough on unemployment, House? (PAI)—With 72,000 more a second 60-vote hurdle to work,” he declared. “It’s up to unemployed workers losing bring it to a final vote. us to make their hard times a their jobless benefits every Of the six Republicans— little easier” in “a recession” week, organized labor and its Susan Collins (ME), Rob caused by Wall Street greed civic, religious and congres- Portman (OH), Dean Heller “that goes on and on and on.” sional Democratic allies turned (NV), Kelly Ayotte (NH), Dan In opening comments the to public pressure to push res- Coats (IN) and Lisa day before on the House floor, urrection of the benefits Murkowski (AK) — five said the common Republican through a hostile GOP majority that their support is not guaran- refrain featured pious pro- An Injury to One is an Injury to All! in the U.S. House. That prom- teed on the final bill. nouncements that they want to WEDNESDAY VOL. 120 ise came from AFL-CIO The benefits, retroactive to aid the jobless, but that the $6.4 President Richard Trumka and Dec. 28, would give the aver- billion cost of sending out the JANUARY 15, 2014 NO. 13 others in a press conference- age jobless worker several hun- checks for three months must cum-rally Jan. 8. dred dollars per check, after be paid for by killing the “indi- The Democratic effort to their state benefits, 20 weeks to vidual mandate” of the 2010 extend federal benefits for the 26 weeks’ worth depending on Affordable Care Act. long-term unemployed got a their state’s law, expired. House Minority Leader surprise boost Jan. 7, as the “The job market is pretty Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., reject- Senate voted to allow the pro- cold and freezing out there” for ed that scheme, along with posal to advance after a GOP the long-term unemployed, another GOP plan to pay for filibuster to kill it failed. Trumka said.“Most hard-work- jobless aid: Reducing tax cred- Without Congressional ing Americans – bus drivers, its to poor families for kids. action, the benefits, which ran teachers, construction workers, “They have talking points out for 1.3 million Americans police officers – are one layoff so they can sound compassion- on December 28, will also end or one downturn away from ate,” Trumka said of the GOP. for another 3.6 million people real economic disaster.” The “There’s nothing compassion- later this year, including over jobless have already suffered ate about denying unemploy- 65,000 Minnesotans. that disaster “and they want to ment benefits.” Six Republican Senators Painters & Allied Trades 106 released members Spencer voted with 54 Democrats to Prettner Solon won’t run Wooden, left, and Jesse Morland to work the phones on approve a motion allowing the Duluth’s Yvonne Prettner Solon said at a Tuesday morning behalf of Patrick Boyle, the labor-endorsed candidate for measure to move ahead, but press conference that she will not seek another term as DFL St. Louis County Board in yesterday’s special election. Senate Majority Leader Harry Governor Mark Dayton’s lieutenant governor in this fall’s elec- Voting was still in progress when this issue went to press. Reid (D-NV) will need to clear tion. Prettner Solon stated she feels the need to take a break and spend more time with her family. Labor works hard for votes for Patrick Boyle She had said earlier this year that she doesn’t speak with By the time you receive this Voter turnout is expected to grabbed lists from Sias and Dayton much but talked with him for 40 minutes Monday to dis- issue of Labor World a winner be very low as that contest is their cell phones to make calls. cuss their political future. After being a state senator it seems will probably be declared in the the only one on the ballot for Sias also put out a call for driv- pretty obvious that she thought she was going to more involved St. Louis County Board citizens of eastern Duluth. ers on election day to help vot- in governing Minnesota. She had led the fight in the Senate to District 2 Special Election held “We expect 2,500 to 3,500 ers get to the polls. A 4-wheel make Minnesota a greener state with energy initiatives. As Lt. Tuesday. Labor has led the way voters so each vote really mat- drive group started forming Gov. she worked hard educating on seniors’ issues and for peo- in making sure the winner is ters,” Boyle told Central Body immediately. ple with disabilities. Patrick Boyle. delegates Jan. 9. “If the DFL Boyle says he will step She spent 12 years on the Duluth City Council and was As this issue goes to press and Labor can’t win this kind down as a city councilor if he preparing a run for mayor when her husband, Senator Sam voters are hopefully going to of election we’ll have to go wins the county board seat. Solon, passed away in December 2001. She won a special elec- the polls to select a candidate to back to the drawing board.” That will require a special election to replace him the next month. fill out the three years left on Boyle has been working tion for city council. A clinical psychologist, Prettner Solon, 68, has lived in Steve O’Neil’s term following hard with phone banks and Duluth since 1958. his death last summer. Angie doorknocking in spite of the Miller was appointed by the bitter cold and is grateful for all Rep. Tom Huntley won’t seek re-election county board to fill her hus- the help he’s received. State Representative Tom am humbled by this opportuni- “I am proud of the progress band’s seat since his death. “I’m proud of all the volun- Huntley announced Dec. 17 ty and the chance I have had to we have made to make Labor’s candidate is Boyle, teers from labor and progres- that he will not seek re-election work on issues so vital to the Minnesota the health care who has carried the AFL-CIO sives,” he said. “This is the to the Minnesota House of health of our people and state.” leader that we are,” said endorsement as a sitting Duluth grassroots getting it done. Representatives this year. The Virtually every significant Huntley. “We have been able to City Councilor. He is being Stauber is using a northern Democratic Farmer Labor piece of health care legislation make health care more accessi- challenged by Jim Stauber, an Florida service for mailings. I leader has represented eastern passed in Minnesota over the ble and affordable to families ultra conservative city coun- want to win this election and Duluth’s District (now) 7A past decade had Rep. Huntley’s and have set us on course to cilor who is stepping down we have a great list of voters since first being elected in 1992 fingerprints all over it. Huntley better address the coming from that position. IDed (identified).” after defeating Republican served as the House Health and health care challenges of the NEALC field coordinator Rep. Ben Boo, a former Duluth Human Services Finance Chair future.” Zach Sias has been leading full mayor. from 2007-2010 and is the cur- Huntley was an early sup- blown phone banks in the Huntley is the chair of the rent chair. Huntley chief- porter of the Affordable Care Labor Temple for Boyle since House Health and Human authored the Freedom to Act and took an active role Jan. 2, but Labor has been Services Finance Committee Breathe Act in 2007. He also nationally to organize state working the telephones for and will be completing his 11th served as a co-chair of lawmakers who supported its Boyle since he advanced in the term in the Legislature after it Governor Pawlenty’s health passage. President Obama county board primary election convenes Feb. 25. care reform task force and led summoned Huntley to Nov. 5. He has an excellent lifetime efforts to pass nation-leading Washington DC to help in the “We’ve been getting more voting record of 96% from the health care reform legislation effort to educate and pass the and more volunteers every Minnesota AFL-CIO. in 2008. Huntley credits those ACA. day,” Sias said Monday. “It has been an honor of a reforms and their focus on This year he chief-authored “We’ve really taken over the lifetime to serve the people of chronic disease management as legislation to expand Medical work with great volunteers.” Duluth and Minnesota at the a key marker that has set Assistance in Minnesota which At the end of the Central State Capitol,” said Huntley. “I Minnesota ahead of the pack. Body meeting many delegates See Huntley...page 8 Many ways to join in celebrating Dr. King Brainerd labor conference, Many events will honor Dr. Donna Brazile’s speech from will feature a free showing of Martin Luther King, Jr. this Minneapolis will be shown. A the 1993 documentary “At the bus trip for minimum wage weekend and on the holiday in free will offering will be taken River I Stand” in the Duluth Union members in central Minnesota will be meeting in his honor Monday, Jan. 20. to support community pro- Labor Temple’s Wellstone Brainerd Saturday, Jan. 25 at the first Central Minnesota Labor Duluth’s Got Talent grams. Hall, 2002 London Road (enter Conference and you’re invited. The conference will feature Friday, Jan. 17, 6:30 p.m. Veteran Democratic politi- via South St. entrance facing workshops and brainstorming on how to grow the labor move- A Talent Show Case will be cal strategist Brazile is an Lake Superior). ment and improve communities in Greater Minnesota. Join in held at East High School Au- adjunct professor, author, syn- The film chronicles the and help design solutions for the challenges labor is facing. ditorium, 301 N. 40th Avenue dicated columnist, television AFSCME Memphis Sanitation The event is free, but donations will be accepted for the East this Friday, Jan. 17 at 6:30 political commentator, Vice workers strike in 1968, where Greater Minnesota Worker Center. p.m. Talent show try-outs were Chair of Voter Registration and Dr. King gave his famous “I The conference is at Central Lakes College, 501 W. College held earlier this month. Participation at the Democratic have been to the mountaintop” Drive, Brainerd. Registration begins at 9 a.m.; sessions run The Personal Side: National Committee, and for- speech. He was assassinated from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., with a follow-up coffee and conversation A Conversation with MLK mer interim National Chair of the following day. from 3-4 p.m. A free lunch will be served. Saturday, Jan. 18, 7:00 PM the Democratic National Duluth’s MLK Holiday For more information contact AFSCME Local 1574’s The Unitarian Universalist Committee as well as the for- committee is a group of indi- Michael Dolney, [email protected], 218-851- Congregation of Duluth, 835 mer chair of the DNC’s Voting viduals and organizations who 9553, or AFSCME Local 4001’s Deb Breneman, debbimeis- College St., will feature dra- Rights Institute. share a conviction that the life ter@ gmail.com, 218-820-9162. matic readings from King and MLK Holiday March and legacy of Dr. King has rel- The East Central Area Labor Council is sponsoring a bus trip many other figures from histo- Mon., Jan. 20, 10:45 a.m. evance for the Twin Ports and to the Capitol for a Raise the Wage! rally on Tuesday, February ry who influenced or were Gather at the Washington the world. They welcome any- 25 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the first day of the legislative session. influenced by him. Learn more Center, Lake Avenue and 4th one to join them in the hard Bus pickup locations are in Brainerd, Little Falls, St. Cloud, about his life and how it con- St. at 10:45 a.m. to March to work of building community and Elk River. Space on the bus is limited. Contact Casey (612- nects to so many other lives the DECC in honor of King. In and fulfilling the dream. Visit 913-6743 or [email protected], or Wayne (218-839-0850 through performance and song. case of extreme cold, the march mlk-duluth.org to learn more. or [email protected]) to RSVP as an individual or MLK Ecumenical Service will be shortened and to for your local union/organization. Sunday, Jan. 19, 4:00 pm through the downtown sky- The service at St. Mark walk to the DECC. CLB endorses Homeless Bill of Rights AME Church, 530 N. 5th Ave. Join in and share your com- Following a presentation by and that everyone has the right resented on the commissions E., recognizing that Dr. King mitment to fulfill the dream of Joel Kilgour of Loaves and to a standard of living ade- and boards that affect their was a man of God, invites the Dr. King and all those others Fishes, delegates to the Jan. 9 quate” for the well-being of lives. The city needs to hear our community to share in an ecu- who have struggled for civil Duluth Central Labor Body themselves and their families stories to make better decisions menical worship service honor- and human rights. meeting endorsed a Homeless including food, clothing, and on our issues,” he said to ing his legacy. Featured speak- MLK Holiday Rally Bill of Rights and a Duluth housing. cheers at the rally. er is Dr. Betty Webb, a member Monday, Jan. 20, 11:45 a.m. Commission to End Hunger, At a City Hall rally Monday Duluth’s housing crisis has of Wayman African Methodist The rally at the DECC audi- Homelessness and Poverty. evening prior to presenting the many organizations working to Church, Minneapolis, where torium begins about 11:45 a.m. More importantly the resolution which the council resolve it but much work needs she served as Choir director for It features local speakers and Duluth City Council unani- had on their consent agenda, to be done, including for the over 25 years. She is a former performers who will celebrate mously approved the same Kilgour said the effort is aimed homeless. Kilgour said many Assistant Superintendent of the the life and legacy of Dr. King measures Monday night. at “bringing people back into end up with medical problems. Minneapolis Public Schools. and work to build the type of Kilgour said there are more our community and ending the “We have two people at She has lead many workshops community that he envisioned homeless people on Duluth’s stigma of homelessness.” Loaves and Fishes that have that are geared towards the here in the Twin Ports. streets than ever before. Councilor Sharla Gardner frostbite so bad they can’t walk spiritual and academic empow- The rally will feature con- “We figure there are 200 carried the resolution. At a can- stairs and may need amputa- erment of youth. nections between the lives of people outside – not in shelters didate forum last fall Gardner tion,” he explained. When they MLK Free Breakfast Dr. King and Nelson Mandela. even – and its deadly out there heard homeless people say they get released from hospitals Monday, Jan. 20, 7 a.m. Share in this celebration of in winter,” Kilgour told dele- were afraid to come to the city they are discharged back onto Holy Family Catholic working toward freedom and gates. He presented a lengthy council in fear that their chil- the streets because shelters Church, 2430 W. 3rd St., will human rights. petition/resolution detailing the dren may even be taken from may be full or they may not host a free breakfast beginning MLK Film poverty and homeless crisis in them. want to go to one. Kilgour said at 7:00 a.m. At 7:15 a.m. a local Monday, Jan. 20, 7:00 p.m. Duluth. “They felt like criminals,” his group is always looking for program will be held. At 8:00 The North East Area Labor The effort goes beyond a Kilgour said, “No more! We donations for warm weather a.m. a large screen broadcast of Council’s Labor Movie Night city council endorsement in need to end the disconnect gear to help the homeless. (See that it seeks a public policy between city hall and our poor list of needs on page 3) Citizens in Action Jan. 25 effort by city ordinance and the people. We need the poor rep- creation of a commission to The 16th annual Citizens In Action conference is a great way work on hunger, homelessness for citizens to educate themselves and make democracy and gov- and poverty “to secure the fun- Thank You & Congratulations! ernment work better for people. It is Saturday, Jan. 25 at the damental economic and social Mike Sundin John Haburt Kyle Koller Coppertop Church, 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It’s all free. rights of all Duluthians.” Carl Anderson Wendi Mattinen Jerry Fallos State Rep. Rena Moran (DFL-St. Paul), a strong activist for The resolution states that social and economic justice, is the opening keynote speaker. it’s “not a crime to be homeless Dana Hanson Bernadette Burnham Workshops will give steps for citizen involvement, support- Alex Livadaros Jared Katzmark ing youth, building coalitions, and telling your story. Coffee and conversation from 1:00 to 2:30 has many local IBEWIBEW 3131 &242242 Boilermakers #647 Sheet Metal Workers #10 elected officials invited. St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin Retirees’ Letter Carriers Zenith Branch 114 Merged will perform during the closing “Accomplishments of 20113.” Retirees’ Laborers Local 1091 Brothers and Sisters LuncheonLuncheon The kindness and generosity shown by so many in I.U.O.E. Local 70 Tues., Jan. 28 contributions to our food drive netted 1,004 pounds Monthly Arrowhead Regional Meeting 1:00 p.m. of food with the monetary donations to help feed the Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014, 5:00 P.M. Dry Dock hungry in our community. Thank you for your help! Duluth Labor Center, Hall B Members & Their In Solidarity and Gratefulness Dave Monsour, Business Manager, (651) 646-4566 Guests Welcome! Dan Olson, Business Manager, Laborers Local 1091 PAGE 2 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2014 Kochs target Nolan over ACA Editor: Americans for Prosperity, a conservative group funded by the Koch brothers, want residents of the 8th Congressional District Every time unemployment to think people having access to affordable health insurance is insurance battles, and it’s most bad. The Koch brothers are famous for spending their vast often extensions of them, rise wealth to rewrite the rules of government to benefit the nation’s up in St. Paul or Washington, I richest 1 percent at the expense of the other 99 percent of hard- think back to my days of need- working Americans. ing unemployment benefits. It The Koch brothers have put Congressman Rick Nolan in their happened too many times in targets because they know he is doing right by his constituents. the 1970s and 1980s when I Congressman Nolan voted in favor of bipartisan legislation to worked, and got laid-off, as a allow Americans to keep their health plans, if they so choose, Laborers Local 1091 member. until they can secure a better plan under Affordable Care Act One year in a fight to get (ACA). state extensions passed, I Thanks to the ACA, insurance companies can no longer dis- remember Duluth Senator Jim criminate based on pre-existing conditions, people are accessing Gustafson saying in opposi- preventive services without a co-pay and millions of young peo- tion, “They’ll just put that ple are benefitting by staying on their parents' health insurance money in the bank.” Yaw, right, ucts firm. His party is still 4) The unemployment rate plans. Because of the ACA, and Minnesota’s marketplace try living on nothing. He was a using those same worn points remains unacceptably high; exchange MNsure, some people will have access to affordable Republican, owner of A&E to fight off working folks, 5) There are still three job health care for the first time in their lives. Supply, a business office prod- many working poor. No won- seekers for every job opening. The Koch brothers are out of touch with residents of north- der we haven’t had Republi- All that while the U.S. is eastern Minnesota. As billionaires they cannot understand that cans representing us in St. Paul doing a good job coming out of having a health crisis without insurance can bankrupt a family; ~NOTICE~ since (if my memory serves). the Great Recession. how many lives will be saved with access to preventive servic- Labor World 2014 issues: He was done in 1992, when Anyone who thinks a work- es; and the stress of being 20 something with a college degree Jan. 29; Feb. 12, 26; Republican Rep. Ben Boo got ing family can get by on unem- and searching for a good-paying job with benefits. Ironically, March 12, 26; April 16; beat by Tom Huntley. Republi- ployment benefits hasn’t had to with three heart attacks, the man singled out by the Koch broth- May 14, 28; June 25; cans back then were actually try to do it. It’s going back- ers will still be guaranteed insurance under ACA - but would July 9, 29; Aug. 6, 27; much better than they are wards financially. Too many have an extremely high probability of being cancelled under the Sept. 10, 24; Oct. 8, 29; today. But like Gustafson many full time workers today are old system. Nov. 12, 25; Dec. 17 today think unemployed work- having that happen to them While there have been issues with rolling out health care ers are “on the dole and waiting already because of their exchanges, the bottom line is that when the dust clears millions The non-profit Labor World, Inc. is the for a better job to show up” and employers, most of them good of Americans will buy health insurance and have access to care official publication of the Duluth AFL- “they’ll just have fewer jobs if that billionaires like the Koch brothers take for granted. CIO Central Labor Body. It is an educa- Republicans. That’s why they tional, advocacy newspaper for workers employers are expected to pay don’t get elected around here. Ken Martin, Chairman, Minnesota DFL and unions. The views and opinions sub- higher wages.” We want good, family support- mitted and expressed in the Labor World The Center for American ing jobs, and we want to work. do not necessarily reflect the views of the Progress says Congress has I’ve been fortunate in not Free help with income taxes paper, its Board of Directors or staff, the Community Action Duluth’s Free Tax Site opens Tuesday, Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body, its offered extended emergency missing a paycheck in over a affiliated unions, their officers, or staff. unemployment benefits in quarter century. That doesn’t Jan. 28. Individuals and families with annual income up to every major recession since the mean I forgot the hard times. $51,000 are eligible to get 2013 tax returns prepared and filed by LABOR WORLD 1950s. But today: There are many things I dislike IRS-certified volunteers. Its fast and its accurate with direct (ISSN#0023-6667) is published 1) Long-term unemploy- about Democrats and DFLers deposit electronic filing refunds available in two weeks. Property semi-monthly except one issue in ment is higher than ever; including that they cozy up to tax refund help is also available. There are many options in terms April, June, December (21 issues). of hours and locations. Some are walk-in only, some are by The known office of publication is 2) A typical unemployed the monied interests too much Labor World, 2002 London Road, worker has been out of work at the expense of working appointment. Locations include: Room 110, Duluth, MN 55812. longer than ever before; folks. Sometimes they sell their Community Action Duluth, 2424 W. 5th St., walk-ins only on Periodicals postage is paid at 3) More unemployed work- principles, but they retain their Tuesdays and Wednesday beginning at 4:30 p.m., and Saturdays Duluth MN 55806. ers are running out of benefits starting at 8:45 a.m. POSTMASTER: memories of how they got than ever before; where they are sometimes too. Laura MacArthur Elementary opens Monday, Feb. 3 starting Send address changes to: at 4:15 p.m. by appointment for taxpayers with dependents, sen- Labor World, 2002 London Rd., Loaves & Fishes Wish List ior citizens and people with disabilities. Mondays: 4:15 p.m. Room 110, Duluth, MN 55812 Ordean Building, 424 W. Superior St., 1st floor, Room B, S-70 7 Donations are accepted every day from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. at T W I N C I T I E S DULUTH 1712 Jefferson Street, Duluth. If you have questions about dona- opens Thursday, Jan. 30 in partnership with United Way of (218) 728-4469 tions or volunteering call 218-724-2054. Greater Duluth by appointment for all income-eligible taxpayer. FAX: (218) 724-1413 FOOD: Coffee; herbal tea; sugar; butter; margarine; salad Thursdays: 10:00 a.m. [email protected] dressing; cheese; breakfast cereal; canned tomatoes (whole or To schedule Laura MacArthur and Ordean Building appoint- www.laborworld.org ments call (218) 726-1665, extension 39 or 34. ~ ESTABLISHED 1896 ~ crushed, large cans preferred) pasta; prepared frozen meals Owned by Unions affiliated with the (home-made welcome, portions for 15-20 people). For amended and prior year returns call after Monday, March Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body HOUSEHOLD: Laundry detergent; paper napkins; dish 10 to schedule a post-season appointment. Appointments begin Subscriptions: $22 Annually soap; postage stamps (letter & postcard); single-ply toilet paper. April 1 and go until August 13, 2014. Larry Sillanpa, Editor/Manager PERSONAL: Toothpaste; razors; ibuprofen; nail clippers; Visit communityactionduluth.org/taxes for a list of what to Deborah Skoglund, Bookkeeper vitamin C; house slippers (men's sizes 8-13). bring to your appointment and other information. Board of Directors STREET OUTREACH: 1- and 2-person tents; tarps; winter Pres/Treas Dan Leslie, IBEW boots (men’s sizes 11-13) This Day In History 31; VP Stacy Spexet, USW BIKE CAVE: NEW kid-sized bike helmets; sockets and 9460; Sec Jayme McKenna, ratchet set. PLEASE NOTE: we are NOT accepting bicycle www.workdayminnesota.org AFSCME 66; Mikael Sundin, donations until spring. Painters & Allied Trades 106; January 13, 1874 - The original Tompkins Square Riot took Al LaFrenier, Workers’ United SPECIAL REQUESTS: Sturdy bunk bed frames (for place. As unemployed workers demonstrated in New York's Midwest Board; Dan O’Neill, adults); laptop computer (for one of our guys who is starting Tompkins Square Park, a detachment of mounted police Plumbers & Steamfitters 11; school); carpet/upholstery cleaner; brooms and dustpans; clean charged into the crowd, beating men, women and children Steve Risacher, Carpenters 361 area rugs (4' or larger for bedrooms). indiscriminately with billy clubs and leaving hundreds of casu- Tom Cvar, UFCW 1189 VOLUNTEER NEEDS: Bike mechanics; Building Trades alties in their wake. Commissioner of Police Abram Duryee, Scott Dulas, NALC 114 people (especially carpentry and plumbing). said, "It was the most glorious sight I ever saw . . ." LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2014 PAGE 3 Vikings stadium will be 100% union built View stadium construction online Will be largest Project Minnesota Sports Facilities the construction of the stadium. You can be an online “sidewalk superintendent” for the con- Labor Agreement in Authority, required project The agreement also makes struction of the new Minnesota Vikings stadium. Visit contractor M.A. Mortenson the job an all-union job by rec- tinyurl.com/stadiumcam and watch Minnesota’s highly trained Minnesota history Company to negotiate a ognizing the jurisdiction of the and skilled union construction workers do their jobs on the new By Steve Share “Project Labor Agreement” two dozen Building Trades Vikings stadium, which has a Project Labor Agreement via Minneapolis Labor Review with the Minneapolis Building unions named in the PLA. EarthCam/Webcam Technology. Work on the new $763 mil- and Construction Trades Both parties to the agree- You can now stay up-to-date on the stadium job with views lion Minnesota Vikings stadi- Council. ment also commit to a griev- from a construction camera and interactive archive calendar. um— officially the “Minnesota A Project Labor Agreement ance and arbitration process to Select any date and time to see what happened on the construc- Multi-Purpose Stadium” — serves a public purpose by resolve any issues or disagree- tion site that day. Choose your favorite image and share via will be an all-union job. ensuring that the work on the ments that may arise. email, Facebook and Twitter. Images are updated every 15 min- Construction will involve project continues on schedule “It’s the largest Project utes to provide a fresh look at the jobsite. an estimated 4 million work without any labor disputes. Labor Agreement in the history Currently the camera is mounted on an outside location hours. At construction peak, The 14-page agreement, of the state,” said Dan overlooking the Metrodome, which is going down for the new some 1,300-1,400 workers will signed Nov. 22, 2013, commits McConnell, business manager stadium. The camera will be moved to an updated location later. be on-site. the unions to no strikes or of the Minneapolis Building The public authority which slow-downs and commits the and Construction Trades will own the stadium, the contractor no lock-outs during Council. SOCIALSOCIAL SSECURITYECURITY DIDISABILITYSABILITY He noted that the Council Senate Bonding Committee has entered into many PLA agreements with Mortenson in launches Build.MN site the past, including for the con- If you’re injured at work and (ST. PAUL) – Sifting through the vast amount of information struction of Target Field. worried about your job, call collected by the hundreds of projects requesting state funding for The PLA commits both par- us for a free consultation. capital improvements could seem like an overwhelming task. ties to use good faith efforts to We can help with wage loss The Minnesota Senate Bonding Committee is launching a meet the diversity goals for the beneﬁts, Social Security website to address this issue - Build.MN is an easy to navigate project workforce established Disability claims and a resource, with media-rich project summaries, insights from key by the MSFA: 32 percent whole lot more. Our success leaders and elected officials, and opportunities to join the con- minority and 6 percent female. is no accident. versation. Building Trades unions are Senator LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Plummer), Chair of the Senate gearing up to meet the diversi- Bonding Committee, said, “We invite everyone to visit ty requirements, McConnell Build.MN, check out a project and keep coming back. We all noted, putting training pro- benefit when more people are engaged in the capital investment grams and strong safety pro- process. Let us know your thoughts and help us #BuildMN.” grams in place. Senator David Senjem (R-Rochester), ranking Minority The PLA is a win-win-win Member of the committee agrees. “The bricks and mortar needs for the Building Trades, of Minnesota are many and varied. Senate Republicans look for- Mortenson, and the MSFA, ward to working with Senator Stumpf and our DFL colleagues in McConnell said. “It’s going to fashioning a bonding bill that not only works to address these mean the project will be done by good quality contractors and needs but is able to garner broad bipartisan support. Senator 800-535-1665 218-727-5384 130 W. Superior St., Duluth duluthinjury.com Stumpf has been wonderful to work with and I am optimistic in hard-working union men and s s s our ability to put together a good bill.” women.” The Senate Bonding Committee is on facebook.com/ Ironically, McConnell mnsencapinvest and Twitter twitter.com/mnsencapinvest. noted, “the first PLA we ever -(('*,0'-*$'$(!*%0' Follow the conversation on Twitter at #BuildMN. did was with the Metrodome,” $$0'-*%($'0*0'-/&,$'$(!*%0+*."+' DFL Gov. Mark Dayton has expressed his wishes for a bond- which will be torn down to ing bill in the area of $750 million to a one billion dollars. make way for the new stadium. ,3+,,*'''#(",$'$3 Thanks, Enbridge, for using our Union Labor! ! We take the stress out of construction plans! The Twin Ports Construction Liaison Committee

meets regularly to ensure that customers who use our services are TM getting the best bang for their construction dollar. Call us at 218-727-2199 HealthyPack if you have a project in mind and we’ll take the stress out of your plans! Multi-Dose Packaging TPCLC MEMBERS: Amendola Builders • Associated General Contractors of MN • Bricklayers #1 FREE Mail Out • Cement Masons #633 • Chris Jensen & Son Service • Duluth Builders Exchange • Four Star • IBEW #242 • Rx Savings Club Plus • Free In Town Delivery • Iron Workers #512 • Jamar • J.R. 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Store,'*'-*+'&'*"'% (%2,'% #"(%2-&'% (% Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-8pm • Sat 9am-5:30pm • Sun 9am-3pm PAGE 4 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2014 Unions making progress on ACA rules for multi-employer health plans By Mark Gruenberg, thorny problem of assuring the ten by Obama’s Health and really being treated unfairly,” employer plans lose and work- Press Associates Union continuation of the multi- Human Services Department, Trumka told Allen. “For ers lose coverage, he warned. News Service, Dec. 22, 2013 employer plans as one of sever- treat the multi-employer plans everybody else, if you’re eligi- Trumka predicted Congress Organized labor is appar- al “tweaks” the 2010 the same way they treat the ble for a (federal) health care would have to solve the multi- ently making progress in con- Affordable Care Act needs. He insurers, Trumka explained. subsidy, you get the subsidy. employer plan problem. Some vincing the Obama White told Allen Congress might need That means health insurance They said ‘pay the worker.’ half a dozen union presidents, House to revisit rules that to make the changes. But he subsidies could go straight to But if you’re a minimum wage including James Hoffa of the would virtually trash multi- implied that virulent GOP low-income workers – but at a worker and somebody says Teamsters, Joe Hansen of the employer health care plans – hatred of the health care law cost of forcing them to drop out ‘Here’s 3,000 bucks, so you United Food and Commercial joint employer-union run plans makes legislative changes to of the plans’ coverage. can buy health care’ or shoes Workers and Ed Hill of IBEW whose demise would throw 20 the ACA unlikely soon. “If you have an existing for the kids, I’ll bet some of have made that request to top million people off of health The multi-employer plans plan that covers 500,000 peo- them will buy shoes for the congressional Democrats. insurance rolls. cover workers in construction, ple, you ought to be able to kids. “We’ll continue to push on the That impression came from food processing, retail food and continue it,” Trumka told “The second thing is that Hill to make those changes,” an interview AFL-CIO other industries. They’re Allen. But under the rules, the our employers pay into that Trumka told Allen. President Richard Trumka arrangements where the union multi-employer plans might trust fund” to cover workers Other union leaders have gave Dec. 19 to Mike Allen, and management jointly run a fail, leaving workers uncov- with health care, he added. gone even farther. Sheet Metal White House bureau chief for health care plan, as opposed to ered. That raised the ire of a “But to get the subsidy, those Workers President Joe Nigro Politico on a wide range of having management contract bloc of unions, speaking for low-wage workers have to warned at the AFL-CIO con- issues, and from talks with with a private insurer or insur- their members, at the AFL-CIO come out of the trust fund” and vention that demise of the Trumka aides. The interview is ers to provide health care for convention in Los Angeles in fend for themselves. multi-employer plans could available on Politico’s website. workers. September 2013. Meanwhile, the employers lead to mass defections from Trumka described the But the ACA rules, as writ- “Our health care plans are “are deemed to be not cover- labor’s ranks. Laborers ing” their workers and are hit President Terry O’Sullivan with fines “and on top of that declared that workers must not they have to pay $63 per work- be sacrificed. IN MEMORY of er, even though they have the A Trumka aide informally same health care plan we told Press Associates Union always had,” he said. News Service after the session Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Labor is telling the Obama that a huge legislative rewrite "I'M NOT A RACIST, BUT...." White House and its might not be needed to solve Department of Health and the multi-employer plans’ e've all heard this line before, maybe even used Human Services to pay the problem. The White House has Wit ourselves. What usually follows is a racist remark–– $3,000 subsidy to the trust fund understood labor’s arguments either a derogatory comment or a sweeping generalization–– that covers the workers, so on the issue and is seeking a firms won’t drop coverage and solution, the aide added. But about someone's racial or ethnic background. workers won’t be forced out, not everything can be done acist remarks divide us, and make us focus on Trumka explained. administratively, leaving a differences instead of the things that bring us If the administration stands smaller legislative fix neces- R fast, the private insurers gain sary. The aide was not specif- together––like shared concerns about our families, decent while the non-profit multi- ic. wages, safe working conditions and fairness at work. nionism and racism don't mix. Racism seeks to PLEASE MENTION THIS LABOR WORLD AD Udegrade people and insult their dignity. Unionism, January 15, 1929 however, seeks equality and justice for everyone–– April 4, 1968 in the workplace and in the community. So, the next time you hear a racist remark, explain that racism is anti-union. Say NO to racism! We remember Martin Luther King, Jr. was the civil rights leader who led the Montgomery bus boycott. We remember that 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, in 1963 he delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech which defined civil rights for all. As public employees, we remember he was standing with striking AFSCME sanitation workers in Memphis on the day he was slain. REMEMBERING MEMPHIS: "You are demanding that this city will respect the dignity of labor. So often we overlook the work and the signif icance of those who are not in professional jobs, of those who are not in the so-called big jobs. DIVORCE • PATERNITY But let me say to you tonight that whenever you are engaged in work that serves CUSTODY/PARENTING TIME humanity and is for the building of humanity, it has dignity and it has worth." GRANDPARENTING RIGHTS STEP PARENT ADOPTIONS -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the AFSCME Memphis Sanitation Strike on FELONIES • DUI/DWI April 3, 1968. Visit www.afscme.org and put “Dr. King” on the search engine for more. MISDEMEANORS • OFPS/HROS AFSCME Local 66 AFSCME Council 5

LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2014 PAGE 5 New York’s “Tale of Two Cities” extends throughout America’s inequality By Teresa Albano homeless shelters and housing also be described as singular -- tinue to feed the younger gen- place. Wall Street will make Editor, People’s World developments stand in the neg- confronts bankruptcy brought eration into the “prison-indus- sure of that. Giant corporations NEW YORK (PAI)--During lected shadow of gleaming, on by years of class and racial trial complex.” have been feeding off the tax- his Jan. 1 inauguration speech multi-million-dollar condos.” inequalities, economic and The unfortunate list could payer trough for decades New York City’s new mayor, Stringer said he would pur- social conditions that in fine continue, and with each prob- whether through privatization Bill de Blasio, pledged to take sue a progressive and “fiscally and medium-grain detail differ lem class and racial inequities of public resources or tax sub- “dead aim” at the Big Apple’s responsible” agenda that can greatly from New York’s. As increase and intensify. Some sidies and credits for the prom- obscene wealth gap. He had “lift up every New Yorker,” different as Cadillac is from call this “neoliberal urbanism,” ise of jobs. called it a “tale of two cities” making the point the two are credit default swaps. Yet, all in which capital markets have An example: Recently the throughout his campaign, yet not mutually exclusive. cities struggle, in one way or free reign over the local econo- Chicago city government reaffirmed in his speech that New York’s problems are another, over public services, my and with it comes social, awarded $15 million to the ending the “economic and not unique. What de Blasio especially public education, political and ideological rule. Chicago Mercantile Exchange social inequalities that threaten described as the “quiet crisis” pensions, taxes, jobs and To put it another way, the crisis -- one of the largest financial to unravel the city we love” of wealth disparities plagues wages, affordable housing and of cities is rooted in capitalism. institutions in the world -- to wasn’t just cheap talk to get every city in America. Indeed racial bias in law enforcement The struggle forward takes pay for bathroom renovations elected, but the central tenet of it is a runaway train that threat- and criminal justice policies. on many forms and takes place in exchange for a few hundred his administration’s agenda. ens havoc not only for urban Residents of cities large and in many arenas, with different jobs and a promise to stay in The city’s other new top America, but for town and sub- small see their public schools coalitions and movements. Chicago until 2017. In other officials, Public Advocate urb, reservation and village starved for funding, while cor- The de Blasio victory offers words, the city was willing to Leticia James and Comptroller alike. For this writer, coming porate reforms such as private hope that a national progres- pay the ransom after the Scott Stringer, made similar, if from Chicago, where the cur- EMOs (education maintenance sive shift on tackling the wealth exchange threatened to move. not more far-reaching, vows. rent mayor has earned the title organizations) and charter and racial inequities plaguing After public protest, the James, the first woman of color of “Mayor One Percent,” the schools siphon public monies. our cities is in the making. exchange rejected the money. to be elected to a citywide promise to change policies that Low-wage jobs in food and In early December, Presi- The progressive movement, office, blasted the pro-Wall favor the super-wealthy is retail sectors hold back urban dent Barack Obama invited de too, will be challenged to break Street policies of outgoing music to my ears. economies. Mass transit sys- Blasio and more than a dozen out of its comfort zone and Mayor Michael Bloomberg But the crisis doesn’t look tems languish and police poli- other mayors-elect to meet build coalitions with allies, that have led to “a gilded age of the same in every place. cies that target black and brown with him. Afterward, de Blasio starting with the labor move- inequality, where decrepit Detroit -- a city that could young men for harassment con- described a communality of ment, and to go beyond its cur- interests among the mayors rent reach. Basic to addressing that could be the basis of a the problems of inequality is to national movement. implement a new green indus- “Something is going on trial policy based on union here” when you have mayors wages. Rebuilding bridges, nationwide telling the president factories and providing afford- the same thing regarding able housing is unavoidable. poverty and early childhood That means national and state education, de Blasio said after solutions. the meeting. “Fighting inequal- The 2014 midterm elections ity is the mission of our times,” are certain to be part of the he said. challenge. If the Tea Party Such a movement -- one Republicans succeed in contin- that combines struggles against uing their rule in Congress and class and racial inequities -- has statehouses, then the renewed the corporate titans and their impetus for a national progres- champions worried. De Blasio, sive movement to end poverty MESOTHELIOMA and LUNG CANCER like Obama, will be challenged and racial inequities will face a by events and a fierce opposi- much bigger mountain to Why choose Cascino Vaughan to handle your tion, the far-right in the first climb. Asbestos Claim? Workers at warehouse with The lawyers on our letterhead have over 75 years of combined Wal-Mart ties to get $4.68M MIRA LOMA, CA. (PAI)—Some 568 workers who toiled in asbestos experience. a warehouse here for Schneider Logistics, a Wal-Mart subcon-

tractor, will share in a $4.68 million class action settlement of - ʹͲͳͲǡ ǯ their claims for unpaid wages, meal times, break times and over-

settled in excess of $1.9 Million. time U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder ruled Dec. 4. Snyder decided Schneider will pay workers $3.03 million. - In August of 2010 we settled a case for a Sheboygan bricklayer The rest goes to attorney’s fees and to reimburse California for its probes into the wage-and-hour violations at the warehouse. for more than $750,000. The settlement orders Schneider to obey federal law, and - In May of 2010 a jury awarded a verdict $1.45 Million for one of change its employment practices, starting with “a normal schedule of five 8-hour workdays.” And workers will get final OK of our Milwaukee clients. their time records. Schneider even forced workers to sign waivers promising not to complain about the shorted overtime CASCINO VAUGHAN meal and rest breaks. The settlement kills the waivers, too. LAW OFFICES Wal-Mart was not a part of this case, even though Schneider’s 1110 Old World Third Street Suite 405 warehouse complex exclusively handles goods for the retail Milwaukee Wisconsin 53203 mega-monster, known for its low wages, lousy benefits and ram- pant labor law-breaking. Wal-Mart itself has had to repay thou- (414)226-0241 sands of store workers for unpaid overtime and break time in many states. And the retailer is not out of the woods yet with its or warehouse workers. A federal judge handling a pending case Michael P. Cascino, Esq. (800)783-0081 Allen D. Vaughan, Esq. against Wal-Mart involving another California complex ruled in Jan. 2013 Wal-Mart is a joint employer and can be liable. PAGE 6 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2014 SeaTac’s $15 minimum wage still in courts The $15 per hour minimum Superior Court Judge Andrea expected her latest ruling and wage for travel and hospitality Darvas ruled the wage and sick will appeal it the state Supreme workers passed by SeaTac, leave measure does cover Court. Washington voters in Novem- 1,600 SeaTac hotel, car rental, “Full-time workers at the Liaison Program News ber will still be played out in and parking lot workers. She airport should be able to sup- the courts after one setback. said it does not cover 4,700 airport their families without pub- from Lynette Swanberg, Director The law was set to take port workers because they are lic assistance,” said Yes for AFL-CIO Community Services and United Way Partnership effect Jan. 1 but the same not part of the City of SeaTac, SeaTac’s Heather Weiner. forces that fought Prop 1 have but part of another entity, the Washington’s state mini- Thanks for holiday support won in their first court case. Port of Seattle. In August she mum wage is the highest in the They lost in paying for a had ruled that Prop 1 be struck nation and rises 13 cents to A big THANKS to the many individuals and union offices recount, which showed the from the ballot but she was $9.32/hour this month. that contributed their time, gifts and financial support to the measure won by 77 votes out overturned on appeal. Sonoma, California has a Community Services Holiday programs, where many families of about 6,000 cast. The union-backed Yes for $15.38 minimum wage for city in need received meals and gifts during the holidays. On Dec. 27 King County SeaTac campaign says it workers and contractors. A brief recap of the work the Community Service Committee did in 2013 includes our yearly Workers’ Memorial Breakfast Portland now has sick leave for all workers and Observance, the National Association of Letter Carriers By Don McIntosh through multiple employers and it’s conducting free train- Food Drive, United Way Day of Caring, Labor Day Picnic, The Northwest Labor Press over the course of a year, and ing for employers on how to Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday programs and fundraising where union-affiliated trusts, administer the law. Officials activities, and assisting outside organizations in directing dona- On Jan. 1, more than a quarter of a million Portland, Ore- rather than employers them- said in the first months, the city tions to agencies, to name a few. selves, administer benefits. will go easy on employers who Our committee has directed your dollars conscientiously, as gon workers gained a human right -- the right to stay home Under the ordinance as violate the law unknowingly: this program has helped union members who have been struck amended by City Council in They’ll have to make employ- by illness, lay-offs, housing crises, assistance with tax filing and when they’re sick. That’s when a city ordinance passed last November, building trades ees whole for violations, but unemployment insurance matters. This year, $4,300 has been unions won’t need to change they won’t be assessed addi- used to assist our members in their times of need, leaving many March took effect, guarantee- ing up to 40 hours of sick leave their existing benefit structure tional civil penalties or fines families and individuals grateful for the generosity of our union if they have systems of paid for first-time violations. members and union treasuries. per year for all employees who work at least 240 hours a year time off, including vacation It has been another year that I personally have been blessed pay accounts, that may also be to work with so many great union volunteers and had the privi- in Oregon’s largest city. It will be paid sick leave used as sick leave pay. The city lege of assisting our members in need. also clarified that employers Our Committee is always looking for volunteers, whether it where there are six or more employees, and unpaid where can calculate the 40-hour-a- be for a couple hours for a project or event, or to be on the year sick leave requirement Community Services Committee which meets monthly and there are five or fewer. Employees become eligible using contract year as well as directs the Program. If you are interested in becoming more calendar year and fiscal year. active, please call Lynette Swanberg at 218-726-4775 or comm- for sick leave after they’ve been employed 90 days. They Though most union mem- [email protected]. Opportunities are abundant and bers have sick leave, the policy your participation is welcomed. earn an hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, and will be a big improvement for INJURED AT WORK? may use up to 40 hours a year many. Under the local multi- when they or a family member employer contract with United are sick or have a medical Food and Commercial Workers We8QLRQ0HPEHU5HSUHVHQWDWLRQ Represent Union Members appointment. Leave can be Local 555, grocery workers ONE used to cover all or part of a haven’t been allowed to use Lost Wages? Unpaid Bills? scheduled shift. paid sick leave until the third In November, the city day of an illness. But the ordi- MAN’S Can I Get Fired? issued administrative rules nance trumps that, and now Local 555 members working Helping injured union members with governing how the mandated DREAM: +HOSLQJLQMXUHGXQLRQPHPEHUVZLWK sick leave will be implement- within city limits will have the Steve Fields WKHLUZRUNHUV¶FRPSHQVDWLRQFODLPtheir workers’ compensation claims. ed. Some of the rules right to paid leave on the first Attorney day. Local 555 was part of the Free Advice – No Obligation addressed concerns by building MLK )UHH$GYLFH1R2EOLJDWLRQ trades union leaders that the coalition that pushed the council to pass the ordinance. That all men and women 218-824-0093 ordinance was a poor fit for the union construction sector, The ordinance might have would one day be treated ZZZ)LHOGV:RUN,QMXU\FRPwww.FieldsWorkInjury.com Toll Free 1-888-212-6820 where workers may rotate taken effect sooner, but city equally, regardless of creed council sponsors wanted to or color. Martin Luther give the Oregon legislature a King, Jr. was a person who chance to pass statewide sick truly believed in his dream BuyBuy1 –G Geteet 1 leave. Some business critics of Portland’s ordinance said it and worked to make it * would be a hassle to have dif- come true. Today, let us FREE ferent sets of rules for Portland remember to keep his and for the rest of the state. But dream alive by paying *Second*Second pairpair fromfrom our SelectSelect Collection.Collecttion. SSomeome exclusions applapply.y. Cannot be a bill to extend sick leave to all tribute to this great man. comcombinedbine d withw ith any othero ther offer.o ffer. Oregon workers didn’t make it out of a state House committee MLK in last year’s session. A Message Brought to You by: Family Forward Oregon’s IBEW Local 242 political arm, Mother PAC, will press legislative office-seekers in 2014 to commit to a Aurora l Cloquet l Duluth l Grand Rapids statewide sick leave law. Hinckley l Moose Lake l Sandstone The city sent out brochures Superior l TwTwo Harbors WE BILL FOR YOUR UNION BENEFITS visionprooptical.com to all 45,000 businesses that have a city business license,

LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2014 PAGE 7 Six candidates jump into 7A race early Candidates started announc- Local 101, which he serves as Program. She got the Central ing plans to run for Rep. Tom president. He replaced Erik Body endorsement in her victo- Huntley’s state House District Simonson in that post after rious campaign for the Duluth 7A seat as soon as he an- Simonson was elected to the City Council. Her first term nounced he will not run again. Minnesota House of Represen- runs to Jan. 2016. The state’s official filing tatives from Duluth’s District Anderson is well known to period is from May 20 through 7B in 2012. many in labor as an organizer June 3 but already four DFL Johnson is an executive for Minnesota United, a victo- and two Republican candidates board member of Duluth’s 7th rious coalition formed to defeat say they’re in the race. The Senate District DFL. a Republican constitutional Primary Election is Tuesday, Schultz is a former Central amendment that would ban gay August 12. Body delegate from UMD’s marriage. That coalition then Huntley solidified the dis- University Education Associa- got voters to make same sex trict as a DFL stronghold when tion. She is professor of eco- marriages legal in Minnesota in he defeated Republican Rep. nomics and director of health the next legislative session last Ben Boo in 1992. Huntley has care management at UMD. year. He is now an organizer Fire Fighters Local 101 president Pete Johnson, a Duluth won easily every two years Johnson and Schultz have for Outfront Minnesota, work- Central Labor Body delegate, announced his candidacy for since then. He only had two stated they will abide by the ing on the anti-bullying Safe state House District 7A with his family at his side Jan. 9. DFL Primary Elections. DFL endorsement process, and Supportive Schools Act. Huntley won’t run again...from page 1 DFLers who have announ- which will occur at a March 22 Republicans who have will bring $5.4 billion federal dollars to Minnesota over the ced include Linda Krug, convention in Duluth. entered include perennial loser next four years and provide coverage to over 159,000 residents. Jennifer Schultz, Pete Johnson, Krug is a former UEA pres- Becky Hall, who Huntley “The practical impact of expanding MA for Minnesota is and Gary Anderson. ident, but quit for administra- defeated in 2006 by a 69 to 31 something we should all take great pride in as a state,” said Johnson is a delegate to the tion and is now a co-director of percent margin. Donna Huntley. “We are able to cover more Minnesotans than ever Duluth AFL-CIO Central UMD’s Masters in Advocacy Bergstrom is retired from the before and do so at a savings to our state. In addition, we are Labor Body from Fire Fighters and Political Leadership Marine Corps Reserve. bringing serious resources into our state to help grow and support our strong health care economy.” Huntley authored the House version of the Freedom to Breathe Act, which banned smoking in public buildings and made those worksites much safer for workers. A St. Paul native, Huntley has a doctorate in biochemistry and is retired as a UMD faculty member. He has been a leader in the Lake Superior Binational Forum that seeks to protect the Great Lakes. Huntley said he is leaving the legislature to pursue continued service in health care. In particular, he is looking to focus atten- tion on primary care and rural access issues. “We have made a great deal of progress in passing legislation to improve our health care system, but there are significant challenges that remain, especially when it comes to implementing “I was at a motion hearing the other some of the reforms and laws we’ve passed,” said Huntley. “I feel the time is right for me to step aside at the state legislature day. When the opposing attorney and step into a new avenue of service where I can use my expe- from the Twin Cities went first, he rience and knowledge to better implement health policy in Minnesota.” asked the the judge, ‘Your Honor, is it Minnesota House Speaker Paul Thissen said, “Tom Huntley will be remembered as one of the giants of the Minnesota State okay if I sit down while I address the court?’ Legislature. He was my mentor and a great friend. I learned from I just cringed. It was disrespectful. I knew the judge. him not only about health care, but more importantly, how to be a legislator who gets things done in a way where everyone feels She wasn't going to like it and she didn't like it. their voice is heard. He respected people and people respected This was another example of why it is in your best interest to him. We will miss that in the legislature...Tom has a lot left to do for the state.” have a local attorney, who knows Huntley came to Duluth in 1973 to teach at UMD. He has the local jury pool, who knows the served on the city council, port authority board, civil service and park boards, and the state judi- judges, who knows court cial selection committee. administration. It really makes a difference.”

Tom Huntley moved from St. Paul to Duluth in 1973 Ben Boo’s mayoral portrait and got involved in politics in City Hall. and public service in 1978. PAGE 8 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2014