Report: 50 reasons the Trump administration is bad for workers — pp. 8-12 Minneapolis Labor Review 113th Year No. 5 September 25, 2020 www.minneapolisunions.org Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO

US deaths from COVID-19 to top 200,000 As the Labor Review went to press September 21, the Centers for Disease Control reported 6,748,935 cases of COVID -19 in the U.S. as of September 20 and 198,754 deaths — on track to surpass 200,000 deaths soon. Early voting begins in MN MINNEAPOLIS — Early voting began September 18 in De’Vonna Pittman Minnesota for the November 3 General Election. The day brought campaign AFL-CIO endorsed for stops in the state by both Repub- Hennepin County Board lican President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger, District 1 AFL-CIO endorsed Joe Biden. 18-year County employee: Minnesota is widely consid- ered a battleground state in the List of AFL-CIO ‘We need someone who is presidential contest, with the going to fight for everyday Trump campaign devoting staff endorsed candidates families. That’s who I am.’ and spending heavily to win the See Page 16 state, which Trump narrowly See page 6 lost four years ago. needed in the Senate to win the Biden appears to have the majority, break a legislative log- Minneapolis Regional lead in key battleground states jam, and make progress on mea- Labor Federation… across the country, according to sures like passing a jobs and in- Follow us on facebook! the latest polls, but the polls four frastructure bill. www.facebook.com/minneapolisunions years ago proved wrong. The Minneapolis Regional And while the race for Presi- Labor Federation, AFL-CIO also dent is at the top of the news, the has endorsed candidates across 2020 election in Minnesota also the region for county boards, city includes other important contests. councils, and school boards. U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Due to COVID-19, the who is AFL-CIO endorsed, is MRLF is not organizing door- Speaking out to save the US Postal Service seeking to win a full six-year knocking this year, but is run- term after winning a 2018 spe- ning virtual phonebanks six days MINNEAPOLIS — Postal workers and community supporters turned out about 80-strong cial election. a week. Volunteers can make September 13 at the downtown Minneapolis Post Office to voice alarm at recent moves by All of Minnesota’s eight U.S. calls from their own homes. To the new Postmaster General that are resulting in slower mail delivery nationwide. Postmaster House seats are on the ballot. volunteer, or for more informa- General Louis DeJoy, a major Trump campaign donor, had begun implementing new policies And all seats in the Minneso- tion, contact Joanna DeLaune at — and even directing the removal of mail processing equipment — prompting a public ta House and Senate are up for [email protected]. outcry. See story page 12. Photo above: Ruth Lindh, retired member of the American Postal election, too, with the DFL aim- See page 6 for more about Workers Union, appeared in a homemade costume. “It’s very appropriate for a lot of ing to pick up the few seats early voting and voting by mail. situations,” she said. “If you follow the money, that what most of it is about.” Teachers and students tested by COVID-19 school start By Steve Share, In school districts where a how distance learning impacts ternet connections, adequate Labor Review editor hybrid model is the approach to all the communities we work computers or other devices, or MINNEAPOLIS — Two resuming school during the with,” said Jane Swatosh, a fifth even a quiet place at home to weeks in to the start of the 2020- COVID 19 pandemic — with grade teacher at Whittier ele- view classes online. 2021 school year, public school some students in classrooms mentary in Minneapolis and “No matter what the model teachers across the region re- some days, while other students member of the Minneapolis looks like for an educator, they ported that they’re already strug- learn from home — a multitude Federation of Teachers. are doing double duty, double gling to meet the increased de- of challenges also are straining Teachers report that while time and it’s not sustainable,” mands brought on by distance teachers, students, and families. distance learning is working in said Denise Specht, president of learning — along with their stu- “Every educator’s biggest some ways for some students, Education Minnesota, the state- dents and students’ families. concern right now is equity and other students lack adequate in- TEACHERS page 4 Between now and November 3, every day is Election Day By Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou, President, ic, the election is an important part of Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation changing our current trajectory. Beginning September 18, workers all We are the ones responsible to over- across Minnesota began submitting their come our disparities by joining together mail-in ballots and voting early for the in cross-racial solidarity to change our November 3 General Elec- workplaces. And we need tion. A record number of peo- elected leaders that will in- ple are expected to vote by spire this action, not hinder it. mail or vote early in-person. As you fill out your mail-in In a very real way. every day ballot, think about your leading up to November 3 is friends and family who are now Election Day. greatly impacted by the deci- Each election year, as we sions that our elected leaders work to motivate volunteers will make in the coming and voters, it is common for years. Think about the nurse, organizers to say, “this is the reusing their mask for the most important election ever.” third time this week. Think about the MRLF endorses 11 more candidates for While every election has significant baristas and servers who are bravely consequences, nothing has prepared us standing up for a voice in the workplace. for a year like 2020. The weight of that Think about the educator who is Zoom- local office, including 3 union members statement, “this is the ing a room full of kin- MINNEAPOLIS —Delegates to the n Shalonda Shipp-Gordon, for most important elec- As you fill out your ballot, dergartners. Think Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, Coon Rapids City Council, Ward 1. tion ever,” is heavy in- think about your friends and about the postal worker AFL-CIO met by Zoom September 9 and Shipp-Gordon is challenging the incum- deed his year. delivering your ballot voted to approve endorsements for 11 bent. Website: voteshalonda.com, The pandemic has family who will be greatly to your county elec- more candidates for local elected office, n Kari Rehrauer, for Coon Rapids shown that public tions office. including three union members. The en- City Council, Ward 2. She is challenging health and workplace impacted by the decisions that As union members, dorsement by the MRLF is the AFL-CIO the incumbent. A 20-year teacher, Reh- safety are an after- our elected leaders will make we all have the respon- endorsement. rauer is a former member of Education thought for our leaders sibility to share the Newly-endorsed candidates included: Minnesota. She currently works on the and our employers. message about the importance of this n Christian Eriksen, for Brooklyn field staff for Education Minnesota and is With this election, we have the oppor- election in our workplaces and in our Park City Council, Ward C. Eriksen also a member of the staff union. Website: tunity to enter into a new era, an era neighborhoods all across the state. Please ran two years ago with MRLF endorse- kariforcoonrapids.com. where basic safety standards are a mini- do. And please share our list of AFL-CIO ment. Ward C is an open seat. Website: n John Budziszewski, incumbent, mum, not something we have to beg for. endorsed candidates (see page 16 — also eriksenforbrooklynpark.com. for Crystal City Council, Ward 1. He An era where our lives are more import- available at minneapolisunions.org). n Lisa Jacobson, for Brooklyn Park won his 2016 election by just 145 votes. ant than bottom lines. Encourage everyone to think about the City Council, Ward E. Jacobson, the in- Website: votejohnbudziszewski.com. Black workers and workers of color in people impacted by the outcome of this cumbent, first was elected in 2016. Web- n Kristy Janigo, for Maple Grove City our communities are bearing the heaviest election — and encourage them to vote site: lisajacobsonforbp.com. Council, At-Large. Janigo is one of four load. They are serving on the front lines by mail. n Susan Pha, for Brooklyn Park City candidates who are challenging the two in- of this pandemic disproportionately and And, even better, sign up to phone- Council, Ward W. The incumbent, Pha cumbents, with the top two to be elected. experiencing the worst of the outcomes. bank virtually with us from the comfort first was elected in 2016. She ran then, Website: janigoforcitycouncil.com. History will point to this crisis as a very of your own home! too, with MRLF endorsement. Website: n Jeff Menth, for Ramsey City troubling time in our country’s existence. To join the MRLF’s virtual phone- votesusanpha.com. Council, At-Large. Menth is a retired While an election alone will not fix all banks, send an e-mail to Joanna DeLaune n Amáda Márquez Simula, for Co- member of IBEW Local 292. Menth is of the disparities exposed by the pandem- at [email protected]. lumbia Heights Mayor. Incumbent May- running for re-election after winning the or Donna Schmitt is not running. Web- seat in a special election in August 2019. site: voteamada.com. Website: jeffmenthforcitycouncil.com. ‘Welcome’ to new Minneapolis Labor Review readers n Robert “Rob” Busch, for Colum- n Ben Whalen, for Richfield City As a member of a union affiliated with the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, you now bus City Council, At-Large. Busch is a Council, Ward 3. Whalen first won the are receiving a subscription to the monthly Minneapolis Labor Review. Several affiliates recently have up- 16-year member of Carpenters Local seat in a 2019 special election. He is run- dated their Labor Review mailing lists. For subscriber service, see page 15. 322. Web: Search Facebook for “Busch ning unopposed for a full four-year term. for Columbus.” Website: whalenforrichfield.com. Minneapolis Labor Review Minneapolis Labor Review (USPS 351120) (ISSN 02749017) Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO is published monthly, except January, 11 times per year Executive Board Since 1907 for $10.00 per year in the United States by the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, Steve Share, Editor Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou, President; Michelle Wiese, 312 Central Avenue SE, Suite 542, Minneapolis, MN 55414-1097. Executive Vice President; Jeff Heimerl, First Vice Next issue: All other countries $5.00 additional per year. T S-70 W I N I T I E S AFL-CIO C President; Samantha Hartwig, Second Vice President; Dan DULUTH Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, Minnesota. October 16, 2020 McConnell, Financial Secretary-Treasurer; Kelly Wilson, General Election Issue POSTMASTER send address changes to: Register Clerk; Annette Davis, Deputy Register Clerk; Deadline: Minneapolis Labor Review / Minneapolis Labor Review Newspaper, Grace Baltich, Reading Clerk; Brittany Bullock, Recording September 30, 2020 312 Central Avenue SE, Suite 542, Minneapolis, MN 55414-1097. Secretary; Tommy Bellfield, Sgt.-At-Arms; Uriel Perez See page 15 for complete 2020 schedule Office (612) 379-4725 Fax (612) 379-1307 Espinoza, Aaron Hill, Russ Scherber, Mary Turner and

[email protected] Jigme Ugen — Trustees; Judy Russell Martin, Sterling “The rights labor has won, labor must fight to protect.” Sanders, Laurie Stammer. —Floyd B. Olson, Minnesota Governor, 1930-1936 www.minneapolisunions.org

Page 2 • Minneapolis Labor Review • September 25, 2020 www.minneapolisunions.org Events ‘Fare For All’ offers discounted grocery packages at drive-through-only sites, October schedule TBA MINNEAPOLIS — Fare For All, which October 1, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., at sells discounted grocery packages, has Crown of Glory Lutheran Church, 1141 shifted to offering drive-through-only sales Cardinal St. at selected sites until further notice. Check the Fare for All website — Except for one date, the October fareforall.org — for an update for other schedule had not yet been posted for Fare dates and locations. For All’s drive-through sites in the Min- Fare For All is open to anyone who neapolis Regional Labor Federation’s wishes to save money on groceries and seven-county region as the Labor Review has no income requirements. went to press. The drive-through sites accept pay- That sale will be in Chaska, Thursday, ment by credit card, debit card, or EBT. October 2: MN Orchestra begins fall season, with live concerts broadcast on TV, radio and online MINNEAPOLIS — No live audience org. Most concerts also will be shared live will be present, but the Minnesota Orches- on Classical Minnesota Public Radio and tra will return to the stage at Orchestra at classicalmpr.org. Hall for a Friday night concert series be- The approximately 60-minute concerts, ginning October 2. Other dates: October created for at-home viewing, will feature 23, November 6 and 20, December 4. ensembles of up to 25 Orchestra musicians. The 8:00 p.m. concerts will be shared The members of the Minnesota Or- live on Twin Cities PBS (TPT)’s MN chestra are members of Twin Cities Musi- Channel and online at minnesotaorchestra. cians Union Local 30-73. October 6, 13, 20, 27: DC Labor FilmFest now online, offers weekly films about work, workers WASHINGTON, D.C. — May 2020 include: would have been the 20th year for the an- n October 6: Chisolm ’72, a documen- nual DC Labor FilmFest, which grew over tary about Shirley Chisolm, the first Black the years into a month-long event celebrat- woman elected to Congress, and her his- ing and inspiring the labor movement with toric campaign for President. film, music, art, and history programs. n October 13: In the Aisles, a drama With COVID-19 restrictions on public from Germany about a man who begins gatherings, the DC Labor FilmFest, now is work in grocery store and his new life. offering weekly labor-themed films online n October 20: No Time to Waste, The — at no charge. Urgent Mission of Betty Reid Soskin, a For more information about the DC La- documentary about a legendary park rang- bor FilmFest’s Fall Online Labor Film Se- er at the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home ries, visit dclabor.org/dc-laborfest.html. Front National Historical Park. You will need to RSVP to view a film. n October 27: Atlantics, a drama about DC Labor FilmFest is a program of the the disappearance of a group of African Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO. construction workers who are lost at sea Films coming in October, all screen- while seeking a better life and the loved ings at 6:00 p.m. Central Time via Zoom, ones they left behind. October 17: Due to COVID-19, Tradeswomen Build Nations shifts to 1-day online conference WASHINGTON, D.C. — The annual who work in the Building Trades. Tradeswomen Build Nations conference, Instead, due to the COVID-19 pandem- which met in Minneapolis last year, this ic, the conference will offer a one-day on- year will be a one-day virtual event line event featuring a number of speakers. planned for Saturday, October 17. For more details, visit nabtu.org/twbn. The conference, hosted by North Last year’s three-day conference in America’s Building Trades Unions, origi- Minneapolis was the largest in the nine- nally was set for October 2-4 in Washing- year history of the conference, attracting ton, D.C. for what would have been the 2,800 participants from 48 states and 10 nation’s 10th annual gathering of women Canadian provinces. www.minneapolisunions.org September 25, 2020 • Minneapolis Labor Review • Page 3 Teachers: ‘We are on the screen too much State Senator Chris Eaton District 40 • Brooklyn Center • Brooklyn Park and the kids are on the screen too much’ continued from page 1 be met,” said Carole Bennett, vice presi- dent of the Bloomington Federation of wide teachers union. Teachers and a third grade teacher at “I heard from a teacher just two days Westwood elementary. ago,” Specht reported September 18. Teachers, she said, “they’re just wor- VOTE “She said, ‘I’ve only done this two days ried. They want to be safe. They want the — I don’t know how I can keep this kids we teach to be safe. Everybody November 3! pace.’” wants to be safe.” Teachers and local union presidents in With COVID-19 disproportionately several school districts reported teachers affecting people of color, Bennett noted, Paid for by Eaton for Senate, 7007 Dallas Road, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 • www.Eaton4Senate.com working 10, 12, or 14 hour days or lon- safety is even more of a concern for the ger. schools in the district with a higher per- “It was very diffi cult last spring. Peo- centage of students from families of col- BAKERY, CONFECTIONERY, TOBACCO ple had to turn their whole profession up- or. WORKERS, & GRAIN MILLERS UNION side down and change everything,” In the Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Specht noted. “It’s still really diffi cult.” school district, elementary students were LOCAL 22 “We’re going to see a lot of burnout,” already back full-time in classrooms Specht feared. “It’s not feasible to contin- while secondary schools were following We encourage all our members to vote! ue working under these conditions over a the hybrid model, reported Natalie Po- long period of time,” she said. laschek, president of Education Minne- Some school districts or programs sota Buffalo and a sixth and eighth grade For a strong and growing within districts began the school year teacher. Support with distance learning — and a plan to “We’re all glad to have kids back,” Labor-Endorsed economy, we need to elect shift to the hybrid model after a few she said. “There’s nothing better than to candidates who will invest weeks. hear the voices of kids in the hallways, Candidates and That’s what’s ahead for David But there’s safety concerns, too.” in public infrastructure and Rondestvedt, special education teacher at Unlike elsewhere, Polaschek report- Local School Levies education! Armstrong High School in Robbinsdale ed: “We have access to the Personal Pro- and 33-year member of the Robbinsdale tective Equipment we need. We have ac- Federation of Teachers. cess to cleaning materials. That’s been a For his special ed students, he said, positive, too,” she said. distance learning “is 10 times harder than But, she added, “it’s too early to tell” for a regular ed student.” if safety measures in place will indeed “We have a lot of interactive things prevent the spread of COVID-19 among we do with our kids,” he said. “That op- staff and students over time. tion is limited with distance learning.” “I think the biggest challenge of this “Because we have such close person- hybrid model is teacher burnout,” Po- al bonds with a lot of our students, that is laschek said. “I’ve had numerous staff the key piece that’s missing,” he added. tell me they are working 12-16 hours a “The isolation of having to look at a cam- day just to keep up… To have staff era and a computer, that’s tough for a lot talking about burnout on the sixth or sev- of our students.” enth day of classes is alarming.” Looking at the camera and computer “We teachers do want what’s best for all day — that’s tough for teachers, too. our students,” said Mark Duffy, social MFT’s Jane Swatosh said very few of studies and math teacher at Anoka Hen- her students turn on their cameras on nepin Regional High School, the dis- Paid for by Chris Rubesch their devices. “It’s hard to teach to a dot” trict’s alternative high school. “We are by on Google Meet, she explained. “It is nature, in our profession, people who nice to see their little faces sometimes.” want to help others.” “ForE leme,cti o25n Iyearsssu eof teaching, and Teachers’ desire to give their all is Advocating for mostly2 0fi fth18 -grade,10 what I do now is so taking a toll, however. “I have never seen different20 —16 it-1 takes0 so much time,” Swa- the amount of stress that teachers are ex- tosh said. periencing right now, never before, ever,” 2020-09 Working Families “We are doing a lot on our own time, commented Val Holthus, president of because we care. We love our kids,” Swa- Anoka Hennepin Education Minnesota. tosh emphasized. “It’s completely unrealistic what the dis- “We are on the screen too much and trict is expecting.” the kids are on the screen too much and “This is the time to get creative, think it’s just not sustainable — it’s not healthy outside the box,” said Greta Callahan, for anybody,” Swatosh said. kindergarten teacher and president of the Bloomington is one of the school dis- Minneapolis Federation of Teachers. Un- tricts with tentative plans to bring stu- fortunately, “we’ve been given a one- dents back into classrooms some days as size-fi ts-all approach,” she said “We Thanks for your support! part of a hybrid model. “Our biggest con- want to be given fl exibility,” she said. cerns are as long as we go back safely “Nobody’s listening to those who are Paid for by the Mike Nelson Volunteer Committee, 7441 Hampshire Ave. N., Brooklyn Park, MN 55428 and the safety precautions we have can closest to the students,” Callahan said. Page 4 • Minneapolis Labor Review • September 25, 2020 www.minneapolisunions.org President Trump is taking aim at Social Security By Buddy Robinson pressing future Social Security benefits his coyness, we can see what Trump real- You wouldn’t know it from watching for an estimated 4 million Americans ly wants: His long-held dream of destroy- the news, but Social Security’s future is Guest Column who become eligible in 2022, because of ing the current Social Security system on the ballot. If President Donald Trump Disability. The benefit currently is 12 the severe drop in average wages nation- and turning it into a privatized gamble. is re-elected, it’s clear that he will try to months retroactive, but Trump wants to ally. According to a study by the Center Andrew Biggs, who helped write greatly weaken and even eliminate So- reduce it to six months. for American Progress, their benefits will President George W. Bush’s ill-fated pri- cial Security. That’s despite his repeated Trump’s budgets also have included be about $1,428 per year lower than if vatization proposal, explained recently – but hollow – claims to protect it. cuts for Social Security’s administrative the pandemic never happened. that Trump’s ideas can lead to changing This warning should not come as a expenses. Those cuts translate into fewer Trump has done something with So- Social Security into two parts: A small, surprise. When Trump first ran for presi- offices, shorter hours, fewer staff, and cial Security in light of the pandemic: He income-tax funded benefit for only the dent, in 2000, he said he wanted to privat- longer times to process applications to is allowing businesses to forgo collecting poorest and, for everyone else, private ize Social Security, calling it a “Ponzi enroll in Social Security, or even to get Social Security payroll taxes for their investment accounts. scheme.” He wanted to eliminate guaran- answers to simple questions. employees, for September through De- So, Trump really looks at the pandem- teed benefits and have people gamble on Don’t be fooled by Trump’s focus on cember. After that time, those missing ic as a way to further his goal of wreck- the stock market instead. He also promot- Social Security cuts just for the disabled. taxes would need to be collected and ing and privatizing Social Security. We ed raising the age of full benefits up to 70. People on regular retirement Social Se- paid. Not surprisingly, few businesses all need to be seriously concerned — and After starting to serve as President in curity had better worry, too. Trump’s are choosing to follow this option. To get vote accordingly this November. 2017, Trump’s budget proposals each 2021 budget proposal talks about a need a four-month vacation from the payroll Buddy Robinson is former staff direc- year have sought large cuts in funding for to “reduce the rate of increase” in Social taxes, only to need to then pay them tor of Minnesota Citizens Federation Social Security Disability. His latest bud- Security payments. That sounds like back, doesn’t make any sense. Northeast. get, for fiscal year 2021, seeks $75 bil- code words to reduce the annual Cost Of Trump has said something else, which The Minneapolis Regional Retiree Council, AFL-CIO lion in cuts for recipients of Social Secu- Living Adjustment; increase the age to is extremely alarming: If re-elected, he asked Buddy Robinson to explain why “Social Secu- rity Disability (over one-half of whom start getting benefits; reduce the initial will consider doing away with the pay- rity is on the Ballot” in November. The Retiree Coun- are age 55-plus), over ten years. This in- benefit formula — or maybe all of the roll tax altogether. If that were to occur, cil is actively reaching out via phone calls and post cludes $10 billion in benefit cuts, plus above. and no other revenue source is found to cards to retirees with the message that Social Securi- plans to reduce the number of people en- When you think about the COVID-19 replace it, then we already know the re- ty, Medicare and Medicaid are all on the 2020 bal- rolled by about 5 per cent. That enroll- pandemic and its economic effect on sult. Social Security’s Chief Actuary has lot. Union members and retirees need to vote and ment reduction would be accomplished families and workers, the importance of testified that if this happens, all Social elect union endorsed candidates who will protect with harsher work rules that determine Social Security becomes all the more ap- Security Disability benefits will cease in and improve our earned retirement and health care who can qualify. Another cut is to lower parent. The recession that accompanies mid-2021, and all Social Security Retire- benefits. To help,contact Graeme Allen at graeme@ the initial retroactive benefit that people our pandemic in the U.S. (worsened by ment benefits will cease in mid-2023. minneapolisunions.org or 612-481-2144. get when they first go on Social Security Trump’s botched response), will be de- What was Trump thinking? Despite

www.minneapolisunions.org September 25, 2020 • Minneapolis Labor Review • Page 5 Early voting is Hennepin County Board now underway De’Vonna Pittman: ‘Someone who’s going to fight for everyday families’ Early voting is now underway for By Steve Share, Labor Review editor ordinator focused on disparity reduction. jobs that were coming.” the November 3 General Election. NEW HOPE — With a $2.5 billion “I have worked directly with leader- Now she says, workforce develop- Any eligible voter may vote early budget, “the county board has the power ship and with the people who work on ment programs — and affordable hous- for any reason. to change lives,” says De’Vonna Pittman. the ground,” she says. ing — will be more important than ever. Pittman is running for the District 1 The aim of Pittman’s campaign, she Come 2021, “it’s going to be a chal- In addition to voting early by seat on the Hennepin County Board with says, is “making sure people are repre- lenging year,” Pittman knows. “That’s mail, many communities offer early the endorsement sented and their voices are at the table.” why we need to have people on that voting centers for in-person early of the Minneapo- Pittman adds, “we need someone board who have a heart for what needs to voting. lis Regional La- who’s going to fight for everyday fami- happen.” For more information about early bor Federation, lies. That’s who I am.” Pittman grew up in the Chicago area, voting, to register to vote, to re- AFL-CIO. If elected, Pittman says, one priority where her father was a union electrician District 1 in- will be getting the Bottineau light rail and her brothers were union laborers. quest an absentee ballot to vote by cludes Brooklyn project back on track — which recently She came to the Twin Cities in 1992, mail, or to learn where to vote, visit Center, Brooklyn has encountered some setbacks. “The encouraged by a friend who said jobs the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Park, Crystal, goal is to connect people to jobs and were available. Her first job here: work- website: mnvotes.org. New Hope, Os- housing,” she emphasizes. Moving for- ing at a White Castle. If you choose to vote by mail, and seo, and Robbins- De’Vonna Pittman ward, she adds, decisions and planning Pittman went on to earn her degree in you haven’t yet requested an absen- dale. need to do a better job considering and Criminal Justice from Metropolitan State District 1 tee ballot, submit your request soon. The longtime engaging “the people who need the line University and later earned her Master’s incumbent, Mike the most.” of Science in Law Enforcement Leader- And, when your absentee ballot Opat, first was elected in 1992 and chose “I would like to see the Blue Line ship from the University of St. Thomas. arrives, fill it out and send it back in to not run for re-election this year. happen,” she says. “I would like to go Pittman has lived in new Hope for the the mail right away. Pittman’s other labor endorsements back to the drawing board.” past 12 years. She and her husband have Visit mnvotes.org to track the include AFSCME Council 5 and Team- With the current COVID-19 pandem- a blended family of four adult children status of your absentee ballot re- sters Joint Council 32. ic and economic crisis, “people are really and now two grandchildren, ages 3 and 7, quest and whether your mailed-in She also has been endorsed by the going to be struggling,” she says. “Peo- “Although I haven’t been a member ballot has been received. Hennepin County DFL. ple have lost their jobs.” of a union, I have benefited from union Pittman’s résumé includes 18 years “Prior to the pandemic, there were members’ fight for fair wages and health- For a list of AFL-CIO endorsed working for Hennepin County in a vari- these really vibrant conversations about care,” Pittman says. “I strongly consider candidates, see page 16. ety of roles in administration, correc- the opportunity to create green jobs,” she myself right there with the union folks.” tions, housing, community development says. “The conversation was about mak- Website: PeopleForPittman.com and transit. She is currently a project co- ing sure our workforce was ready for the Minneapolis opens Chris LaTondresse: ‘We need good government more than ever’ early voting center By Steve Share, Labor Review editor cy groups to make government more re- the biggest issues. The Minneapolis Early Vote Center has opened HOPKINS — “We need good govern- sponsive to the needs of its citizens,” “I’m running because I believe we are at 980 E. Hennepin Ave. ment more than ever and that path to LaTondresse says. living in extraordinary times,” LaTon- Minneapolis residents can come here to vote good government starts with us,” says LaTondresse currently works as vice dresse says, from the COVID-19 pan- early in-person or to drop-off their completed ab- Chris LaTondresse. president of strategy for a non-profit ad- demic to the resulting economic crisis sentee ballot. Endorsed by the Minneapolis Regional dressing education equity issues. and the “urgent need to address long- Through October 18, the hours will be: Labor Federation, Two years ago, LaTondresse won elec- standing systemic racism.” n Weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. AFL-CIO, LaTon- tion to the Hopkins School Board, where LaTondresse grew up in Hopkins and n Closed on weekends. dresse is running he is serving as vice chair. “I’m the only attended the local public schools, later n Closed Monday, October 12. for the District 6 candidate in this race with local govern- graduating from Bethel University in St. Extended hours will be offered from October seat on the Henne- ment experience,” he notes. “I’ve led our Paul as a political science major. He lives 19 through November 2. pin County Board. district through the COVID-19 crisis.” now in Hopkins with his wife — a nurse Beginning October 27, a North Early Vote District 6 in- LaTondresse previously served two practitioner — and their two young sons. Center will open at the Urban League Twin Cities cludes northern years in the Obama administration, where “I grew up in a union household,” La- (2100 Plymouth Ave. N.) and a South Early Vote Eden Prairie, Edi- he worked as an advisor to the U.S. Agency Tondresse reports. His mother, Barbara La- Center will open at Longfellow Park Recreation na, Hopkins, Min- for International Development. He led ef- Tondresse, taught in the Hopkins school Center (3435 36th Ave. S.) netonka, and the Chris LaTondresse forts to mobilize civil society and faith district for 40 years. “It was the union that Any Hennepin County resident may vote ear- smaller communi- based groups to address food insecurity. stood up for her… until she wanted to retire ly at the Hennepin County Government Center, ties surrounding District 6 His experience, LaTondresse says, on her terms,” he relates. In retirement, he 300 6th St. S. Minneapolis. Lake Minnetonka. helps make him someone “who knows how adds, union pensions allowed his parents to Hours through October 23: Jan Callison, the three-term incum- to navigate large, complex systems.” remain in their home — and also to travel. n Weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. bent who first was elected in 2008, is not So many issues facing our communities “My commitment to being a champion n Closed on weekends. running for re-election. She has endorsed are woven together, LaTondresse notes: for labor is rooted in my own experience,” n Closed Monday, October 12. LaTondresse. Student success, affordable housing, health LaTondresse says. “People who work Extended and Saturday hours will be offered LaTondresse also has endorsements care, living wages. “What’s abundantly union live better, with fair wages, insur- October 24 through November 2. from AFSCME Council 5, IBEW Local clear is that so many of the challenges our ance, pensions.” As county commissioner, Early in-person voting also is available at oth- 292, Laborers Local 363, and Teamsters students and their families face are a part of he says, he will work with labor “as a part- er counties’ election offices and in some local cit- Joint Council 32. He also is DFL-endorsed. their reality before they ever walk through ner and ally.” He adds: “I will be a smarter ies and towns. Visit mnvotes.org for more early “My whole career has been devoted to the doors of our schools,” he says. commissioner and make better decisions voting information. public service, working inside of govern- County government, he adds, is unique because of my relationship with labor.” ment or outside government for advoca- because it impacts people’s lives on all Website: latondresse.org Page 6 • Minneapolis Labor Review • September 25, 2020 www.minneapolisunions.org Minnesota House Kristin Bahner: ‘My bills are about common sense… putting people first’ By Steve Share, Labor Review editor “It is among ture, Bahner scored a 94 percent voting drugs. She was a champion for the Alex MAPLE GROVE — “A lot of my bills the most diverse record from the Minnesota AFL-CIO on Smith emergency insulin bill. are about common sense, putting people [freshman] working family issues. For Bahner, her work in the legisla- back in the conversation,” says Kristin classes ever to Reflecting on her first term, she says, ture is about “making systems and laws Bahner. “It’s about putting people first.” come to the leg- “the one thing that surprised me the that work for real families and seniors.” A first-term State Representative, islature,” she most… I had this grandiose idea of She remains hopeful that the legisla- Bahner is running for re-election in House notes. Among what happens on the House floor. I very ture will pass a bonding bill yet this District 34B, which includes Maple Grove the new DFL quickly learned all the actual work on year, which she notes will bring “a lot of and Osseo. Her endorsements include the lawmakers were the bills — and the haggling — happens important transportation and public Minnesota AFL-CIO and the DFL Party. “more women, in committee.” works projects” to invest in clean water, Bahner first won the seat in 2018 — more people of Kristin Bahner “Sometimes the opposition of the safe bridges, and good roads. her second challenge to the Republican color than ever two sides is actually a healthy thing,” Bahner comes from a family of incumbent — winning that year with before.” House District 34B she adds. “They challenge you to think union members. “I always just grew up almost 53 percent of the vote. “I actually of the unknown.” around hard-working folks who believed The 2018 election which brought think that’s pretty exciting,” she says. Bahner has focused on working to in fairness, who believed in treating other Bahner and other labor-endorsed “We’re seeing folks get a seat at the ta- make health care more accessible and people right, making sure we take care of DFLers into office not only created a ble who, for many years, have not had affordable, including writing measures each other each and every day,” Bahner DFL majority in the House, but also their perspectives heard.” that passed into law that helped in says. changed the way the House looked. For the 2019 session of the legisla- bringing down the cost of prescription Website: bahnerforhouse.com Brad Tabke: ‘Rethink and build for Jess Hanson: ‘Politics is how the future of roads, bridges, transit’ we care for each other’ By Steve Share, Labor Review editor safety bill requiring drivers to move By Steve Share, Labor Review editor cy. Still in her teens, Hanson began SHAKOPEE — “People in Shako- over a lane when construction workers BURNSVILLE — “My social work working for Anthem, a health benefits pee just want to continue living good are present with flashing lights. education informs my political work,” company where 15 years later she con- lives and have the government re- This year, he relates, “I was able to says Jess Hanson. “Politics is how we tinues to work as a network representa- spond to their needs — and that’s what work on a lot of COVID response care for each other.” tive. “I’ve learned a lot of things in that we’re doing,” says Brad Tabke. bills” that related to transportation is- Hanson is running to represent Dis- corporate setting that are important Tabke, formerly a two-term mayor sues (for example, relaxing some re- trict 56A in the Minnesota House of skills,” she says. of Shakopee, is running for a second quirements regarding the renewal of Representatives. She is running with the Advocacy is Hanson’s passion, how- term to represent District drivers licenses). endorsement of the Minne- ever, which she discovered 55A in the Minnesota Making progress on sota AFL-CIO and the DFL while engaging with state House of Representatives. nuts and bolts legislation is Party. District 56A includes legislators while working to He’s running for re-elec- important to Tabke, but he Savage and the northwest build a coalition for cannibis tion with the endorsement also wants to see the two part of Burnsville. legalization. of the Minnesota AFL-CIO parties address the bigger In 2018, labor-endorsed Hanson is a single mom and the DFL Party. issues facing the state. DFLer Hunter Cantrell won and lives in Burnsville with In the legislature’s 2019 The DFL-controlled the seat in an election that her two children, ages 16 session, Tabke earned a House passing the trans- returned the DFL to the ma- and 9. Growing up in Lake- 100 percent voting record portation bill he helped jority in the Minnesota ville, she graduated from from the Minnesota write, for example “was re- House. Cantrell decided not Farmington High School. AFL-CIO on working fam- Brad Tabke ally impactful work… to to run for re-election, how- Jess Hanson She earned a Bachelor of ily issues. House District 55A rethink and build for the ever, creating an open seat. House District 56A Science degree in social While the continuing future of roads, bridges and In the 2018 campaign, work from the University of political polarization at the transit across the state.” Hanson had worked to help St. Catherine and is near legislature makes the news on some of Unfortunately, the Republican majori- get Cantrell elected. “I know how hard completing a Master’s Degree in Advo- the big issues of the day, Tabke notes, ty in “the Senate didn’t agree.” If the he worked and I know we’d have to cacy and Political Leadership from Met- “I’m really lucky with my work that I DFL wins control of the Senate, he work even harder to keep it,” she says. ropolitan State University. needed to and wanted to get done for says, “it shows were we can go if This year, COVID-19 precautions Hanson grew up in a union family: my district… There was good biparti- we’re in charge.” are keeping most candidates from door- Her dad was a Teamster, her grand- san support.” Another concern for Tabke: “It is knocking. “We have to phone bank — mother was a UFCW member, her He reports getting legislation unconscionable to me that Minnesota that’s the only way we’re going to win,” grandfather was in the Carpenters union. passed which specifically benefited can simultaneously rank second best Hanson says. “When I get people on the She saw what strong unions meant, es- Canterbury Park, Valley Fair, the Sha- in the nation for raising a family while phone, people are thrilled to engage.” pecially for her grandparents. “They re- kopee Mdewakanton Sioux Commu- also being second worst in the nation Hanson frames her campaign with tired with pensions. They still have nity, and the Minnesota Correctional for racial inequities. This is a concern the theme, “the politics of care.” She ex- [health] insurance… It’s like a fantasy to Facility located in Shakopee. “I’m su- for all citizens and businesses in the plains, “to me, the politics of care means my generation.” per happy with that,” he says. state of Minnesota. We must stop sim- striving to create a Minnesota where “The work that we need to do for As vice chair of the Transportation ply talking about this issue and start families and businesses can prosper.” working families is enormous,” Hanson Finance and Policy Division in the actively working toward solutions.” Hanson has one foot in the corporate says. House, Tabke helped to pass a 2019 Website: tabkeformn.com world, one foot in the world of advoca- Website: jesshansonforhouse.com www.minneapolisunions.org September 25, 2020 • Minneapolis Labor Review • Page 7 50 reasons the Trump administration is bad for workers President Trump has said he would ‘protect’ and ‘fight for’ workers Instead, his administration has systematically done the opposite A new report by the Economic Policy Institute provides a comprehensive review of the Trump administration’s 50 most egregious attacks on working people as part of a pro-corporate, anti-worker agenda since President Trump took office. Here is the report.

By Celine McNicholas, Lynn Rhinehart, and Margaret Poydock, Economic Policy Institute (EPI) The Trump administration’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic marks the admin- istration’s most glaring failure of leadership. However, the administration’s response to the pandemic is in no way distinct from its approach to governing since President Trump’s first day on the job. The administration has systematically promoted the interests of cor- porate executives and shareholders over those of working people and failed to protect workers’ safety, wages, and rights. The pandemic has merely provided the administration another opportunity to contin- ue its attacks on workers’ rights. Instead of instituting policies to protect the nation’s es- sential workers, the administration has remained largely silent on workplace safety stan- dards, refusing to issue mandatory emergency standards to protect workers against the new threat of the coronavirus. As a result, workers continue to be required to work with- out protective gear and other measures necessary to keep them safe. Furthermore, sick workers continue to lack access to paid leave. And, when workers try to speak up for themselves and one another, they are fired. This report provides a review of the Trump administration’s 50 most egregious attacks on working people since Trump took office. This analysis reveals that President Trump’s time in office has been marked by a clear commitment to advancing a pro-corporate, and does nothing for unemployed workers. anti-worker agenda. Only Congress has the authority to cut 5) It has engaged in It is critical that a new administration work with the same diligence from Day One to taxes — meaning affected workers may persistent efforts to take reverse these actions. But simply reversing the Trump anti-worker agenda will not be owe double taxes next year under the enough. A new administration must advance a workers’ first-100-day agenda that includes executive order. President Trump has said away workers’ health care measures that provide working people with the rights and protections they need and de- that he would like to permanently end The Trump administration sided with serve. payroll contributions to Social Security, Congressional Republican allies in Here are 50 ways the Trump administration has failed workers, starting with recent but he has not offered a realistic plan to attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act actions (or inactions) and extending back to the beginning of Trump’s presidency. replace the lost revenue. Meanwhile, the (ACA) in 2017, asked the Supreme Court Senate Republican leadership has tried to to rule the ACA unconstitutional in its question to the 2020 Census question- attach to a pandemic relief bill a fast- entirety on a wafer-thin legal justification, 1) It has failed to support naire, which would have depressed track, closed-door process that would and weakened the ACA greatly as part of adequate fiscal stimulus response rates, cost taxpayers more make it easier to cut Social Security the 2017 tax cut for corporations. Finally, money, and diminished the accuracy of the benefits. even in the face of millions of workers during the coronavirus 2020 Census. The proposal was ultimately 4) It dismantled fiduciary losing their employer-sponsored insurance pandemic blocked by the Supreme Court. In August due to the COVID-19 economic shock, the 2020, the Trump administration an- protections for retirement Trump administration not only persisted In March 2020, Congress passed the nounced that counting efforts for the 2020 in its efforts to repeal the ACA (through CARES Act, which included a temporary Census would end a month early, despite savers its request to Supreme Court), but also did $600 increase in weekly unemployment significant delays caused by the coronavi- The Trump Department of Labor nothing to make it easier for workers who insurance benefits and $150 billion in aid rus pandemic. These actions by the Trump (DOL) scrapped an Obama administration had lost employer-sponsored insurance to to state and local governments. However, administration will diminish the integrity rule preventing conflicts of interest in slide into coverage under the ACA once the relief measures ran out, the and accuracy of the 2020 Census, which investment advice offered to retirement marketplace exchanges, even though an Trump administration vehemently opposed plays a central role in allocating political savers, proposing to replace it with a administrative fix was easily available at the extension of the $600 increase of representation and federal government misleading “best interest” standard based the time. unemployment insurance benefits and resources across states and localities. on vague and unenforceable language in a additional aid to state and local govern- Securities and Exchange Commission rule. 6) It narrowed the scope of ments. The lack of fiscal relief will cost 3) It stopped funding for At the same time, the Trump administra- millions of jobs, including 5.3 million jobs ‘protected concerted activity’ tion reinstated a narrow definition of due to insufficient federal aid to state and Social Security investment advice covered under a fiducia- under the National Labor local governments and 5.1 million jobs due Under the guise of pandemic relief, ry standard that excludes most of the to the expiration of the $600 boost in President Trump signed an executive harmful “advice” offered to small savers. Relations Act unemployment insurance. order suspending funding for Social Dismantling fiduciary protections allows The centerpiece of the National Labor Security. Specifically, the executive order brokers and other salespeople to offer Relations Act (NLRA) is workers’ right to 2) It has diminished the allows employers to defer withholding and what appears to be expert advice while engage in “protected concerted activity” paying the 6.2 percent employee share of steering savers to higher-cost and — for example, to protest, strike, or integrity and accuracy of the the Social Security payroll tax for workers lower-quality investments. organize a union — to improve their making less than $2,000 per week. This 2020 U.S. Census working conditions. In a series of deci- poorly targeted tax deferral increases the In 2019, the Trump administration disposable income of higher earners more proposed adding an untested citizenship EPI REPORT continues page 9

Page 8 • Minneapolis Labor Review • September 25, 2020 www.minneapolisunions.org EPI Report: 50 reasons the Trump administration is bad for workers unemployment insurance agencies to push continued from page 8 9) It has failed to act to employers to report workers who fail to 14) It allowed poultry plants protect the health of workers return to work — so that the workers can to increase line speeds during sions and actions, the Trump National be disqualified from receiving further Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has during the pandemic unemployment insurance. the coronavirus pandemic systematically narrowed its interpretation Despite the widespread reach of In April 2020, the Trump Department of what counts as protected concerted COVID-19 in the workplace, the Trump 11) It issued an executive of Agriculture allowed 15 large poultry activity, leaving workers unprotected administration’s Occupational Safety and plants to increase their line speeds in the against employer retaliation when they order that intimidated local Health Administration (OSHA) has middle of the pandemic, despite many of protest or strike over safety conditions refused to issue any required measures health departments from the plants being sites of COVID-19 (for example, insufficient protections from — via an emergency temporary infectious outbreaks. Poultry workers already faced COVID-19), employer rules on tipping, and disease standard — to protect workers closing meat-processing high risk of work-related COVID-19 other issues. from the virus. OSHA even rejected a plants with significant infections and serious injuries; this 7) It has persisted in petition by unions representing affected decision only exacerbated that risk. workers and by the AFL-CIO for mandato- COVID-19 outbreaks attempts to end DACA ry rules to protect workers from exposure In April 2020, President Trump issued 15) It issued interim The Trump administration vowed to to the coronavirus on the job. OSHA and an executive order that claimed to require guidance that removed most persist in its efforts to end Deferred the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) the nation’s meat production plants to Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) have issued only general and vague remain open. The executive order did not employer responsibility through the courts, despite legal challeng- guidance that OSHA is not enforcing. actually prevent public health depart- es and despite the Supreme Court’s ruling Further, the Trump administration ments from closing plants, nor did it to investigate or record that the administration had not followed halted all work in 2017 on a permanent designate the industry as an essential workplace-related proper administrative procedures in infectious disease standard that would industry, but it has been used by the previous attempts. DACA is an initiative have protected workers from COVID-19 Trump administration to intimidate local coronavirus cases in non- started in 2012 that allows eligible and mitigated the spread of the disease at agencies from closing plants with multiple migrants who entered the United States work and back out into the community. deaths and huge outbreaks. State and health-care workplaces without authorization as minors to obtain OSHA is also failing to enforce the local agencies mistakenly thought that In issuing this guidance, Trump’s OSHA a temporary reprieve from deportation. Occupational Safety and Health Act during their hands were tied and they could not signaled that it did not consider the Those eligible for DACA can renew every the pandemic. Despite over 9,000 com- demand that the meat industry implement spread of COVID-19 in non-health-care two years and are able to obtain a Social plaints from workers about unsafe working the most basic CDC guidance of providing essential industries to be work-related and Security Number and an employment conditions from COVID-19, the agency had masks and social distancing. The result is gave employers a pass on their obligation authorization document, allowing them to issued only four citations for failure to over 40,000 meat and poultry workers sick to protect workers. After a huge public work lawfully and attend college. DACA protect workers as of August. A report by and hundreds dead. outcry, the agency rescinded this guid- has been one of the most successful the Department of Labor’s Office of ance. immigrant integration programs ever, Inspector General found that understaff- 12) It excluded millions of ing of the agency has created significant 16) It pushed to lower wages allowing recipients to have labor rights workers from paid leave that have translated into massive wage delays in investigating these complaints. for migrant farmworkers gains and that make it more difficult for These delays put more workers at risk for provisions in the Families employers to exploit immigrant workers being exposed to unsafe working condi- Farmworkers in the United States are and the U.S.-born workers who work tions. First Coronavirus Relief Act some of the lowest-paid workers in the alongside them. Not only has the Trump administration labor market, despite the work they do failed to protect the health of workers by (FFCRA), including 9 million being declared “essential” during the 8) It suspended the issuance issuing an infectious disease standard and health care workers and 4.4 coronavirus pandemic. In mid-2019, the by enforcing OSHA, it has in fact done the Trump administration proposed a lengthy of green cards opposite. The CDC issued dangerous million first responders regulation seeking to change a number of H-2A visa program rules. The H-2A is a In June 2020, President Trump issued a guidelines that allowed essential workers The Trump Department of Labor issued temporary work visa program used by presidential proclamation that suspends to continue to work even if they may have a temporary rule exempting certain agricultural employers to hire migrant the issuance of permanent immigrant been exposed to the coronavirus — as employers from the FFCRA paid leave farmworkers for seasonal jobs — includ- visas — also known as “green cards” — to long as they appear to be asymptomatic requirement, including health care ing by President Trump himself at his migrants who are applying for them from and the employer implements additional providers and companies with fewer than wineries. One of the proposals would abroad. Green cards grant lawful perma- limited precautions. This guidance is in 50 employees. According the Department’s change the way the required wage rates nent resident status, which provides a stark contrast to the guidelines issued for own estimates, this would exempt 96 are calculated for H-2A jobs: The current path to citizenship for immigrants who the general public that acknowledges the percent of firms covered by the law. It is rule would be replaced by one that is more wish to naturalize. Ironically, President significant risk of infection from asymp- worth noting that companies with 500 or complex and lowers wages for most H-2A Trump issued this proclamation at a time tomatic and pre-symptomatic infected more employees were already excluded workers. The change was opposed in when nearly all forms of temporary and individuals and recommends exposed from the FFCRA requirements. permanent immigration to the United individuals be quarantined. formal comments by 42 organizations, States were already stopped or suspended 13) It significantly narrowed including EPI. A final version of the as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. 10) It issued guidance proposed regulation has not yet been Nevertheless, if the proclamation were to that allows states to deny benefits under the Pandemic issued, but in the meantime the White remain in force for one full year during a Unemployment Assistance House has been justifying the wage cut as period with normal levels of immigration, unemployment insurance necessary given the challenges posed to it would result in a reduction of nearly (PUA) program employers by the pandemic. benefits to workers who refuse The 200,000 H-2A farmworkers working one-third of all green cards. This effort The Trump Department of Labor issued in the United States last year represented was clearly an attempt to scapegoat to return to unsafe jobs guidance narrowing the framework for immigrants and blame them for a crashing approximately 10 percent of the crop farm The Trump Department of Labor issued eligibility and duration of Pandemic economy in the spring of 2020. Unemployment Assistance benefits. temporary guidance that encourages state EPI REPORT continues page 10 www.minneapolisunions.org September 25, 2020 • Minneapolis Labor Review • Page 9 EPI Report: 50 reasons the Trump administration is bad for workers health and safety as an issue that must be under the FLSA, substantially limiting This would effectively reduce tipped continued from page 9 considered as part of the joint-employer shared liability for wage and hour workers’ earnings by reducing their analysis — a glaring omission. violations and making it harder for opportunities to earn tips. This proposal is workforce. Sadly, abuses by labor recruit- workers to hold accountable all parties little more than a technical way to allow ers and employers are all too common. 21) It has encouraged who set their terms of employment. EPI employers to capture workers’ tips. If The program desperately needs reforms to estimates the ruling will cost workers finalized, the proposed rule would cost protect migrant and American workers, offshoring more than $1 billion annually. A federal workers more than $700 million annually. but over nearly four years Trump’s The Tax Cut and Jobs Acts (TCJA) has court struck down most of this rule, proposals have all been employer-friendly encouraged offshoring of both paper holding that the Trump Department of 27) It has sought to expand — not worker-friendly — even as the profits and real production of U.S. Labor failed to account for some of the program has grown rapidly. multinational companies. The Trump rule’s “important costs, including costs to the use of the fluctuating administration’s failed tax (and currency) workers.” workweek method, which 17) It suspended all union policies have resulted in continued elections offshoring, including the net loss of nearly 24) It has allowed states makes it easier for employers 1,800 factories between 2016 and 2018 and The Trump National Labor Relations 740,000 manufacturing jobs since Febru- to privatize employment to avoid paying overtime Board suspended all union elections, ary 2020. In November 2019, the Trump Depart- including mail ballot elections, between services The U.S. now has a massive trade ment of Labor proposed a rule that would March 19 and March 31, 2020, and then deficit in pharmaceuticals, which The Trump Department of Labor make it easier for employers to use the allowed mail ballot elections only if the increased rapidly after passage of the finalized a rule that allows states to “fluctuating workweek method” for employer agreed to that arrangement. TCJA in 2017, and which exceeds its trade privatize employment services for calculating overtime pay. Under this 18) It completed the U.S. surplus in aerospace products, the unemployed job seekers. This rule allows method, employers can pay workers half of strongest U.S. export industry. Leading states to use contractors or other person- their regular rate for hours worked over Chamber of Commerce’s suppliers of pharmaceutical imports — nel, instead of public employees, in the 40, rather than the usual time-and-a-half. many produced by U.S. firms, such as administration of the employment services As a result, workers would earn less (anti-worker) wish list Pfizer, which had no taxable U.S. income program. This would likely result in the overtime pay. Further, because overtime The Trump National Labor Relations over the entire decade from 2007 to 2016 privatization and reduction in quality of pay would be lower, the rule provides an Board actively pursued the U.S. Chamber — include Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, employment services, including job incentive for employers to require workers of Commerce’s Top 10 wish list and India, and China. Offshoring of U.S. search, job referral, and placement to work more overtime, which undermines adopted 10 out of 10 changes sought by pharmaceutical production, especially in assistance for job seekers. This would also the purpose of overtime protections under the Chamber — all of which weaken the wake of the TCJA, has weakened U.S. reduce the quality of jobs for those the Fair Labor Standards Act. workers’ ability to organize with their supply chains during the coronavirus providing the services. co-workers to bargain collectively with pandemic, as essential medical supplies, 25) It has decreased 28) It has undermined job their employers. including generic asthma medications, security for service workers have been in short supply. workplace safety inspections 19) It has obstructed The TCJA also accelerated profit-shift- In October 2019, President Trump During the first three years of the ing to tax havens, which now deprives the repealed Executive Order 13495, which Trump administration, OSHA workplace workers’ right to fair union United States of roughly $100 billion in had provided job security to workers on inspection activity has fallen relative to revenue each year. Needless to say, it is federally funded contracts for services. elections the previous two administrations. OSHA not typical workers and their families who The executive order, a legacy of the Obama The Trump National Labor Relations also currently has the lowest number of benefit from the use of international tax administration, had required successor Board weakened rules aimed at making inspectors in the history of the agency. havens to shield corporate income. contractors to retain the service workforce the union representation election process Further, more complex health-related for a set period of time. timelier and more efficient, and it adopted 22) It has denied workers inspections are occurring less frequently. rules that put roadblocks in the way of The decline in inspections clearly puts the 29) It has hindered workers’ workers forming unions. more bargaining power on safety of workers at risk, especially those who work in the most dangerous jobs and ability to organize during 20) It narrowed the joint- the job industries. In its latest release of work- On February 6, 2020, the House of place deaths, the Bureau of Labor non-work hours employer standard under the Representatives passed the Protecting the Statistics (BLS) reported that Black and In a series of decisions, the Trump National Labor Relations Act Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which would Latinx workers suffered higher workplace National Labor Relations Board gave significantly restore workers’ right to fatality rates than other workers. BLS also employers more power to prevent union After their first attempt was withdrawn organize and bargain collectively. Howev- found that the number of Black workers organizers and off-duty employees from due to ethics violations, the Trump er, days before the passage of the PRO Act, killed on the job in 2018 increased 16 talking with employees at the workplace, National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) the administration issued a Statement of percent over 2017, from 530 to 615, the during non-work time, about forming a used the rule-making process to weaken Administration Policy recommending that highest total since 1999. union. These decisions exacerbated the the test for finding two employers to be President Trump veto the bill if it reaches imbalance between an employer’s ability “joint employers” of employees under the his desk. 26) It has proposed a rule to deliver anti-union messages at the National Labor Relations Act. As a result, workplace and the limited opportunities workers from staffing agencies — e.g., 23) It narrowed the joint- that would lower the earnings for workers to have pro-union meetings. temporary employees or contractors — are far less likely than other workers to be employer standard under the of tipped workers 30) It has sought to exclude able to bargain with the employers who In December 2019, the Trump Depart- control their wages and working condi- Fair Labor Standards Act ment of Labor proposed a rule that would student employees from the tions. The test adopted by the Trump The Trump Department of Labor allow employers to assign more “side NLRB is weaker than the tests used by proposed and finalized a rule updating the tasks” to their tipped employees — “side National Labor Relations Act other agencies under other workplace joint-employer standard under the Fair tasks” are tasks for which they do not In September 2019, the Trump National laws. EPI estimates that workers will lose Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The rule nar- receive tips, such as restocking and Labor Relations Board proposed a $1.3 billion in wages annually as a result of rows the set of circumstances whereby a cleaning — while continuing to pay them the rule. Moreover, the test excludes firm can be deemed a joint employer the sub-minimum tipped-worker wage. EPI REPORT continues page 11 Page 10 • Minneapolis Labor Review • September 25, 2020 www.minneapolisunions.org EPI Report: 50 reasons the Trump administration is bad for workers spent her career defending employers in Supreme Court to find that it is legal for continued from page 10 wage and hour cases. 36) It issued a rule allowing employers to require employees to waive David Zatezalo, the head of DOL’s Mine hog slaughter facilities to their rights to class or collective claims. rule-making that would strip student Safety and Health Administration The National Labor Relations Board and workers at private universities of their (MSHA), previously served as the chief function at unsafe speeds the Obama Justice Department had right to organize and bargain. The executive to Rhino Resources, a coal In April 2019, the Trump Department determined that this practice violated immediate effect of this proposed rule company that had numerous clashes with of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspec- workers’ rights under the National Labor would be to take away the collective MSHA officials during the Obama adminis- tion Service finalized a rule that would Relations Act, but the Trump Justice bargaining rights of the roughly 57,500 tration, including numerous health and allow an unlimited increase in hog Department sided with employers, as did graduate assistants working at private safety violations. slaughter line speeds — putting public the U.S. Supreme Court, in an opinion universities. Additionally, more than 1.5 health, worker safety, and animal welfare authored by Trump appointee Neil million graduate students at private 33) It has neglected to at risk. The industry was already extreme- Gorsuch. universities would stand to lose the right ly dangerous for workers — it is estimated to form a union. address over-valuation that every year, there are more than 4,700 40) It eroded the collective 31) It prevented millions of the U.S. dollar occupational injuries and more than 2,700 bargaining rights of federal Dollar over-valuation is the single occupational illness in hog-slaughtering of workers from receiving largest cause of growing U.S. trade plants. An unlimited increase in line workers overtime deficits, which are the most important speeds will unquestionably raise those The Trump administration launched a cause of the loss of 5 million U.S. manufac- numbers, but the administration com- multifaceted attack on the collective In 2016, the Obama Department of turing jobs and 91,000 plants since 1998. pletely ignored any negative impact on bargaining rights of federal workers, Labor (DOL) updated the overtime salary The dollar’s value has increased nearly 23 worker safety and health when issuing the including limiting the use of official time threshold from $23,660 to $47,476, but this percent in the past five years, going in rule. for collective bargaining activities, update was ultimately blocked in the exactly the wrong direction. The adminis- weakening due process protections for courts before the rule could be fully tration has done nothing to ameliorate 37) It proposed a rule federal workers subject to discipline, and implemented. Instead of defending the this and has done much to make it worse. allowing young workers undermining the U.S. Postal Service. 2016 rule — which would have strength- More than half of this increase has ened overtime protections for 12.5 million occurred since the Trump administration to perform unsafe tasks in 41) It weakened standards workers — the Trump administration began imposing tariffs on China in March proceeded with their own proposed rule. 2018. health care occupations for mine safety inspections Under the 2019 rule, the Trump DOL In September 2018, the Department of In April 2018, the Mine Safety and updated the overtime threshold to 34) It denied workers a Labor proposed a rule that would allow Health Administration finalized a rule that $35,568. Roughly 8.2 million workers who 16- and 17-year-olds to independently weakens metal/nonmetal mine safety would have benefited from the 2016 rule minimum wage increase operate power-driven patient lifts, putting inspection requirements. Prior to the final were left behind by the Trump DOL’s rule. On July 18, 2019, the House of Repre- these young workers at risk as well as rule, mine safety inspectors were allowed sentatives passed the Raise the Wage Act, endangering patients. to conduct a safety examination at any 32) It put forward which would increase the federal mini- time, including during the mineworkers’ anti-worker Department mum wage to $15 by 2025. A $15 minimum 38) It undercut shifts, making it easier for inspectors to wage would increase wages for over 33 spot unsafe practices and stop them of Labor nominations million U.S. workers and lift 1.3 million public-sector workers’ before someone gets hurt. Under the final During his term in office, President people out of poverty — nearly half of freedom to organize rule, mine safety inspections can occur them children. However, days before the only before or right as workers are Trump has repeatedly nominated The Trump Justice Department argued passage of the Raise the Wage Act, the beginning their shift in the mine. anti-worker candidates for positions at the to the U.S. Supreme Court that it is administration issued a Statement of Department of Labor (DOL), starting at unconstitutional for employers and unions Administration Policy recommending that 42) It appointed anti-worker the top: Andrew Puzder, former CEO of a in the public sector to negotiate and agree President Trump veto the bill if it reaches company with a record of labor law to “fair-share” arrangements. Under these NLRB members violations, withdrew his nomination for his desk. agreements, all workers covered and The Trump administration has stacked Labor Secretary less than a month after protected by a collective bargaining the National Labor Relations Board his nomination after strong opposition 35) It allowed agreement pay their fair share toward the (NLRB) with corporate lawyers and a from worker advocates. misclassification of gig cost of negotiating and enforcing the former Republican Hill staffer. In Septem- President Trump’s first confirmed agreement. The Trump Justice Depart- ber 2017, William Emanuel, a former Secretary of Labor, Alexander Acosta, workers ment urged the Supreme Court to overturn attorney at the Littler Mendelson law firm advanced a pro-business agenda by In April 2019, the Trump General Coun- 40 years of precedent and thousands of who regularly represented large employ- delaying and rolling back many workplace sel stripped tens of thousands of workers fair-share arrangements. With the addition ers, was confirmed as a member of the protections the Obama administration had of protections under the National Labor of Trump nominee Neil Gorsuch to the NLRB, along with Marvin Kaplan, a former implemented, most notably the 2016 Relations Act (NLRA) by deciding that Supreme Court, the Court ruled 5–4 in Republican Hill staffer. Later, in November overtime pay rule. platform-based drivers for Uber and Lyft favor of the Trump administration. 2017, Peter Robb, who spent much of his Eugene Scalia, President Trump’s are not employees covered by the NLRA. career as a management-side labor and current Secretary of Labor, built his career Because workers cannot litigate cases on 39) It denied workers the employment lawyer, was confirmed as the representing corporations, financial their own, this means that Uber and Lyft NLRB’s General Counsel. John Ring, institutions, and other business organiza- right to class or collective drivers are left with no recourse to defend another corporate-side lawyer, was tions while fighting against worker themselves against violations of the NLRA. claims by reversing the confirmed and made chairman in April protections like health and safety In addition, the Trump National Labor 2018. These Trump appointees have regulations, retirement security, and Relations Board narrowed the test for Justice Department’s prior systematically rolled back workers’ rights collective bargaining rights. determining employee status, depriving under the National Labor Relations Act. Prior to becoming the head of DOL’s Super Shuttle drivers of their rights under position in Epic Systems Wage and Hour Division, a position the NLRA and setting a precedent that The Trump Justice Department filed a responsible for enforcing our nation’s undermines employee status for other brief in Epic Systems v. Lewis (consolidat- basic wage protections, Cheryl Stanton misclassified workers. ed with Murphy Oil) urging the U.S. EPI REPORT continues page 12 www.minneapolisunions.org September 25, 2020 • Minneapolis Labor Review • Page 11 EPI Report: 50 reasons the Trump administration is bad for workers

continued from page 11 45) It passed the Tax Cuts 47) It removed requirements 49) It delayed enforcement 43) It hid economic analysis and Jobs Act—which that employers disclose their of a rule protecting workers on the ‘tip stealing’ rule benefits the wealthy at use of union-avoidance from exposure to silica dust others’ expense consultants In April 2017, OSHA delayed by three In December 2017, the Trump Depart- months the enforcement of a rule limiting ment of Labor (DOL) proposed a rule that The signature legislative achievement The Trump Department of Labor workers’ exposure to deadly silica dust. would allow employers to pocket the tips of the Trump administration was the (DOL) repealed rules requiring employers Exposure to silica dust can cause silicosis, of their employees as long as workers are so-called Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). to disclose information about the compa- an incurable and often fatal lung disease, paid the minimum wage. EPI’s estimates The TCJA is mostly a large tax cut for nies they hire and how much they pay and is also associated with an increased show that, if finalized, the rule would have corporations (and, by extension, the them to fight worker organizing cam- risk of lung cancer. The three-month delay resulted in $5.8 billion in lost wages of wealthy households that own these paigns. The rules would have closed a in enforcing the rule allowed continued tipped workers each year. However, before corporations’ stock). The TCJA’s perma- giant loophole that allows employers and high exposures that will lead to an the rule was finalized, a reporter found nent effects will see the top 1 percent of union-avoidance companies to avoid estimated 160 more worker deaths. In that the Secretary of Labor had gone to households, ranked by income, claim a full public reporting. Employers hire August 2019, OSHA issued a request for great lengths to hide the Labor Depart- 83 percent of the law’s benefits. anti-union consultants in 75 percent of information reevaluating the guidance for ment’s economic analysis, which showed The TCJA’s proponents made ambitious campaigns. limitation of silica dust exposure for the just how costly the rule would have been claims about how cutting taxes for EPI estimates that employers spend construction industry. to workers. In the wake of this news, corporations would eventually trickle $340 million per year hiring anti-union Congress added a section to the Fair down into much higher wages for typical lawyers and consultants to help prevent 50) It made it easier for Labor Standards Act, through the workers. But these claims rested on a mix employees from organizing. At the same Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, of unrealistic theory and ignorance of time the Trump DOL was repealing contractors who violate basic that prohibits employers from keeping tips current (or historical) evidence. requirements on anti-union consultants, it received by employees, ultimately making Finally, an under-noticed and particu- was adopting additional rules requiring labor and employment laws the DOL’s proposed rule invalid. larly bad part of the TCJA provides a tax unions to file more reports on their to be awarded contracts paid 44) It has allowed employers benefit for firms that “fissure” their activities. for by taxpayer dollars operations by outsourcing work to 48) It repealed a to gerrymander bargaining subcontracted firms. This fissuring of the In March 2017, President Trump signed workplace has been a damaging feature of requirement that employers a resolution that blocked the implementa- units the labor market for decades now, and it tion of the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces will only be accelerated by the TCJA. In 2011, the Obama National Labor report workplace injuries and rule, which had been issued during the Relations Board (NLRB) ruled in Special- 46) It removed the public illnesses Obama administration to ensure that ty Healthcare that bargaining units sought taxpayer dollars are not awarded to by employees when petitioning to form a record of worker deaths from In 2017, President Trump signed a contractors who cut corners on workplace union at their workplace were presump- resolution repealing OSHA’s rule clarifying safety and other labor protections. tively appropriate if the employees shared OSHA’s homepage an employer’s obligation to keep accurate a “community of interest” and that the For over five years, OSHA maintained a records of work-related injuries and Reprinted by permission. For a link to NLRB would respect workers’ choice running list of workplace fatalities on the illnesses. In January 2019, the Department view the report online, with additional unless the employer made a compelling agency’s homepage, both to acknowledge of Labor rolled back parts of the Tracking information, plus 117 endnotes listing case as to why the bargaining unit was not the tragedies of lives lost and to remind of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses rule, sources, visit minneapolisunions.org. appropriate. The Trump NLRB overturned the public about the need to act to prevent which required companies with more than Specialty Healthcare — enabling such tragedies. In August 2017, OSHA 250 workers to electronically submit employers to gerrymander bargaining moved the list of workplace fatalities to an detailed information to OSHA on work- units to make it more difficult for workers internal page, posting less information place injuries. to organize. and burying information that could save workers’ lives. Postal workers and supporters rally to urge support for US Postal Service By Steve Share, Labor Review editor “The public wants the Postal Service to day, every piece,” said Samantha Hartwig, delays to mail delivery and also the re- MINNEAPOLIS — For the fourth be saved,” said Peggy Whitney, business president of Branch 9 of the National As- moval of mail processing equipment — time in recent months, U.S. Postal Service agent for the Minneapolis area local of the sociation of Letter Carriers. Timlin commented, “we need to remem- employees and community supporters ral- American Postal Workers Union. “We Members of other unions were in the ber this is a manufactured crisis.” lied September 13 in front of the down- need the U.S. Senate to pass the HEROES crowd and voiced support for the postal “If we stay silent, nothing is going to town Minneapolis Post Office. They Act” (the Health and Economic Recovery workers. happen,” said William Martinez, member voiced alarm about recent moves by the Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act). “Postal workers are essential work- of Ironworkers Local 512, who also urged new U.S. Postmaster General — who is a The package of COVID-19 economic ers,” said Ryan Timlin, president of Amal- action to put pressure on the U.S. Senate. major Trump campaign donor — that are relief measures in the HEROES Act in- gamated Transit Union Local 1005. “Like To get more information, and learn ac- resulting in a slowdown of mail delivery cludes funding for the U.S. Postal Ser- ATU members, you have stuck your necks tions to take, visit usmailnotforsale.org. nationwide. They also urged supporters of vice, which has been impacted by a down- out in this crisis… We’re still in the mid- “The only way we can get help is from the Postal Service to contact friends and turn in the volume of first class mail dle of a pandemic.” Congress,” Hartwig said previously. “We family across the country and urge them because of the economy. “We stand in solidarity with you,” need everyone to talk to their friends and to contact their U.S. Senators to urge sup- The U.S. House has passed the HE- Timlin said. “Put pressure on the powers family across the country and ask them to port for emergency funding for the Postal ROES Act and it awaits action by the U.S. that be to get what is needed.” contact their representatives to ask for Service and a halt to new measures slow- Senate. Commenting on Postmaster General help in maintaining our delivery standards ing mail delivery. “We want to deliver your mail, every DeJoy’s new policies — which include and to get relief for the Postal Service.”

Page 12 • Minneapolis Labor Review • September 25, 2020 www.minneapolisunions.org Workers tap into community support, put Surly on notice: ‘We’re not done here’ By Michael Moore, editor, theft and sexual harassment, and less than St. Paul Union Advocate 2% of workers nationwide are represented MINNEAPOLIS — Credit Surly for by unions. this much: the union-busting craft brewer “I’m sure all the other breweries and inspired one raucous Labor Day-weekend distilleries are happy Surly is doing this,” rally, drawing nearly 200 people into the Fuhrman said of the company’s end run streets outside its destination beer hall in around its workers’ union drive. “I think Minneapolis today. momentum is starting to swing. It’s really Workers at the gleaming, new complex exciting to see.” in Prospect Park went public Monday with The community support hasn’t gone un- their plans to unionize. Two days later they noticed by Surly workers. received layoff notices, and Surly owner Natalie Newcomer, a former server who Omar Ansari, citing COVID-19 restrictions was fired by Surly on Aug. 5 – in retaliation on restaurants and bars, announced the beer for union organizing, she believes – said it hall would close indefinitely Nov. 2. was disheartening for workers to see their Today, workers like Megan Caswell concerns about safety, economic security served Ansari with notice that they aren’t and customer experience dismissed so ca- going away quietly, even if the beer hall is. sually by management. But today’s rally, “We’re not done here,” the bartender she said, is a reminder that the fight is said. “We’re still fighting.” worth it. Caswell and her co-workers aren’t “It’s been really beautiful to watch the fighting alone. The scene outside Surly offered a reminder sociation, United Food and Commercial community get together and fight for what UNITE HERE Local 17, the union rep- of the history – and ongoing struggle for Workers, Service Employees, St. Paul Fed- is right,” Newcomer said. “Our family has resenting more than 6,000 Twin Cities hos- justice at work – behind the holiday. eration of Educators and other unions also only grown stronger. And that’s an awe- pitality workers, has pledged legal action Members of several Twin Cities labor wore their union colors to the demonstra- some feeling.” against Surly. And today’s demonstration unions jumped at the opportunity to cele- tion. Any regrets? followed a steady barrage of social-media brate by showing some solidarity. “Like any other workers, Surly workers “Absolutely not,” said Caswell, who backlash to Surly’s announcement. “What better way to spend Labor Day?” are fighting for a voice on the job, a voice joined the rally after finishing a shift be- Workers and supporters marched along asked Kyle Karr, a member of Minneapolis in their safety and a voice in their welfare,” hind the bar. “I’ve never organized any- the public sidewalk bordering Surly’s Fire Fighters Local 82, marching in his said Mat Terwilliger, business agent for thing in my life – maybe my sock drawer. makeshift beer garden, which steadily bunker gear. Local 13 of the International Alliance of It’s been a real education, and I would do it emptied as the protest swelled. Later, dem- Karr previously worked in the food-ser- Theatrical and Stage Employees. “I’m go- again in a second if need be.” onstrators shifted their route to extend vice industry. ing to support that anywhere it happens.” through a crosswalk, halting cars and bicy- “I’ve been in their position before, and Ali Fuhrman, president of AFSCME cles en route to the beer hall’s parking lot they’re looking for the same thing I’ve Local 2822, which represents Hennepin and turning dozens away. been granted as part of a large, national County clerical and related workers, said Labor Day weekend in the Twin Cities union,” Karr said. “We’re all workers at the it’s particularly exciting to see union orga- usually brings working people of all stripes end of the day, and we all want the same nizing happen at places like Surly. Re- together for picnics and parades, canceled things.” search shows workers in the food-service this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the Minnesota Nurses As- industry face greater vulnerability to wage Retiree Meetings IMPORTANT NOTICE During the current public health crisis, retiree meetings likely have been canceled. Please check with your organization about meeting schedules and cancellations. The Labor Review no longer will be running standing notices for retiree meetings as long the COVID-19 crisis continues. If your retiree group is meeting in-person or online, and you want to share that infor- mation, or if you have other important announcements to share, contact the editor at 612- 715-2667 or e-mail [email protected].

Minneapolis Regional Retiree Council: been canceled. Online meeting planned October 15 These cancellations are for the safety and The Minneapolis Regional Retiree Council, health of all our members and their families. We AFL-CIO is planning an online meeting for miss everyone and hope to resume meetings. Thursday, October 15 beginning at 11:30 a.m. Please call the union office at 612-379-1292 For more information or a link to the Zoom to verify all future meetings or check online at meeting, contact Graeme Allen, community and ibew292.org/committees-groups/retirees. political organizer for the Minneapolis Regional Minneapolis Retired Teachers, Chapter 59: Labor Federation, at graeme@minneapolis- Online meeting set for September 29 unions.org. Minneapolis Retired Teachers, Chapter 59 IBEW Local 292 Retirees: plans online meetings this fall. A large class of ‘Senior Sparkies’ meetings new retirees will be welcomed virtually, plus canceled until further notice receive certificates and a gift card. Here is the Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the IBEW schedule: Tuesday, September 29; Tuesday, Local 292 Retirees — “Senior Sparkies”— will October 27; Tuesday, November 24. The not be meeting as scheduled Tuesday, October meetings will run from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon. 13. For more information, contact RTC59info@ The December luncheon for 2020 also has gmail.com. www.minneapolisunions.org September 25, 2020 • Minneapolis Labor Review • Page 13 Due to COVID-19, the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation is not organizing doorknocking this year, but is run- ning virtual phonebanks six days a week. Volunteers can make calls from their own homes. To volunteer, or for more information, contact Joanna DeLaune at [email protected].

Are you on facebook? ‘Like’ the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation… • News Updates • Action Alerts • • Links • Photos of Union Events • www.facebook.com/minneapolisunions

Pipefitters Local 539 Explore the PIPERS Updates during COVID-19 crisis Minneapolis Due to the uncertain times with COVID-19, please watch your U.S. mail, the Pipefitters Local 539 Labor Review website (pipefitters539.com) and the Pipefitters Local 539 Facebook page for updates. Archive Dues reminder Please remember to pay your dues for July-December 113 years of labor 2020. You are able to pay online for your dues on history at the click of the Pipefitters website. You do not need to log in to do so. a mouse button! Condolences Web-Based Condolences to the families of Gerald Clobes and David White. Searchable Free Access If you would like something added to the Pipers section of the Labor Review, call the office at (612) 379-4711. Paid for by Pipefitters Local 539 • www.pipefitters539.com www.minneapolisunions.org

Page 14 • Minneapolis Labor Review • September 25, 2020 www.minneapolisunions.org $5.00 FOR 25 WORDS An exclusive service for subscribing Union members only. Next deadline for Address Change? Sell, Buy, Rent Ads: October 2. Copy must be mailed or delivered. NO TELE- PHONE ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Ads must be accompanied by payment in Subscription Instructions? SELL, BUY, RENTDEPARTMENT check or money order. Each ad must in- clude your union affiliation and your Please let us know if your address will be telephone number, along with your mail- ing label. Over 25 words — 15¢ each extra changing, if your household is receiving more word. Your ad runs in one issue only. than one Labor Review, or if you would like to This reader service is provided for Labor Review subscribing Union members who are in good standing cancel your subscription. with their locals. No commercial ads of business firms or any sidelines or hobbies of union members who Cut out or photo-copy your mailing label from are selling products or services can be advertised in these columns. For display advertising, please contact the Labor Review. Mail or deliver your ad and payment to: Sell, Buy, Rent Department, Minneapolis Labor the front page of the newspaper and mail it to us Review, 312 Central Ave., Suite 542 (Fifth Floor), Minneapolis, MN 55414. NEXT DEADLINE: OCTOBER 2. with your instructions: Attn: mailing list For Sale: Retired carpenter For Sale: 2018 Buick Regal, Wanted: Lead ingots, wheel Minneapolis Labor Review NOTICE downsizing, large selection 4-door Sportback, 2.0L, 22,500 weights, lead water pipes, any tools and lumber. Walker Turner miles, white, $15,000. Duane, form of lead to make fishing 312 Central Ave. Suite 542 NEXT EDITION OF shaper, $1,000; Delta drill press, 612-760-3857. sinkers and jigs. Call Ozzie, 763- Minneapolis, MN 55414 LABOR REVIEW: $100; dust collector, $100; 9 566-4257. For Sale: Camping trailer, 21- No phone calls, please, to report address changes, OCTOBER 16, 2020 routers, many router bits, multi foot, 5th wheel Regale. Clean Wanted: Old and broken out- tool, scaffold, sheet metal shear, stop duplicates, or cancel your subscription. Thanks! Next Ad Deadline is October 2 and good shape. 4 new tires. Re- board motors, old gas engines clamps, hand tools. 25-ft. exten- For Rent: Winter storage for frigerator runs on L.P. or elec- and chainsaws, also engine-re- sion ladder. Other tools. 1000 cars, trucks or small boats. West tricity. Shower, tub and stool. lated items like old spark plugs, bf butternut 4/4 $3,000. White side of metro. Gene, 763-244- Sleeps four. Ideal for overflow tools, gas and oil cans, etc. Tom, pine 5/4,(15 to18-in. x9-ft.) $2/bf. Minneapolis Regional 6932. guests at lake home or hunting 763-785-4031. Misc. mahogany. Isanti County. shack, $2,500 or b/o. Jim, 651- For Sale: Goodman 2-ton central Social distancing required. Con- Wanted: Solid state Hammond, 690-3512. air conditioning unit, $300; Sing- tact 763-689-6947, 612-245-7321 Farfisa, Vox, Nord, Yamaha, Labor Federation… er Touch and Sew machine with or [email protected]. Wanted: Old coins, collections, Korg, Roland organs, key- accessories, $100. Call Frank, bullion, paper money, gold coins, b0oards, synthesizers, 1960s ‘Like’ us on facebook for: For Sale — Must Sell! ’46-’48 612-781-4152 or 612-360-9882. proof sets, mint sets, etc. Anything to 2000s; Also want solid state Ford engine parts, crankshaft, • News Updates • Action Alerts • from pennies to paper. Best of all, Leslie speakers. Jimmy “B,” 612- For Sale: Fifty 33-1/3 RPM re- manifolds, flywheels, clutches, I’ll pay cash and come to you. 824-0872. • Links • Photos of Union Events • cord albums in their jackets and brake shoes and drums, trans- Please call Dick at 612-986-2566. 45 RPM records from the 50s, mission parts and misc. parts, NO TELEPHONE ORDERS 60s, 70s, 80s, make offer. Call torque tubes, ring and pinion. Wanted: Guitars and amplifiers Marie, 612-789-7566. Reasonable offer. 763-561-8143. made in the USA pre-1980. Also FOR SELL, BUY, RENT interested in drums and some oth- DEPARTMENT ADS Make room in your garage Didn’t use it this summer? er instruments. Bob, 612-521-4596. WILL BE ACCEPTED for your car! Sell stuff here! Sell it here! www.facebook.com/minneapolisunions Minneapolis Labor Review General Election Issue Learn about AFL-CIO endorsed candidates, the issues at stake in 2020, and what you can do to get involved to help Get-Out-The-Vote and make a difference! Coming October 16 NEW DATES! Advertising Deadline: September 30 The General Election Issue now will publish one week earlier than originally announced! For more information or to advertise, contact the editor at 612-715-2667 or [email protected]

IBEW Local Union 292 Minneapolis Labor Review Minneapolis Electrical Workers September 2020 Brotherhood the “Continuing Ed” registration link and log in to your 1/8 page2020 ad proof Publication Schedule The Local 292 Brotherhood Committee assists Members account. You also can register in-person at the JATC in 4.7 in.New w. schedule! x 2.85 in. h. in need or distress, either with a gift card from our Local St. Michael during normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. 12x rateOctober = $239.83 16 November 13 December 18 292 food shelf or teams of Brothers and Sisters helping to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. More classes BodyDeadline: text: September 30 Deadline: October 28 Deadline: December 2 around the house. If you need assistance or know of will be added throughout the year. Check the website General Election Issue Holiday Shopping Guide Holiday Issue another Member in need, please call our Brotherhood line and class list frequently for additional classes and Futura Light Condensed 10Regular pt ad rates apply Discounted two-ad Discounted ad rates at 612-617-4247 or e-mail [email protected]. changes to classes. package available for available! Continuing Education Update Your Contact Information November-December The Minneapolis Electrical JATC’s Continuing Education This is a reminder to all Members: Please update your registration is now open at www.mplsjatc.org. Click on contact info with the Hall and the Trust office. For more information, to suggest a story idea, See you at the General Membership Meeting, 7:00 p.m. on the Second Tuesday or to advertise, contact the editor at 612-715-2667 Paid for by IBEW Local 292 • www.ibew292.org or [email protected] www.minneapolisunions.org September 25, 2020 • Minneapolis Labor Review • Page 15

Minnesota AFL-CIO Committee On Political Education: 2020 Endorsements President General Election of the United States Tuesday, November 3 Joe Biden Early in-person voting now underway at county election offices and local election offices For voting information, to request an absentee ballot to vote by mail, to learn how to vote early, or to learn where to vote, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website: mnvotes.org Minneapolis Area Legislative Endorsements Fue Lee 59A Minnesota House Esther Agbaje 59B Erina Prom 20A Sydney Jordan 60A U.S. Senate Renée Cardarelle 29A Mohamud Noor 60B Joe Rosh 29B Frank Hornstein 61A Tina Smith Brad Kovach 30B Jamie Long 61B Brad Brown 31A Hodan Hassan 62A U.S. House Kelly Morrison 33B Aisha Gomez 62B 1st District: 3rd District: 5th District: 7th District: Brian Raines 34A Jim Davnie 63A Dan Feehan Dean Phillips Ilhan Omar Collin Peterson Kristin Bahner 34B Emma Greenman 63B Mike Erickson 35A 2nd District: 4th District: 6th District: Zack Stephenson 36A Minnesota Senate Angie Craig Betty McCollum Tawnja Zahradka Melissa Hortman 36B Chad Tschimperle 18 Erin Koegel 37A Chris Brazelton 29 Amir Malik 37B Diane Nguyen 30 Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation Kris Fredrick 38A Gretchen Piper 33 Committee On Political Education: Mike Nelson 40A Bonnie Westlin 34 2020 Endorsements Samantha Vang 40B John Hoffman 36 Anoka County Commissioner: Richfield City Council: Connie Bernardy 41A Jerry Newton 37 John LeTourneau, District 1 Simon Trautmann, Ward 1 Noel Lutsey, District 2 Sean Hayford Oleary, Ward 2 Sandra Feist 41B Justin Stofferahn 38 Nyle Zikmund, District 3 Ben Whalen, Ward 3 Ginny Klevorn 44A Chris Eaton 40 Cindy Hansen, District 6 Robbinsdale City Council: Patty Acomb 44B Mary Kunesh-Podein 41 Carver County Commissioner: Tyler Kline, Ward 1 Cedrick Frazier 45A Ann Johnson Stewart 44 Randy Maluchnik, District 3 Columbus City Council Sheila Webb, Ward 2 Robert “Rob” Busch, At Large Hennepin County Commissioner: School Boards Mike Freiberg 45B Ann Rest 45 Coon Rapids City Council: De’Vonna Pittman, District 1 Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose: Ryan Winkler 46A Ron Latz 46 Christopher Geisler, At Large Debbie Goettel, District 5 Amanda Lawrence, At Large Cheryl Youakim 46B Addie Miller 47 Chris LaTondresse, District 6 Shalonda Shipp-Gordon, Ward 1 Minneapolis: Kevin Anderson, District 7 Kari Rehrauer, Ward 2 Dan Kessler 47B Steve Cwodzinski 48 KerryJo Felder, District 2 Crystal City Council: Laurie Pryor 48A Melisa Franzen 49 Brooklyn Center City Council: Christa Mims, District 4 Alfreda Daniels, At Large John Budziszewski, Ward 3 Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn 48B Melissa Halvorson Wiklund 50 Osseo: Sizi Goyah, At Large David Cummings, Ward 4 Tamara Grady, At Large Heather Edelson 49A Sahra Odowa 55 Edina City Council: Brooklyn Park City Council: Jackie Mosqueda-Jones, At Large Ukasha Dakane, At Large Steve Elkins 49B Bobby Joe Champion 59 Christian Eriksen, Ward C Miamon Queeglay, At Large Lisa Jacobson, Ward E Maple Grove City Council: Michael Howard 50A Kari Dziedzic 60 Osseo (Special Election): Susan Pha, Ward W Kristy Janigo, At Large Andrew Carlson 50B Scott Dibble 61 Thomas Brooks, At Large Columbia Heights Mayor: Ramsey City Council: Brad Tabke 55A Omar Fateh 62 Amáda Márquez Simula Jeff Menth, At Large Jessica Hanson 56A Patricia Torres Ray 63 This list current as of September 19, 2020. For updates: www.minneapolisunions.org This list current as of September 23, 2020. For statewide endorsements and updates: www.mnaflcio.org

Page 16 • Minneapolis Labor Review • September 25, 2020 www.minneapolisunions.org