August 17: First of four Labor 2016 ‘Days of Action’ seeks volunteers for doorknocking— page 3 MinneapolisMinneapolis LaborLabor ReviewReview 109th Year No. 3 July 29, 2016 www.minneapolisunions.org Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO Labor’s booth returns to Union leaders: Trump is no Game Fair August 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 friend to working families See page 7 By Mark Gruenberg, As far as Trumka and the oth- PAI staff writer ers are concerned, the Demo- PHILADELPHIA (PAI)— crats are responding to workers. AFL-CIO president Richard And Trump isn’t. The union Trumka topped a parade of leaders concentrated on blasting union leaders who addressed the Trump. Democratic National Conven- “Trump actually said our tion in Philadelphia July 25. wages are too high, not just once They lauded Democratic presi- but repeatedly,” Trumka de- dential nominee Hillary Clinton clared. “Donald Trump isn’t the and blasted Republican nominee solution to America’s problems. Donald Trump. He is the problem.” Tyler Redden, AFSCME The convention speakers in- And paraphrasing the late Local 3800 member, dis- cluded Building Trades presi- Senator Lloyd Bentsen, D-Texas plays his first deer. dent Sean McGarvey and both — in the 1988 vice presidential teachers union presidents — debate — Trumka added: NEA’s Lily Eskelsen-Garcia and “Working people are strong and June 19-26: Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association walked Labor news AFT’s Randi Weingarten — as Donald Trump is wrong, wrong, picket lines for a full week at five Allina hospitals and facilities. updated daily well as Service Employees pres- wrong. He thinks he’s a tough www.workdayminnesota.org ident Mary Kay Henry and guy. Well, Donald, I worked in After one-week strike in AFSCME president Lee Saun- the mines with tough guys. I Minneapolis Regional ders. know tough guys. They’re You had to be watching the friends of mine. And Donald, June, Nurses to consider Labor Federation… DNC’s livestream online to see you’re no tough guy. You’re a Follow us on facebook! them, however, as the networks phony.” latest Allina offer… and www.facebook.com/minneapolisunions did not carry the union presi- National Education Associa- dent’s speeches. PRESIDENT page 6 another strike vote —pages 8-9 MN AFL-CIO elects Julie Blaha secretary-treasurer Vote August 9 SAINT PAUL — The Minne- ‘I took my father’s belief in Primary Election sota AFL-CIO general board voted unanimously June 21 to fairness and hard work with me Tuesday, August 9 is elect Julie Blaha to serve as the state labor federation’s secre- both into teaching and leading Primary Election day in tary-treasurer. my local union. I’m excited to Minnesota. Blaha, president of Anoka Your ballot may contain Hennepin Education Minnesota bring those values and experi- races for local, state and from 2010 to 2014, currently is a federal office. mathematics and science teacher ences to the Minnesota AFL-CIO.’ at Jackson Middle School in —Julie Blaha In most locations, polls Champlin. Julie Blaha will be open from 7:00 Blaha also has served as a a.m. to 8:00 p.m. longtime member of the Minne- and improving the lives of all teacher and Education Minneso- Early voting is now un- apolis Regional Labor Federa- working people,” said Blaha. “I ta member to serve as a Minne- derway. tion’s executive board. took my father’s belief in fair- sota AFL-CIO executive officer She succeeds Steve Hunter in ness and hard work with me and the first woman elected as For more information the state labor movement’s num- both into teaching and leading secretary-treasurer of the state about early voting, visit ber two position. Hunter retired my local union. I’m excited to AFL-CIO. www.sos.state.mn.us. in April 2016. bring those values and experi- Blaha addressed the MRLF’s For a list of AFL-CIO “Growing up in a union ences to the Minnesota delegate meeting July 13. endorsed candidates, see household, I learned firsthand AFL-CIO.” “Thank you to so many of you in how important the labor move- With Blaha’s election, she the room who have been so sup- page 16. ment is to sustaining families becomes the first classroom BLAHA page 11 At a critical moment, labor’s cause is racial, economic justice By Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou, President, the changes necessary to stop the sense- Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation less violence. We know all too well that We are at a critical moment in the his- union members are not immune to these tory of our unions. We are facing the rise inequalities. of the on-demand economy, a widening We cannot continue to simply grapple income gap, and a surge in dangerous dis- with how to respond to tragic events; we criminatory rhetoric, fueled need to put forth a bold agen- by Donald Trump’s cam- da for justice for all workers. paign. From Brexit, to Brazil Even in the face of these to right here in the United great challenges, I am very States, the very values we optimistic. share as workers are under at- I am optimistic because tack. our movement and the grass- If this wasn’t enough, we roots movement organizing in are facing tragedy, after trage- the streets is brimming with dy in our very own communi- new leaders, leaders who not ties, places where we are sup- only want to see justice in the posed to feel safe. This month we were streets, but also in their workplaces. MRLF to launch local Labor Commission rocked again by the death of an Afri- I am optimistic because we at the can-American male involved in a tragic MRLF have kicked-off our own Labor on Racial and Economic Justice police incident. And this time, the news Commission on Racial and Economic MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis plained: “What can we do, going for- hit close to home, as one of our own Justice to start tackling these very issues Regional Labor Federation is preparing ward, to make sure people of color’s union members was the victim. The story and to chart a positive path forward in our to launch a local Labor Commission on voices are heard? We thought it would be of Philando Castile and the live video of own unions (see story this page). Racial and Economic Justice. a great idea to form a Labor Commission the aftermath of his shooting captured the I am optimistic because our unions The Commission is an outgrowth of within the MRLF.” attention of the entire country. have shown a commitment to fighting for the work of the MRLF’s People of Color As presented to the MRLF delegate The events that surrounded Philando improved workplace standards for not Union Members (POCUM) caucus and a meeting, goals of the Commission will Castile’s death and the subsequent calls only union members, but for all workers. follow-up to the February 2016 visit to be to: for justice are not for our entertainment. And, I am optimistic because our Minneapolis by the national AFL-CIO’s n Foster unity in the local labor The names, the hashtags — they rep- unions are committed to growing. Grow- Labor Commission on Racial and Eco- movement related to issues of race equi- resent people, real people in our very own ing the labor movement is a strategy for nomic Justice. ty; community. They have jobs. They work addressing racial and economic inequali- Union members presented the local n Increase community affinity for the alongside us. They have families. They ty. A renewed emphasis on stronger com- Commission proposal to the MRLF dele- union movement and encourage worker were our high school classmates. munity and labor partnerships will help gate meeting July 13. organizing as solutions to racial and eco- These events are the result of a system make that growth a reality. Cathy Jones, member of National As- nomic injustice in our state; set up with broken rules and biases both I am asking our affiliated unions to sociation of Letter Carriers Branch 9, ex- COMMISSION page 5 recognized and unrecognized. commit to being a part of the conversation As union members, we are on the to explore how workers can address the front lines. We see the effects of these systemic injustices we face and to help de- Information for candidates seeking endorsement tragedies and the subsequent fight for ra- velop and implement a bold agenda for The Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation [email protected]. cial justice playing out in our classrooms, justice for all workers. And, I am asking screens candidates for State Legislative, County, In addition, all requests should be copied by hospitals, worksites and streets. our affiliated unions to take action in part- Municipal, School Board or other local elected of- e-mail to MRLF campaigns manager Casey Hudek at While we struggle to address the chal- nership with our community to grow the fices located in Hennepin, Anoka, Wright, Scott, [email protected] and to Barb Boettch- lenges we face, more violence, especially labor movement as a strategy for address- Carver, Meeker, and McLeod counties. er at [email protected]. against first responders and the police is ing our community’s inequalities. The Minnesota AFL-CIO’s endorsement process Please include the following information in your equally tragic and absolutely NOT the Throughout history, the labor move- for state legislative candidates in this region be- request: Candidate name; campaign committee name answer. Union members believe in safety ment — at its best —has grown by bring- gins with the MRLF screening process.