Out-of-control health care costs are forcing working families to forgo needed medical care and shredding family bank accounts, while private health insurance companies deny claims and, far too often, refuse to provide coverage. The results of the 2009 Health Care for America Survey—sponsored by the AFL-CIO and Working America—show that more than half of the 23,460 people who took the survey cannot get the health care they need at a price they can afford and one-third say they forgo basic medical care because of its high price. Read More>>

NALC announced that the nation’s largest food drive to combat hunger will be conducted this year on Saturday, May 9. On that day, letter carriers will collect non-perishable donations from homes as they deliver mail along their postal routes.

The 17th annual NALC National Food Drive to “Stamp Out Hunger” is the largest one-day food drive in the nation. Carriers collected a record 73.1 million pounds of food in last year’s drive. The drive is held annually on the second Saturday in May in over 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Today, March 10, 2009 the 111th Congress introduced the Employee Free Choice Act, which will restore workers’ freedom to bargain for fair wages, job security, better health care and secure pensions. The North East Area Labor Council praises Congressman Jim Oberstar and Senator Amy Klobuchar for their support and there work towards rebuilding a vibrant middle class.

 

We are confident the Employee Free Choice Act is going to become the law of the land.

INFORMATIONAL PICKET HAS BEEN CANCELED.

USW 9460 has reached a tentative agreement with SMDC.

USW Local 9460 will be holding an informational picket on Friday September 19th in Duluth.  Steelworkers and other union members joining them in solidarity will be meeting at the Williams Irving Ore Ship (350 Harbor Dr., Duluth, MN) at 7:00 am to recieve hand bills, picket signs, talking pointsm and assigned locations.

Negociations are on going.  Check back here on Thursday night for the latest update or call Kevin Nendick at 218-310-3876.

With 10.5 million members from every walk of life, the AFL-CIO has endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president.
Barack Obama’s record demonstrates he is a champion for working families and his proposals will improve life for generations of working people and our children. Barack Obama says, “Politics didn’t lead me to working folks; working folks led me to politics.”

We all know the benefits of being in a union - protection at work, job security, higher wages, and better benefits.  This report proves what we in the labor movement already knew, a rising tide lifts all boats.  Read the findings.  Know the facts.  Spread the word.

Last week, 30 union members went out door-to-door in Virginia and Duluth to talk to fellow members about issues affecting working people and the candidates running for President and Senate.  "Of all the door knocks I've done over the years, this is the most excited crowd I've seen," Doug Anderson commented following his door knock shift on Saturday.  Doug is a member of UAW Local 241 and said that people are tired of the status quo and added "98% of the people I talked to are not going to vote for John McCain."

The North East Area Labor Council is a coalition representing over 40,000 workers.  Its' affiliates include the Iron Range Labor Assembly, the Duluth Central Labor Body, the Carlton County Central Labor Body, and Minnesota AFL-CIO affiliates in Northeastern Minnesota.  Our goal is to constantly and consistently enhance the mobilization efforts of the labor movement in Northeastern Minnesota to better the lives of working people. 

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