Republican Senate leaders are so frightened that a member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) might actually have an open mind about workers’ rights, that in two purely partisan maneuvers, they’ve blocked a majority vote on one of President Obama’s nominees for an NLRB seat. Read More>>

Earlier this week, we noted a new study that predicts health insurance premiums will jump between 10 percent and 11 percent this year. Now a new government report says health care costs last year took the biggest bite ever out of the nation’s economy. Read More>>

Labor Secretary Hilda Solis says workers face increasing obstacles when they try to form unions and “we need to restore their freedom to do so.” In testimony before the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee today, Solis looked back at the department’s actions in 2009 and forward to its 2010 agenda. Read More>>

The January "labor movie night" in Duluth will be showing "At the River I Stand" as part of the MLK Day festivities. The 1993 film chronicles the AFSCME Memphis Sanitation workers strike in 1968, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I have been to the mountaintop” speech. Dr. King was assassinated the following day. Look for other MLK Day events at http://www.mlk-duluth.org/ To RSVP for the movie, go to: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=267836940991&ref=ts

The North East Area Labor Council teamed up with other health care reform organizations for a rally this past weekend. About 65 people attended the rally on the steps of the Gerald Heaney Federal Building to call on congress to pass health care reform now. Speakers included Alex Livadaros, small business owner and member of AFSCME local 66, and Alan Netland, President of NEALC and AFSCME local 66. Kathy Heltzer, a Social Work Professor at UMD and UEA member, was the MC for the event. Other speakers included Pastor Kathy Nelson of Peace United Church, Frank Boyle former WI legislator and retired member of LIUNA, and Duluth City Councilor-elect Kerry Gauthier.

From September 22nd edition of the Labor World
There’s a debate in Washington,DC about health care and it comes down to this: If the insurance companies win, the American people lose. On Tuesday two dozen area residents added their voices to the debate by visiting United Health Group’s OptumHealth in West Duluth asking the corporation to change its practices. 


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On July 23rd Union members from the Twin Ports gathered to watch "Labor's Turning Point: The Minneapolis Truck Strikes of 1934" in Wellstone Hall.  The documentary done by the University of Minnesota Labor Education Services chronicles the turbulent  - and often very violent - strike that nearly doubled the wages of working class truck drivers in Minneapolis.

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.

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.

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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