The national Republican party has selected Indiana Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels to respond to President Obama’s State of the Union address next week–sending a clear signal the party is making attacks on working people a top priority in the 2012 elections. Daniels is a key backer of right to work for less (RTW) legislation which state Republican lawmakers, in a stunning display of arrogance, have repeatedly tried to ram through, while thumbing their noses at working Hoosiers–not to mention democracy. Read more >>>

First, multimillionaire Mitt Romney told a group of jobless workers he’s also “unemployed.” Next, Romney thought there was no problem in stating publicly that he likes to “fire people.” Now, the Republican presidential wannabee proved yet again how out of touch he is with mainstream Americans by showing the extent to which he’s a member of the elite 1 percent. In South Carolina yesterday, Romney admitted he pays “around” a 15 percent tax rate, while earning $374,000 a year in speaker’s fees alone—an income he described as “not very much.” Read more >>>

Viewers in Austin, Texas, and Pittsburgh are getting the first public look at a new AFL-CIO television spot, “Work Connects Us All: America’s Unions.” The evocative ad features members of many unions, from virtually every industry, and is part of a broad campaign that aims to “fly above the tactics and controversies of the day” and connects with people around the values associated with work, according to AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler. Read more >>>

We must stand in solidarity with Wisconsin workers and show that we will not sit by and watch as the right wing tramples on workers' rights. We will be doing recruitment and confirmation calls on Wednesday night from the labor temple. Let me know if you want to help make this a successful show of support for Wisconsin workers. If you can't help with recruitment calls, forward this email, spread the word on facebook (http://tinyurl.com/49tsujy), text and call your friends. New flier and handbill attached. You can print and cut up the handbills or I will have them ready for people to pick up on Monday. Solidarity!

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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