Latest News

In their own words: President Biden’s visit to the Twin Ports

On Thursday, January 25, President Joe Biden came to Duluth and Superior to celebrate the $1 billion-plus federal grant to replace the Blatnik Bridge. This project will provide hundreds of union jobs and replace a vitally important bridge that is at the end of its useful life.

Behind the scenes: Big surprises and special moments

While the Building Trades held much of the spotlight on this, many union members helped make the event a huge success. Here are some behind the scenes stories.

Union members, allies rally again for NTEC plant

Hundreds of union workers and their supporters rallied outside the Superior government center before last week’s city council meeting in support of the Nemadji Trail Energy Center, or NTEC. The rally featured not only union leaders but also members of the business community as well.

From LaborNotes: Grocery Workers Make Waves in the Land of Lakes

By Lisa Xu It wasn’t such a merry Christmas for grocery store management in central Minnesota. Five hundred grocery workers in the Brainerd Lakes area walked out on an unfair labor practice strike, deserting five stores between December 22 and 25. Management tried to keep the stores running, but workers said they turned into disaster zones.

From Minnesota Reformer: Unemployment for school workers cost less than expected

The cost of providing unemployment benefits to hourly school workers during the summer months cost far less than the state expected, meaning school districts won’t see any financial impact from the new law for another year or more.

Nursing home standards board to hold forum

The Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board wants to hear from you. Current and former nursing home workers, worker organizations, employers and employer-organizations – help the state understand current market conditions and the existing wages, benefits and working conditions people experience. There will be a forum on Feb. 29 at the Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior Street, 5-7:30 p.

Northland teachers see progress on contracts

Teachers across the Northland have been putting the pressure on administrations to settle overdue contracts — and they’re getting results. In the Hermantown School District, Local 1096 President Katie Marciniak said the union was on the path for a TA for the 145 or so teachers in the school district after more than 200 days of working without a contract.