An active 151 Member emailed a request that we encourage members to contact Governor Dayton.  We can thank him for his leadership so far, and emncourage him to stand strong against the House and Senate "Cuts Only" plans.  This is a good idea!  She's also been gracious enought o draft us an example letter for the Governor.  Thanks!

Most Minnesotans continue to pay more in state and local taxes so the rich can pay less, according to the newest Tax Incidence Study from the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Most Minnesotans pay more than 12 percent; millionaires pay less than 10 percent. Read more >>>

Former labor secretary Robert Reich shreds the lies and hypocrisy of the right wing's relentless scapegoating of public workers. And he explains the truth about the economy -- in 2 minutes, 15 seconds.

Statement of AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee after Pres. Obama’s State of the Union address Read more >>>

When it comes to this year’s Legislature, these are the principles and priorities AFSCME members will fight for: Defeat constitutional amendments that restrict rights or revenue; support initiatives that create jobs and raise revenue fairly; protect bargaining rights and pensions; and redesign government services in ways that move more resources to the point of service and spend tax dollars wisely and productively. Read more >>>

In-home child-care providers in Minnesota have been organizing with AFSCME Council 5 for six years. Despite attacks and lawsuits from right-wing opponents, they refuse to back down. Providers are self-employed business owners, says St. Paul provider Lisa Thompson. "But we're workers, too, and we want to have a say in our livlihood." Read more >>>

The Democratic-Farmer-Labor party, the Independence party, and the Republican party hold precinct caucuses on Tuesday, Feb. 7, beginning at 7 p.m. Find the location of the caucus in your community. For more information, call the AFSCME political organizer in your area – Metro: Jon Grebner, 651-287-0587; Northern and Western Minnesota: Chad McKenna, 218-310-8412; Southern Minnesota: Laura Askelin, 651-287-0586. Read more >>>

Last year, a record 1,500 AFSCME members ignited a push that saved 5,000 jobs; stopped $1.5 billion more in budget cuts; and defeated attacks on our pay, pensions and health care. We'll need to fight the same attacks this year – plus a new one that threatens our very existence as a union. Read more >>>

January 9th - Please join us for pizza and videos as we talk about Labor & Civil Rights: Past, Present and Future

One of the most important things you can do during the Holidays!

During the Holiday season you may find yourself gathering with people you don’t see very often. Please talk to them about why defeating the constitutional amendment is important to you.

In a unanimous vote on August 8, 2011, the Minnesota AFL-CIO General Board approved a resolution opposing the November 2012 constitutional amendment banning marriage equality.

The resolution puts the state’s largest labor federation, made up of more than 1,000 affiliated local unions representing more than 300,000 working people, squarely against enshrining discrimination in the state’s constitution.

06-09-11 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES

Local 151 Members supporting equality for GLBT met on the Kellogg Blvd East lawn on Monday, July 11, 2011 to learn more about the discrimination that is inherent in the proposed marriage amendment.  Mary Larson, Vice President, spoke to the crowd about working for equality for all citizens, clients and colleagues.

 

In the 2012 election, there will be a question on the ballot asking voters to define marriage.  The amendment is designed to restrict the rights of certain individual in MN. Local 151 has created a new committee to work to defeat the amendment.  Read more...

At the 3/31/11 Lunchroom meeting, we discussed the state budget situation and proposed resolutions to the $5 billion deficit.

The proposals include:

1. Governor Dayton's plan to solve $2.4 billion of that by making the tax code fair for all of us. The Governor proposes to add a top income tax bracket for wealthiest MInnesotans, who now currenlty pay 8-9% of their incomes in state and local taxes, while the rest of the tax brackets pay 10-12.8%. The Governor is against any further cuts to Local Government Aid, which is a big chunk of our County's budget.
2. The Majority in the MN Legislature are proposing to solve the entire deficit with a "cuts - only" approach. This loss of funding and services will be devastating to our clientele, our communities, and our workloads. It also will lead to AFSCME layoffs.

To change the majority vote in the Legislature, we need to change 5 minds in the House and 5 minds in the Senate. After our lunchroom meeting, several of you asked for tips and talking points for calling your legislators. This article was compiled by a combination of members who attended that meeting. Read the rest of the article here.

Here's how to reach 151 Officers and Stewards: