Collection
Labor in Minnesota
A simple definition of labor found in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is “the services performed by workers for wages”. However, in practice labor is anything but simple. Issues in labor relations and rights are inherently intersectional. Whether it be with civil rights as seen through the work of Minnesotan Nellie Stone Johnson, with issues surrounding migrant workers from the Southern U.S. and from Central America, with feminism and women’s rights as seen in stories such as those of Eva McDonald there is no questioning that the issues surrounding labor in Minnesota flux in tandem with many other issues of identity, class, and ideology.
56 Collection Items
- Austin at a Crossroads: 25 years after the Hormel strike - The strike that changed Austin
As part of MPR News series “Austin at a Crossroads: 25 years after the Hormel strike,” MPR’s Elizabeth Baier profiles Austin, 25 years after the Hormel labor strike that tore apart the town. Baier reports on the changes that took place in the aftermath of 1985 strike, including the reliance on immigrant workers, which some long-time Austin residents struggle with.
- Working while in college
College is a job for student, but many also have other part-time or full-time jobs to help pay for tuition. With funding for students their colleges are scarce in difficult financial economies, these side jobs become even more important for keeping students in college.
- Young farmer shares new vision for Hmong farming
MPR’s Roseanne Pereria reports that while farming runs deep in the Hmong culture, many Hmong farmers are isolated both by culture and language from the rest of U.S. agriculture. They often have difficulty getting resources and finding information. Pereria interviews one local grower who work towards changing that.
- No Place for a Woman
MPR’s Catherine Winter and Stephanie Hemphill present an American RadioWorks documentary titled “No Place for a Woman.” The documentary explores the legal landmark and legacy for women’s rights in the northern Minnesota’s Iron Range.
- Crosby-Ironton teachers strike
Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports that teachers in the Crosby-Ironton school district are on strike as of February 9th, 2005. They worked without a contract for 20 months and for the past year, teachers have negotiated with the district. The sticking points are salaries and health benefits for retired teachers.
- Day 5 of transit strike, and people are helping others
Workers continue to walk picket lines and no talks are in sight as the Twin Cities Metro Transit bus strike enters its first full work week. Many commuters are settling into alternate travel routines with no promise buses will return to their routes any time soon. While many commuters simply drive their own cars to work, Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes found others who are taking the high road.
- Governor Ventura weighs in on state worker strike
MPR's Michael Khoo reports that state officials and leaders of the two largest public employee unions are set to resume contract talks, but Governor Jesse Ventura says he doesn't see any way to satisfy the demands of striking workers short of cutting government payrolls. Union leaders, however, say if more money isn't available, there's little chance for movement when talks resume.
- No talks planned after first week of state workers strike
At the end of the first week of Minnesota's largest state employee strike, no new talks are scheduled and neither side shows any sign of movement. State officials say state government is weathering the loss of about 23,000 workers, and Governor Ventura says the striking workers should accept the state's offer and come back to work. Ventura says will talk to the strikers, but he will not do it when the media is around.
- State AFSCME and MAPE workers strike
Minnesota Public Radio's Patty Marsicano reports on the thousands of state employees who went on strike after rejecting the state's latest contract offer. A last-minute mediation session produced no agreement between the state's two largest unions and state administration.
- Effects of state workers strike
The state employee strike is already having an impact. Several agencies, like the Health Department and the Department of Agriculture, are scaling back their inspection services. Some Minnesotans are finding it especially difficult to receive vehicle licensing services. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports: